Choosing a church home can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it’s hard to know what to prioritize in your search. Here are some key things to look for when evaluating potential churches based on biblical principles:
Sound doctrine and teaching
A church’s teaching should align with biblical truth (2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9). Look for a church that takes the Bible seriously and preaches the gospel message faithfully. Be wary of churches that let culture dictate their message rather than God’s Word.
Ask questions about what the church believes regarding major doctrines like the Trinity, the deity of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, etc. Avoid churches that teach contrary to Scripture.
God-glorifying worship
The worship service should focus on revering God rather than entertaining people (John 4:23-24). Evaluate the song lyrics – do they praise God or man? Is the sermon biblically-based and Christ-centered? All elements should exalt the Lord.
Biblical leadership
Church leaders should meet the biblical qualifications for oversight (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9). Do they exhibit godly character and spiritual maturity? Are they skilled at teaching the Bible? Godly leaders foster church health.
Authentic community
Look for a loving, welcoming atmosphere (1 Peter 4:8-9; Romans 12:10). Observe people’s interactions. Are they engaged in community life together? A biblical church fosters genuine relationships.
Spiritual growth opportunities
A strong church equips people to grow in Christ through discipleship and training (Ephesians 4:11-16). Look for robust adult, youth, and children’s ministries. Are there opportunities to serve and use your gifts?
Outward focus
A biblical church cares about reaching the lost locally and globally (Matthew 28:19-20). Look for evangelism and mission efforts. Does the church support church planting and proclamation of the gospel?
Prayerful dependence on God
Prayer should be a priority in the church (Acts 2:42). Look for prayer meetings and ministries. Do leadership decisions reflect dependence on God’s wisdom vs. worldly methods?
Biblical stewardship and integrity
A trustworthy church handles money and ministry with accountability and integrity (2 Corinthians 8:20-21). Look for financial transparency and godly stewardship. Are policies and procedures in place?
Connection with the universal Church
The church should have ties to the broader Body of Christ (Acts 15:1-35). Look for networks, partnerships, denominational affiliations, etc. Avoid extreme separatism and isolationism.
Rather than hype, programs, or personalities, the focus should be on Christ-centeredness in all areas. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and discernment as you evaluate churches. Finding a biblically-sound church home is crucial for spiritual health and growth.
Here are some additional points to consider when looking for a biblical church:
- Safe environment – Are appropriate policies and procedures in place to protect children and vulnerable adults?
- Cultural diversity – Does the church embrace those from various races, cultures, generations, and socioeconomic backgrounds?
- Congregational involvement – Are there opportunities for members to serve and lead based on their spiritual gifts?
- Contextual outreach – Does the church actively serve its local community and make an impact?
- Intergenerational ties – Does the church foster connections across age groups through fellowship and mentoring?
- Hospitality – Do people go out of their way to welcome visitors and make them feel at home?
- Unity and reconciliation – Is there a process for resolving conflicts in a biblical manner? (Matthew 18:15-17)
- Church discipline – Does the church practice formative and corrective discipline when necessary? (Matthew 18:15-20)
The early church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42). When evaluating churches, look for those key elements: solid preaching, genuine community, the Lord’s Supper, and corporate prayer. No church is perfect, but seek one where the Word is central and people are passionate about glorifying God.
Here are some additional practical considerations when looking for a biblical church:
- Location – Is the church conveniently located near where you live or work?
- Service times – Do they offer service times that fit your schedule?
- Children’s programs – What kind of nursery and classes are available for kids and when?
- Youth programs – Are there opportunities for your teens to grow and connect with other youth?
- Singles, young adults, seniors – Are there ministries targeting different demographics?
- Size – Do you prefer a large, medium, or small congregation setting?
- Style of worship – What kind of music and liturgy does the church embrace?
- Facility – Is the facility clean, accessible, and conducive to worship and community?
- Parking – Is there sufficient parking available for attendees?
- Website/online presence – Does the church utilize online tools and provide helpful information?
While these practical matters shouldn’t be the primary deciding factors, they can help you determine if a particular church is a good fit for you and your family. Along with biblical fidelity, consider logistics when visiting local churches.
Visiting a potential new church can be intimidating but is an important step in your search process. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your visits:
- Dress appropriately – observe the church’s culture and dress accordingly when you visit.
- Arrive early – allow time to pick up any visitor materials and get acclimated.
- Sit strategically – choose a seat towards the back or on the aisle for an easier exit.
- Follow along – participate in the worship and preaching, using a Bible if needed.
- Greet others – be friendly, introduce yourself to people sitting nearby.
- Take notes – jot down observations, thoughts, or questions from the sermon.
- Stay afterwards – chat with the pastor or other congregants over coffee and snacks if offered.
- Ask questions – politely inquire about things that are unclear after the service.
- Get connected – provide contact info if you’d like to be kept in the loop about events.
- Be patient – try attending a few times before making a decision about membership.
The goal is to experience what the church is really like on a typical Sunday. Be prayerful and tuned in to the spiritual atmosphere. God can use visitation to confirm if a particular congregation aligns with biblical priorities and resonates with your spirit.
Choosing to become a member of a church is an important spiritual commitment. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Attend regularly – make weekly worship and involvement a priority (Hebrews 10:25).
- Offer your gifts – volunteer to serve based on your talents and interests (1 Peter 4:10).
- Give financially – practice tithing and generous giving to the ministry (2 Corinthians 9:7).
- Submit to authority – respect the church’s leaders and teachings (Hebrews 13:17).
- Participate in ordinances – take communion and baptism seriously.
- Fellowship – build relationships and community with others (Acts 2:42).
- Support the mission – embrace and contribute to the church’s purpose and goals.
- Pray – ask God to help the church grow in truth, unity, and impact.
Membership involves a sacred vow to use your gifts, resources, and abilities to build up your local church. Fulfill your role faithfully, devoted to seeing your congregation thrive for God’s glory.
If you have visited several churches but remain unsettled about which one to commit to, here are some additional tips:
- Take your time – don’t rush this important decision (Proverbs 21:5). Pray and wait on God’s leading.
- Consider your family – involve your spouse and kids in the process.
- Weigh priorities – rank what matters most in a church based on biblical criteria.
- Listen to wisdom – seek guidance from mature believers who know you well.
- Visit your top choices multiple times – look for consistency.
- Ask questions – get clarity from pastors/leaders about any concerns.
- Look for affirmation – check for confirmation through circumstances or spiritual promptings from God.
- Step out in faith – make a commitment to one church, get plugged in, and give it a fair chance.
- Keep an open heart – no church is perfect; focus on your contribution rather than criticism.
With patience, prayer, and godly counsel, you can discern the local fellowship where the Lord wants you to invest your gifts and grow spiritually.
For Christians seeking a healthy, biblically-based church, the search process can be challenging but is tremendously worthwhile. Remember these key points:
- Make sure the focus is on Jesus, the Word, and the Gospel.
- Look for authentic community and caring relationships.
- Evaluate church leadership and evidence of the Spirit’s work.
- Be involved in the ministry and use your gifts to serve others.
- Pray for and support your church’s vision and health.
Rather than expecting perfection, approach your search with grace, discernment and realistic expectations. When you find a Gospel-proclaiming church you can call home, invest wholeheartedly in its purpose and community.
God designed the church to reveal His glory, transform lives, and reach the lost. Despite imperfections, churches that uphold biblical truth and advance the Gospel are worth committing to. Through His Spirit, the Lord can accomplish great things through local congregations fully devoted to Him.
