Jump Start # 1617

1 Corinthians 1:2 “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.”

  There is a circumstance today in many American cities that is unique and not found in the New Testament. When Paul wrote our verse to the Corinthians, there was but one congregation in Corinth. The same goes for Ephesus, Philippi and Rome. That idea of one congregation in an area is still true in many places. However, in many American cities, there are multiple congregations. And unlike the New Testament times, it is possible for a person to have a choice. The situation arises, “which church do I attend?” Or, “What do I look for in a church?” That presents a unique opportunity that folks in the Bible times never had. Those at the lukewarm Laodicean church could not go across town to the other congregation. That didn’t exist. Even at Corinth, with all the trouble they had, another option, another congregation was not possible. What to look for in a congregation is an experience that the early Christians never had. It presents for us some things worthy of consideration.

There was a time when most would have answered the question, “attend a congregation that is close to where you live.” That does make some sense. It’s hard to do hospitality if one lives too far away and it’s hard to invite people in your area to attend with you if it is not convenient. Convenience is high on people’s list these days. However, the congregation that may be close to where you live may not be healthy. More important than convenience, inviting neighbors, or even hospitality, is finding a church family that will help you grow spiritually, develop as you should, and be one important aspect of helping you go to Heaven. A congregation close to where you live may not be capable of doing that. They may be bent on destroying each other, sour on everything and everyone, and just going through the motions because of guilt. The atmosphere may not be good for your children. It may not be good for you. On a Monday, we ought to feel good about what happened on Sunday. If it takes us all week to recover and get over the traumatic experience then something is not right.

What to look for in a congregation? Good question. This is something parents need to think about this summer as they plan to take their college student to the university. The congregation close to the school may be all fun and games and not serious about the Lord. It would be wise to visit a couple of times. Here is a short list of what to look for:

1. A congregation that is Biblical in pattern and practice. By this, I do not mean, “Do they read from the Bible?” Are they doing what the Bible teaches? Do they practice discipline? Do they have activities that are not a part of the N.T.? Are they overseen by elders? Are those men Biblical, visionary and engaged in the work of the kingdom? Are they visible and approachable? Popping in one Sunday may not be enough to give you those answers. Attend some Bible classes there. Do they teach the Bible? Are the classes Biblically or agenda driven? Is the teacher pushing his opinions or is he teaching God’s word? What are the sermons like? Can you see yourself listening to those type of sermons every week?  Is the preacher hard to listen to? Does he seem to know what he is talking about?

2. Is the congregation friendly? When you visit, do folks greet you and are they glad to see a new face? Or, was the experience like crashing a closed party and everyone just stares at you? Are there people your age there? During worship does it seem like people are engaged, worshipping or just waiting for things to be over?

3. What is the church doing? Read what’s on the bulletin board. Listen to their announcements. Is there any life in that place?  If you are seriously considering worshipping there on a regular basis, ask some questions. Look around. Do some homework.

Every congregation has a history. Most congregations are made up of people who have been there for a long time and several generations of their family have attended there. But most congregations also has some new faces. All congregations have problems. No congregation is perfect. All congregations have things to work on. That is true, because that is us. We are not perfect. We have things to work on. We have problems. If a congregation is growing, new people are coming in all the time. Many of these folks have a lot to learn about Jesus. Patience is a must as these new folks learn things.

4. What is the spirit of the congregation? All congregations, like every home, has it’s own atmosphere. I have been to some homes where there is plastic on the couches and everyone takes their shoes off at the door. It seemed like I was walking in a museum. I have also been to some homes where a stack of newspapers are tossed on the floor to make a space for me to sit down. Every congregation has it’s own atmosphere. Some are stiff. Some are laid back. Some hug. Some are formal. Some seem to lean to the judgmental side. A lot of finger pointing and talking about why everyone else is wrong. Others seem to learn more toward the grace side of things and spend more time talking about how each of them can walk closer to the Lord. The atmosphere of a church sets the tone for what is done. It sets the tone for worship. It sets the tone for how things are viewed. Do people like to stick around and talk or do they all leave in a hurry? A person can sense warmth, love and care. Is that there or is that missing? When someone repents, are people glad? When someone wants to be baptized, are people happy or do they sigh because it means they are going to be getting out later that day? The atmosphere of a place is set by the leaders. Cold, indifferent, out of touch leaders tend to make a cold, indifferent and out of touch congregation.

You do not want to worship with a group in which your soul starves for a lack of feeding and your spirit dies because of indifference. Likewise you do not want to become a finger pointing Pharisee that nit picks everyone and everything and becomes a real grouch in life. You want to grow. You want to love the Lord. You want to be challenged. You want to excel with the Lord. You want classes that are interesting, helpful and you learn much. You want sermons that teach and move you closer to the Lord. You want to praise, thank and honor the Lord during worship. You want elders who love your family and want to help you get to Heaven. You want them to genuinely care for what is going on in your life. You want deacons that are busy and busting it for the Lord. You want a congregation that you can call your family. You want a church where you can use your talents and that you can help others.

A dead church is made up of dead members. A lukewarm church is made up of lukewarm members. A divided church is made up of divided members. Finding a growing, active, loving congregation may mean that you and your family has to drive several miles to get to such a place. Is that a price you are willing to pay? Is that a commitment you can make? How much are you willing to do for your soul? Some will drive miles for a job but “it’s too far” to drive for worship? Why? Are you willing to allow your kids to die spiritually because the congregation that is close stinks and that is where it is most convenient for you to attend?

I am amazed at how many times I have had this conversation with families. They complain and complain about the congregation that is close to where they live. Nothing is going on. It’s dead. Yet, across town is another option but they won’t consider that. It’s too far? Really? For your soul, it’s too far? If where you attending is killing you, why stay with it? Some have no clue what they are doing. Some have no vision. Some will not change because that takes effort and no one has any spiritual effort. I have visited far too many congregations like that. After a week, I am ready to scream. I drop suggestions. They fall on deaf ears. The folks are content to be lukewarm and dead. They don’t see it but even if they did, they wouldn’t do anything about it. Those that have any life about them, generally become like everyone else or they leave. You have to do what is best for your family. If you are not getting fed spiritually, or if you are dying spiritually, it’s time to consider other options. You cannot lose your soul just because you stayed with the church that was close to where you live.

Now, here’s another thought. Before you buy that house you love, check out the congregation near by. Before you take the new job which requires a move, check out the congregation near  by. These spiritual decisions and choices ought to be part of the deal. If it means moving near a dead church and there are no other options, that ought to be a deal breaker. The salvation of your soul is more important than the new job or the new house. A criteria for our kids going to college was finding a congregation that was Biblical and active. If there wasn’t one, that college was off the list. It didn’t matter what scholarships were offered, the soul is more important.

Find a great church family. Get to know them. Be a part of them. Get active. Grow with them. Help them grow. It will pay off great spiritual and friendship dividends if you do.

Roger