During the 22 years I was a preacher in a local church, the most difficult question I was asked routinely was, “How is the church doing?” I never knew what to say. How do you measure this? Should we count how many people show up for Sunday worship? How many baptisms we’ve had this year? Whether or not we’re meeting our budget? How many people are truly on a discipleship track? How well are we impacting our city with tangible expressions of hope, justice, and righteousness? How enjoyable or challenging it is to be part of the congregation?

Dan's Blog Archives2Dan BouchelleFebruary 9, 2021God, church, status of church, global church, church growth

Spiritual Heirlooms

For over 30 years, I’ve been hearing that Churches of Christ have an identity crisis. I’ve heard endless self-critiques. I’ve added to them myself. We’ve explored our weaknesses and their origins obsessively. It is not hard to find defenders or critics of our heritage. But wise self-awareness - that is more elusive.

Defensive denial is childish. Self-loathing is adolescent. Both are harmful. Having a healthy sense of both your strengths and weaknesses is mature and helpful.

Dan's Blog Archives2Dan BouchelleAugust 28, 2020church, Church of Christ