Follow the agenda set by church growth experts, business strategists, and opinion surveys, and you’re likely to conclude that building a successful church demands shorter services, larger parking lots, better equipped nurseries, more entertainment, and above all, less preaching and teaching from the Bible.

But John MacArthur contends that the church is not a business, success is not its goal, leadership qualifications aren’t negotiable, and its health is not measured in size, market share, bank account, programs, or its influence or popularity with the world.

So what is the standard for greatness when it comes to your local church? MacArthur’s classic study Marks of a Healthy Church identifies the traits that, when true of a church, lead to effectiveness and spiritual growth in the congregation and the community. Learn how you can develop your spiritual gifts in a way that builds up your fellow believers.