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How Do I Choose a Good Church?

   Written by on October 8, 2015 at 4:29 pm

So, how do I choose a good church? Here are some practical but necessary things to consider.

THE WORD: Look for a church where the Bible is taken seriously, taught clearly and applied practically (2 Timothy 3:14-17).

logo-crotts-stephenTHE PEOPLE: Look for people who’re responsive to the claims Christ makes upon them in His word.  Our religion shouldn’t be something we put on and take off with our Sunday coat. Ask yourself if the people in this church live in continuous repentance and faith, and are busy maturing in character.  Most of all, do they love one another? (John 14:15).

THE MINISTRY: Look for a church that’ll train you to serve. If I attend this church will I improve as a student, coach, servant, friend, example, family member.  A good church should treat you as a responsible person capable of ministering—and it should hold you accountable for that ministry (1 Timothy 4:7-8).

THE MISSION:  Look for a church that’s not a taker, but a giver. Some fellowships become ingrown; people come to get a blessing but give not a thought to leaving to be one. Ask yourself, Do people here give of themselves? Do they sacrifice their time, money, and talents to see that others at home and abroad experience the Gospel?  (Matthew 28:18-20).

THE CULTS:  Beware the ever-present cults. These false churches take from or add to the Bible.  Their focus is upon an earthly leader who sets himself up as a dictator.  Converts are turned away from family and friends. They teach that salvation isn’t by faith alone, grace alone, or Christ alone. Often they deny the Trinity and the deity of Christ. Members are made more into robots than loving, free people who trust God (Matthew 7:15-29).

THE NON-ESSENTIALS:  Don’t be turned off by a church because all your expectations are not met.  Things like buildings, order of worship, age of pastor, denominational tags, and style of music are non-essentials (1 Timothy 4:12). A church’s motto should well be “In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, freedom. In all things, love.”

THE DEMONSTRATION: Find a church that’s a house of prayer for all people (Mark 11:17). The early church brought together in one community the young and old, rich and poor, black and white, new convert and aged saint. And what a witness it was to the world! People had no explanation for such a living community of love except in terms of the divine. Such churches today also demonstrate the kingdom of God among us (Matthew 5:13-16).

FINALLY, THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A PERFECT CHURCH.  If you find one, stay away or you’ll mess it up! Consider it enough to find an encouraging group of Christians who huddle together regularly and try to faithfully move in the direction Christ leads. With you in there working together with them you can put points on the board for the cause of Christ.

The Reverend Stephen Crotts is pastor of Village Presbyterian Church in Charlotte Court House, VA. He is also the director of the Carolina Study Center, Inc., a campus ministry, located in Chapel Hill, NC. Pastor Crotts may be reached at carolinastudycenter@msn.com.

About Stephen Crotts

The Reverend Stephen Crotts is pastor of Village Presbyterian Church in Charlotte Court House, VA. He is also the director of the Carolina Study Center, Inc., a campus ministry, located in Chapel Hill, NC. Pastor Crotts may be reached at carolinastudycenter@msn.com.

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