What criteria do many people use when it comes to “choosing a church”? For some, size, special programs, location and facilities are the most important qualities they consider. Questions like “What will this church do for me? What does this group offer our children? What does this congregation provide for our needs?” are raised. Looking for a church home has become much like shopping for a new car.
Certainly, the above concerns can have a place for consideration in determining a church home. However, there is something else that needs to be considered, something that should be considered before anything else. While felt needs take priority for many people’s search for a church, if we accept Scripture to be authoritative, truth must be one’s first and foremost concern. While many people place subjective feelings above objective truth, God doesn’t. It does matter what an individual believes, and what a church teaches and practices.
Scripture tells us there is one faith, not many, which saves (Ephesians 4:5), which was delivered once for all (Jude 3). Scripture also reveals there is one church that Christ established, not many (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4). Before anything else is considered, one should ask if a local congregation of the body of Christ, in doctrine and practice, seeks to be what Scripture teaches, what Scripture commends it to be. It is, after all, the Lord’s church.
There is no denying that Christians should be friendly, loving and caring. We should seek to strengthen and encourage each other. We should be genuine and sincere in practicing our faith, showing no partiality in our fellowship together or love for each other. However, no criterion is more important than that of truth. Scripture does offer a pattern, and reveals what is to be characteristic of the Lord’s church. Paul reminded Timothy, “But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to act in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). We must be reminded of this as well. In considering a church home, remember truth.
