How Do I Know What Church To Go To?
Our church is constantly praying for people like you who are seeking spiritual truth. Perhaps someone reading this is interested in going to church for the first time or used to go to church and is interested in starting again. Maybe you just feel drawn to know more about Jesus. If this describes you, I have two suggestions: start reading a Bible and start looking for a church that will help you on your spiritual journey. Reading your Bible (I suggest starting with one of the gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) will get you acquainted with who Jesus is and how He offers us truth and life. Attending a church will (hopefully) get you acquainted with how to live out that truth in community.
So, what kind of church should you look for? Here are some starting points I suggest you consider as you begin this journey:
1. The church should have a clear statement of core beliefs (we call this doctrine) that closely aligns with the Bible’s depiction of Jesus and his teaching.
A church that bases its core beliefs on subjective or secular values is more like a club than a church. What should make a church different than other social gatherings is its emphasis on truths and values that are countercultural. In other words, the church should be attempting to follow the commands of Christ, not the shifting winds of culture.
2. At the same time, any church that claims Jesus as its head should be a warm and welcoming church.
Are the people happy that you’re there? Do they genuinely seem to care about each other? Is there a sincerity of purpose? Do they seem real?
3. The church should teach the Bible.
Different churches apply different emphases in their worship service. Some sing a lot, some don’t. Some have formal services with a prescribed liturgy, and some are more informal. Some sing hymns, and some sing contemporary music that sounds like songs on the radio. All these things have more to do with preference. Regardless of worship style, the Bible and Jesus should be the focus of the gathering. You should hear a message proclaimed by someone who is seeking to honor the truth of the Bible- not themselves or what the audience wants to hear.
4. The church should exude love.
Jesus himself taught this was the main way the world would be able to identify his disciples. The Bible depicts the church as a connected body with Jesus as the head- His loving spirit should animate the gathering.
Now that I’ve said all this, it’s important to remember that no church is perfect. Our church isn’t either; however, if you are looking to know Jesus, you don’t need a perfect person or a perfect church to introduce you to Him. You just need to be able to see Him clearly. We pray that as you continue your faith journey that you are drawn more deeply into seeking Him, knowing Him, and gathering with His people.