Ten Indicators of a Healthy UMCL

During my time as a District Superintendent, I often heard churches say they never had enough volunteers for ministry. And yet, I also frequently heard from people in those same churches that no one had ever asked them to serve. Why the disconnect?

Sometimes leaders hold tightly to their roles because those positions fill a personal need or provide a sense of importance. Sometimes they worry that no one else could do the job as well. In other cases, leadership becomes about control, or the atmosphere is so draining that leadership is rarely celebrated.

But healthy congregations make space for new leaders to step forward. That begins with reflection:

• If you are currently a leader, are you leading as a humble servant or as a determined general?
• Are you willing to bring someone alongside you, to mentor them, and even to step aside when the time comes?
• Do you look beyond your circle of friends to invite others into leadership?

Don’t be afraid to ask someone to serve. Most people actually welcome being asked. Don’t assume they’re too busy or uninterested—let them decide for themselves.

And if you’re not usually the one leading, perhaps this is your season to take a new step of faith. Try something unfamiliar. Take on a new responsibility. See where God might be calling you to grow.

In all of this, remember—you do not walk this road alone. God is with us, guiding, strengthening, and equipping us for the work of leadership and discipleship.

Worship is the most important activity of the body of Christ.  We are called to worship God, plain and simple.  However, there are two elements that we can analyze for our indicator.  First is worship itself and the effectiveness of the experience.  The second is our individual responsibilities and roles in worship.

Corporate worship:  United Methodist worship is communal, Christ-centered, sacramental, scriptural, participatory, musical, grace-filled, and missional.  Here are some questions to ask:

 1. Was Christ at the center?

• Did the service clearly proclaim God’s love in Jesus Christ?
• Was the focus on God’s grace rather than the preferences of the people leading worship?

2. Did the congregation participate fully?

• Were people actively involved through singing, prayer, responses, and the sacraments—not just watching?
• Did worship invite people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to engage?

3. Were Word and Sacrament honored?

• Was Scripture read and preached in a way that connected with daily life?
• When celebrated, did Communion and Baptism feel like true means of grace, not empty ritual?

4. Did worship lead to transformation and mission?

• Did people leave encouraged, challenged, or inspired to live out their faith during the week?
• Was there a clear sense of being sent into the world to love God and neighbor?

5. Was the presence of the Holy Spirit experienced?

• Did worship make space for awe, conviction, joy, and grace?
• Was there a sense that God was truly among us, not just a program running smoothly?

6. Was the worship accessible and hospitable?

• Could newcomers, children, and long-time members all understand and participate?
• Did the service reflect hospitality in language, music, and atmosphere so all felt welcomed into God’s grace?

Personal Worship Responsibility:  In the United Methodist tradition, worship is not only about what happens up front, but about how each person offers themselves to God.

Evaluating Myself as a Worshipper (During a Service)

• Did I come prepared to meet God? (Did I pray, center myself, and bring an open heart before the service began?)
• Did I fully participate? (Did I sing, pray, listen, and join in responses—not just observe?)
• Did I listen for God’s Word? (Did I allow Scripture, preaching, and prayers to speak into my life and challenge me?)
• Did I experience God’s presence? (Was I attentive to the Spirit’s nudges—through music, silence, sacraments, or the gathered community?)
• Am I leaving changed and sent? (Do I walk away ready to live differently, to love God and neighbor in the coming week?)

Evaluating My Worship Habits (Overall Patterns)

• Consistency: Am I making worship a regular rhythm of life (weekly gathering, daily personal prayer)?
• Engagement: When I worship, am I actively involved—singing, praying, listening—or am I distracted, passive, or going through the motions?
• Openness to God’s Presence: Do I come with an open heart, expecting God to move? Do I notice when the Spirit nudges me, convicts me, or comforts me?
• Integration into Daily Life: Is what I experience in worship shaping how I live during the week? Am I more loving, forgiving, and Christ-like because of time spent with God in worship?
• Balance of Private and Corporate Worship: Do I balance personal worship (prayer, Scripture, music, silence at home) with corporate worship (Sunday gatherings, sacraments, community prayer)?

Koinonia (Greek for fellowship, communion, participation, sharing) is more than coffee hour and handshake.  It is the deep spiritual bond of a community shaped by Christ. To evaluate if we, at UMCL have good koinonia, we will look at both practices and fruit.

7 Ways to Evaluate Koinonia in a Church

1. Depth of Relationships

• Do people know each other’s names, stories, and struggles—not just surface details?
• Are friendships forming across age, culture, and background differences?
• Are relationships able to share deep convictions and share difficult truths in love?

Indicator: Members can name at least 2–3 people they could call in a crisis.

2. Care and Support

• When someone is sick, grieving, or struggling, does the church step in with meals, visits, prayers, cards and presence?
• Is pastoral care shared among clergy and laity, not just left to the pastor?

Indicator: No one feels alone in hardship.  Members can ask for support without judgment.

3. Shared Worship Life

• Is worship participatory, with people truly engaged in prayer, singing, and sacrament?
• Do people feel spiritually connected to one another as they worship?

Indicator: Members describe worship as something they do together, not just as individuals.

4. Small Groups & Fellowship Opportunities

• Are there Sunday school classes, small groups, or fellowship circles where people can go deeper in faith and life?
• Do newcomers find an easy entry point into community life?

Indicator: A variety of groups exist, offering different experiences, where vulnerability, accountability, and prayer are practiced.

5. Hospitality & Inclusion

• Is there genuine welcome for new people, not just a friendly greeting but an invitation into relationships?
• Do marginalized or overlooked people feel they belong?  Does all mean all?

Indicator: Newcomers feel woven into the life of the church within their first 6 months.

6. Conflict & Reconciliation

• When conflict arises, is it handled with grace, honesty, and forgiveness?
• Or is it ignored, whispered about, or left to fester?
• Do members go directly to someone when there is a disagreement or do members triangle with others, trying to get people “on their side?”

Indicator: Disagreements lead to growth and deeper trust, not division.

7. Fruit of the Spirit

• Is the community marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22–23)?

Indicator: Visitors and members alike sense a spirit of Christlike love in the atmosphere.  Love is palpable and there is a genuine and a real feeling of love.  Ask yourself, how do you bring these fruits to the life of the church in real ways?  Which ones do you need to work on more?

When people think of a healthy church, they often imagine a packed sanctuary, strong finances, or a full calendar of events. While those can be signs of vitality, Jesus reminds us that the truest indicator of a Spirit-filled community is how we welcome and love others.

Hospitality in the Christian sense is not just about good coffee and friendly smiles, it is about making space for another person’s soul. It is about seeing Christ in every face, whether that person has been a member for fifty years or is walking through our doors for the first time.

Healthy congregations practice radical welcome. That means more than “we’re glad you’re here.”  It means “you belong here.” Radical welcome invites people of all ages, races, backgrounds, and life stories to not only enter the building but to participate fully in the life of the church. It means our worship, ministries, and fellowship are shaped by the voices of all God’s people, not just a few.

And true inclusion is where hospitality becomes transformation. Inclusion happens when people discover they are not only welcomed but also valued, needed, and embraced as part of Christ’s body. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12 that the church is like a body, each part unique, and each one essential. A church is truly healthy when everyone can say, “I am part of this body, and this body needs me.”

At its heart, hospitality is the Gospel in action. When we open our hearts and lives to others, we mirror the welcome of Christ, the one who said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

So how do we live out this radical hospitality in real, concrete ways? Here are a few practices that help:

• Practice intentional greeting: Go beyond saying hello.  Learn someone’s name, ask about their story, and invite them to sit with you or join you for coffee.  Also wear your nametag so they can know you as well.
• Make space for new voices: Encourage new people to serve in worship, leadership, and ministry roles so they know their presence matters.
• Extend care beyond Sunday: Call, text, or visit newcomers and members alike to remind them they are seen and valued.
• Shape ministries with diversity in mind: Consider how worship styles, fellowship events, and mission projects reflect the variety of people God is calling to your church.  If a ministry or worship experience doesn’t meet your needs, don’t complain about it, thank God that it may be meeting someone else’s needs.  Maybe even attend something that you wouldn’t necessarily like so that you can support others in what speaks to them.  Who knows, maybe you will like it.
• Look for the unseen: Ask, “Who is missing from our table?” and make intentional efforts to reach out to those who feel excluded or overlooked.

• Practicing the 10-foot rule and the 3-minute rule:  Take responsibility for greeting those seated or standing within 10 feet of you and spend at least 3 minutes before and after any other church activity talking to someone you don’t know very well. (Taken from “3 Principles of Radical Hospitality” by Yvonne Gentile and Deb Nixon.  You can see more at https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/3-principles-of-radical-hospitality)

May we continue to grow as a community that practices radical hospitality, where every person who enters experiences not just a warm greeting, but the very love of Christ.

What makes a congregation healthy? United Methodists often point to signs such as vibrant worship, deep discipleship, caring fellowship, and outreach that serves the world in Christ’s name. But there is another vital indicator of health that often determines whether a church thrives into the future: how we invest in the next generation.

A healthy congregation is one where children, youth, and young adults are not just welcomed but embraced, mentored, and empowered to lead. This is more than providing Sunday school or youth group activities, it is cultivating a community where the youngest among us know they belong, believe in Christ, and are becoming disciples who will carry the faith forward.

When we prioritize next-generation ministry, several things happen:

• We pass on the faith. Just as Timothy learned faith from his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5), we too are called to nurture the next wave of disciples.
• We grow in vitality. Young people bring energy, questions, and creativity that invigorate the whole body of Christ.
• We embody connection. In the United Methodist tradition, we believe we are stronger together. Intergenerational relationships help every age group learn, grow, and serve side by side.

Healthy congregations recognize that the church does not exist for one generation alone. Each child who sings in worship, each youth who dares to ask hard questions, each young adult discerning their calling.  They are all living reminders that God’s story continues.

So let us ask ourselves: How are we showing young people that they matter at UMCL? Are we giving them space to lead? Are we listening to their voices? Are we offering them more than programs?  Are we offering them our presence, our faith, and our love?

In practice, this means even those who no longer have children at home still volunteer and invest in ministries with young people. It means we resist the temptation to say, “Back when I was a youth…” and instead embrace new expressions that fit today’s realities. It means we recognize the modern challenges parents face and support them, rather than lament their absence. And sometimes it’s as simple as greeting children first on Sunday mornings, letting them know they are seen and cherished.

I’ll never forget a man named Ray Bice, a lay member of the church I attended as a child. To my nine-year-old self, he seemed impossibly tall, but what made him unforgettable wasn’t his height. Ray had a habit of seeking out children at church gatherings, kneeling down to our level, and making sure we knew we were loved, welcomed, and valued. In all the churches I attended as a pastor’s kid, I remember only a handful of names. But I will never forget Ray Bice.

What will it take for each of us to be a “Ray Bice” here at UMCL?

It is no secret I am a devout United Methodist.  Not because my father was a pastor and mother was a Christian educator.  Not because I am a pastor and get my paycheck from a UMC church.  It is because I believe in the core value of the connection.  One of the great strengths of the United Methodist Church is that no congregation stands alone. We are part of a worldwide connection of churches, clergy, and laity bound together by a common mission: “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” A strong and healthy congregation not only values this connection but actively engages with it.

Engagement with the United Methodist connection means recognizing that we are stronger together. It means celebrating that our ministry here in Libertyville is linked to ministries in Chicago, in rural towns across the Midwest, and in places as far away as Africa, the Philippines, and Europe. When a local church supports the wider church through apportionments, mission partnerships, and participation in annual conference ministries, it joins a movement larger than itself.

A connected church also gains strength by learning from others. Through the connection, we share resources, ideas, leadership training, and encouragement. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel, and we are never left to face challenges alone.

As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12, “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” Just as each member of the body plays a role in God’s work, each congregation is part of a greater whole. Engagement with the connection helps us see beyond our walls and remember that the mission of Christ’s church is always bigger than one congregation.

A strong and healthy church:

• Participates in the ministries of the wider United Methodist connection.
• Welcomes and supports pastoral leadership sent through the appointive system.
• Partners with other churches in shared mission and outreach.
• Contributes faithfully to connectional giving, which funds disaster relief, global mission, seminaries, and new church starts.

By staying engaged with the United Methodist connection, we live out the truth that we are one church in many places, working together for God’s kingdom. It’s not just about what we do here; it’s about what we do together as United Methodists around the world.

This next week we will have World Communion Sunday which celebrates our connection to people around the world.  It is a time to rejoice but also give for the work we do and the relationships we build beyond our own communities.

Give to World Communion Sunday

What makes a congregation truly healthy? United Methodists often talk about vibrant worship, strong discipleship, caring fellowship, and ministries that reach the next generation. But another key indicator stands at the heart of who we are as Methodists: active mission and service.

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, taught that “the gospel of Christ knows of no religion but social; no holiness but social holiness.” In other words, our faith is not just something we believe, it is something we live. A healthy congregation is one where service is not an afterthought but a core expression of discipleship.

Scripture reminds us of this truth: “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead”(James 2:26). Jesus himself calls us to live out our love through action: “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).

Active mission and service means we regularly move beyond the walls and wallet of the church to meet real needs in our community and world. It looks like:

• Stocking food pantries and community fridges.
• Serving meals at PADS or local shelters.
• Tutoring children or mentoring teens.
• Partnering in disaster relief or rebuilding homes after storms.
• Supporting global efforts in health, education, and clean water.

These acts of service do more than provide help.  They embody the love of Christ in tangible ways. When we serve, we open doors for others to experience God’s grace, and we are transformed ourselves. Service is never one-directional; it changes both the giver and the receiver.

A congregation is healthy when service is not the work of a few but the calling of all. When mission becomes part of the rhythm of congregational life, people discover that their faith is alive, active, and deeply connected to the world’s needs. As Paul reminds us, “Let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up”(Galatians 6:9).  Here is a question to ask:  Is it always the same people doing this work?  Certainly, some are called to this work more than others, but all of us need to highly engage in the work of mission and service.  Rather than grumbling about why people do not sign up to help, personally invite them.  Share how you see a gift in them that would make a huge impact and let them know that you will walk alongside them in this work. 

As we continue to grow in health as a church, let us ask: Where is God calling us to serve next? Who in our neighborhood or world most needs the light and love of Christ that we can offer?

Together, through active mission and service, we live out our baptismal vows to “resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves” and to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world.  UMCL certainly has big hands and feet in the world, but can we do more?

What makes a congregation strong and healthy? In the United Methodist tradition, we often point to vibrant worship, deep discipleship, caring fellowship, and service to the world in Christ’s name. But there is another vital sign of health that often determines whether a church can thrive into the future: a hopeful vision and an adaptive spirit.

A hopeful vision is more than a mission statement on paper, it is the heartbeat of the congregation. It’s the sense that God is not finished with us yet, that the Holy Spirit is guiding us toward new possibilities. Hope looks beyond present challenges to see what God might yet do. Hope reminds us that resurrection always follows crucifixion, that new life is possible even in the face of decline or difficulty.

But hope alone is not enough. Healthy congregations also embody an adaptive spirit—the willingness to try new things, take faithful risks, and learn from both successes and failures. Churches with an adaptive spirit don’t get stuck saying, “We’ve always done it this way.” Instead, they prayerfully ask, “How is God calling us to love and serve in this moment, with the people and resources we have right now?”

As leadership thinker Ronald Heifetz reminds us, “Leadership is about disappointing people at a rate they can absorb." That may sound strange at first, but it means that real leadership involves helping people let go of what no longer serves them, while also guiding them into a hopeful new future. It’s about faithfully adapting, one step at a time, without losing heart.

When vision and adaptability come together, congregations become nimble, resilient, and Spirit-led. They can weather changes in culture, community, and membership without losing their identity as Christ’s body. They look forward with joy, not fear.

As the prophet Isaiah declares: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19). A strong and healthy church believes that God is always doing a new thing and trusts that the future is filled with hope.

Let us be a people who dream boldly and adapt faithfully, so that the love of Christ may continue to shine through us in ways that meet the needs of today and tomorrow.

What makes a church strong and healthy? In the United Methodist tradition, we often look for ten key indicators: vibrant worship, deep discipleship, caring fellowship, next-generation ministry, radical hospitality, active mission and service, engagement with the denomination, stewardship, adaptability, and a hopeful vision for the future. Each of these markers points toward a congregation that is alive in Christ and ready to serve the world.

Indicator 9 lifts up a commitment to Wesleyan discipleship as a vital sign of health.  When I first came to UMCL, it was evident we had many persons steeped in the Methodist traditions and theology.  In fact, one member can date her ancestors all the way back to the Christmas Conference, where Methodist ministers met in December of 1784 at Lovely Lane Chapel in Baltimore, Maryland to establish the Methodist Episcopal Church.  She told me that she is a United Methodist for life.

John Wesley believed that the Christian life is not static but dynamic journey of growing in love of God and neighbor. Healthy congregations understand discipleship not as a program but as a way of life. It is about becoming more like Christ through practices that shape our faith and deepen our witness.

At its core, Wesleyan discipleship is a balance of personal piety and social holiness. We grow in faith through prayer, Scripture reading, worship, and the sacraments. At the same time, we put our faith into action by feeding the hungry, standing for justice, and serving our neighbors in love. One without the other is incomplete; together they form a whole life of discipleship.

Wesley called these practices the “means of grace.”  These are ways in which God’s transforming power works within us and through us. Healthy congregations encourage members to participate regularly in these means of grace, trusting that God is shaping us into the image of Christ.

A strong commitment to Wesleyan discipleship also values accountability and community. From the early Methodist class meetings to today’s small groups and Bible studies, Christians grow best when they grow together. Healthy congregations create space for honest conversation, encouragement, and challenge, so that faith is not just private but lived out in community.

In our time, a healthy church does not measure discipleship by attendance alone, but by transformation. Are people becoming more generous? More compassionate? More committed to justice? More Christlike? These are the fruits of Wesleyan discipleship, and they are what make a congregation thrive.

As Wesley once said, “The gospel of Christ knows of no religion but social; no holiness but social holiness.” A healthy church, rooted in Wesleyan discipleship, keeps this truth at the center of its life: faith that is deeply personal and boldly communal, transforming both hearts and the world.

A strong and healthy congregation recognizes that all we have comes from God. Our time, talents, and treasures are gifts meant to be shared for God’s glory and the mission of the church. One of the clearest signs of a thriving congregation is the practice of faithful stewardship, using our resources wisely and generously to advance Christ’s work in the world.

In the United Methodist tradition, stewardship is not merely about balancing budgets or paying expenses. It is a spiritual practice rooted in gratitude and trust. As 2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Giving becomes an act of worship, a declaration of our trust in God’s provision, and a participation in God’s transformative work in the world.

Stewardship also reflects the heart of Wesleyan discipleship. John Wesley encouraged Methodists to “Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can.”

Earn all you can. Wesley urged diligence and integrity in our work. By fully using our gifts and abilities, we honor God and provide for ourselves, our families, and the needs of others.

Save all you can. Being prudent with resources allows us to avoid waste, plan for the future, and remain free to respond to God’s call. Saving is not about hoarding but about wise stewardship.

Give all you can. The heart of Wesley’s teaching is generosity. Everything we have is a gift from God, and faithful discipleship calls us to share freely with those in need, support the work of the church, and invest in God’s mission in the world.

Healthy congregations embody this teaching by cultivating transparency, integrity, and generosity in how they manage resources. They recognize that faithful stewardship extends beyond finances to include how we use our time, energy, and gifts for ministry, service, and mission.  One of the ways I am most excited about transparency and integrity is that we brought in a business manager, Linda, who will support our wonderful financial volunteers.  Great job everyone.

Faithful stewardship also carries a hopeful vision. Even when resources feel limited, a congregation that trusts God can step boldly into ministry, confident that God multiplies what is offered, just as Jesus multiplied loaves and fish (see Matthew 14:19-20). Stewardship rooted in faith allows a church to sustain its mission today while planting seeds for future generations.

Finally, financial faithfulness reminds us that we are stewards, not owners. When a congregation embraces this indicator, it demonstrates that generosity and trust in God are central to its life, a hallmark of a healthy, Christ-centered community.

And as we reflect on that, I leave you with a question: What did I miss?  Can you think of other factors that make this church, or any church, a healthy and strong church?

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffry Bross