FINDING THE CHURCH THAT’S BEST FOR YOU Part -1-

Maybe you’ve just moved into a new community. Maybe your church closed. Maybe you’re at a new stage in life. There may be many reasons why you’re looking for a church. But you are.
If you’re trying to find a new church—for whatever reason—you’re in a precarious position. There are many poor reasons to choose a church, but only a few good ones—particularly when measured against what Luke, the author of Acts, considered important enough to mention as characteristics of the First Church of Jerusalem.

1. Is it Biblical?
Acts 2:42 says,

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching . . . (Acts 2:42, NIV).

In other words, the First Church of Jerusalem was devoted to learning God’s Word from the apostles; they applied themselves to solid Bible teaching. So a fundamental thing to ascertain about any church is, What do they teach? Look closely at their statement of faith. Don’t join a church without investigating whether they truly believe--and effectively teach--the Bible.

2. Will it help me connect with others?

Acts 2:42 also says of the early church:

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship. . . (Acts 2:42, NIV).

In other words, they were devoted to each other, to relationships, to being part of the family of God. So look at the church and ask, is this a place where I can develop relationships with others? Can this church help me obey the Bible’s commands to . . .

Have fellowship with one another ... greet one another ... love one another ... accept one another ... be devoted ... be kind and compassionate to one another (1 John 1:7; Romans 16:16; John 13:35; Romans 15:7, 12:10; Ephesians 4:32).

Do people just file out after an hour of worship and get into their cars? Or do they stick around and pray or laugh or cry together? Is this a place where I can feel part of a family? Are there small groups I can be a part of? Lunches? Picnics?

3. Does it help me connect with God?

Acts 2:42 further says that the early church “devoted themselves. . . to the breaking of bread” (Acts 2:42, NIV).
Now, it’s not obvious to us as it would have been to first century readers, but that’s talking about the worship of the church. They met in homes to celebrate communion, a symbolic ceremony commemorating Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross; that was the centerpiece of their weekly worship. So it’s also important to ask, “Does this church’s worship style help me connect with God?”
Because we're all different, different ways of worshiping will speak to our hearts in different ways. The Bible doesn’t say, “Thou shalt use pipe organs; guitars are an abomination to the Lord.” Neither does it say, “Take heed that you stand when everybody else stands, lest God be angry with you.” No, the Bible says,

Those who worship [God] must worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24, NLT).

If you’re worshiping in spirit and truth, God doesn't care two bits about the style, whether it’s formal or casual, traditional or contemporary, loud or quiet, reflective or emotional. The question is, does it connect YOU with God?

4. Is it a praying church?

Acts 2:42 also says that the First Church of Jerusalem “devoted themselves to prayer (Acts 2:42, NIV).
People don’t often ask this question when they’re looking at a church, but Luke clearly thought it was important enough to mention. The early church was devoted to prayer.

If it is true as author E.M. Bounds has said, that “God does nothing but in answer to prayer,” then if you want to find a church where something is happening, where God is moving, where you’re going to be glad you stuck around, look for a praying church. Whatever else may be missing in that church, it won’t be missing for long if it’s a praying church.

5. Do I see people being changed?

The next verse in the second chapter of Acts says, “Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles” (Acts 2:43, NIV).
The people in this Jerusalem church of the first century were not the same people they’d always been. They were being healed. They were growing spiritually. They were becoming servants. Some were becoming leaders.
God wants the same for you. He wants you to grow, change, become mature. The purpose of a good church is to help you grow spiritually and to develop spiritual maturity. So look around. . . Are people being changed? Are they showing signs of growth? Are there “God at work” signs around the place?


Bob Hostetler
Former
USA Eastern Territory-NHQ

Copyright © 2006, Bob Hostetler