HOW TO CHOOSE A CHURCH

There are thousands of churches in the large metropolitan areas of the United States, particularly in the South. You have a plethora of choices all over the place. Have you made the right choice?

THE NO-NOs

But first things first: there are criteria you shouldn't consideer. One of those wrong criteria is the question: is the pastor a good speaker? Now, certainly, every teacher of the Word of God should be seeking to impove his skills in communication, both spoken and written, but "is he a good speaker" is not a criterion for choosing a church.

Then there are those people who look for a church in the same way they choose a mall or restaurant. Many people look for adequate parking, great facilities, and exciting youth programs, even video games for kids, but this, of course, is basing one’s choice on the wrong things. One man chose a church because, he said, "The pastor's funny." (Did Paul's resume include, "I can tell jokes that make people laugh.")

NUMERO UNO

The number one issue is to find a biblical church. This is a church that holds to the historic, fundamental or evangelical grace-oriented teachings of the Bible. As we read the Bible, we see that there's a strong emphasis in the pastoral epistles (I and II Timothy and Titus) on the importance of sound (healthy) doctrine.

At this point, many have learned a hard lesson: the church's doctrinal statement may say and the teachers may say that they believe that salvation is a free gift, but upon further examination, that's not what they teach at all because, when pressed, they'll add works to the gospel, saying, "There just has to be more than faith by itself." Although their doctrinal statement says, salvation is a free gift, you'll hear additions such as "turn from your sins," "feel sorry for your sins," "ask Jesus into your heart," "make a public confession," "count the cost," and even the illogical, "salvation is free, but it costs you everything," and a host of other additions. The leadership of your prospective church has to be questioned, especially in regard to what the gospel is NOT.

NUMERO DOS

A church should be committed to the preaching/teaching of the Bible as the center and foundation of its ministry. It's God’s Word that that changes lives as people are confronted with, learn, and believe in the Scripture. (1 Thess. 2:13.) Is that teaching/preaching for the most part, expository (going verse-by-verse through the Bible, keeping everything in context) or is the congregation fed on sermonettes, allegorizations, morals, and popular topics that seek to make people feel good or address one's so-called self-help/self-esteem needs? Since God’s Word is relevant and deals with life as we find it in any age, verse-by-verse teaching will take care of our real needs (not our wants) as it enhances our walk with the Lord and, through the ministry of the Spirit, enable us to experience Christ-like change and spiritual growth and maturity.

Do those who teach the Bible do so from a dispensational framework? If not, the chances are good that they will put you under the bondage of the Mosaic Law and demand "a tenth of your money and a seventh of your time." But if they really, really want to follow the Law, they would be demanding three tithes, so that every third year, they would demand that you give the church 33.3% of your income and 20%, not 10% annually, except that third year. We live in the grace age, not the age of the Law.

NUMERO TRES

Look for a church that has a focus on body life or some kind of fellowship in the sense of caring for one another--Christian fellowship is that which focuses on Christ.  Is there an avenue for you to exercise your gifts in that local fellowship? Are there small groups of some kind for the purpose of fellowship, Bible study, prayer, and caring for each other? This can take many forms, but the body life should put you on an avenue for ministry (service) to the body in some way in accord with your gifts.

NUMERO CUATRO

Is the church seeking to reach its community for the Savior? Is the leadership (pl.) of the church an example to the flock of evangelistic endeavor? (I Peter 5:3)

Obviously, there are other things we might like to see such as an effective ministry to youth, nice facilities, good music, but these should not take precedence over the above issues. One mother joined a church which denied the Trinity because "It has a great youth program."

ETERNAL VIGILANCE

Be on guard for those churches where the focus is on a charismatic leader who tends to dominate and become dictatorial to the leadership and congregation. (III John 9) The biblical form of church government is one that has a plurality of leadership in men called “elders” who function as servant leaders, not rulers.

What if you can't find such a church? How about starting one?