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Healthy CongregationsThe Presbyterian Church has recognised that developing healthy congregations is vital for the future direction of the Church.
Health is concerned with wholeness and right relationships. Health in a congregation depends fundamentally on a healthy relationship with God who secured a relationship with us in Jesus Christ. That relationship does not depend on how we perform but we live within that relationship, listening, receiving, thanking and responding to the love God lavishes on us. 
The central triangle represents a congregation. A healthy congregation is made up of imperfect people of different ages, sexes, personalities and cultures held together by the Spirit of God.
The inner circle represents other members of the body of Christ - the extended family of the church - locally, nationally and beyond.
The outer circle represents the wider environment of the world in which we live. It includes the social economic and political situation, the physical environment (both natural and developed) and various cultures.
The following features have been identified as indicators of a healthy congregation. Congregations and other bodies within the church are encouraged to further develop these concepts for their mission and context. - The health of a congregation may be judged by looking at the quality of the four dimensions of health - relationships with God, with the wider environment, with the wider church and within its own life. Healthy relationships with the wider environment are shown by an outward focus among leaders and attenders in their concern for evangelism and wider community care. There is a readiness to discuss matters of faith with others, to act with Christ where there is a need and to invite others to church. The congregation behaves as a good steward of creation (the created and built worlds) and works with others for justice and peace, being with those with whom Jesus identifies.
- A healthy congregation has healthy relationships with the wider church - locally, nationally and beyond. The congregation will participate in mission and share activity at these levels.
- A sense of direction. Attenders perceive their congregation as having a definite sense of direction and purpose.
- Worship that is true to God, enhancing of life, promotes growth in faith, is relevant to the cultures/contexts in which we live, and is inviting to people unfamiliar with church.
- A lively faith. Healthy congregations tend to have higher levels of attenders growing in their faith or experiencing moments of conversion or faith commitment. Among attenders there are high levels of devotional activity such as prayer and Bible reading.
- A strong sense of community among attenders embracing all generations, different cultures and diverse ways of being human - creating a sense of belonging, managing conflict, and working towards reconciliation, healing, and renewal. High levels of involvement in small congregational groups will be evident but will not exclude participation in activities in other communities and settings.
- An involving leadership. Leadership has a strong sense of vision for the mission of the congregation to which attenders are committed. Leadership is inspiring and purposeful yet puts a priority on listening to attenders' ideas and encouraging them to discover their gifts and use them. Those with roles receive adequate levels of support.
- Newcomers and numerical growth. Healthy congregations are more likely to be attracting and holding newcomers, retaining young adults and growing numerically. For congregations whose mission is in the many places/contexts in which its members live through most of the week the indicators of health include the outcomes of their activities and the ways the local congregation provides support.
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