“Some people have given up the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep encouraging each other, especially since you know the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer.” Hebrews 10:25
Finding a church is hard work.
For many, it involves week after week of making visit after visit, scouring websites, and listening to multiple messages.
Despite the difficulty, though, it’s good for us to take care when trying to find a church. Because finding and committing yourself to a local congregation is incredibly important.
The word “church” is the Greek word “ekkllesia” which comes from the verb meaning “to call out.” Therefore, “church” in the New Testament designation is for those who have been called out.
What do you mean – called out?
Called out of darkness into light. Called out of death into life. The word actually refers to a worldwide group that all people enter into when they start walking with Jesus. That means if you’re a Christian, you’re part of the Church whether you like it or not.
The church is our identity, as well as the group in which we participate. Active participation in the local church is assumed for the writers of the New Testament because leaving that local expression was, I believe, equivalent to leaving the faith.
So, how can you find a good church?
Here are three questions to ask:
Can I be protected here?
The New Testament is full of warnings about false teaching, for even in those early days of the church, there were offshoots of Christianity that were growing. So, we should be very careful to ask not only what this church claims to believe but what the focus of the teaching is on a weekly basis. Is it the Bible, or is it something else?
Can I grow here?
One of the reasons why we should commit ourselves to a local church is so that the faith community can help us grow in our faith. We remind each other of what is true, correct each other when we stray, and uphold each other when the going gets difficult. When we are looking for a church, then it’s a good thing to ask if this particular place is a church where we can actually mature in Christ.
Can I serve here?
Even though we should ask whether this particular church can help us grow, we must remember that we aren’t only meant to receive from the church; we are meant to give. This is why we have each been given spiritual gifts – it’s in order to help build up other people inside of Christ’s body. We are meant to contribute – to help each other – so that we can all, together, reach maturity in Jesus. So when we are looking for a church, we must also consider if this is a place where we can really make a contribution and serve.
Yes, finding a church can be hard work…but maybe it’s supposed to be.
Let’s be sure to ask the right questions regarding decisions that can affect every area of our lives.
Written by Michael Kelley, Guest Contributor
To read more of Michael’s writing, check out his daily blog, Forward Progress http://michaelkelley.co/
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