Should We Shop for a Church Like We Shop for a House?

My husband and I are shopping for a new home.

Anyone who has endured a new home search knows it can be a long, tedious and often disappointing process — particularly if we insist on steering the ship.

How so?

Everyone who is looking for a new home has a pocket wish list. To say otherwise wouldn't be entirely truthful. Each and every time I am considering a prospective new home, I am mentally checking off which expectations, standards, amenities have been met on my list. Does this home make me feel comfortable or does it require me to live outside my comfort zone? Is this home move-in ready or is it a fixer-upper? What kind of return will I receive from this investment and how quickly will I see the payoff?

With wish list in hand, we can very easily cause a mutiny on board if we sense the ship drifting in an unwanted direction. However, in trying to steer the ship of my own home search, I quickly discovered that no home is perfect.

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http://www.orovalleychristianreader.com John J Flanagan

I have been in various churches during the past few years. The most important thing is to first eliminate any superficial reason for becoming a member. The potential member must look closely at the churche's professed beliefs, especially with respect to the Bible as God's word, what doctrines are taught, worship liturgy, reverence of worship, etc. Then one must visit for awhile and listen to the sermons before making a decision on membership.
- Johnny
  
  Amen! Does the the church profess that which the Apostles taught (and thus is in the Apostolic Succession–some bodies that claim to be in the Apostolic Succession have abandoned the teaching of the Apostles), and does it live by this profession? In the worship service, does it seek to be fed by God, or does it seek to entertain the people present, stirring them emotionally, but feeding them empty husks?
  
  Thirteen and a half years ago, my wife and I both felt that we could no longer stay in the churches we were in. The church she in which she had been baptized and brought to faith was moving more and more to listening to the word of the world rather than the Word of God, and the one I was in was beginning to move in the same way. We considered all that were in the area, and settled on one that, a year and more previously, we would not have considered. We visited a particular congregation one morning–and my wife said that this was the one. We have not been disappointed for we are continually fed from the Word, which proclaims that there is no such thing as "Do it yourself" religion, for God has done it all in Christ Jesus.
  - http://www.orovalleychristianreader.com John J Flanagan
    
    Good points, Johnny. Sometimes one can be in a good denomination or church that does profess the biblical doctrines that identify it as a faithful church, and one that is indeed faithful to the word of God, however, you might find that the actual practices of the pastor and congregation tend to identify a church as one that "talks the talk, but does not walk the walk." I know it is not possible on this side of glory to find a perfect church anywhere, but we pray for God's discernment that we will choose wisely, because it is very important for us to remain in church and worship and fellowship with other believers. We also must be pro-active, as God called us to be totally involved in reading His word, prayer, and service. Finally, I believe we must be humble, because humility keeps us closer to Our Lord, and helps us to resist the root of pride. Everyday, we see some of our fellow believers who begin to feel excessive pride in their Christian walk and in their church. This can quickly become a works gospel. Remembering that we are sinners saved by grace bound for glory in Jesus Christ alone is the foundational principle of our lives.
    - Esteban Cafe
      
      But with so many Christian religions (29K in 2000) that are break offs of break offs ad naseum, how is the thoughtful would-be Christian to choose? Is there any test? They can't all say have different interpretations about the same text yet all be correct ("My house is a house of order"), can they? Which as the correct interpretation of the Lord's Bible?
      
      And what about Timothy and Peter and their contending that works are evidence of faith. Is there nothing more than a heart felt prayer? Are we to do nothing to change ourselves and rely only on grace? Isn't grace there to help us become new creatures (surely a simple prayer has not changed your life, but what you did after the prayer, right?)? So many of you sound so sure yet your church and version of a 'walk with Christ' is just a break off of a break off, etc. Your church could be 1000 generations away from what the Lord instituted–with multiple scriptures interpreted multiple ways Does one just throw up his hands and join any church? How does one know he's leaving a false church for a correct one? Is there any authority out there?
Guest

An immaturely written article. Typical of young people wrongly starting a church without maturity… "a recent Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary graduate" is possibly the worst beginning of a new church fellowship. A Biblical founded church fellowship should first begin with a Biblically qualified mature Eldership and the same maturity in Deacons. Clergy led churches are NOT Biblical and may be the start of a Nicolaitan, which Christ says he "hates"… read Revelation.