There are hundreds of churches in your town. How do you choose the right one?
A bad way to choose a church is by the people in it. Yet, this is almost always the main criteria for church hoppers, quickly followed by the entertainment value or oratory skill of the speaker.
The right way to choose a church is by sound doctrine. Do they believe and use the Bible? Do they rightly divide the scriptures? Do they compromise doctrine to tickle ears? Do they promote ministry work according to Eph 3:9?
“What if I don’t like the people or the pastor?” you say.
Well, perhaps you have identified your need for growth: evaluating a church that will challenge you to grow up in Christ, instead of coddling you just as you are.
If you’ve found a properly functioning assembly that teaches right doctrine, then you can count on everyone’s growth together in grace.
A local assembly is not for forming cliques based on similar likes and personalities, but for doctrinal growth.
Find where right doctrine is taught, and whoever is there are your new friends. Be ready to be conformed to Christ.
(If you can’t find one with right doctrine, then it is better to avoid wrong doctrine than to acquiesce to error with your friends.)
For His glory,
Justin Curtis Johnson
Article Index Published: January 25, 2014
Last Modified: February 3, 2014