A good root system – the key to health!
The largest living organism in the world is a quaking aspen tree known as the “Trembling Giant”. This single tree has over 47,000 stems, covers 106 acres, is 80,000 years old and weighs 13 million pounds. Impressive, eh?How has this tree survived through drought, forest fires, and pests over its long life span? It has an extensive root system that nourishes and protects the plant. Churches can also be fragile or resilient. It all depends on how strong their root system is.
Take this short quiz to learn how firm your church’s foundation really is. Below are four qualities of a strong root system (Values, Behavior, Means of Grace, and Mission). These things are enduring. Circle the number beside each heading: 5 is high; 1 is low.
Values 1 2 3 4 5
Values are the qualities that guide your actions. It’s what sets you apart as a congregation. Usually, it’s how members describe their church. “We are a loving church”, or “We care about social justice”. You can also assess your values by how you spend money and what you plan ministry around.
Churches that have deeply held values live out of those convictions. They nourish your organization like strong roots. It is vital that members know what they are. They are in the songs we sing and the prayers we pray.
Behavior 1 2 3 4 5
Actions speak louder than words. When people treat each other with love and respect it’s noticeable. Congregations that take this seriously have a written Behavioral Covenant or Guideline. It is designed and signed by members as a way of being accountable to each other and working out differences. This Covenant is displayed where members can see it and consult it regularly. Some of the items on this guideline may include listening respectfully, being compassionate to others, etc. Healthy ways of relating to one another resemble deeply woven roots.
Means of Grace 1 2 3 4 5
John Wesley talked about God’s grace and how it strengths our faith walk. He said that there are 2 ‘Means of Grace’: Acts of Vital Piety (worship, prayer, singing hymns, sacraments, Christian conferencing), and Acts of Compassion and Mercy (Matthew 25 ministries of meeting the real-life needs of others and working for the common good). When these practices are taken seriously they become the lifeline of life together in a congregation just as good roots make for a healthy plant. They are the basis of ministry. Primetime, not pass time, activity.
Mission 1 2 3 4 5
When we are clear about our purpose, people make good decisions and align their life together to be successful at reaching it. Congregations that have worked out their purpose statement know why they exist and prioritize activities to move them closer to this goal. A mission statement should be a brief (no more than 12 words) description of who you are. Members should have it memorized and use it to evaluate how well they are doing as a church.
How did you do?
Add up your scores and compare it to the numbers below:
15 – 20 Well done!
9 – 14 Not bad!
Under 9 Room for improvement!
As you review your responses:
A. What area does your congregation do well?
B. What area can it do better?
C. Name a specific way you can boost your congregation’s root system.
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