Finding the “Right” Church

by Pastor Chris

People often ask me: “How do I know which church is right for me?” Honestly, only God knows, and He'll help you find it. Start with prayer and then start looking.

Many try to find the “right” church the same way they buy a new car: they make a list of the things they like and try to find a church that matches the list. Others try to be ultra spiritual about it but it usually comes down to their list and whether the church is a match or not. This doesn’t work well and there’s a good reason.

You need God’s help when looking for the “right” church. Therefore, prayer is the first step. God knows exactly what you need. He has your best interest at heart so the first thing you do is pray.

When you pray, don’t tell Him what you’re looking for; ask Him what’s best for you. He is your Father, you are His child. He is your Master, you are His servant. He is your Teacher, you are His student. Listen, learn and follow His direction. Trust Him; He loves you and knows what’s best for you.

When searching for the “right” church, trust that God looks at things far differently than we do. For example, if you are trying to decide which church to attend based on outward appearances such as great worship teams or youth groups, beautiful buildings or influential speakers you’re “shopping”. These are all nice things but they’re not the most important thing. The most important thing is whether God Himself is present in the church. In other words, does God “go” to that church?

I know that sounds controversial but it truly is the most important question you need answered. If God isn’t there then why should you be?

The second most important question is this: are the leaders following Him? A leading researcher noted that in most American churches, if God left nothing would change. Jesus said He would build His church. Are the leaders letting Him do that? Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Are the leaders following Christ’s leading? Is the church “kingdom minded” or do they have their own “kingdom” in mind?

Do the teachers teach and preach from the Bible? There’s nothing wrong with using various means of communication to share the message of the Bible (i.e. skits, stories, videos, drama) but do the teachers teach and preach from the Bible? Is the Bible the main source of the sermon or teaching or do other things make up the bulk of the message? If you are interested in growing as a Christian, inspired teaching from God’s Word is vital.

Does the church teach, train and equip the saints to do the work of God? Jesus said, “Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does.” (John 10:37, NIV) Shouldn’t every Christian church make the same statement?  The leaders, by example, should be doing the works of God and teaching, training and equiping the saints to do the same. If not, then why does the church even exist?

Does the church believe in the present day empowering by the Holy Spirit? Jesus told His disciples that before they attempted to do the work of God they needed to wait in Jerusalem to be empowered by God. Paul said that the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. Does the church operate in the power of the Holy Spirit or does it have a form of godliness but deny its power?

Is the church interested in “church growth” or “individual growth”? By this I mean are they interested in membership growth or the spiritual growth of their members? Real Christianity is a difficult walk. If the church is simply interested in putting people in the seats rather than caring for their individual growth in Christ you might want to keep looking. Remember: never assume the blessing of God is on a church based on the number of people attending, whether large or small.

How does the church treat women? Throughout the Scriptures God honors women, yet, this is often one of the most controversial areas of church doctrine. Women are given places of great honor in the Scriptures and the church should treat women exactly as God would treat them. Cultural issues and current political correctness do not define how a church should treat women. Women should be loved and respected just as God loves and respects them.

How does the church view children? Jesus loved children and rebuked His disciples when they tried to put children in their “place”. Jesus said that no one could enter the kingdom of God unless they became as little children and that the kingdom of heaven belonged to the childlike. Does the church respect children and encourage their spiritual growth from an early age?

How does the church handle its money? Everything, and I mean everything, belongs to God. We are simply stewards of what God has placed in our hands. How a church handles its money will tell you volumes about the heart of the church leaders. Are people pressured or manipulated to give? How is the money spent? Is everything out in the open? Can anyone have access to the financial reports? You’ll learn a great deal when you learn how the money is handled.

Finding the “right” church should be a prayerful journey. You may think you need a specific type of church or ministry and God may think differently. The main thing is listen to God and go where He leads. If you do you will be blessed.

Please email me if you have any questions. It is my joy and privilege to help answer them.

Blessings to you,

Pastor Chris