How to Pick a Church
Top Ten signs that the church you've visited might be a cult--
10. Everybody wears screaming day-glo orange.
9. Minister preaches out of the "New Revelation Version".
8. Deacons send hit squad to make sure they get your 10 percent.
7. You discover that the confessional has been bugged.
6. Baptistery is filled with Perrier.
5. Preacher throws Bible out in middle of sermon and declares that he'll just "make it up as he goes along".
4. Discounts on sin. 50% off, this week only....
3. Communion wafers look like Tic-Tacs.
2. Choir keeps singing, "Draw Me Nearer" with that glazed look in their eyes.
1. Prays to Al Gore.....
Some of you have no doubt had painful experiences with the "Church." All the arguments about commitment to a local Church may sound intellectually satisfying, but they is not emotionally satisfying. You have been hurt by commitment to a local body of believers, and you don't wish to experience the heartache again.
It is not always easy, in contemporary Christendom, to find a group which is practicing real, mutual commitment on a sound Scriptural basis. As Father Terry Fullam said, "The Church in our day is like Noah's ark with all the animals: if it weren't for the storm outside, you couldn't stand the smell inside!" That is a true evaluation of the Church life that many experience.
But if you acknowledge to God your need to identify with such a group, and then go on to seek Him diligently for His direction, you can be confident that He will show you what to do. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that "God is the rewarder of those who seek him."
How to Start
So let's assume that you are convinced that the church is part of God's program for your life. You're not? With all of the churches and denominations available, where do you start? One of the best sources for finding a good church is the recommendation of your Christian friends. Ask friends that you respect and that you can see are growing in the Lord. A second resource is the Internet or the yellow pages. Most churches have web sites which tell you something about what they think is important. Most churches advertise in the yellow pages and often receive calls from people who are church searching. Don't be afraid to make a phone call and quiz them about their church. Ask questions about ministries available, activities for your family members, important doctrines, and style of worship. The answers they provide to your questions will give you a good idea whether you should attend their service next Sunday or whether you would be wasting your time.
Eight Qualities to Look For
Okay, now let's assume that you have a short list of churches to visit. What are the most important features to look for as you visit? Allow me to suggest eight qualities:
(1) Do they honour and uplift the Lord Jesus Christ?
Is there a spirit of worship, love and devotion to Him in their gatherings and in their ministry? After a few meetings of a Church, you can get a sense of who people are really meeting for: themselves, their pastor, a liturgy, a reputation, or a cause. The ultimate purpose of all our gatherings ought to be to glorify God. Does this Church honour and glorify the King of the Universe?
(2) Do they respect the authority of Scripture?
If the Bible is only man's words or even God and man's words mixed together, then we are in serious trouble. Find a fellowship that is committed to the Bible as God's inerrant, living Word to man. You and the other members may disagree about what the Book means on some issues, but at least you won't disagree about what the Book is.
(3) Do they make room for the Holy Spirit to move?
Now this question will mean different things to you depending upon your view of the Holy Spirit's work in this age. Nevertheless, all of us believe the Spirit does something! Does this Church leave room for Him to work? Is the pastor the only one who can do anything "spiritual" or is the Holy Spirit allowed to minister through others too? Do you hear any talk about using spiritual gifts to build up and help others? Is this Church so bound by a rigid traditionalism or a denominational straight jacket that God isn't allowed to bring Biblically motivated change, to provide guidance, or to inspire action?
(4) Do they exhibit a warm, friendly caring attitude?
That isn't a question that you ask just so that you will feel comfortable. This question is important, because all of us need to learn how to be loving and caring ourselves. That is part of what we are to be as Christians, and it doesn't come naturally. Caring is an attitude that is more caught than taught, so find a Church that has a loving atmosphere to breathe.
(5) Do they seek to work out their faith in practical day-to-day living?
I went to visit a couple recently who was looking for a new Church, and the husband said to me, "I'm looking for a Church where the people are seven-day-a-week Christians. Is that what your people are?" That was a tough question, but a very important one to ask. Ask it of the Church you visit.
(6) Do they build interpersonal relationships among themselves that go beyond merely attending services?
If the only ministry to other Christians is a programmed ministry or the only sharing and relating what happens is programmed fellowship, then a serious problem exists. Body-life (the "one another" commandments in the New Testament) should eventually flow from the hearts and lives of every brother and sister, whether or not it appears on the Church calendar.
(7) Are they open to fellowship with other Christian groups?
A Church which recognizes the spiritual unity of the universal Body of Christ should be willing to pray for and support other legitimate Evangelical ministries and fellowships. Any extreme separatism or individualism is not the pattern we see among the Churches in the New Testament. Extreme separatism is the pattern of cults, not the Church.
(8) Is there accountability?
We acknowledge the need for accountability in every other sphere of life: defence contracting, politics, banks, and work places. Why should we deny our need for accountability in spiritual things? Are the steps of Matthew 18:15-20 followed? Does anyone care if you fall into sin, and what will they do about it? Accountability need not be threatening. Find a group that will "speak the truth to you in love." (Ephesians 4:15) +++++ If the answer to some of the above questions is "yes," then you are probably getting close to a good Church. Remember that you will not find "the perfect group." And as evangelist Derek Prince says, "Even if you did, you couldn't join it, because after you did, it would no longer be perfect!"
What you are looking for is not just a Church to feel comfortable in, but a Church that will help you to grow and give you opportunities to serve others. Christ's Body is not a country club. It's a community of servants, a school of spirituality, and a worshipping priesthood.
Psalms 68:6 contains a principle about loneliness and obedience. It says, "God makes a home for the lonely; He leads out the prisoners into prosperity; Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land. " It is not God's intention for you to be lonely. If you are "lonely," the Lord will find you a spiritual "home." If you are a "prisoner" of circumstances or evil forces, God will deliver you and bring you out into freedom. But--and here is the warning--if you are "rebellious" you will continue to "dwell in a parched land." Don't do that. Find your church home.
Ultimately, the only barriers that keep you from finding the right kind of fellowship will be your own inner attitudes of fear, pride, selfishness (especially of time), or unyielding individualism. Ask God to show you if there are any such barriers in your life; and if there are, ask Him to break them down.