Practical, relational prayer is essential to biblically healthy churches. Such prayer extends beyond lists. It is part of an intimate relationship with God and often blurs into worship (another characteristic). A great way to understand prayer is a three-sentence description: be with God, agree with God, obey God.

Ordinances and worship are characteristics of a biblically healthy church. Baptist churches practice believers’ baptism by immersion. The event is a wonderful, monumental day in a Christian’s life and in the church. Likewise, the Lord’s Supper has become more creative, but retains its distinct weightiness. Churches want people to engage in both. They also want people involve in biblical worship, both corporate worship gatherings and daily acts of worship through Christian obedience.

Believers are joiners. That looks different in every church. Church membership is more than formal joining; it is belonging, connectedness, purpose, and much more. Leadership also looks different in every church. But, having leaders means building leaders. Preaching and teaching, too, differs in every Baptist church. However, all the content comes from the same Bible. Biblically healthy churches nurture membership, leadership development, and preaching and teaching.