Missional Women
  • Home
    • Free Printables
    • About >
      • God
      • The Ministry
      • Master Plan Ministries {College Students}
      • Bible Study Resources
      • Contact
      • Subscribe
      • Featured At
      • Rules, Disclosure & Privacy
    • Resources >
      • Bible Study Journals
      • Free Printables
      • Bible Study Recommendations
      • Reviews
      • Videos
      • App
    • Missional Women Equipping
    • Contributors
    • Statement of Faith
    • Free eBooks >
      • Ministry Resources for Women eBook
      • Leading Effective Bible Studies
      • Missional Life Book
    • Missional Women Bible Studies >
      • The Book of John Video Series
      • 1st Samuel {Beholding Him, Becoming Missional}
      • Judges {A Devotional Journey through Judges}
    • Giant Blog Hop Link Ups List
  • Blog
    • Ministry >
      • Evangelism {Win}
      • Discipleship {Build} >
        • Foundations
      • Living Missionally {Send}
      • Ministry Resources for Women
    • God's Word >
      • Bible Study
      • Prayer
      • Devotionals
      • Bible Studies
      • Apologetics
    • Relationships >
      • Marriage
      • Singleness
      • Dating
      • Family
      • Friendship
    • World >
      • Social Justice Issues
      • Internet & Social Media
      • Politics
      • International
      • Science Revealing God
    • Life >
      • Image & Idenity
      • Health
      • Fashion
      • Food
      • Organization
    • Faith Filled Friday Blog Link Up
  • Bible Study Resources
  • Video Bible Studies
    • Matthew
    • John
    • Galatians
    • Know your Purpose
    • How to Lead a Bible Study
    • Creation Reveals
    • Ministry
    • Heart Growth
  • Prints
  • Quiet Time Journals
  • Courses
    • Women's Ministry Training Promo
    • Women's Ministry Training
    • Growing in Your Faith Mini Course
    • Discover God's Calling Course
  • Store
  • Retreat
  • Subscribe
Picture

How to Find a Church

9/18/2014

8 Comments

 
Picture
I've heard if you find the perfect church don't join it because you'll ruin it. Basically meaning that there is no perfect church because there is no perfect people. So how do you find a church? Is it really just about finding one whose music you like or Pastor you like? What if the music changes or the Pastor leaves? Then do you change churches? 

A great way to find a church you can committ to through tough and not so tough is to write down your values and find one whose values line up the most. This might be music and teaching, but chances are there are other things you deeply value but just haven't voiced it or really put your finger on. Here's our list to get you thinking.

Our Top Values in a Church
Biblically sound statement of Faith.
Value Spirit filled life-reliance on the Holy Spirit 
Value Great Commission: evangelism and discipleship.
Value world missions
Leaders operating in their gifts {teachers teaching who are gifted at teaching etc.}
Wide age range of congregants
Value peoples creative expression in church i.e. testimonies, art, outreach.
Bible centered kids program with adequate staff.
Close to home.
Small group connection opportunities
Complements our ministry work
Pastor has pro-life convictions.

Things we'd really appreciate but aren't a deal breaker.
 Approachable pastor
 Music is good
 People have a generally friendliness
 Students feel welcomed and could fit in.

And the reality is, Austin and I live in a country where even in our 95% unchurched city of Denver there are still multiple churches to choose from. That is a gift. Many countries don't have that option so I don't want to have an entitled, it all needs to be my way mentality. We go to church to serve, not primarily to be served and it's good to keep that attitude in mind when choosing a church. 

What thoughts do you have about how to choose a church?
Picture

About Laura

Picture
Laura, the creator and host of Missional Women is married and has five kids, two of whom are adopted. Laura and her husband have been missionaries to college students for 12 years serving with Master Plan Ministries. Laura is the Women's Development Coordinator and has discipled over 150 girls, led over 30 Bible studies and speaks to college and women's groups. Laura has authored 5 books, including an award winning 12 week Bible Study on First Samuel, Beholding Him, Becoming Missional, Reach; How to Use Your Social Media Influence for the Glory of God, and A Devotional Journey through Judges, a devotional to accompany the free online Bible study at TheBookofJudges.com. You can find her on facebook,twitter, pinterest, youtube, instagram and her author
site
. 

If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.

Sharing this over at these awesome blogs

8 Comments
BOBBI CRAIGMYLE link
9/19/2014 11:00:22 pm

You did an excellent list of things we should look for in a church. I agree that we here in America have gotten so spoiled having a buffet of churches from which to choose, that we find fault in all of them. I have learned to let the Lord direct me to the church I need to be, to serve, and be fed. Then everything else just falls in place. Great blog!

Reply
Laura
9/22/2014 10:50:37 am

Thanks Bobbi. And yes! Letting The Lord lead us should be #1. :)

Reply
Amanda Espinoza link
9/19/2014 11:28:42 pm

Love those tips. They definitely make us think about things. We are literally in the midst of finding a new church. Not because anything was wrong with our old one, rather we are being led out. For us it is very much hearing what the Spirit is saying. A woman prayed over us "that they would be where they are most fed and most used" that is truly our hearts desire. With choices abounding it can be confusing. What we know to be true is what our prayer is and that we don't have to hurry our search but seek His face! What a timely post. Thank you Laura!

Reply
Laura
9/22/2014 10:51:42 am

I'll be praying for you friend.

Reply
Cassandra M. Stewart / Renaissance Women link
9/20/2014 03:41:10 am

Great post right on time for me. I found you through Barbie's Weekend Brew. I just recently moved back to my hometown and have been looking for a church home without a lot of success. I hadn't thought about make a list to prioritize what I need and want from a church community. That's a great idea. It will help as I search through the all of the choices available.

Thanks Laura! Have a great week!

Cassandra from Renaissance Women

Reply
Chris link
9/21/2014 08:56:49 am

Good viewpoint. We miss so much in our quick ready move to church shop.

Reply
Helene link
9/23/2014 01:15:29 am

I think my list would look different. I know all those things are wonderful but sometimes we need to be in a place where we can grow those things together not look for them fully developed. God needs people who can be light where they are not only people to sit happily in the light of a good church. :) Finding a new church is tough and I hope you will soon be where God would wish you!

Reply
Brittany link
9/25/2014 03:24:08 am

Sound doctrine and a heart for missions are definitely top of my list! I'm a sucker for great music too.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    New here? Head on over to the Home page to see what we're all about. 

    Two Free eBook for Subscribers

    Picture
    Join 12,000+ others an enter your email for your FREE copies.

    Subscribe
    ​

    Picture


    Our Other Books

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Popular Posts:

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

Missional Women a ministry of Master Plan Ministries
 
Contact
Newsletter
Photos used under Creative Commons from Ktoine, jesse.millan, slightly everything, Vivian Chen [陳培雯], miggslives, CUS Visual Media Team
  • Home
    • Free Printables
    • About >
      • God
      • The Ministry
      • Master Plan Ministries {College Students}
      • Bible Study Resources
      • Contact
      • Subscribe
      • Featured At
      • Rules, Disclosure & Privacy
    • Resources >
      • Bible Study Journals
      • Free Printables
      • Bible Study Recommendations
      • Reviews
      • Videos
      • App
    • Missional Women Equipping
    • Contributors
    • Statement of Faith
    • Free eBooks >
      • Ministry Resources for Women eBook
      • Leading Effective Bible Studies
      • Missional Life Book
    • Missional Women Bible Studies >
      • The Book of John Video Series
      • 1st Samuel {Beholding Him, Becoming Missional}
      • Judges {A Devotional Journey through Judges}
    • Giant Blog Hop Link Ups List
  • Blog
    • Ministry >
      • Evangelism {Win}
      • Discipleship {Build} >
        • Foundations
      • Living Missionally {Send}
      • Ministry Resources for Women
    • God's Word >
      • Bible Study
      • Prayer
      • Devotionals
      • Bible Studies
      • Apologetics
    • Relationships >
      • Marriage
      • Singleness
      • Dating
      • Family
      • Friendship
    • World >
      • Social Justice Issues
      • Internet & Social Media
      • Politics
      • International
      • Science Revealing God
    • Life >
      • Image & Idenity
      • Health
      • Fashion
      • Food
      • Organization
    • Faith Filled Friday Blog Link Up
  • Bible Study Resources
  • Video Bible Studies
    • Matthew
    • John
    • Galatians
    • Know your Purpose
    • How to Lead a Bible Study
    • Creation Reveals
    • Ministry
    • Heart Growth
  • Prints
  • Quiet Time Journals
  • Courses
    • Women's Ministry Training Promo
    • Women's Ministry Training
    • Growing in Your Faith Mini Course
    • Discover God's Calling Course
  • Store
  • Retreat
  • Subscribe