Every organization needs direction and purpose. As part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Southern California Conference (SCC) joins in the church’s mission of proclaiming the gospel to all people with a Christ-centered message of hope and wholeness. But how we do that is unique to our context and territory.
In August 2024, “Exalting Christ by cultivating healthy churches and schools” was established as the SCC mission statement. But it’s important that we go beyond just writing a mission statement on paper. At SCC, our mission is strengthened with a framework that outlines essential—but not exhaustive—characteristics that define healthy churches and schools.
“A healthy church doesn’t happen by accident; it is cultivated through biblical principles and Spirit-led leadership,” said SCC President John H. Cress. “It is hard to target health in a congregation if we don’t know how to identify a healthy church.”
This concept was the foundation for outlining a list of characteristics that define a healthy church. And the schools weren’t far behind. After defining eight characteristics of a healthy church, Cress enlisted Wayne Dunbar, SCC’s vice president for education, to carry the process forward for schools.
Dunbar researched the defining features of thriving schools—what traits do they all have in common? He took the data he compiled to the principals, and together they compiled a list of 10 characteristics that define a healthy school in SCC.
“The important thing about this is that it’s intentional and it’s purposeful,” Dunbar said. “It’s not aimless. I think maybe, sometimes in the past, we’ve had a little bit of aimlessness in where we’ve headed, and I’m excited about what this is going to do for our schools.”
Cress and Dunbar (right) discuss the characteristics on the podcast.
Along the lines of exploring the practical outworking of our mission, our Cultivate podcast was launched this February, featuring as hosts Cress and Dunbar. The premiere episodes explored each of the characteristics for churches and schools, and subsequent episodes will cover projects and initiatives that exemplify our mission.
“May our churches be marked by these eight characteristics—not as boxes to check, but as a vision to pursue,” Cress said. “Let’s plant, water, and cultivate healthy churches so we may realize our vision of spiritually thriving churches with flourishing faith, caring for their communities, and inspiring individuals to grow in and share Christ’s love.”
“It can change everything,” Dunbar said of the impact these characteristics can have on a church and school. “Because, if you can change one life, if you can change one heart, if you can change a student’s mindset, then who’s to say what that student can then change for our world?”