Perfect in Christ
Healthy, Growing Churches (8)

… Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4.15, 16

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. Colossians 1.27, 28

Commentary on Colossians 5
John Chrysostom (344-407)
“From being captives and slaves to demons, they have become the body of the Master of the angels and archangels. From not knowing even what God is, they have suddenly become sharers even in God’s throne.… The mystery entails all these things; all come from the presence of Christ in the Colossian believers.”

The local church is the body of Christ. A healthy, growing local church is growing up into the fullness of Christ, to be within its community the living presence of the Lord. The shepherds of the local church must take as their goal equipping every church member for transformation into the image of Christ, to live for Christ in works of ministry; and to nurture the entire congregation in unity and maturity in Christ. If we devote all our efforts to getting the numbers up, rather than building-up the members and body into the likeness of Jesus Christ, we will fail the Lord’s purpose for His church. Our preaching, teaching, counseling, visits, and every other effort of ministry must focus on presenting every member and all the members together “perfect in Christ.” If we will concentrate on these objectives, the Lord will add daily to our churches those who are being saved.

In what ways does you church manifest the likeness of Christ to your community?

T. M. Moore

Healthy, Growing Churches
Our assessment tool, Twelve Questions that Could Change Your Church, can help you discover the extent to which you are building the Lord’s church as He intends. Use this tool with your church leaders to discern the health of your church, then to plan the next phase of your growth as the Body of Christ. You can download Twelve Questionsfor free by clicking here.

Prayer for Revival
Join us online in December as pastors and church leaders from around the country unite to pray for revival. For a schedule of available times, write me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Quotations from Church Fathers are from the Ancient Christian Commentary Series, published by InterVarsity Press.