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What to Look For in a Church
Having a “church home” is important to many in our society today. The desire to be a part of something bigger and more important than day-to-day routine, to make a better life for ourselves and our families, to worship God and serve others all come into play as people feel the need to look upward.
Many don’t really make a decision about where they will worship. They let others or circumstances decide for them: when they attend where their parents attend, they are letting their parents decide for them; when they go to the nearest church building, they might be letting convenience decide for them; when they attend a certain church because its doctrine fits their lifestyle, they are letting their personal desires decide for them; and so on.
The Bible clearly puts the responsibility on every man to search for God and his truths in the Bible. Even the great apostle Paul was not above scrutiny concerning what he taught. Acts 17:11 says, “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” No teachers, preacher, or church should ever resent you asking where in the Bible their teaching is found.
But if we’re looking for a church, what should we look for?
Truth. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32). He also said, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). So the truth should be of first importance to each one of us.
To many today, however, truth is as elusive as worldly happiness. The Bible is so big and the world is so deceptive. There is such a multitude of religions that people feel it is fruitless to try to find the truth. If it is possible to know it, there are so many conflicting religious doctrines, it’s like finding a needle in a haystack to ever hope to arrive at saving truth. But Jesus gave us some hope when he taught, “If anyone wants to do his will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on my own authority” (John 7:17). Don’t waste time trying to understand exactly how, have faith that God will keep his promise to you. If you truly desire the truth (John 3:19-21; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12), you will find it, understand it (Ephesians 3:3-5) and be drawn to Jesus (John 6:44-45).
Concerning a church, the most important quality it can have is that it teaches the truth. It might entertain its masses, revel them in recreation, and bolster their self-confidence with “spiritual fellowship,” but if it doesn’t save their souls, it has sadly and completely lost its mission. When you find the church that teaches the truth, will you have the courage to follow it?
Zeal. All of us want zeal. In fact, that is the overriding factor of choosing a religion today in most people’s minds. Too many are like the Jews of Paul’s day who have zeal without knowledge (Romans 10:1-2). Zeal must be tempered with the truth found only in God’s written word (John 17:17).
But if our souls are to be encouraged and admonished to our own salvation, we need brethren who will be on fire for the Lord (Acts 11:22-24). Certainly, we must do our part toward our own salvation (Philippians 2:12-13), however, we need our brethren’s help to be all we should be in the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:14). One of the most important ways we express our zeal and keep it “charged up” is through regular worship of the Lord with our brethren. The Hebrew writer said, “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and al the more as you see the day drawing near” (10:24-25).
Accountability. Finally, we need brethren around us who are sincere, who will not only encourage us and make us feel better about ourselves and the choice to serve the Lord we have made, but will care more about our soul than about “church doctrine” or the prosperity of the local church. We need those who are willing to warn us of the dangers toward which we are headed when we stray away from the paths of God. As hard as it is, saving a soul is a worthy endeavor. James wrote, “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (5:19-20).
It is true that many in today’s society seek anonymity in large community-styled churches. The last thing many want is accountability, but more and more people are getting fed up with those who clap and wave their hands above their heads on Sunday, but act like Satan Monday through Saturday. The level of hypocrisy in base religion in America today is appalling and more and more we see opportunities to teach our neighbors are ripe and ready.
We sincerely hope you will examine us in light of what God’s word teaches. We are not perfect, but we do strive for the truth, zeal, and sincerity God desires.
