Most Christians are familiar with the wisdom found in Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” But even if they are indeed committed to gathering with other believers, they still face the challenge of figuring out which church to attend. How do you know if a church is the right one for your family to join?
Sadly, a conversation about choosing a church can be reduced to the kinds of filters you might use when shopping online.
- Contemporary music or traditional?
- A more modern building or a cathedral with stained glass?
- A church plant that meets in a coffee shop or an established church in the center of town?
- An older pastor in a dark suit and tie, or a young man in blue jeans, a shirt with rhinestones, and hair gel…lots of hair gel?
- A megachurch with something for everyone in your family, or a small fellowship focused on one or two initiatives?
- A church that prioritizes missions, or worship, or preaching, or prayer, or young people, or helping the poor, or social justice, or evangelism, or just loving one another?
It is no wonder so many struggle to find, join, and consistently attend a local church. It is not easy. But it is also not optional, and it is not a decision we should boil down to convenience and preference.
This choice is of such importance that I want to offer some guidance. The following is a list of questions you should ask before committing to worship weekly with a fellowship of believers. You’ll notice that none of these questions have to do with preferences about musical worship, dress codes, or the latest methodologies. Frankly, these things are not what God expresses concern about in Scripture.
I want to preface this list with a word of caution about false churches, because there are many out there who say a lot of the same things biblical churches do using many of the same words. Discernment has never been more important. I also want to add that this is not a black and white test with no room for grace. All churches, including the one I pastor, have plenty of room for growth. But there should be a pattern of sincere commitment to the clear mandates God gives local churches. So, if you continue to answer “no” to these questions about your church or a church you are considering attending, please either make a serious effort to help your church become more faithful or find a more faithful fellowship. God will guide you as to which direction you should go.
10 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER BEFORE JOINING A CHURCH:
- Is the gospel and only the gospel the primary message of the church? In other words, does the church believe that Jesus is the one and only Savior of the world, and therefore call people to repentance and faith in Him?
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” – John 14:6
“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:11–12
- Does the church have a high view of the Bible? Do they believe the Bible alone is sufficient to tell us everything we need to know about God, ourselves, and eternal life? Do they believe it is God’s Word given through men and contains no errors?
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16–17
- Is the spiritual leadership biblically qualified to lead? Do they openly speak about their personal accountability and pursuit of holiness?
“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.” – 1 Timothy 3:1–7
“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” – 1 Peter 5:1–4
- Is there both freedom and order that allows all people to express themselves before God in God-honoring ways? Enthusiasm, excitement, reflection, and even sorrow have their place in worship. Confusion, self-centeredness, and superficial emotions do not.
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17
“But all things should be done decently and in order.” – 1 Corinthians 14:40
- Does the preacher make it his pattern to read, explain, and apply a specific passage of Scripture in each weekly sermon? Preaching should be Christ-centered and biblically-based. The main content of the message should come directly from God’s Word. It should be drawn from the original meaning and applied correctly to modern life.
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” – 2 Timothy 4:2
“They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.” – Nehemiah 8:8
- Does the church consistently celebrate the two ordinances the Lord gave His followers: believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper (also referred to as Communion)?
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19–20
“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” – 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
- Is there a path to allow you to be in small group fellowship with other believers in order to serve and love one another? This can be very informal in a smaller church or very structured and programmatic in a larger church. Either is fine. You need small group fellowship in some form or fashion.
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 4:8–11
- Is there a plan and effort to humbly but seriously confront sin in the lives of members through church discipline? If you don’t know, ask.
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” – Galatians 6:1
- Is there vision, direction, and mobilization in the church? And if so, does it center around the Great Commission and making disciples? Is there a plan (organic or structured) for leading people to Christ and then helping them grow through discipleship?
“He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” – Ephesians 4:10–16
- Is there an effort through missions to get the gospel to those who have not heard it?
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
Where you place yourself and your family for spiritual leadership, guidance, and fellowship matters greatly. That’s why I encourage you to choose the local church with which you worship weekly carefully, using the criteria God has provided.
Choose wisely, and then show up gladly and faithfully.