Can a church get the Flu?

So...I've Had the flu for a week now - no idea where I got it. Man, has it really screwed-up my productivity!

I wish I'd gotten the flu shot.

I was talking with my mom a couple of days ago and she suggested that maybe I should see the flu as a blessing because it is forcing me to slow down (insinuating that maybe my life is moving at too fast a pace - I'm working too hard). Could be...I doubt it. But that's why we love our mom's isn't it...they alway see more in us than is really there.

The reality is I probably got the virus from germs off of someone's hand I shook at Four Corners.

Nevertheless, in one of my high fever moments, I pondered how a "virus" might affect a church. What happens when an otherwise healthy and active congregation slows down for a period of time? If the easy-to-track indicators of health (attendence and offering) stagnate, is that an indication of a virus at work? Still more, what are the indicators of a healthy church?

At Four Corners we focus on 4 things. We believe that when these four things are happening at large within our congregation, then we are healthy...

1. INVEST and INVITE. We believe that the local church is one of the primary tools God uses in the world. So we build meaningful relationship with our neighbors, co-workers, and family...and we invite them to be part of something that is very important to us - CHURCH.

2. LIVE GENEROUSLY. We know that our calandars and our checkbooks are the best indicators of what we value in life. We make sure that we regularly give time and money to help build the local church, and through it the Kingdom of God.

3. HAVE A FRIEND, BE A FRIEND. We know that poeple desire community and that the people we hang around have an affect on us. So we regularly make time for friends who encourage us in our relationship with Jesus.

4. TAKE MY NEXT BOLD STEP. We believe nothing is more important than a person's relationship with Jesus, and like any relationship it takes efforts to keep it thriving. So we actively look for ways to take our next bold step with Jesus.

When these four things saturate a congregation, then attendence numbers and offering grow - like a good virus. Attendence and money are important to a church because the larger those numbers, the larger the impact a local church can have on its community (thus, the greater impact God's Kingdom has in a community).

For the first time in 3 years, Four Corners is not on an obvious growth curve in terms of people or money. So let the evaluation begin...

I can think of scores of testimonials from people who are actively TAKING THEIR NEXT BOLD STEP with JESUS. We have more positive feedback in the spiritual growth area right now than we have ever had. I give us an "A-" (there is still room for more).

Also, Life Groups (led by Ryan Hartsock) are at an all time high. People are HAVING A FRIEND and BEING A FRIEND more than ever before in our congregation. I give us a "B+" (up from a D- just 6 months ago).

As far as LIVE GENEROUSLY...it's split. In terms of the percentage of people in our congregation who volunteer in the local church at least once per month, we are healthy - a "B" (above average).

In terms of the percentage of people who are being generous with their finances I give us a "D+" (below average). I don't think this is a reflection of their desire to be more generous with the money, I think it is a reflection of our debt consumed society (i.e., I think a lot of people are living beyond their means).

For INVEST and INVITE I give us a "F." Some people hit homeruns with this all the time, but most have never even attempted it. I think they are mostly afraid of rejection - or they just don't know how. This is the area where the leadership of the church can help our people the most right now. Creating opportunities for people to see how this process can work.

Are we at the peak of health right now? No. Are we sick? No, but I think the virus is among us. In the next few weeks we need to wash our hands, take our vitamins, and drink lots of water. Maybe even go ahead and get that shot. There are too many good things God wants to do through us right now for us to be laid up with the flu.