What do you look for?

[Guest technoguru]

I was just wondering what kind of questions come to mind when you look for a new church. What attracts you to a church? What theological issues come to mind when you listen to a new sermon? Thank you for your feedback.

Sincerely,

Technoguru

[Iryssa]

I have a couple things which attract me to a church:

1. Sound Doctrine (proven with scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit)

2. A community spirit (if I go in there and people just ignore me, or I see a lot of cliques formed, I probably won't go back)

What "theological issues come to mind" when I'm hearing a new sermon is a little more difficult to pin down...It really depends on what the sermon is about...The things I ALWAYS look for, though, are the leading of the Holy Spirit (if I'm getting a "bad feeling" about something, it's usually for a good reason), and whether the one preaching is backing their points up with scripture.

[jesussaves]

Sound doctrine

unity in the body

presence of the Lord

unhindered praise and worship

the gifts of the Spirit in operation

alter calls

learned and anointed teachers

Pastor with a loving hand rather than a whip

sincere, unfeigned love of the brethren

[Guest eponine]

I agree with you, Iryssa, about your 2 things. Sound doctrine is definitely the most important thing. But that can mean different things for different people. I would look for a God-centered focus that affirms His sovereignty in all things and celebrates His beauty and sufficiency. The preaching should be explaining and applying Scripture, not promoting standards or certain people. And the fellowship needs to be there. A body of believers that is changed by God's grace should show much love. Another thing I do value is the music. Not a rocking show that draws attention to people or talent, and not a dead, boring worship service that is the same thing over and over. I appreciate songs both new and old that have deep, true messages, exalt God, and are easy to sing. It is great, too, when Scripture is used in the worship service, not just the sermon text.

[Guest eponine]

Sound doctrine

unity in the body

presence of the Lord

unhindered praise and worship

the gifts of the Spirit in operation

alter calls

learned and anointed teachers

Pastor with a loving hand rather than a whip

sincere, unfeigned love of the brethren

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Out of curiosity, why does altar calls make your list?

[Guest yod]

I think a good church is one where the pastor serves his flock by teaching them to carry their cross individually.

Unfortunately that church would be empty.

Everyone is looking for churches with programs that suit them, fatten them, and serve them.

Sad really....

[Iryssa]

I agree with you, Iryssa, about your 2 things.  Sound doctrine is definitely the most important thing.  But that can mean different things for different people.  I would look for a God-centered focus that affirms His sovereignty in all things and celebrates His beauty and sufficiency.  The preaching should be explaining and applying Scripture, not promoting standards or  certain people.  And the fellowship needs to be there.  A body of believers that is changed by God's grace should show much love.  Another thing I do value is the music.  Not a rocking show that draws attention to people or talent, and not a dead, boring worship service that is the same thing  over and over.  I appreciate songs both new and old that have deep, true messages, exalt God, and are easy to sing.  It is great, too, when Scripture is used in the worship service, not just the sermon text.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well said indeed! I guess I kinda include "a God-centered focus that affirms His sovereignty in all things and celebrates His beauty and sufficiency" in the sound doctrine part...it is central to our view of God, and I've found that everything comes together under it, in a sense. Anyway, very well put, in all of it!

[jesussaves]

Sound doctrine

unity in the body

presence of the Lord

unhindered praise and worship

the gifts of the Spirit in operation

alter calls

learned and anointed teachers

Pastor with a loving hand rather than a whip

sincere, unfeigned love of the brethren

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Out of curiosity, why does altar calls make your list?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Glad you asked that question. We are admonished to not forsake the assembling of the saints and even the more so as we see the day approaching...when the church comes together in worship, prayer, praise and the study of God's word, we are building each other up. The alter call has it's place to build up the body. It is also the place where someone who is lost can come, as the Holy Spirit urges, and receive Christ in public. Many people are made believers in church services. They need an alter call to lay their decision at Jesus feet. Many people who may be too shy to ask for prayer will go up if there is an alter call.

[Guest kylie22005]

1.Goood ppl

2.Good youth group

3.Good music

4.good pastor and sermones

5.some place I can study the BiBle is basically all I want lol

[Iryssa]

I totally agree that a good youth group is important! The youth are the future leaders of the church...a bad youth group can turn many away from God permenantly, since high school and junior high are such tough times.