What about church?


To those starting out following Jesus, you really should be in a church.
Why?
You need to be around God’s people. You need to be part of a local church to learn, grow, heal and to help others.
God is committed to his church, also known as his body, also known as his bride. He wants you there to worship with people who are now your brothers and sisters regardless of their heritage or race, their education or their income.
I know, for some that’s good news and for others it’s a horrifying thought.
Some have a bad impression of church, some have been hurt by churches and many have just ignored the church all their lives.
But if you’re a follower of Jesus, the fact is you are part of his church no matter what you think of it.
There’s a lot that can be said about church, but here are just a few thoughts on finding one to go to.
The number one thing is to pray about it. Ask God to guide you and then trust him to do it. Why don’t you pray and ask him now?
Here are a few other tips:
Keep in mind you’re looking for the place God wants you to be, not just a place you like or your friends or relatives like. Even so, you’re probably looking for the place where you feel at home.
Do they teach the Bible and hold it in high regard? There are many ways to teach the Bible, but it’s important they emphasize what the Bible says over everything else.
A good rule of thumb: if they stay away from the Bible, stay away from them.
Do they talk about Jesus more than themselves, their church or their denomination? If they do, that’s a good sign.
Do you sense a real love for God and for all sorts of people? Important. People can preach truth but have a bad attitude toward others. That shows a faulty connection with God.
If there’s a bad vibe, scary feeling or if people are put down and controlled, run. Just run fast. It’s not the way God works and it’s not the place for you. There may be places that worship in a way you’re not used to, that’s OK, but if they’re what I described just now: Yes, run!
If there is just one person who is leading and more or less unaccountable to anyone else locally, maybe you want to be careful about any big commitment there.
There should be grace in a church for people to grow and for them to make mistakes but still be loved and accepted.
Look for a place that's reaching out to others outside their church. Helping people know Jesus. Helping people in need.
It’s a bummer, but I have to admit there are some churches that aren’t really churches—not Jesus’ church, anyway.
And another bummer is, some churches are his but have gotten caught up in things that take their focus off a simple devotion to Jesus and put it on minor, sometimes harmful things.
Some examples of not-church churches: the group that calls itself a church and protests and makes a fuss at servicemen’s and women’s funerals—not really a church to begin with. Or group’s that don’t believe Jesus is the unique son of God who came and died for our sins, was buried and rose from the dead—not really churches at all. Or others that claim Christ but don’t follow what he says in the Bible.
Churches that are his but missing the mark often only talk about one or two pet doctrines and very little about Jesus himself. They lose the broad picture of God’s word and usually lose their love for others as well. Better to stay away.
I can’t tell you where to go, but I hope this helps.
If you live in the Middle Georgia area I can certainly invite you to where I go. It’s Christ Chapel Warner Robins at 2288 Moody Road, Warner Robins, GA 31088. Phone is (478) 922-0161. Main meeting is at 10:30 a.m. Sundays.

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