How to Find a Good Church by Mark Dever - Pray.
- Seek counsel from a godly pastor or elder.
- Keep your priorities straight.
- The gospel must be truly affirmed, clearly preached, and faithfully lived out. A serious lack in any of these expressions of the gospel is very dangerous.
- The preaching must be faithful to Scripture, personally challenging, and central to the congregation’s life. You will only grow spiritually where Scripture is treated as the highest authority.
- Also very important is to consider how the church regulates baptism, the Lord’s Supper, church membership, church discipline, and who has the final say in decision making.
- In short, read chapters 5 to 13 in this book! (What is a healthy church, available at 9marks.org or amazon.com)
- Ask yourself diagnostic questions such as:
- Would I want to find a spouse who has been brought up under this church’s teaching?
- What picture of Christianity will my children see in this church - something distinct or something a lot like the world?
- Would I be happy to invite non-Christians to this church? That is, would they clearly hear the gospel and see lives consistent with it? Does the church have a heart for welcoming and reaching non-Christians?
- Is this church a place where I can minister and serve?
- Consider geography. Would the church’s physical proximity to your home encourage or discourage frequent involvement and service? If you’re moving to a new area, try to locate a good church home before you buy a house.
From What is a Healthy Church by Mark Dever copyright © 2007 page 79. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, Il 60187, www.crossway.com. Previous page |
