How to Choose a Church

Millions of Americans choose a church every year. Most do so because they relocated to a different area, but some do so because of dissatisfaction with their current church.

None of us likes the idea of “church shopping,” but we certainly have to have criteria for making a decision.

Let me give you five ideas about making a decision about your new church.

First, make sure you pray fervently and seek God’s leadership in your decision. Who would want to pick a church and leave God out of the process?

Let God give you guidance as you make your decision. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6).

If you are dissatisfied with your current church, I would also encourge you to pray fervently and think hard before you make a decision to leave. Leaving should be a last resort.
Second, look for a church that asks you to do more, not less. God does not ask us to “just get by,” He asks us to give our best. Jesus called on his followers to “count the cost.” He knew that being His disciple would be demanding. How can His church ask anything less?

Therefore, look for a church that will ask you to attend every week, be a part of a small group Bible study, give, serve, and practice spiritual disciplines.

Third, look for a church whose doctrine follows Scripture in all things but especially concerning the person of Jesus and the doctrine of salvation.

Your church should strongly and fervently preach that salvation is by grace through faith and comes because of the work of Christ on the cross. The church should recognize that Jesus was/is God in the flesh and that He is the only way to salvation.

Fourth, choose the church where the Bible is the authority in both faith and behavior.

Finally, choose the church that wraps everything it does in love.
Love must be primary. Even if the church is right in numbers one through four; it must also be right in love. “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:14).

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5 Responses

  1. I Love Christ, I Love You, and I Love Our Church/Family. After visiting several churches FBC was a perfect fit for me and my wife. FBC has never wavered from putting Christ first.

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