HOW TO FIND A GOOD CHURCH
by J. W. Jepson, D.Min.
Life In Christ Center, 3095 Cherry Heights Road, The Dalles, Oregon 97058
(541) 296-1136
Copyright © 1998 by J. W. Jepson
All rights reserved, including the right to grant the following permission and to prohibit the misuse thereof:
The Author hereby grants permission to reproduce the text of this article, without changes or alterations*, as a ministry, but not for commercial or non-ministry purposes.*Permission is given for publication of excerpts and condensed versions.
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People look for a church for a variety of reasons, some right and some wrong. Wrong reasons are selfish reasons: social status, business and professional contacts, political advantage, to create a religious image, a personally beneficial relationship.
Right reasons flow naturally out of a right heart: to worship God, Christian instruction, Christian fellowship, spiritual growth and development for ourselves and our family, Christian service and witness.
The Church is a fellowship of believers who have a living relationship with one another because they have a living relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible likens the Church to: a family, a flock of sheep, a bride, a temple, and a body. If you are spiritually "connected" with the Head, Jesus Christ, you are part of His body, the Church. It is very important that you find your place in His body where you and your family can function and be nourished spiritually.
So, how does one find a good church?
Let's start with a general overview of the various kinds of churches. When Jesus Christ established His Church, it was of one faith and fellowship. As the Church grew and expanded, it encountered a variety of cultures. These cultures had an influence on the Church. The Roman Empire itself left its organizational and cultural stamp on the Church, especially after the emperor Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the empire. The organization of the Church became more centralized, formal, and rigid. After a dozen or more centuries, the Church bore little resemblance to the dynamic, Spirit-filled fellowship of the first century.
The church became politicized. Attachment to the organized Church and the observance of its rituals became more important than a personal relationship with Jesus Christ Himself. The condition of the Church declined.
Then came the Reformation. Probably the best known reformer was Martin Luther. One day he discovered (or re-discovered) the simple basic truth of the gospel: "the just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17).
That revolutionized Christianity, resulting in the great reformation churches (Lutheran, Presbyterian, etc.). The actions of King Henry VIII separated the Church of England from Rome.
Things did not stop there. The movement to restore Christianity to its original Biblical purity continued. An emphasis upon one doctrine and practice or another resulted in the Baptists, Methodists, Congregationalists, Christian Church and Church of Christ, Nazarenes, Church of God, and others.
Then, in the early 20th century the Pentecostal movement and its resulting denominations arose.
The religious dynamic at work in the United States during the 19th century also spawned several groups that identify themselves as churches but that in reality are outside of the historic Christian faith. These include: Mormonism, Christian Science, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the metaphysical cults.
Today, churches are grouped together under two general headings: Catholic and Protestant. Protestant churches are generally of two kinds: liberal and evangelical.
Liberal churches tend to deny the literal teachings of the Bible and thus the historic Christian faith, including the need for personal salvation, emphasizing social issues instead. Liberal churches in America are declining.
Evangelical churches are those who regard the Bible as the inspired and infallible word of God and thus hold to the essentials of the original Christian faith, including the need for personal salvation. Evangelical churches are growing.
So then, in finding a good church, prayerfully follow these important basic criteria:
(1) Find out what the church and the pastor believe. What is their statement of faith regarding the Bible and its teachings, God, Jesus Christ, salvation, the Holy Spirit, etc. This not where most people start, even though it is of first importance. Failure to start here is a big mistake.
(2) Once a church passes the first test, experience its services and listen to the preaching. Is the worship sincere and vibrant, or mechanical and cold? Does the pastor preach the word of God or his/her own opinions? Are the people loving, friendly and united? Do you feel "at home" and accepted?
(3) If a church passes these first two tests, next evaluate its ministries. Does it provide resources for your spiritual growth and the Christian education and development of your family? Does it provide opportunities for Christian service and evangelism? Does it have a strong missionary emphasis?
Every Christian needs to find his or her place in Christ's Church. "God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased" (1 Corinthians 12:18 NKJV).
If you are a Christian, you are a part of the Church. Find your place in a local unit of the Church. Join it; support it; become involved in it; be faithful to it; share in it's benefits.