We know looking for a new church can be intimidating. How will you find the right church for you or your family? There are a lot of things to consider when church searching, and it can feel overwhelming at times.
Remember that no church is perfect; they're all made up of imperfect people like you and me. But God loves His Church, which means we should too. Not only that—we need church. We need the help, healing, and hope that come only through the finished work of Jesus Christ. This is the divine design. There are no solo-trekkers, and no Christian is meant to walk alone. We need a solid community of believers to support and uplift us as we deepen our relationship with the Lord.
So even if it takes some time, there are some responsible steps you can take to get connected to and involved in the life of a local church. While you're searching, we want to encourage you to keep an open mind and an open heart, and be generous with showing grace to yourself and others.
Non-Negotiables When Searching for a Church
As you're looking for churches, here are the five non-negotiable things you should ensure the church preaches.
- God. There is one true God, eternally existent in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- The Bible. The Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God.
- Deity of Jesus. His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, substitutional death on the cross, bodily resurrection, ascension to the Father, and His future return in power and glory.
- Salvation. We are saved only by grace through faith in Jesus.
- Eternity. There is a resurrection of both the saved and the lost, where only the saved receive eternal life with Jesus.
Other Things to Consider in Your Search
Here are some more tips for determining whether a church is the right fit for you.
- Find out about the church you’re visiting. Look through their website, watch some sermons, check out their programs and statement of faith, and visit their social media to see what they’re doing. This will give you a look inside the church before you even visit.
- Don’t rush in and out of the church. Stick around and introduce yourself to the people sitting near you or those hanging out in the lobby. This can be nerve-wracking at first, but it's so worth it if you're able to make good connections. (Studies show if we can learn five people’s names, we’re much more likely to visit a second time!)
- Take lots of notes. Listen to the sermon and write down anything that stands out—Bible verses, key points, quotes—so you can reflect on it later. If you hear something you don't understand, write that down, too, so you can dig into it more on your own time.
- Plan for your next visits. We recommend visiting a church at least four times before making a decision about whether you want to make it your home church or not. This will allow you to get a good sense of the worship, preaching style, community, and ministries the church offers.
New things come with a learning curve, and opening yourself up to a new community and church home is a vulnerable thing. Firstly, we want to commend you for your faithfulness to God and His Word.
Know also that the enemy wants you to be as isolated as possible. So if you find yourself frustrated by the process, don't be discouraged. Building relationships takes time, but finding your place in the church body is absolutely worth the investment. You’ll grow and take good steps toward healing and wholeness in Christ in the process, too.
If you have questions, you can always call our pastors and ask for advice or direction. We’d be honored to serve you. We pray this journey leads you into community, a new foundation of support, and closer in your relationship with Jesus.
