In the Rev. A Yue's office of a northern church she led, there was a bicycle her husband and she used for riding and fitness.
The emphasis on "health" was evident in their lifestyle and even in the name of their church: "Healthy XX Church."
Initially, they were a small youth fellowship in a northern region. As the congregation grew, members were sent to nearby churches. However, these churches couldn’t provide adequate pastoral care for them, so young believers returned soon. A Yue decided to transform the fellowship into a church, specifically a healthy one.
A Focus on Discipleship Training
This female pastor explained that the temptations facing young people in the era were immense. Traditional pastoral approaches often fail to attract them, so their church adopts discipleship training to lead and nurture young believers.
After Sunday services, each group reflects on and discusses the sermon, relating to interpreting the pastor's message, personal reflections, repentance, and practical application. Following the discussion, they have lunch together before heading home. Midweek, they hold discipleship training sessions focused more deeply on biblical truths.
Emphasis on Worship
Every Saturday, the worship team meets to choose songs and rehearse for Sunday worship. On Sundays, they hold a final rehearsal before the service.
"Worship brings God’s presence," A Yue said. "Many churches don’t give enough attention to worship, which limits the work of the Holy Spirit. If the worship is not conducted well, it’s difficult for the sermon to have a profound impact on the listeners."
Their church places great importance on worship, sending members to learn from other churches and sometimes inviting excellent worship leaders to share their expertise. "Many pastors have commented that they were inspired and passionate during the worship in my church, quite different from in other churches," she added.
Weekly Prayer Meetings
Every Wednesday, the church holds a prayer meeting. A Yue believes their church strikes a balance between biblical truth and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
She observed that some churches lean too heavily into charismatic practices, such as congregants suddenly falling to the floor. While she admitted she didn’t prefer such approaches, she also recognized the importance of valuing the work of the Holy Spirit, as truth and the Holy Spirit can work together. They conducted prayer meetings on Wednesdays.
Commitment to the Great Commission – Evangelism
Apart from Mondays, the church schedules diverse classes during the day and evenings throughout the week. However, Mondays are intentionally set aside as their evangelism day.
"On Mondays, our pastors, staff workers, and believers with a burden for the lost go out to share the gospel," she explained. After Sunday services, congregants return to their families and workplaces as missionaries, who reach out to share the gospel with their "neighbors" on Mondays.
She also highlighted a common issue that churches got believers saved but could not train them. Many churches struggle to help believers root their lives in Jesus Christ.
"A believer whose faith does not impact their family likely has problems of spiritual life," A Yue noted. Her church emphasizes family-based pastoral care, resulting in many families coming to faith together. While many churches have a higher proportion of single female believers, in her church, women often bring their husbands to faith. She considers a mark of a healthy church to be whole families coming to faith, without the
issue of women being more than men. So far, she has officiated over 20 weddings within the church.
Practicing Faith in Daily Life
A superficial faith that doesn’t bring life transformation cannot edify others. One believer shared how his wife’s faith changed her life:
"My wife used to have a terrible temper. After coming to faith, she truly changed. She became much gentler and now treats me with great respect." This transformation prompted him to see how God had worked in her life, leading him to church to worship till now.
Whether through discipleship training or Sunday services, believers are encouraged to apply God’s word to their lives. A yue acknowledged it was challenging to apply the teachings immediately. For those who struggle, she said, "Just come back and learn again. Practice until you succeed."
"God gives us a spiritual GPS. Sometimes, unforeseen events or human error prevent us from following God’s direction," she explained. "But that’s okay. We just need to replan the route and continue. Through trial and error, we’ll eventually reach the destination God has set for us."
- Edited by Karen Luo, translated by Abigail Wu
