Finding a Good Church: Essential Guidance for Believers
Summary
In today's discussion, we delved into the critical question of how to find a good church, especially in a time when many people are relocating due to various economic and personal reasons. The importance of the local church cannot be overstated, as it is a vital part of our identity as God's people and our connection to the global church. However, not all institutions labeled as "church" are necessarily good, which makes this search all the more significant.
We began by emphasizing that participation in a church is not optional for Christians; it is a necessity. This understanding should elevate the priority of finding a good church when moving to a new area. While it might be challenging, it is better to be in a mediocre church than in no church at all. The church is a community that Christ calls us into, and it is essential to prioritize this community over individual satisfactions.
The conversation also highlighted the difficulty in recommending churches due to the rapid changes in doctrine and practice that some churches undergo. This underscores the responsibility of individuals and families to thoroughly investigate the churches they are considering joining. Key factors to consider include the church's adherence to biblical teaching, the proper administration of sacraments, and the practice of church discipline. These are not optional but are fundamental marks of a true church.
Furthermore, we discussed the importance of a church having a detailed confessional standard, which provides clarity on what the church believes and practices. This helps potential members understand the church's doctrinal stance and evaluate their alignment with it. Worship is another critical aspect, and it should be conducted with reverence and focus, following the guidance of Scripture rather than the whims of individuals.
Lastly, the role of community within the church was emphasized. A church should foster genuine, organic relationships among its members, transcending age and demographic barriers. This multigenerational community is a testament to the unity and diversity of the body of Christ. As we navigate these considerations, it is crucial to remain open to the guidance of church leaders and the wisdom of fellow believers.
Key Takeaways:
- The Necessity of Church Participation: Being part of a church is not an optional aspect of the Christian life but a necessity. It is Christ's decision that we must be involved in a church community, which should be a priority when relocating. [17:00]
- Marks of a True Church: A true church is recognized by the faithful preaching of the gospel, proper administration of sacraments, and the exercise of church discipline. These are essential characteristics that define a good church. [27:12]
- The Importance of Confessional Standards: A church with a detailed confessional standard provides clarity on its beliefs and practices, helping potential members understand and evaluate their alignment with the church's doctrine. [32:00]
- Reverent Worship: Worship should be conducted with reverence and focus, guided by Scripture rather than personal preferences. This ensures that the church's worship is centered on God and not on individual desires. [34:11]
- Community and Unity: A church should foster genuine, organic relationships among its members, transcending age and demographic barriers. This multigenerational community is a testament to the unity and diversity of the body of Christ. [46:07]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [14:30] - The Importance of Finding a Good Church
- [16:00] - Prioritizing Church in Relocation
- [17:23] - The Necessity of Church Participation
- [18:41] - Individualism vs. Community
- [19:33] - Challenges in Recommending Churches
- [20:26] - Evaluating Local Congregations
- [21:17] - Reasons for Leaving a Church
- [22:59] - Changes in Church Leadership
- [25:35] - Characteristics of a Good Church
- [26:22] - Marks of a True Church
- [31:03] - Importance of Confessional Standards
- [34:11] - Reverent Worship
- [37:59] - The Role of Community
- [46:07] - Multigenerational Church Community
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 12:28-29 - "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’"
2. Ephesians 4:3 - "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
3. Acts 2:42 - "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the three key marks of a true church as discussed in the sermon? [27:12]
2. According to the sermon, why is it important for a church to have a detailed confessional standard? [32:00]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of community within the church? [46:07]
4. What challenges are mentioned in the sermon regarding recommending churches to others? [19:33]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of worshiping with "reverence and awe" from Hebrews 12:28-29 relate to the sermon’s emphasis on reverent worship? [34:11]
2. In what ways does Ephesians 4:3's call for unity reflect the sermon’s discussion on the importance of community and unity within the church? [46:07]
3. How does Acts 2:42's description of early church practices align with the sermon’s view on the necessity of church participation? [17:00]
4. What might be the implications of a church not practicing church discipline, as discussed in the sermon? [28:59]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current church involvement. Are there areas where you could be more engaged in fostering community and unity? How might you take steps to improve this? [46:07]
2. Consider the importance of a church’s confessional standards. How well do you understand the doctrinal stance of your church, and how does it align with your beliefs? [32:00]
3. Think about the worship practices in your church. Are they conducted with reverence and focus? How might you contribute to ensuring worship remains centered on God? [34:11]
4. Evaluate your reasons for attending your current church. Are they based on convenience, personal preference, or a commitment to the marks of a true church? [17:00]
5. How can you support your church leaders in maintaining the integrity of the church’s doctrine and practices? What specific actions can you take to encourage them? [20:26]
6. Reflect on your interactions within the church community. Are there ways you can build more genuine, organic relationships with members of different ages and backgrounds? [46:07]
7. If you were to relocate, what steps would you take to ensure you find a good church that aligns with the principles discussed in the sermon? [17:42]
Devotional
Day 1: The Essential Role of Church in Christian Life
Participation in a church community is not merely an option for Christians; it is a fundamental necessity. Being part of a church is integral to one's identity as a follower of Christ and is crucial when relocating to a new area. The church is not just a place for individual satisfaction but a community that Christ calls believers into, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing this community over personal preferences. This understanding should elevate the priority of finding a good church, even if it means settling for a mediocre one rather than none at all. [17:00]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize being part of a church community, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone or adjusting your personal preferences?
Day 2: Identifying the True Marks of a Church
A true church is characterized by the faithful preaching of the gospel, the proper administration of sacraments, and the exercise of church discipline. These are not optional but essential characteristics that define a good church. In a time when churches may rapidly change in doctrine and practice, it is crucial for individuals and families to thoroughly investigate these aspects when considering joining a church. This responsibility ensures that the church they choose aligns with biblical teachings and practices. [27:12]
1 Timothy 3:15 (ESV): "If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth."
Reflection: How can you actively discern whether a church you are considering joining upholds the true marks of a church as described in Scripture?
Day 3: The Clarity of Confessional Standards
A church with a detailed confessional standard provides clarity on its beliefs and practices, helping potential members understand and evaluate their alignment with the church's doctrine. This clarity is essential for those seeking to join a church, as it offers insight into the church's doctrinal stance and ensures that members are aware of what the church stands for. Confessional standards serve as a guide for both the church and its members, fostering unity and understanding within the community. [32:00]
Titus 1:9 (ESV): "He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it."
Reflection: What steps can you take to understand and evaluate a church's confessional standards before deciding to become a member?
Day 4: Worship with Reverence and Focus
Worship in a church should be conducted with reverence and focus, guided by Scripture rather than personal preferences. This ensures that the church's worship is centered on God and not on individual desires. Reverent worship is a reflection of the church's commitment to honoring God and adhering to biblical principles, creating an environment where members can genuinely connect with God and grow in their faith. [34:11]
Psalm 95:6-7 (ESV): "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand."
Reflection: How can you contribute to creating an atmosphere of reverent worship in your church, ensuring that it remains focused on God rather than personal preferences?
Day 5: Building a Multigenerational Church Community
A church should foster genuine, organic relationships among its members, transcending age and demographic barriers. This multigenerational community is a testament to the unity and diversity of the body of Christ. By embracing the diversity within the church, members can learn from one another and grow together in their faith, reflecting the unity that Christ desires for His followers. It is crucial to remain open to the guidance of church leaders and the wisdom of fellow believers as we navigate these relationships. [46:07]
Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
Reflection: What practical steps can you take to build and strengthen relationships with members of different ages and backgrounds within your church community?
Quotes
I think we have to do a better job asserting that participation in the church, membership in the church is not an optional extra that Christians can take or leave, but that involvement in the church, membership in the church is a necessity in the Christian life. It's not my decision whether I will or won't. It's Christ's decision that we must. [00:16:40]
I think it's much more important to be in a mediocre church than to be in no church. This is one of the most important questions that families really do need to be asking themselves when relocating because it's often one of the last questions that some Christians ask when it should be one of the first questions they ask. [00:17:32]
Christ calls us into a community and says that community is as important, maybe more important than our individual satisfactions. And so we really have to factor the list of important elements in making key decisions in a way maybe that's different than we have been accustomed to doing. [00:18:53]
It's very difficult for me to recommend churches that I once knew to be faithful, good churches because churches have been changing so quickly these days. We don't know exactly what they're teaching or what new perspective the pastor has or how he's changed his doctrine or perspective on something. [00:19:24]
And the first mark was the faithful preaching of the gospel. Is the Bible central in the life of the church, in the preaching of the church, in the teaching of the church? There are churches, as Burke was saying earlier, that can say the right things about the Bible and then kind of ignore it. [00:27:19]
And the Belgic Confession has an article, Article 29, on how to recognize the true church. And there it says that there are three key marks of the true church. And it's very clear. It's not saying, this is everything the church ought to be. This is not all that you need to look for. [00:26:48]
And so a church that doesn't practice church discipline is a church that really doesn't care about people's souls. I know that many people, when they hear of church discipline, they think, well, I don't want to be in a church like that. I want to be in a loving church. I want to be in a gracious church. [00:29:24]
When you're looking for a good church, you want a church that has some extensive statement of what it is it believes so that you as someone approaching that church can read that statement and evaluate how you relate to that statement. And then you can press the church a little bit. [00:31:57]
When you're looking for a good local church, we want a church that worships God according to his word. We want a church that's not just worshiping according to the whims of the pastor and his constantly changing emotions, but rather a liturgy, an order of worship that is reverent, that is focused, that doesn't distract God's people from keeping their focus on Him. [00:34:11]
And we want to find a church where a pastor is saying that, where he is aware of that, where you see the activity of the elders regularly in the life of the church. And another thing I'll just mention I think is helpful is that we in finding a confessional church, we want to find a church that is willing to defend the faith once delivered to the Saints. [00:36:15]
And we are the family of God. We are brothers and sisters. And so I think we need to understand that coming to worship and being a part of the community, we need to come ready to rest, come ready to worship, come ready to be encouraged. When you study all the one and other passages in the New Testament, it is really beautiful. [00:41:24]
And to see the older and the younger coming together, not in a small group for young people and a small group for older people-- not that there's anything wrong with Bible studies for college students, Bible studies for young professionals, Bible studies for senior adults, which we all have. But when we come together for the fellowship of the church and the worship of the church, we are all there together as one. [00:48:30]
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