Attending the Right Church
In less than two weeks, Bridgett and I will be leaving Restoration Ministries to be obedient in moving forward in our walk with Christ. Although this will be a sad moment, we are extremely excited for what God has done, is doing, and will do. But something is stuck in my head. Where will we go? More specifically, what church will we attend?
Sure, this question seems irrelevant to most people, and if not irrelevant, then insignificant in comparison to the barrage of other questions about life and simply living, but the question of which local church one will attend is one of utter importance. Why? Let’s talk.
Picking a local church to attend is not like picking a shirt to wear from a clothing store in the mall. To be completely blunt and honest, picking a local church to attend isn’t up to you; it’s up to God. You see, God has an assignment for you while you’re alive. It’s what some people like Rick Warren call your purpose. Just like a hammer was created to drive nails you’re created to do something God designed you to do. Bridgett and I are purposed to be pastors. That’s what we do, because that’s who we are. It comes natural to us to want to help other people in any way we can; especially spiritually.
God knows where He wants you, and you can’t fight that. Take for instance Jonah. He was purposed to go to Ninevah to preach the salvation of God. That was his assignment, but he didn’t want it. Problem was that the assignment wasn’t up to Jonah. It was up to God.
When Jonah fled, God showed up, and illustrated that He wasn’t to be messed with. God wanted Jonah to do his job, and more importantly, wanted Jonah to be obedient.
Don’t take your life light-heartedly. You only have one, and it’s purposed to do something great in this world. Do it. And make sure that the church you attend is the church that God wants you to attend. Otherwise, you’re no good to yourself or to that church. If you’re where God wants you, then there’s no stopping and unstoppable force.
Why don’t you just attend ANY church? If it’s God’s decision, then why worry yourself with picking the right one? If you choose wrong, God will let you know and you can move on. If you choose right, well, good job!
You’re right on point. I didn’t mention it, but you’re exactly right. Sometimes, visiting one or more churches is necessary to realizing the right one to attend. Sometimes God reveals the church to attend without ever attending the one He’s picked. Ultimately, it has to do with our mentality. Make sure when picking a church to attend that it’s the one God wants you at before committing to it.
I guess a follow up to this is: how do you know when you’ve picked the right one? I’m personally not very good at interpreting signs from God… To me the best indication that I’ve made the right choice in something is whether it seems beneficial for my wife and children. I suppose I tell myself that God uses them as a vessel communicating his word.
Honestly, I don’t use super-spiritual “signs” when choosing a church to attend. I am simplistic in my approach.
Prayer - This is the most important. How can you expect God to answer if you’ve never asked him the question? Talk to Him. His answer will more than definitely not be audible, but that doesn’t mean He’s not listening.
Conscience - What? You thought it wouldn’t be useful? God gives us a conscience for a reason. When we sense a gut feeling that something isn’t right, then it probably isn’t. Same goes for churches. Sometimes we get a good or bad gut feeling about a church. That could be a good indicator.
Research - Visit churches. Talk to the leaders, and ask them their vision for the church. Talk to people who attend the church regularly to get their opinions. Read the church’s bulletin or any other information that they give away. Do your research to make sure that the church is established in Biblical principles and that they teach the truths of the Bible, and that they focus on Jesus, His death, and His resurrection.
Family - Simply put. If your family doesn’t like going, then you’ll be hurting them by forcing them to go. Your family always takes a higher priority than a local church. Sure, God is the top priority, but the local church is never above your family. Talk to them; even your kids. Choose one together. God loves your family too much to allow a local church to break it apart.
Dewaine:
I believe EVERY person is on assignment from God where they attend church. I know everyone thinks that may be reserved for the pastor. But, God has called “EACH” of us to fulfill a particular area in each local church.
Too often, the top criteria people have in looking for a church is the list of “programs” that is relevant to their age / lifestyle / season of life.
Looking for a church is not like walking through Wal-Mart.
One of the earlier responders wrote, “I’m not good at interpreting meassages from God” (or something like that). My question would be (and I’m not being rude or condescending), “Well, when are you going to get better at it?” To learn that special feeling of “peace” or that gentle, “This is it,” confirmation from God is something that we all need to mature into realizing.
When I was looking for a Bible College to attend, I looked at several. The one “I WANTED” had the sports, intramurals, contemporary worship, cook kids, bigger campus.
However, when I visited the smallest one that was the strictest and the most traditional, I’ll never forget when I stepped out of the car and stood in the parking lot, the Holy Spirit spoke softely to me and said, “This is where I want you.”
Personally, I feel the church you attend should be the same way.
Peace.
Good stuff. I, too, have experienced that same “knowing” that you mentioned. That happened to me when attending RM’s first Goose Creek service. Upon arrival and looking around the auditorium I knew that RM was where God wanted me. Now, I know it’s not where God wants me, and am looking for that next “knowing” of where God wants me next.