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Volume 2 · Issue 4
March 2024
2 articles
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With Southern Baptist churches declining at 39% and plateauing at 42.5% according to 2022 LifeWay Research data, this article proposes the PEPLEAD model as a practical report card of seven spiritual markers for maintaining spiritual vibrancy in the local church. The seven markers are: Persistent Prayer, Proactive Evangelism, Biblical Preaching, godly servant Leadership, Intentional Equipping of believers, ongoing church Assessments, and intensive Discipleship. Grounded in Scripture and illustrated with a real-world church assessment case study, the author argues that church health is not incidental but requires continuous, intentional effort across all these dimensions in order to fulfill the Great Commission.
Drawing on Paul's body metaphor in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 and personal experience as a parent of children with special needs, this article examines the gap between the church's biblical call to unity in diversity and the lived reality of families with disabilities. Research consistently shows that while churches are viewed as vital sources of spiritual support, they frequently fall short in welcoming and including special needs families, leaving them feeling ostracized rather than belonging. The author argues that genuine inclusion is not a mere accommodation but an essential component of a healthy Body of Christ, and proposes practical steps—including education, inclusive ministries, volunteer training, and fostering a culture of belonging—to help churches actively embody Paul's vision of mutual care and interdependence.
