Questions to Consider When Choosing a Church

The Church and the Farm of Eragny (1895), Camille Pissarro

1.    What do they believe? Does the church love, preach and teach the gospel? Is the gospel preached, prayed, sung, celebrated, taught, applied, lived, and loved – week in week out, day in, day out?

2.    How do they believe? Is the church created by the gospel and for the gospel? Does Christ shine and bring life in there? Are they the people of God, as they perpetually gather and scatter, for the purpose of making Christ known through their corporate witness of both word and life? Is it being the means of both discipleship and mission?

3.    What should I do? Do I believe the gospel incorporates me into God’s people and enlist me into God’s mission? What does it mean to disassociate me from, or only loosely affiliate me to, the people of God? Why does discipleship require community? 

4.    What does the style of music mean in light of eternity? Is it about personal preference or theological conviction? How much should music determine whether I join a church or not? Is this point incidental or essential?

5.    Are the pastors and leaders accessible and accountable? Do they immerse themselves in the congregation, intentionally taking time to meet, greet and pray with members and guests? Are they more concerned about running their show or connecting with people? Do they embody Christ-like humility and the willingness to be held accountable through a team of multiple levels of leaders?