Caring Relationships

Description

A healthy church is a caring community. Its members look out for one another and engage with one another in emotionally healthy ways. Compassionate candor, respectful interaction and humility are highly valued. Meeting the physical and emotional needs of the members is a high priority.

Guiding Scripture Passages

1 Thess. 5:11-16

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Considerations Regarding Your Score

• Are conversations among congregants emotionally healthy? Or do people offend one another, gossip about others, and/or cause hurt by their words?
• Do people encourage one another by their interactions?
• In what ways are the needs of the congregants being identified and met with dignity?
• Is there equity within the congregation?
• How is conflict addressed in the church? What can be done better?
• How is the congregation being equipped to relate to one another in emotionally healthy ways?