As a church, we do not want to be merely visible or large — we desire to be healthy. A healthy church is a community that is growing spiritually, robust in doctrine, united in love, and fruitful in mission. Below are biblical and widely recognized marks of a healthy church.
Nine Marks Framework (from 9Marks / Tim Challies)
Tim Challies (reflecting 9Marks) lists several marks of a biblical church. Tim Challies Key among them:
- Expositional Preaching
Sound preaching where Scripture is exposited and drives the sermon. Tim Challies - Biblical Theology
The church understands how doctrines relate to each other and how God’s redemptive story unfolds across Scripture. Tim Challies - Biblical Understanding of the Good News
Clarity on sin, grace, faith, repentance, union with Christ, atonement. Tim Challies - Biblical Understanding of Conversion
Conversion is understood as a radical work of God (new birth), not a mere decision or moral improvement. Tim Challies - Biblical Understanding of Evangelism
Evangelism is rooted in proclaiming the full gospel and calling people to faith in Christ. Tim Challies - Biblical Understanding of Membership
Healthy churches practice meaningful, accountable membership, not a loose attendance model. Tim Challies - Biblical Church Discipline
Discipline is practiced to correct, restore, and protect the church’s witness. Tim Challies - Promotion of Discipleship & Growth
The church helps believers mature in Christ through teaching, mentoring, accountability. Tim Challies - Biblical Leadership
Leadership is servant-oriented, accountable, qualified by Scripture, and oriented toward equipping others. Tim Challies
Additional Characteristics from Other Sources
- Love, unity, and community
A healthy church is characterized by genuine brotherly love, mutual care, grace, reconciliation, and unity (John 13:34–35). get.tithe.ly+2GotQuestions.org+2 - Strong prayer life, intimacy with God
A healthy church is committed to prayer, seeking God corporately and individually. Grow a Healthy Church+2TGC Africa+2 - Faithful leadership and accountability
Leaders are humble, transparent, morally upright, teachable, and held accountable. TGC Africa+2Bible.org+2 - Spirit-empowered ministry and mission
The church depends on the Holy Spirit, demonstrating power in witness, service, and outreach. Ministry127+2Grow a Healthy Church+2 - Balance of grace and truth
The message of Christ should be neither diluted nor harsh—but full of truth spoken in love. Free Church of Scotland+2Biblical Leadership+2 - Steady growth (numerical & spiritual)
A healthy church sees growth in numbers (new converts, baptisms) and depth (maturity in believers). Subsplash+3Biblical Leadership+3Breeze ChMS+3 - Outward focus / mission / service
Healthy churches are not inwardly self-absorbed; they serve the poor, engage their community, bring hope to the marginalized. Grace Capital Church+2Breeze ChMS+2 - Doctrinal fidelity
The church holds firmly to Scripture, resists false teaching, and clearly articulates essential beliefs. Son of Carey+2Free Church of Scotland+2
How Redeemer Hope Church Pursues Health
At Redeemer Hope, we commit ourselves to:
- Rooting every sermon, class, ministry, and decision in Scripture, using expository preaching as our standard
- Prioritizing discipleship—helping new believers and mature ones to grow
- Modeling transparent leadership and mutual accountability
- Fostering love, reconciliation, and spiritual community
- Engaging missionally in our city and beyond, bringing tangible help and gospel witness
- Holding firmly to the gospel and doctrinal integrity
We believe a church that walks in these marks is not perfect, but is growing, resilient, and productive in God’s Kingdom.