Finding the RIGHT Church
How do I find the right church?
As a Christian, finding the right church to attend can be a daunting task. With so many different denominations and styles of worship, it can be difficult to know whether you have found the right fit. There are so many ways that people today search for their home church. Sometimes people just go wherever is closest. Other times they’ll Google “churches near me” or “churches in my area”. Sometimes they may get a little more specific and search something like “Baptist churches in Spotsylvania. But when we have found a place to visit how do we know it’s the right church? Is it based on the programs a church offers? Is it based on how friendly the congregation is? While these things are important I would say that there are more important issues we should examine.
1. Biblical Teaching
The first thing you should look for in a church is biblical teaching. The Bible is the foundation of our faith, and a church that teaches the Word of God is essential. The pastor should be preaching directly from the Bible, and the teachings should align with the fundamental doctrine of Christianity. Here at Calvary Baptist, we exclusively use the King James Bible. There are many reasons I can go into as to why we use that, and I will save that for a later post but for us this is something that is extremely important. The church you visit must have a high view of God’s Word and teach sound doctrine. The church should also have programs that help members to study and understand the Bible. If the only messages, you are hearing are filled with fluff and not much doctrine then this is not a church you want to continue in.
2. Spirit-Filled Worship
Another important factor to consider is the type of worship offered at the church. The worship should be centered on God and lead members into a meaningful worship experience. Look for a church that has a structured and organized service that allows members to sing hymns and gospel songs. Worship should be filled with the Holy Spirit and be a time of connecting with God. We are told in scripture to sing “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Col 3:16). I know that the trend today is to get newer music and abandon the hymns of old. I would discourage this strongly. The hymns have such a rich heritage and are filled with sound doctrine. Many of these new songs are very shallow and some have terrible doctrine in them. But you must find a church with Spirit filled worship because nothing else can be a substitute for it.
3. Community
The church should be a place of community, where members can connect with each other and build meaningful relationships. Look for a church where you feel welcomed and loved, and where the members reflect your Biblical values. The church should have programs that allow members to connect with each other, such as Sunday School or fellowship opportunities.
4. Serving Opportunities
A church that encourages serving others is a great indication that it is the right fit for you. The church should have opportunities for members to serve, such as volunteering in the community or serving in the church itself. Serving others is a fundamental part of our faith, and a church that emphasizes this is likely to be a good fit.
5. Holy Spirit Confirmation
Ultimately, the best way to know if you have found the right church is through the Holy Spirit's confirmation. Pray for guidance and discernment in your search for a church. Ask God to lead you to the right place where you can worship and grow spiritually. If you feel a sense of peace and confirmation from the Holy Spirit about a particular church, it may be the right fit for you.
Finding the right church can be a challenge, but there is nothing better than having a church home and a church family to serve the Lord together with. You might be discouraged and say that there is nothing near you, I want to challenge you with this saying “a church that is alive is worth the drive”. The right church might not be the one down the street from your house, it may mean driving thirty minutes or more, but the benefits far outweigh the downsides. I know that here at Calvary Baptist in Spotsylvania we have people that drive a great distance. We would not show up on their “Baptist Church near me” search, but we have given them a place that has Biblical teaching, spirit-filled worship, community, a place to serve, and the Holy Ghost confirmed it for them.
