5 Features of Flourishing Congregations As I survey the vast interdisciplinary literature on churches that thrive, five interrelated features stand out to me (and perhaps there are more that ought to be added to this list). What binds the following together is intentionality. Like cultivating all kinds of habits in one’s life, congregations do not flourish, develop, or thrive without intentionally seeking to do so. Clear Self Identity: Flourishing congregations have a clear s