How to Choose a Church

As a pastor, I regularly talk to visitors who are looking for a church in the Fort Mill area. The task is not an easy one. Most of us have searched for a church at some point in our life and know how difficult this can be. The problem is that I know most people are asking the wrong questions and considering the wrong factors when searching for a church.

Start by asking the right questions

One of the best rules of wisdom I found was from C.S. Lewis in his preface to Mere Christianity. When choosing he first encourages us to pray. Then, he says to choose a church not by asking, "Do I like this kind of service?" or based upon the aesthetics. Instead, he encourages us to ask, "Is there holiness there (among the people)? Is there truth there? Does my conscience move me toward this place?"' He encourages us to let God lead and to weigh the most important factors as we search.

He also encourages us to be honest with ourselves by asking, "is there pride in my heart that is keeping me from choosing this door for some reason or because I don't prefer something about the door or the doorkeeper or the people in the door?"

The point is, we need to be careful about the different questions you're asking when choosing a church.

Avoid a consumeristic approach to church shopping

When it comes to choosing a church, we are more consumeristic than we realize. We live in a consumeristic age and we shop for churches in that same way. We oftentimes ask the wrong questions and wind up choosing the wrong churches or for the wrong reasons.

Sometimes the best church, the place where God wants you, is not what you would pick. Years ago, I visited a church and attended the Sunday School class. The first week, my young self saw a white haired old man teaching. I thought the class would be boring and was ready to turn around and leave. But, I was wrong. I stayed for years and the people in that church, as well as that old man were incredibly Godly people who taught me a lot. They had incredible humility and depth and I needed to learn from them.

Sometimes we can judge a church too quickly. We can let our consumeristic feelings take over and we miss the place that God wants us.

I've been and visited many friends' churches that are great churches in the sense that I love their music. It's fantastic. The preacher is charismatic. There are all sorts of great things about it. However, I've also observed a lack of depth in some of those churches via warning signs. The people barely sing and mostly watch the musicians during the service. There seems to be a shallow or superficial point to the sermons. Again, not all bad, but they can be warning signs. The church looks good at a surface level, but with closer examination, there are red flags that should be observed.

In these same churches, I've observed a few friends over the course of many years and I don't see much growth in their life. They're they're serving, they're active, but I don't see a deepening in their faith. I think that sometimes these churches have just sort of left their people at a at a high level and not helped disciple and urge them along in the Christian faith.

This is not a slam on those churches or me ridiculing or critiquing different churches. However, this is a good illustration of why it's important to be be careful about the the way we choose a church and the kinds of questions we ask.

Be sure to ask the right questions when looking at churches

If you are looking for a church or thinking about trying a church or even if you are switching a church - just be careful. Ask yourself, "Am I asking the right questions?" IF you're thinking of leaving a church, ask "Am I leaving for the right reasons?" There is something to be said about sticking with a good church - even when it's not perfect or to your liking. Take time to pray over it.

If you are looking for a church, let your questions be "Is there truth there? Is there godliness there? Is the Holy Spirit moving me there? Or is there pride in my heart keeping me from choosing a particular door?"

Asking these questions will help guide you in the process. Above all, be sure to pray. But, asking the right questions, helps you prayerfully discern in your search for a church.

Don't give up

One final warning. As CS Lewis said, 'don't stay in the hallway. Find a door that God is calling you.' Over the last 25 years, 40 million people have left the church. Studies show that most didn't leave for big reasons. They simply got busy and couldn't make time for it anymore. It simply wasn't as important or helpful in their lives. So, slowly they just drifted and their attendance waned.

I see and talk to a number of people in Fort Mill who are guilty of this. I meet people who drifted and 5 or 10 years later and looking again. Don't let that be you. If you're in the Fort Mill area, visit us at One Hope Community Church. We'd love to help you find a good church - even if it's not with us. We want you to find the place God wants you, and it's among His people.

If you are not in a healthy local church, let me urge you to find one. I know the path can be hard, but it's worth it. God's will is for His followers to be a part of the local church. He gifted you and I so that we can serve and be part of a community of believers that form the body of Christ. You cannot fulfill God's commands from Scripture to 'encourage one another, bear one another's burdens, serve one another, or sing spiritual songs to one another' unless you are in the context of a local church where you can carry this out.

It will bless your soul to find a good local church. Moreover, you will be a blessing to others. You will be a part of raising up the next generation so that they too know the Lord. The church is the incubator of the Christian's life. Don't neglect or miss out on life in the local church.

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