Your Pulse!

Every time I do my workout I take my pulse!  In fact, my pulse is taken automatically.  The cross-trainer I use at home registers my heart rate as well as the amount of calories I am burning.  There are goals I set for both.   It is recommended that I exercise within 55 to 85 percent of my maximum heart rate (MHR) for at least 20 to 30 minutes to get the best results from aerobic exercise.  The MHR is roughly calculated as 220 minus one's age.   I set my target between 130 - 140 bpm.   My half hour workout will burn around 300-400 calories.  In 30 minutes I like to burn at least 350 calories.  Taking one's pulse is good to increase overall physical health.

Taking the pulse of your church is also essential to increase overall church health.   Perhaps during this COVID-19 pandemic you are just trying to maintain essential ministries such as weekly online services, pastoral care of your members, and people meeting together in small groups.   Many church leaders had to learn new skills and adapt to very different situations.  I get that!   But taking the pulse of your church is especially helpful when church ministry is difficult, trying, and in the midst of uncertainty.

As churches we recognise the importance of regularly taking the pulse of your church.   In order to grow healthy churches we emphasize that "each congregation undertake an annual (or regular) audit using an instrument such as the Natural Church Development survey."   When you take the pulse of your church by using the NCD survey you will quickly identify areas of strengths and weaknesses in your congregation.  If these weak areas in your church are not addressed your church health will be adversely impacted.  

Suppose I go to my local GP to have a regular physical done.   After the routine blood pressure and blood checks he notices areas of concern.   He then suggests things that I can do to improve my overall physical health.  If I ignore those suggestions my general health will most likely be compromised.   The wise thing would be to heed the suggestions resulting in increased health.

In Revelation 2-3 we have Jesus addressing seven churches in the province of Asia.   For each church he takes their pulse and lets them know what they can do to improve their church health.   For example, after taking the pulse of the church in Pergamum Jesus tells them that this church, which lived in a very evil city and faced much persecution, did not back away from staying true to Jesus and the Christian faith.  But they had allowed false teaching to creep into the church, which was leading many astray from the gospel (see Revelation 2:12-17).  Jesus calls this church to address his concerns.

If you were to take the pulse of your church right now in the midst of this global pandemic, what do you reckon you would discover?  Measure the fundamentals of your church such as your worship services, prayer, the preaching of God's Word, pastoral care, small group ministries, discipleship, outreach to the lost, and seeking justice in our world.  You might discover that in the midst of COVID-19 you are actually reaching more people with the gospel through your online services.  What might this tell you about the shape of ministry beyond this pandemic?  You are encouraged by the way the congregation is loving each other through their stepped up contact with one another through phone calls, social media, and other caring actions.   How could you maintain this momentum into the months ahead?   But you also notice that your small groups are not functioning well.  And it is not just the technical aspects of ZOOM gatherings and the like.   Your leaders lack the skills to effectively lead.  What training might you consider going forward?  Or as you take your pulse you realise that even before the pandemic intentional discipleship was not just happening.  Now even less.  What might you need to do to turn that around?

The benefit of taking your pulse in the midst of this global pandemic is that you will quickly identify your areas of strengths and weaknesses.   These areas are accentuated during times of crises, transition, and uncertainty.  This is not unlike your physical health.   If your heart or lungs are weak, trying getting on a treadmill or going for a run uphill.  You will quickly notice your shortness of breath.  

If you want some help in taking the pulse of your church, here is a simple tool that you might like to use to assess your church health: Taking the Pulse of Your Church.  Alternatively, head to the NCD website and explore the option of doing a NCD Church Health Survey.  I remain actively engaged among the CRCA churches and stand ready to assist you in taking your pulse and/or initiating strategies to improve your overall church health.  Fill out a contact form and I will be in touch with you.  But remember, it all begins with taking your pulse!