Heart for the HouseSample

A Healthy House

Chris Mendez

When I ask myself what defines a healthy church, I can't help but think about the message in Psalm 92:12-14. If we want to flourish, God calls us to be planted in His house. His house isn't just a place that we visit, it's a place in which we belong.

The church is about being a family that worships and grows together so that in times of need, there is support and love from others. 

I can remember a time, years ago, right before my father graduated to eternity. In his last seven months of life, he practically spent day after day in the hospital. The days that I would have to go in to the office, I would finish work and go pick up Lucy and my kids to go visit my dad and be with him.

During that time, which was a very difficult time personally, I loved that we had visitors from the church three or four times a week. Pastors and other members of the congregation came and prayed over us and on many occasions brought us food or sent us things that we needed. They were there to support us.

That is the advantage of being part of a community of faith. A healthy house is a family that surrounds you and contains you.

In Romans 12, Paul paints a picture of how to be a church. He challenges us to form a healthy community, where each individual feels included, loved, and valued.

A healthy house is cultivated by genuine love, generous acts, and unexpected answers, or as Paul says, overcoming evil with good. A healthy house is cultivated by a healthy heart!

You and I are The Church and we determine the culture. We have in our hands the opportunity to construct a house where people can plant, flourish, develop their potential, and reach the purpose that God has for their lives.