What questions should I ask before joining a local church?

[annsni]

Here's the link to the article and the questions that he says we should ask. What do you think? Any other questions you would ask?


http://practicalshepherding.com/201...s-should-i-ask-before-joining-a-local-church/


1) Is this a church where my family will be regularly fed by God’s Word?

2) Is this a church where I am convinced the care of my soul will be a priority?

3) Is this a church where my family will experience meaningful Christian fellowship and accountability?

4) Is this a church where I can serve God’s people and use my gifts for its benefit?

 

[Salty]

I would be concerned about the doctrine of the church.

 

[annsni]

I would be concerned about the doctrine of the church.

From reading the article, I think that part has been established already. Like maybe you found a couple of churches that are orthodox in it's teachings and would probably be a fit judging by that and now it's time to get to the nitty gritty. I definitely agree that doctrine is first and foremost!

 

[JamesL]

The article seems to be speaking to those who sense no spiritual direction. I have been directed, by God, to a church that was messed up. I knew full well I would not be nourished, and that I would not necessarily use the gifts He has given me, but also knew He was telling me that's where I needed to be.

 

[The Biblicist]

Here's the link to the article and the questions that he says we should ask. What do you think? Any other questions you would ask?


http://practicalshepherding.com/201...s-should-i-ask-before-joining-a-local-church/


1) Is this a church where my family will be regularly fed by God’s Word?

2) Is this a church where I am convinced the care of my soul will be a priority?

3) Is this a church where my family will experience meaningful Christian fellowship and accountability?

4) Is this a church where I can serve God’s people and use my gifts for its benefit?

Yes, you should first examine it the church to see if it is God-centered or man-centered church. Are essential truths being taught there. If the word of God is being faithfully taught you will be fed. Are the fruits of the Spirit manifested in the leadership. If the fruit is there the Spirit is there and He is the teacher.

Today it is all about what does a church have to offer ME and MY family! Sorry, but the church does not exist to serve ME and my family, it exist for me and my family to serve God and others.

It is not about what ministries they have to offer ME and MY family but does it offer ME and MY family opportunity to SERVE God and others. Are they missing something that ME and MY family can fill and provide???

The church does not exist to accomodate and entice the world but for born again baptized believers to worship God and be taught the truth and be better equipped to serve God.

It is a wrong attitude that approaches selection of a church to see what it offers ME or my family. We should approach it seeing if it is honoring God and if God wants me there. Every church has problems because they have people. Too many people are looking for heaven on earth instead of service for God.

 

[JonC]

Assuming that doctrine and a God-centeredness has been established, I would want to know the vision of the church (i.e., how do they see the mission of the church materialized in their congregation). Here I am concerned about discipleship. So many churches in my experience speak of discipleship, but when a pastor or leader is needed a committee outsources this leadership. I’d want to know that the church is equipping its members for kingdom work.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

1. doctrine
2. Practice
3. Teaching
4. Would like to see the Constitution
5. Would like to see the Budget & allocations
6. What are the pastors training
7. Are you active in the community?
8. what is the Body of Elder & Deacon training?
9. Do you have prayer meetings?
10. Music (preferences)
11. How joyful are they in and out of service?
12. Are they confessional?
13. How does the pastor preach? What style?
14. Soterology, Escathology etc (see doctrine)
15. History
16. Demographics (age, gender, economic standing)
17. Denom or Independent?
18. Bible believing?

That right there tells me allot. I also really read the website for clues....also I view the calendar....that tells me how active they are.

 

[Yeshua1]

Yes, you should first examine it the church to see if it is God-centered or man-centered church. Are essential truths being taught there. If the word of God is being faithfully taught you will be fed. Are the fruits of the Spirit manifested in the leadership. If the fruit is there the Spirit is there and He is the teacher.

Agreed, as we have to realize that we are the church, so we have been gifted by the Lord to be part of the local assembly, and to bring into that local body the gifts and talents that he chose to bless us with, so that he can get the glory and others be blessed!

Have seen churches that teach/preach great doctrine, but really fail to keep unity, express and show love among the brethren in a practical fashion, yet also have known churches that practiced love, yet were really weak and poor in theology!

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

The church's denomination is a good start and should be able to provide the base understanding that church's doctrine. However, that definitely doesn't tell you the whole story. A review of their web site provides a lot of information - not only about how active it is, but what they view their mission to be. I've listed information below from four churches (with minor edits). As you can see, each of them has a different feel to them - even in this small amount of verbiage.

1. Our mission is to make fully devoted followers of Christ. We want to be a part of witnessing lives saved by the grace and truth of Jesus Christ and helping believers grow as disciples.

2. Our Purpose - Becoming Passionate Followers of Jesus Christ. Genuine worship happens through personal fellowship with God and his people, serious discipleship, authentic service and lifestyle evangelism.

3. What We Believe - The object of this church shall be to glorify God in the salvation of souls, to edify Christians through the teaching of God’s Word, to proclaim throughout the world God’s saving grace in the shed blood and finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary, to promote godly worship, to defend the faith, and to cooperate with Christian activities functioning in harmony with God’s Word.

4. What We're About - We strive to be a community formed into the image of Christ, becoming the people God has called us to be and doing the things God has called us to do. We recognize that this formation is a lifelong process that occurs through regular practices of Christian worship, nurturing a healthy and consistent life of prayer, living authentically within mutually submissive and loving relationships, and seeking ways to realize the dream of God in our world.

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

One important question for me -- Does everyone look the same? Same age group, ethnicity, social status, race, etc.? If so, then that's not the church for me or my family.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

One important question for me -- Does everyone look the same? Same age group, ethnicity, social status, race, etc.? If so, then that's not the church for me or my family.

I really like that question! :thumbs:

 

[Salty]

One important question for me -- Does everyone look the same? Same age group, ethnicity, social status, race, etc.? If so, then that's not the church for me or my family.

Disagree- first- why is that the case - then you might just be the person to make the changes


As far as things such as ethnicity and race- take a look at the community cenus stats - if a small town if 96% white - then expect the church to mirror that.

 

[JonC]

Here's the link to the article and the questions that he says we should ask. What do you think? Any other questions you would ask?


http://practicalshepherding.com/201...s-should-i-ask-before-joining-a-local-church/


1) Is this a church where my family will be regularly fed by God’s Word?

2) Is this a church where I am convinced the care of my soul will be a priority?

3) Is this a church where my family will experience meaningful Christian fellowship and accountability?

4) Is this a church where I can serve God’s people and use my gifts for its benefit?

Reading through other threads I guess I'd also ask (just to make sure) if it is a "clothing optional" church. I guess that could be good or bad...but if I attend it'd be bad...depending on my option, of course.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Disagree- first- why is that the case - then you might just be the person to make the changes


As far as things such as ethnicity and race- take a look at the community cenus stats - if a small town if 96% white - then expect the church to mirror that.

Why.....have you never heard of busing? It was very popular in Alabama & Mississippi at one time!:smilewinkgrin:

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

Disagree- first- why is that the case - then you might just be the person to make the changes


As far as things such as ethnicity and race- take a look at the community cenus stats - if a small town if 96% white - then expect the church to mirror that.

That's why I stated that this is important to me. I don't live in a small town that is 96% white. Instead, I live in a large city that is multi-ethnic, multi-racial and multi-lingual. As a result, I want my church to reflect the community in which I live. If it didn't, then it would say a lot about that church, its mission, its outreach and its service to others.

 

[Salty]

One important question for me -- Does everyone look the same? Same age group, ethnicity, social status, race, etc.? If so, then that's not the church for me or my family.

This was your orginial statement! You said nothing about makeup of the nieghborhood.

But as I said before - even if it wasnt - you could help make some changes.

Bottom line - there is only one question to ask before joining a local church?

LORD - IS THIS WHERE YOU WANT ME

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

This was your orginial statement! You said nothing about makeup of the nieghborhood.

But as I said before - even if it wasnt - you could help make some changes.

Bottom line - there is only one question to ask before joining a local church?

LORD - IS THIS WHERE YOU WANT ME

Then let me rephrase ---

One important question for me -- Does everyone look the same? Is it the same age group and social status? And since I live in a very diverse city with lots of different people groups, is the church comprised of the same ethnicity and race? If so, then that's not the church for me and my family. Hope this is more clear.

 

[JamesL]

Bottom line - there is only one question to ask before joining a local church?

LORD - IS THIS WHERE YOU WANT ME

I agree 100%

That's why I think the article in the original post has in view those who sense no spiritual direction.

I've been in churches that don't fit my personal preferences. I could probably go into any church and find things I'd like to see different, if I were there for me only.

But where God wants me is more important than what I prefer.