Joe was a regular, family man. He loved his wife, and adored their three children. He was good at his work and respected in his community.
Growing up in a local suburb, Joe attended the local high school, played soccer for the local team. He met Sally in their fourth year of college, and they married the following January.
Joe hadn’t attended church regularly, but he came to understand that there must be a God, someone incredibly powerful and creative. In Joe’s thinking, scientific hypothesis still couldn’t adequately answer life’s big questions – like, for example, when his eight year old daughter Sarah recently asked, “How do I know if heaven is real or not?”
Joe and Sally agreed that it might be time to start attending church – it would be good for the kids anyway. But then, to them, next step seemed more imposing than ever. “Which church should we go to?” asked Sally.
On the following weekend, Joe and Sally and their three children visited the biggest church in town. It was a huge, heritage-listed sandstone building with gothic shaped stained glass windows. Inside there were wooden seats, burning candles, religious statues and a rich layer of liturgical practice. Songs were sung, people came forward to receive a bread wafer, a priest waved a smoke censor – and throughout that service Joe and his family felt as if they were in unfamiliar territory.
The next weekend, Joe decided on something more modern. This time church was in a warehouse in a business precinct. The people (and there were thousands of them) were casually dressed and looked relaxed. The reception area looked bright and breezy, and the auditorium featured three large projector screens. But, oh, how different that service was. The music was loud, I mean very loud, with lots of young people crowding close to the front to be near, for all intents and purposes, what was a rock band. The preacher seemed really nice, and his message friendly and light. And, as soon as the service was over, the thousands of worshippers quickly vacated – to make way for the next service. Despite the noise and activity and people, Joe and Sally couldn’t ignore the disquiet they felt.
The experience was again quite different on yet another visit to yet another church. The preacher, (whose reputation had preceded him in the media) told a football story, he said that the ten commandments were done away, and among other things, that Jesus’ had already returned to the earth – beliefs that to Joe didn’t compute with what his grandmother had taught him many years ago.
**************
Finding a church home may not be an issue for some, but for many within the Christian community, a stable church home can sometimes seem remote.
The facts speak for themselves. Churches are great at moving people within the Christian community, when the greatest growth ought instead to come from those in society who don’t yet know God, and whom God may be calling. Still, it’s a reality that must be faced.
So, if you’re looking for a church home, you may want to consider the three important areas:
- Can you generally agree on the basic theological tenets, that is, is that which is spoken and taught based on the Bible alone?
- Can you genuinely worship there?
- And, does your participation in Church life allow you to effectively serve?
If you can say “yes” to each of these three, then you’ve found your church home. Give it your best, and in humility thank God for a place of nurture, growth and service.
But, if perchance you cannot see eye to eye on core theological underpinnings, that is, if their doctrines and practice fall short of God’s word as revealed in the Bible, then over time this will probably impede your ability to worship or effectively serve.
If your worship of God is hindered, either by form or setting, then think deeply whether the spiritual distraction is worth it, and in sincere heartfelt prayer ask God to guide you.
If you cannot effectively serve or share of your gifts, for whatever reasons, be they culture or authoritarianism, then you may just have to find a place where you can serve.
Unfortunately these realities do exist and occur; the above three criteria may, however, help you in your walk with God.
Remember, there are no healthy “solo” Christians. We all need community in Christ. And, of course, in becoming an active member of any Church fellowship, we naturally sacrifice some sovereignty. You are no longer your own, you are now Christ’s.
And, one last tip: there’s no such thing as the perfect church; churches however shouldn’t accept the sinner “just as you are” but cater for the genuinely repentant seeking healing, help and community.
******************
The story for Joe, Sally and their children does have a “happily ever after” ending.
They’re now attending a small, faithful community church whose motto is to “keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus”.
And, not only does Sarah know that the Kingdom of heaven exists, she quite openly tells her school friends that Jesus is truly the Son of God – and that they too should come to know Him.
John Klassek
