Christ's Church: How it Helps

 

Welcome back to my blog and thank you for visiting. We have been discussing the church in the past several blogs.

At salvation the Holy Spirit places each of us into the church of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). This is a great promise and results from our belief in salvation by faith alone in Christ. God manages His people in this current time through the church. Today let us discuss what the church is and what it does.

Last time we defined the church and explored what the church does to help believers in the service of Christ. In this blog let's look at the benefits of being involved in the church.

The church and wellbeing: A survey of young Christians

The church is important to the Christian walk as well as to society. Teleios recently performed a survey evaluating wellbeing. There were 1186 responses. The majority of responses were: female (68%), <30 years (76%), and primarily from the United States (40%) and Europe (16%). The respondents identified themselves as: evangelical Christians (33%), social Christians (29%), Christian seekers (5%) and non-Christians (33%).

Interestingly, personal wellbeing was better among evangelical Christians (4.6, on a scale of 0-6 with 6 being highest) compared to social Christians (4.1), Christian seekers (4.0) or non-Christians (4.3, P=0.001). The findings for wellbeing were also supported by further results that evangelicals were more content (P=0.001), at peace (P>0.001), and joyful (P=0.002) than the other groups. No differences between groups were observed in feelings of guilt (P=0.43). The table ranks wellbeing by ranked response.

Table 1: Response to ‘I have good wellbeing?’ by group:

Group	Disagree	Indifferent	Agree
Evangelical Christian	5%	30%	65%
Social Christian	6%	45%	49%
Christian Seeker	7%	48%	44%
Non-Christian	5%	41%	53%



This is the first survey, to our knowledge, evaluating wellbeing in young Christians versus non-Christians.

In summary, Christianity may help wellbeing by giving confidence in both day-to-day living and hope for eternity.

Further, a number of studies from the medical literature have shown the church attendance by itself improves personal wellbeing. In addition, the greater frequency of church attendance the better the wellbeing up to once a week. The reasons for the better of wellbeing with church attendance are not well studied but may have been related in these articles to Bible study and greater socialization.(1-4)

Church leadership and congregant wellbeing

Teleios also has evaluated links between a believer’s wellbeing and their perception of their church and its leadership on the Instagram account, Instapray. We had 884 mostly all evangelical and adolescent or millennial participants. Of the total, 43% were ex-US. Table 2 illustrates what best benefited wellbeing among different aspects of the church leadership.

Table 2: Church leadership best helped participants’ wellbeing by:

Response	Percentage
Bible-based teaching and preaching	75%
Encouraging Bible based speech	51%
Powerful biblical vision for the church	44%
Supporting church programs	31%
Effective pastoral care	30%



Importantly it was Bible-based preaching and teaching that most influenced wellbeing among the churchgoers. This shows the importance of choosing carefully a local church that teaches directly from the scriptures.

Interestingly, the effect of church leadership on measures that might assist wellbeing did not differ among the international regions represented in our survey: the USA, Canada, Asia and commonwealth countries (P>0.05).

Summary – The church is God’s chosen administrative tool to manage people during this age to carry out His will, specifically as related to nurturing believers The church can have a profound impact on believers not only in spiritual growth but in wellbeing as well. In a subsequent blog we will cover the sacraments of the church.

Thank you for joining me today and please visit next time as we continue to discuss the Christian life.

Join us again next time and share this important blog with your friends and family!

William C. Stewart, MD

1. MacIlvaine WR, et al. Association of strength of religious adherence to quality of life measures. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2013;19:251-5.
2. van Olphen J, et al. Religious involvement, social support, and health among African-American women on the east side of Detroit. J Gen Intern Med 2003;18:549-57.
3. Ryrie CC. Basic theology. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1999.
4. MacIlvaine WR, et al. Association of strength of community service to personal wellbeing. Community Ment Health J 2014;50:577-82.

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email                info@teleiosresearch.com

Website            http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook          https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram         https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

Youtube           https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q

Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.   

The Power of Godly Thinking: Part 4

As we have discussed in past blogs, Christians have been regenerated through the power of the Holy Spirit into new people, providing the capacity to change ourselves to positive and biblical actions.

However, to behave in a scriptural manner we first must know how to think correctly. Unfortunately, non-biblical thinking may incite destructive speech and actions which can hurt and adversely influence others.

Christianity is a religion of facts and understanding (Colossians 1:9-10; Ephesians 1:17). Scriptural thinking is productive and healing. How then do we do it? Below is a biblically based process to help us change how we think, and ultimately how we act. What are the actions to develop biblical thinking?

Actions

There’s not one proven technique but here are some suggested steps to implement. I call them the 4 S’s.

• Search the scripture prospectively – Many people turn to God only when they have trouble. Yet the key to avoiding difficulties in our lives is to go to God before problems arise. That means studying scripture and implementing it, not just using the devotional or reading down the text, but actually taking time to learn what the words and phrases mean in context. Please visit our Bible study method link to learn better how to do this (https://teleiosresearch.com/bible-study-methods/). Such a study brings rich rewards.

• Study frequently – Do not limit yourself in scripture to 15 to 30 minutes a day in a legalistic manner, as this method almost always fails. The goal is not to accomplish a time period but to know our wonderful God! Plunge into scripture to change how you think to conform to His ways and develop wonderful fruit in your life. Find ways to spread the verses around your life so you will remember them. Study the Bible in several short periods in a day. No one method works for everybody. Do what you need to do to know God!

• Stop non-biblical thinking – Stop yourself when you’re pondering negative thoughts about yourself or other people. In these instances, pray for yourself or for those people using scripture. Be thankful for them! These actions, applied persistently, will transform your mind to think about yourself and people the way God does; very important!

• Socialize with scripture  – The verses that you read will help you, cause you to pray for others, being thankful for them and desiring good things for them; be sure to share this with other people. This mental discipline then will help you articulate your faith, build good habits in encouraging others, and will help those around you as well.

Self-test (2 Peter 1:3-10)

To assure that your thinking and subsequent conduct is consistent with God’s desires take Peter’s self-test!  This wonderful passage suggests building eight attitudes and actions to your life: faith, virtue, knowledge, patience, self-control, godliness, fraternal love, and a giving love. Peter indicates when our lives are consistent with these eight characteristics, we know that we are useful to God.

Growing these attitudes and actions in our lives depends on a biblical mindset that will foster their growth.

Developing routine mental habits consistent with the Bible will create in us a godly mindset to view life and people the way God desires and allows the Holy Spirit to bear fruit in your life and others.

Join us again next time and share this important blog with your friends and family!

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email                info@teleiosresearch.com

Website            http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook          https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram         https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

Youtube           https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q

Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.   

The Power of Godly Thinking: Part 3

As we have discussed in past blogs, Christians have been regenerated through the power of the Holy Spirit into new individuals with the capacity to change ourselves to take positive and biblical actions.

However, to behave in a scriptural manner we first must know how to think correctly. Unfortunately, non-biblical thinking may incite destructive speech and actions which can hurt and adversely influence others.

Christianity is a religion of facts and understanding (Colossians 1:9-10; Ephesians 1:17). Scriptural thinking is productive and healing. How then do we do it? Below is a biblically based process to help change how we think, and ultimately how we act.

In the past several blogs we began to address in sequence: basis of biblical thinking and attitude in our thinking. Now let’s try to put our thinking into action by covering principles of biblical thinking.

Principles

A key verse regarding this process is: 

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

The word ‘prove’ in Greek (the original language of the Bible) is δοκιμάζω (dokimazo), meaning to examine or prove, denoting a positive inference. It was used of a tested warrior in battle. Otherwise, God’s word is truth and so we can depend on it to work in our lives. As we lean on the Bible and see it function, we grow in confidence to trust it and enjoy the good fruits from living obedient and faithful lives.

What is biblical thinking?

Use the acronym ‘4 P’s’:

• Pondering the word – As stated in Romans 12:1 we should transform our thinking based on biblical knowledge. We should ponder these things not just to correct our thinking but also to cause ourselves to know God better in transforming how we communicate with others. This is an active, prospective process, not just when we have problems and need to correct ourselves; it is a daily habit of healthy thinking (1 Timothy 4:16, Colossians 3:1-4; Hebrews 3:1).
• Praise – Keep a habit of commending and thanking God. He deserves it (Hebrews 13:15)! Also, praise keeps us from having unreasonable expectations of others and thinking too highly of ourselves. We should remember God’s goals are above our own (Romans 12:1-2).
• Prayer – We should have a mindset of going to God for all our needs (Hebrews 4:14-16). Instead of complaining or ruminating over situations we should turn instantly to prayer and have a faithful attitude that God will help us (1 Peter 4:12).
• Positive subjects – This perspective is imperative to force our minds to think about things that are positive, true, just, lovely pure, full of praise and wholesome (Philippians 4:8). Remembering healthy thoughts will keep us from becoming discouraged and help us to see the good and the potential in all situations and people. Further, the things we think are ultimately what we speak and thus help us encourage other people.

Renewing our minds to change how we think is a constant challenge as we battle to drive our thoughts to be consistent with the Bible. This process will change how we look at life and others and ultimately how we speak to others. It also provides an opportunity to see God’s Spirit working in our lives to bear fruit as we allow Him to transform us while we seek God through His word. Give it a try!

Summary – Indeed, our thinking processes are the basis of a healthy mindset as well as a fruitful relationship with others and with God.

Thank you for visiting my blog! Join us again next time as we continue our vital discussion on developing a biblical mindset.

Share this important blog with your friends and family!

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email                info@teleiosresearch.com

Website            http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook          https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram         https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

Youtube           https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q

Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.