Church Health Principles

The principles behind all the quality characteristics are the six growth forces. The survey assesses each of the eight quality characteristics by measuring the degree to which each is lived out. Any plans to improve the minimum factor must take into account these six growth forces.

• Interdependence – individual units are connected to each other in a larger system. Changes in one ministry will affect other ministries in the church and community. Synonym: Connecting
• Multiplication – Healthy organisms do not grow endlessly, but reproduce themselves. Synonym: Reproducing
• Energy transformation – Momentum or energy already flowing, whether positive or negative, can be redirected to accomplish God’s purposes. Synonym: Harnessing
• Multi-usage – Resources used should increase the capacity for on-going growth and development, as well as serve multiple purposes. Synonym: Sustaining
• Symbiosis – Different ministries can cultivate cooperative relationships so the mutual benefit is greater than operating separately. Synonym: Cooperating
• Functionality – Each ministry needs to produce discernible results in line with its intended purpose. Synonym: Evaluating

The leaders of churches that are healthy, or becoming increasingly healthy, may or may not be aware that these principles are at work in the life of the church, they may simply be employing these principles intuitively. They may use other names for these principles, or not name them at all, but they are nonetheless employing them. The higher the health of the church, the greater the degree to which these principles are at work.

This is encouraging for two reasons. First of all, it shows that God is entirely consistent in the way He superintends His creation, enabling churches to grow as organisms in the same way as He brings about the growth of other organisms. Secondly, to identify these principles makes it possible to understand and apply them as part of partnering with God to grow the church. It should come as no surprise that these principles are thoroughly biblical. In some instances the teaching is direct, such as in John 15 where Jesus speaks about “fruitfulness.” In others we see the principles undergirding the message, such as “multiplication” in the Great Commission in Matthew 28. For church leadership, therefore, understanding and applying these principles consistently until they become a natural part of the "way of life" of the church is essential. They are a key to releasing 'all by itself' growth.