5 Things to Avoid When Picking a New Church
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- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
- Picking a church can be the hardest thing for a believer, which I think is part of the reason Christians just don't go. It's easier to not go than it is to embrace the mess and stress of picking a new church home. BUT, it is incredibly important for Christians to become a part of a local church, so we need to put our braves faces on and get start looking for our new church home.
Here are 5 things to avoid when you're picking a new church. If you see any or all of these 5 things when you visit a new church, I would choose a new church to visit next week.
Thank you thank you thank you! I just moved to Virginia and I am in the process of picking a church so this was perfect ❤
You are so welcome- praying you find a church that you can become a part of 😁
Thanks for this! I'm looking for a new church and your video was helpful! Another thing I avoid is churches that get way too political. They may have flags or signage on the front of the church that indicate their politics, or sermons that seem more like political stump speeches. Church ministries might revolve around certain issues and causes, and I don't mean things like feeding the poor. Some churches might outright say which party to be part of or which candidates to vote for. I would stay away from any church that puts politics above scripture and sacred tradition.
I really do want to have a church home but I get the feeling of social clubs or a hangout
I agree- I see this too. And we have taken a stance at our church to not discuss politics from the pulpit. Now, I do encourage and believe the Bible teaches that we should vote, and that we should be active in researching and knowing the candidates. But we're representing God's Kingdom- and we lead with love. Politics have just become too divisive in our country- and we won't allow that division in our church. That being said, I'm sure our church isn't the only church to take that stance- praying you find a good church home!
@@melvinaprilify Thank you! Yes, I agree that we should all vote, but some churches take politics too far. I heard that in the U.S., it can compromise churches' tax-exempt status if they tell people to register with certain parties or vote for or against specific candidates. Churches are allowed to talk about issues, but they cross the line if they start pushing for certain candidates or parties.
@@christinacole7019 it should compromise our tax status… we shouldn’t be endorsing a candidate from the pulpit- we’re supposed to be promoting Jesus not a party. And I say that as a super political person. I watch a ton of news and commentators- but I refuse to allow politics to take precedence over the Kingdom of God
I like most of what is said. I have certainly made mistakes on a couple of those fronts. A church having a place for me to use my abilities and talents is great, but it has to meet other criteria as well. The only thing I have an issue with is the statistic at the end about most people being saved before they were 18. I have heard this before. It shows they were thinking about it perhaps when they were young but there is absolutely no way to know that for sure. There is no way to know that unless you were in heaven already or were God. People can say a lot of things when they are answering surveys, so I don't buy that statistic at all. I would also argue people who come to the Lord later on in life (though they may be fewer) are perhaps more genuine and you see more of a change. I don't know that statistics can prove any of it.
Thanks for the comment- sorry I've taken so long to respond.
Everyone in my household got saved before 18... now, to your point, it wasn't until I became an adult that I truly served God... but we're batting 100% here on childhood salvations. I do think that statistic is fairly accurate, and the real question becomes, if that's true, how do we as a church continue to mentor and disciples those kids through their teenage years. Because for a long time it was popular to throw the teenagers in the backroom and buy pizza a few times a year for them (exaggerating here)- but the best way for teenagers to stay in the church, is to create an atmosphere where it's not the church they're attending, but rather their church that they get to go to. I can tell you, allowing and encouraging our teenagers to serve has been a game changer. I've been doing it long enough that I'm seeing amazing young men and women that are still serving God into their 20's and past college. That's not to discredit adults that are nonbelievers that accept Jesus- all salvations get a hearty amen in my book. But... it doesn't shock me that children are more open to the gospel... and even if that statistic is off by 20%... it's still a large enough number that churches are ignoring this segment of their church at their peril. And since church attendance has dropped below 50% in our country (for the first time ever), I experiencing the consequences of it. Great comment though! I wish I could discuss this with you- because I think this topic is fascinating.
I can't choose a church because 1) I'm afraid to go alone. and 2) I don't have a denomination........I don't know if I should go to a Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Anglican church, etc. etc. With that said, I think the most important thing is a church that gives back to the community. Helping others is what Jesus did.
First of all, I totally agree, church should be serving the communities, you’re absolutely right, that is what Jesus did. And I have an idea for you… look for a church in your area that is doing that, don’t get too worried about denomination (although our church is nondenominational, if that helps) and then see if that church is doing a small group or some other smaller event that would be less intimidating to go to. I would also ask Facebook, you might have a Facebook friend that would love to invite you if they knew you were looking- so that would be a great way to visit that is a little easier (always nice to know you have someone to sit next to). And pray, really probably should have been my number one suggestion; but pray and ask God to help you find a church- I think you’ll be excited to see how He shows up for you here. And, please keep me posted on how it goes. As a pastor, I’m always concerned about how to help believers feel welcome and comfortable at church, so I would so value your insight and wisdom on that.
@@melvinaprilify Thank you so much for your excellent advice!
@@pinkpanda5696 you are so welcome- please keep me posted- I’d love to hear how it goes, praying for you
Not long ago, I visited a church for the first time. I am always hearing amazing things about it…. Even to this day. However, not one person said hello to me and I witnessed a fist fight in the parking lot. Yeah….. didn’t go back. I do pray for that church though.
@@JillCee I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you find a church that is a good fit for you!