A Note From Pastor Randy
Over the recent holidays, the norovirus struck our household. According to the
Cleveland Clinic, norovirus is a group of viruses that cause severe vomiting and diarrhea. It’s a very common and contagious illness. You get the infection through close contact with someone who has the virus, touching contaminated surfaces, or it will typically spread when someone who has the virus touches food before serving it to someone else. You can take precautions by washing your hands often with soap and water, washing fruits and vegetables, cooking food thoroughly, and avoiding contact with people who are infected.
The outbreak of the norovirus reminded me of Peter Steinke’s book Healthy
Congregations: A Systems Approach. Steinke argues that the church is a living organic body that functions much like the human body. There are viruses, Steinke calls them “stressors” that can infect a congregation. Among the many examples he gives are a steady loss in membership, intense staff conflict, downturn in financial contributions, griping as a normative way of behavior, nothing really getting done, a sense of boredom or depression, and a feeling
of hopelessness.
As precautions against such viruses or stressors, or when they do come, Steinke suggests that healthy congregations exhibit seven health promoters.
1. Healthy congregations are purposeful congregations. They keep asking, What is God calling us to be?
2. Healthy congregations use their resources and strengths to manage conflict. They do not let conflict fester.
3. Healthy congregations are always working on clarity, whether clarity of beliefs, direction, or responsibility.
4. Healthy congregations have a mood and tone that is energized. Their interactions are charged with spontaneity, intensity, and whole-hearted involvement.
5. Healthy congregations are invested in the growth of people, growth in maturity and servanthood.
6. Healthy congregations renew and regenerate themselves. Their strengths and resources carry them through their woundedness.
7. Healthy congregations focus on the healing resources, not the disease process. Examples of resources include respectful relationships, good communication, and emphasis on stewardship.
As we look ahead to 2025, we do so as a healthy congregation. Which of the above health promoters can you be a part of in this new year?
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