How should we chose a church? What should we look for?

In our world today, seeking a church is so much easier than it ever has been before. Most churches now have websites and Rumble or Youtube channels where the sermons and services can be viewed. But with this increase of reach, the question comes deeper as to, which church? There are so many churches, and even within denominations, churches can vary by wide margins. So what is a good way to chose a church? What should be looked for?

This, naturally, is not all inclusive, but these should give a good basis for which to look for.

1. Where does the church stand on the Bible? This can range from belief that the Bible is just a bunch of stories put down in which we can find meaning. The other side is that the Bible is God's Word. That God inspired it, He protected and kept it, and it is perfect in all it says. The Bible then becomes the bedrock of all that is said and done in the church. This does not mean the church will do it perfectly, but they desire to live it as it is written.

2. What accountability does the church have for obedience to the Bible, and how the membership lives in connection to their faith. This becomes much more vital for Brethren, due to our belief in Piety. But any church must have a level, a standard for which its members are to live. A church that does not have a high expectation for its members, are also willing to let sin slide. A church in that setting will allow itself to be corrupted from the inside out.

3. Is there a high view or low view of church? What is meant is how important is church attendance? A low view of church means the church itself is a, "come as you feel" type setting where members can chose whether to go to church or not. Sometimes, in this setting, a member may be a member but have only crossed the threshold once for Christmas. A high view is a church that puts a strong emphasis on being at the church. Of course, some churches go extreme, but if the church at least shares in the importance of being in church with the family and with other believers, that is a good mark. Christianity is meant, not to be only practiced once a year, or only online, but to be within a community of believers. The beauty for online is for those who are traveling, who are sick, or those who are shut in and unable to come. For those, the online community is the connection

4. What is the primary engagement of the church? If the engagement is to promote, and show solidarity to society, then it is going with the world, rather than being the called out ones that the church is supposed to be. Or is the church teaching that which the world cannot get? The world can always find a social group or society, to support their belief. What the world cannot find, within their own system, is how to find the answers to eternity, the truth of the Bible, the Spiritual world around us, etc. When a church decides to become a social agency, they are going to be competing against agencies that will do better and have deeper connections. The church is not called to preach social issues but the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Look at the messaging by either flags, organizations it is connected to, and how the church and leaders take stands on the social issues in connection to society around them.

5. What does the church do with the resources that come in and is it open for all the congregation and anyone to see? It is dangerous when a church will conceal the use of its finances.

6. How is the leadership and the church order structured? Is there accountability of the leaders to the congregation? The congregation to the leaders?

7. Outreach. How and in what ways is the church reaching out? Are they fulfilling the great commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-19

8. Are they standing on a doctrine that can be supported and defended by the Bible, or is it mostly man made? Can they defend it? Is it articulated to some degree and be evaluated? Do they live, teach, and practice in line with their stated belief?

9. Is the music such that will draw the attention and heart of the hearers upward toward God and Who He is? Or is it focused on the musicians, and the lights, and sound? Does it fulfill a fleshly appetite, or draw us deeper into the knowledge and holiness of God?

One point to draw out, notice what is not mentioned above? The focus is not on what the children's ministry, or adult classes exist? How many activities does the church run throughout the week? How big, or small the congregation is? The importance of the church is found in its doctrine and teaching, not necessarily what we can get out of the church. It should be said, if two churches are equally solid in the points above, and one does provide a resource for a need in an individual or family, then that church should be considered first. But at the end of the day, church is not necessarily designed for what we can get out of the church, but how the church and the body of faith draws us toward God. Are we walking closer to God and His Word having been part of that congregation or not?

Some have used the argument that God can be worshiped anywhere, and therefore, we do not need to be in a church to worship God. Correct. But here are a few questions to consider: 1. Where does God or the Word present Christianity as an individualistic concept? There are many that show it is a corporate and unit. 2. How much worship is done in the middle of a sports game on Sunday morning, in a stadium, cheering for a team? No, a quick point to Heaven, or a kneel on the field is not necessarily worship. 3. Where do we find an individual who separates themselves from the local body of Christ, who does not eventually adopt, and contort their belief to match the situation they are in? 4. What is the purpose and picture of the church in the grand scheme of Christianity, and how does denying attendance affects that picture? 5. What function does the church play in the life of the individual? 6. Lastly, what is lost when someone does not show up to the local body?

As said, this is not to answer all the questions. Of course, this blog would encourage to look at conservative Brethren denominations first, but for those who cannot or are not called to Brethren, the prayer is these points will help to find and attend a good Biblically based church.