HOW TO FIND A GOOD CHURCH

"Do I Have to Join a Church to Become a Christian?"

No. Joining a church and becoming a Christian are two separate issues. When you become a Christian, however, God always joins you to the Church. We are instructed in Hebrews 10:24-25, "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of His coming back again is drawing near." As in a fireplace, many logs burn together creating heat and warmth, but a log by itself quickly dies out. So we too need the fellowship of other believers to keep our faith vibrant and growing. The Church is a place where you can worship God and make Him the focus of your life.

"What Should I be Looking for When Looking for a Church?"

1. A Strong Emphasis on the Teaching of the Bible

Since the Bible "is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are" (Hebrews 4:12). The Bible should be faithfully taught each week.

2. A Focus on Jesus Christ as the Highest Authority in the Church

"And God has put all things under the authority of Christ, and He gave Him this authority for the benefit of the church. And the church is His body; it is filled by Christ, who fills everything everywhere with His presence." Ephesians 1:22-23. The body has only one leader: Jesus Christ! He should be the focus of vibrant, creative expressions of worship.

3. The Presence of Unity and Harmony

"The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ." I Corinthians 12:12. "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace." God's presence brings unity--not division-- to the body of Christ, which is the church.

4. The Support of Others, Whether They are Hurting or Being Honored

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." Romans 12:15. The church is not a place where only the "winners" belong, but where everyone should feel welcome.

5. An Emphasis on Helping Others

"Now all of you together are Christ's body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it." I Corinthians 12:27. Jesus said, "Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:34-35.

6. The Absence of Favoritism, Status, and Prejudice

Effective leadership in the church is servant-leadership, a willingness to humbly serve others' needs in the church body, rather than to demand privilege, acclaim or status. "For even I, the Son of Man, did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28. Church leaders are to model Christ's example of self-giving love.

7. An Emphasis on Individual Dignity and Mutual Variety

"But God has made our bodies with many parts, and He has put each part just where He wants it. What a strange thing a body would be if it had only one part!" I Corinthians 12:18-19. A healthy church recognizes the variety of spiritual gifts which God has given to each member, without overemphasizing the importance of any one spiritual gift.

8. Ministry that is Making an Impact, both Locally and Globally

No two churches are exactly alike: each has its own "personality". Each church, no matter what its "specialty", should be reaching out and making positive changes outside the boundaries of its own property, in the local community and throughout the world.