Questions To Ask Before Joining A Church

Looks pretty comprehensive to me.
I might ask, (since I don't recall as I write this) are there any questions concerning what they think of Jesus? The Holy Spirit? The Father?

 

I would probably ask for the pastor to explain verse by verse Romans 9.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Are you trying to find a church with which you agree on all of these issues 100%?

If so, start a house church, lol!

 

It seems that you should be asking for a copy of their Constitution as well. Most of these questions should be covered in the Church Constitution and/or Statement of Faith or another similiar document.

My church has made it pretty straight forward...check it out here.

 

I know I will repent of this in a few moments, but here's my response:

Honestly, if those are "some" of your questions, please don't come join our church. You sound like one of those people who are going to be constantly critiquing the pastors message, the SS teachers lesson, the hymns that were chosen, the pastor's children's behavior, pastor's wife's involvement. So stay away!

I hope you'll find a church... then I hope they turn you down for membership because you're not thorough enough.

 

Tom. your response to the OP is offensive. Do you think that the words of a pastor, SS teacher, etc. are inerrant? Do you really believe that visitors, prospective members, current members. or posters to this board should not ask any and all questions on their heart of a church or its pastor? If so, you are either arrogant or grossly mis-informed.


You say you "will repent of this in a few moments". Shame on you. You admit you posted a reply that you knew was wrong. That sir, I submit, is a serious error on your part. I am glad that I do not belong to your church.:tear:

 

I am sorry that you found it offensive, and me either arrogant or grossly mis-informed.

No, I dont believe that anyone's words except the Word of God are inerrant. But take a look at the original list: He's going to look at my library, my tapes and any and everything else.

Any person who walks into a church with a large grocery list of issues that has to be addressed before that church gets the privilege of his membership has probably been a pain in every other church they have been at.

 

Don't worry, I don't think there is a church in this world that would pass this list 100% . There has to be something on there that the OP would disagree with in any church....

I'd like to ask, what % of the list would have to answered affirmative before the candidate for membership would be satisfied to join?

And should the church also make a list for possible candidates?

like:
Tithing records,
bank accounts,
books in your home,
TV shows your kids are allowed to watch,
age at which your teens are allowed to date,
Are all your bills paid on time?,
do you drink wine (I just had to throw that in, lol)
Your hobbies,
favorite restaurants, do they serve wine?
Where do you buy groceries... do they sell alcohol?
Do you allow your children to participate in extra curricular activities that may hinder them from attending every service of the church?
How do you feel about women? pants, long hair, head coverings?
Is missing a service considered a sin?
If so, which service is the greater sin?
Have you been guilty of gossip?
Which is the greater sin, homosexuality or gossip?
describe your last pastor in detail
was he ever wrong?
What would you change about your last church?
Do your kids wear suits and ties to church? school?
Would you be willing to serve in any capacity?

but the most important question:
What is the HOLY SPIRIT telling you to do?

 

We dont need to be in a hurry to join a church. Most of these questions can be answered by time. Give a particualr church a year or more if that is what you need. Make an appointment with the Pastor. Give him a list of questions you have for him in advance so he may keep them in prayer as well as your meeting with him. Get to know the people. Participate in as much as you can. Get a copy of any statement of faith, constitution and by laws and any other policies. The pastor should be helpful if you are considering joining.

In your attempt to be thorough it can be perceived that your are being judgemental. Make sure you are loving the people as much as seeking answers.

God Bless You:thumbs:

 

Being in the military, and on our fifth base since we were saved, I consider myself somewhat of an "expert" (if there's actually such a thing) on this subject.

In my personal, be-it-ever-so-humble opinion, your list is too long. Try majoring on the majors, and minoring on the minors. There's so much you can learn by just watching and interacting with the congregation.

For example, I heard a pastor preach from the pulpit that numbers were inconsequential; however, there was a board on the back wall of the santuary that clearly listed attendance, number of baptisms, number of professions of faith, etc. And one of the deacons, when it was his turn to make announcements, made it a point to identify how many people went out on visitation on Thursday night, how many attended the prision ministry meeting, etc. In other words, the pastor may not have "emphasized" numbers when he spoke, but somehow he had instilled a culture focused on statistics in his congregation.

Another pastor I was associated with for a brief time was focused on money. He told me that one of the church members had complained about him always preaching about tithing every Sunday. Then he looked at me triumphantly and said, "I pulled out all my sermon notes for the last year, and never once did I do a sermon about tithing or money." No, he never did a sermon specifically about tithing or money, but he managed to mention them in every sermon he preached.

Another church we visited, the teen Sunday School teacher did a trivia quiz. My daughter, a first-time visitor, answered three questions in a row (good on her, 'cause the Lord knows she's doing well in spite of her parents!), and was subsequently belittled by a young man in the class. The Sunday School teacher didn't say anything to the young man, and didn't correct the situation in any way. Turns out the young man was the son of one of the "high-ranking members" of the church.

So my advice is, it's nice you have a list, but don't use a list. You know what the major points are; are the pastor and the congregation reflecting that? What did your wife and/your kids notice?

But the most important piece of advice given so far was: "What is the Holy Spirit telling you to do?"

 

My Dear Friend

It reads to me as if you are a Bible Believer, so much of what you read here will oppose your question. The Holy Spirit will bear witness to everything you have mentioned in just a few services. As you are well aware it doesn't take long before there is a GLARING difference to what you have read in your Bible and the falsehood being taught today. Attend for a month, as an example when the pews are PACKED for a Music festival on a special day and there are 3 people on visitation the same week and the Pastor is not one of them that's usually a good indication to keep searching. A never fail test is when you talk of public ministry and the reply is "I have seen the Da Vinci code" or "I took my friend to watch the Passion of Christ." May Our Lord Jesus Christ Richly Bless You.

BTW you will be hard pressed to find a handful of people online that you can discuss your topics with but thanks God for you and STAY in the BOOK

 

I understand better... But my wife and I dated for 3 years before marriage. I learned more about her on our honeymoon than I did in 3 years.

About looking in the pastor's library, I have books whose authors I disagree with. I have learned more from them than from the books I have agreed with.

Paul's statement said exactly the opposite. His statement was that his library was the lives of people. The best read of a church and a pastor is what the people are like, especially if he's been there for more than 7 years.

 

No kidding! I would hope a prospect wouldn't judge me by books I have but don't agree with everything within their pages. Yikes...if they judged me by my Phyllis Trible and Greg Boyd books, they'd think I'm a open theist liberal!

 

EEK!
My goodness, I agree.
I have in my library, "'Srimad Bhagavatam" (sixth canto -part one) by 'His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada', and 'New Age Bible Interpretation, New Testament vol.IV parts I-II-III" and the Pearl of Graet Price, Doctrine and Covenants, BoM, New World Translation, among others!

Like you, I keep them for reference. Not for "faith and practice".:thumbs:

 

lol, :laugh:

 

Tinman,

You'll be hard pressed to find a church that is in alignment with HALF of the items on your list. I agree with the prior suggestion to attend and observe to get a feel for how things are.

Search the church website for a beliefs page and pick up whatever literature, newsletter or handouts they offer to gain insight into the church, congregation and staff. Attend bible study and talk with people. Do that for about a month or so and you should have enough to make a decision. :wavey: