For God’s Sake
Hands-down, the best answer to our question was nonverbal. The server raised her index finger in the universal “give me a minute” gesture, hustled off to the kitchen and returned with two small sampler cups of an amazing lemon cream pie. When we gave her our lunch order, it began with “We will share a piece of the lemon pie…” Yes, we have gone back to that restaurant several times.
I suspect that our question is one that people who are searching for a local church ask in their own minds: what does this church offer that would make me want to come back? For some, it is the style of music. Just as in choosing a restaurant there is a plethora of cuisine choices, there is a plethora of choices in music genre. I know of hip-hop churches, cowboy churches, jazz churches, and even of a church offering “Jimmy Buffett/parrot head” style music.
Many parents I have met choose a church based on its children’s programs and the key question: will my kids have fun? Occasionally people choose a church based on its preaching style. One person in describing the preaching at her current church said enthusiastically, “It’s great, the pastor doesn’t use the Bible, he tells interesting stories!”
As you might have guessed, I have a different perspective on this matter. The criteria for choosing a church should be more like choosing a medical practice. Because you are interested in your family’s physical health, you look for a trained doctor who is knowledgeable and experienced, who can properly diagnose a condition and prescribe the best course of action. You might prefer one doctor over another because of their personality and demeanor, but not if the doctor cannot provide the essentials.
When choosing a church, your concern should be the spiritual health of your family. Attractive facilities, trendy music, or an exciting children’s program are all pointless if the essentials for spiritual health are not provided. What are the essentials? To name a few: Christ-centered, biblical preaching and teaching in which the message of the sermon or Sunday school lesson is the message of the Bible text under consideration; theologically rich, God-focused worship music that extols his person and his works; the regular and proper administration of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper; and the faithful exercise of the process of reconciliation through repentance that Jesus prescribes in Matthew 18.
Fast food may taste good and satisfy your hunger, but it is not the healthful choice. Church ministries can “taste good” and “satisfy a hunger,” but may not be a healthful choice. Consider your spiritual health and choose wisely.