On Living Churches

Recently a lay leader at Squyres told me about a quiz he was giving his students the next day. The quiz was about the Five Characteristics of Living Things:

1. Are organized or have an orderly structure.
2. Respond to their environment- this includes homeostasis: mantaining proper internal conditions.
3. Take in and use energy.
4. Grow and develop: individual cells grow and the organism grows by adding new cells - over a lifetime, living things develop and change.
5. Reproduce.

Upon hearing these characteristics a "light bulb" went on and theological senses heightened. Here is my version of the theological characteristics of living churches:

1. Are Community: are organized and structured communally.
2. Are Missional: Respond to their environment.
3. Are led by the Spirit: Take in and use the Spirit's power.
4. Are Maturing: grow in & develop their discipleship (sanctification).
5. Are Reproducing: make disciples by sharing the good news with others.

So is our church "alive?" What can we do to make sure that it is? What are your thoughts?

Peace, Juan+