Thursday, May 28, 2009 12:58 PM CDT
Clergy Views: How to choose a church -- Four suggestions for seekers
By PASTOR CASEY SCOTT, Outreach Minister, Broadway Christian Church
As the outreach minister here at Broadway Christian Church, I spend a lot of time reading about what causes people to choose the church that they do.
So in case you’ve been thinking about going to church (or going back to church because you have kids now and you’re fine, but they need it!), here are four suggestions that you might want to consider:
1. Integrity matters! Find a church that practices what it preaches. The biggest criticism thrown against Christians today is that we are hypocrites.
My regular response is, “You know, when the standard you measure your life against is someone who was perfect (Jesus), the drift toward hypocrisy will be a constant battle.”
But let’s face it — other than Jesus, no one (Christian or otherwise) is perfectly consistent all the time.
The key is to find a church whose members are known for the integration of their beliefs with their actions.
We must remember that there is a tension here that needs to be kept. I would stay away from any church whose members claim to be perfect, just as I would stay away from a church where people’s lives are not regularly being changed by the power of Jesus Christ.
So if you’re looking for a church, look for one in which the members are doggedly pursuing the life of Christ, even through all of life’s ups and downs.
2. Doctrine matters! Whether a church is more overt with its doctrine, or has more of a tendency to come in the back door with its specific beliefs, what they believe will determine what kind of church they are.
Mark Hall, the singer of the band Casting Crowns, said, “You can say what you think, but you live what you believe.”
When you are looking at a church, go ahead and ask for a doctrinal statement (if the church has a Web site, it’s probably on there). If there’s something you don’t understand, ask the minister.
Trust me, if he or she is worth their salt, you’ll get more answer than you bargained for (it’s kind of like saying “sick ‘em” to a pit bull)!
A church’s doctrine will affect who they are, and you need to know that information.
3. Friendliness matters! OK, let’s get real. If you go to a church for the first time (without being invited by a friend), you’re probably not going to know anyone.
You need to come to terms with that. Once you do, you will want to look for a church that is full of people that you’d like to get to know!
When you first get there, be looking for people that will show you where to go, help you find a seat, and introduce you to a couple of people around you.
If in a couple weeks, no one has made any effort to become your friend, move on.
4. Fit matters! Before moving to Central Illinois, my wife and I planted a new church.
I’d tell our visitors, “Churches are like blue jeans. Some fit some kinds of people, others don’t. You have to find the kind that fits you. So keep looking until you find it!”
In your search for the right church, you have to be a little like Goldilocks and look for the one that’s “just right.”
If you go to a church focused on meeting the spiritual needs of senior adults, and you and your husband have 16 hyperactive kids, that may not be a good fit.
But if you walk in and your whole family thinks, “Wow — I feel at home here!” You’ve found the right church!
God bless you in your search.
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