GROWTH POINTS WITH DR. MC
LIVE TO 100
On Your Mark — Since the early 1900s, we’ve witnessed a dramatic change in the expected life span of people from 47-years-old in 1900 to 78.8 years in 2019. Some researchers believe seventy percent of aging’s effects are due to factors that can be controlled. Only about 30% of the characteristics of aging are genetically based.
Churches mirror the development of people. For the most part, churches reach their peak health in the 20th year of their life span before settling onto a plateau. About 30% of churches live to be 100-years-old, but rarely are they healthy. Like people, however, many factors can be controlled in a church to increase it’s healthy and vibrancy.
Get Set — Here are seven habits of successful centenarians and insights on how they may relate to the health of your church.
Keep Learning. People who live to be 100 stay mentally active. Likewise, healthy churches stay mentally active by establishing a learning environment.
Work Hard. The most frequent reason given by centenarians for their long life is hard work. Likewise, few churches experience health without a cadre of people who invest themselves in ministry.
Organize Well. In a study of 1,200 centenarians, 96% of them organized their days well. Likewise, healthy churches structure their plans, people, and goals.
Help Others. Centenarians volunteer to help others. Likewise, churches must focus on helping others.
Live Your Passion. People who live to 100 and beyond continue to focus on a key passion. Likewise, healthy churches are passionate about a clearly defined vision.
Live Resiliently. People who live to 100 suffer their share of losses, but they put their lives back together and move forward. Likewise, healthy churches don’t ignore or dismiss their problems, but face them creatively so they can move forward.
Stay Focused on God. Growing medical evidence points to a correlation between physical health and belief in God. Likewise, healthy churches practice their faith by praying for the growth and health of their church.
Grow — Can your church live to be 100 AND be healthy? Compare your church with the secrets of healthy centenarians to find some clues on doing so.
-Gary L. McIntosh, Ph.D.
Author of The Ten Key Roles of a Pastor
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You can read this article, and access additional ones, on Dr. McIntosh’s website: www.churchgrowthnetwork.com