I enjoyed Jerry O’Neill’s article, “What is a Healthy Church,” together with Barry York’s piece on caring for the needy (March/April issue).

They remind us of balance we need in the church’s life. Above all, we are to be passionate in believing, obeying and communicating God’s truth. But one way of doing this is to live out its teaching in practical care for people. The Word requires and enables us to minister to others, which in turn deepens our commitment to biblical teaching. Calvin, early in his chief Geneva ministry, urged the local council to develop a weaving industry to increase the prosperity of the city. The great theologian shows practical concerns!

Too much of the professing church has abandoned Christian doctrine for the sake of trying to “do good”–thus failing to introduce sinners to the gospel. The other extreme, less damaging but inadequate, is to restrict the church’s life to declaring and learning truth–without demonstrating it in the world. I’m encouraged that, in our churches, we seem to be developing a balance. In Ireland we are thankful for decades of richer understanding of and commitment to Reformed theology. Now, some of our congregations are implementing truth practically through, for example, ministering to people with addictions, to the elderly or lonely, caring for gardens or shopping for some in need. To understand more and more about Christ’s love and to live it lovingly in the world is surely evidence of a healthy church!

–Pres. Ted Donnelly

Reformed Theological College, N. Ireland