Excellent Protestant Congregations, by Paul Wilkes, identified the following 26 common traits among the "excellent" protestant congregations.
- A vibrancy about living a Christian life...living on the creative and holy edge of the New Testament...being a Christian is not a leisure activity but an adventure.
- Entrepreneurial...risk-takers, self-starters, use what works and put aside that which does not.
- Draws philosophically, rather than geographically or denominationally, by the spirit of a living and present God.
- Reach beyond their comfort zone...not afraid of being uncomfortable and ask tough questions of themselves.
- Regularly evaluate themselves...for effectiveness.
- Have a clear, yet changing, sense of mission...a vision of where they want to be and willingness to redirect energies to be effective in their community and people’s lives.
- Willingness to break up and reassemble...put aside old structures and coalitions when necessary to move forward.
- Unafraid of being vulnerable and making mistakes.
- Laity are integral in leadership...competence and a desire to serve, the ability to learn, the humility to admit mistakes and the courage to continue despite setbacks are more important prerequisites for leadership than formal training and ordination.
- Preach and practice forgiveness and acceptance.
- Relationship evangelism...personal contact is the key...most new people come to the church through word of mouth...friend, co-worker and neighbor.
- See themselves as a unique community...not as a franchise of their denomination or even Christianity.
- In transforming the culture, hold government, agencies and institutions accountable...see their work as not only serving their constituency but also transforming the world around them.
- Believe in partnerships with other churches, agencies and interest groups.
- Offer an ascent to God, a relationship...provide the tools and support to forge a real, living and enduring relationship with God.
- Traditional without being traditionalist...their tradition is a beginning, a springboard, not a wall, not a barrier.
- The Bible is at their core.
- Innovative about different spiritual approaches.
- Tailor liturgies and programs to various constituencies...reject one-size-fits-all approach.
- Powerful, life-situation preaching...pastors may be biblical scholars, but are everyday-life scholars even more.
- Pastors have been in place for years.
- Training, training, training...use local possibilities but will create their own if necessary...see church as a seminary...serve the needs of the church and their area.
- Bring new members to full membership and participation...just joining is not enough.
- Call leaders, don’t fill slots...deliberate about leadership and claim untapped talent for the Lord.
- Break out of their walls and into the world...have no walls, property lines...are in the marketplace, civic meetings, the boardroom and around the water cooler.
- Utilize media well...aware that glitz is not substance...know there is no substitute for real substance and individual care.
