What to Look for in a Church

Everyone ought to have 3 Homes:

1.    A Heavenly Home    2.    A Christian Home    3.    A Church Home

There are 2 main philosophies of "what to look for" in a church:

1.    "Consumer Mentality"--This person looks mostly at things like programs and location, etc.  Their main question is "what can you do for me?"  All of us must have this mentality to a certain extent when searching for God's will...it's only natural.

2.    "Contributor Mentality"--This person looks for a place where they are needed.  Their main question is "where is a local church that I can serve God thru?"  They believe God's perfect will includes more than just "what's in it for me?"  Matter of fact, they firmly believe that they will receive the most when they are giving of their time, talents, and treasures, believing that they cannot outgive God.

God would seem to agree with philosophy #2...

You can be blessed by going to a church where others have sacrificed and built something good...but you can be "double-blessed" by going to a church with needs and becoming a part of the solution!

So, what should you look for with this attitude?

*You should look for a church based more on preaching than on programs...that's all about serving, not just sitting.

    At GBC, we're blessed to have some of the best programs you could ask for, and you should realize that this is only because the church leadership ALSO has a "contributor mentality."  Our goal is to help you.  Our mottos:

The 3 statements, above, make up a very important part of our Philosophy of Ministry at GBC.

 

Further:

 

*You should look for a church built on God's Word.

    We are not "politically correct" around here, rather, we strive to be "Biblically correct."  Doctrine IS important...it's the very foundation upon which a church is built.  See what we believe.

 

*You should look for a church where people are getting saved and lives are being changed.

    We give God all the glory for the full altars, moist eyes, and the well used baptistery...it all leads to something else which God gets the glory for:  a loving, blessed church family that wants to share their blessings with others like you.

 

One final thought:

 

God wants you to know His will even more than you do.  He's not hiding it from you.  It's only prudent to visit around and see several churches to help you make an educated decision.  However, too many people these days spend months and even years on end 'visiting around', when they could be worshipping and serving somewhere regularly, making a contribution, and having the consistency of the "program" of a local church, ie:  "Hearing all of that preaching series," or, "establishing ongoing fellowship with that Bible Study class." 

 

For instance, let's say you make a list of 7 churches you think are candidates for you to visit.  However, the third church you visit is wonderful and you are strongly drawn to it.  It seems to be a match and you could see how God may be leading you there.  What do you do?  Many today feel like they must spend the next month or more going on down the list, lest they "miss something."  If you think about it, that's a very 'human' form of logic.  But what about God's leading?  Do we depend on His leading and recognize it when it happens, or are we taking God's will into our own hands and, in a way, making it mesh with our will?  All too often we miss God's will because we found our own, or play a 'comparison game' with one church finally emerging as the 'winner.'  Again, God wants us to know His will and we shouldn't be surprised if He leads us there in a timely manner.  We must work for the night is coming when it will be too late! 

 

None of the above is meant to discourage anyone from actively pursuing God's will, no matter how long it takes you.  It is a sincere effort to help people find God's will.  It's not God's will for everyone to come to GBC, and frankly, we don't want anyone God doesn't want for us...but we also don't want you to miss it if it is God's best for you!  Matter of fact, if you have nagging doubts about whether you should continue looking at other places, you should satisfy those, or else in a few months you may be wondering if there was something better waiting for you.

 

If you feel drawn to a church, keep going, ask questions, check out Sunday School and evening services, get involved in an entry level ministry, and if God is still leading, go forward and become a member, making a commitment so they can in turn make a commitment to you.  Think of the analogy of a couple in love.  Anyone can say they are serious by moving in with one another, but God requires a more solid commitment than that...marriage!  Some say, "I'm already a member of the 'invisible church'."  Truly, the full bride of Christ is a much larger entity than can fit into any one church building, and yet the Bible is clear in its command for us to join ourselves to a local assembly.  Sadly, those who focus only on the 'invisible church' have invisible attendance records, give invisible offerings, visit invisible nursing homes, and accomplish not very much that's visible in their spiritual lives!

 

Finally, once you've found a home, treat your church experience like a marriage, knowing it won't be perfect because it's filled with imperfect people.  For better or for worse, thru ups and downs, 'til God takes us all home!

 

If you are looking for a church home, there's an excellent chance you just found it!  Please drop us a line if you have further interest in GBC.  We hope to see you here soon.