to find out if a person was healthy, how would they do it?  They would perform certain tests, such as checking the heart and lungs and blood.  The expectation would be that you would have to pass all the tests to be considered healthy.  The same is true about a church.  Interestingly, the size of the congregation or the size of the budget are no more part of the determination any more than the style of the clothing for the doctor's patient.  What is a healthy church?  A healthy church is one that is united in faith and purpose.  A healthy church is one that has a sense of hope, not because of our own abilities, but because God is the God of hope.  A healthy church is one that is growing in knowledge, one whose relationship with God is based on what we know to be true.  A healthy church is not one that keeps its beliefs to itself but one that respectfully shares the truth with others.  Finally, a healthy church is one that looks beyond its one needs to the needs of others.  Based on these tests, I believe you are a healthy church.  However, like physical health, church health is something to be maintained and not something to be enjoyed just based on an earlier diagnosis.  Keep examining yourselves, and seek to remain a healthy church. Cassiciacum Cassiciacum was a villa outside of Milan where St. Augustine would gather with his friends to discuss faith and