Living out your Christian faith is of the upmost importance. Often people are confused and even discouraged when it comes to finding a home church. We hope that the information below will provide assistants in finding a church where Christ is centre and exalted. There are many key doctrinal issues that are fundamental to this so we have listed them here for you. Remember though, the number one thing to hold onto while looking to plug in is prayer! Pray that the Lord will direct you in wisdom and guidance with regards to finding a home church where you can become a member.

 

We read that in Galatians 1:7-9

“...not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”

 

As we can see by the scripture above, it is so important not to get entangled with false religion, false doctrine or any other form of “gospel”. Paul made it very clear that “if” any other gospel is preached, let it be accursed. Meaning, if anything is being taught other than what is clearly in scripture, it is wrong and in error! We must hold fast to the true teachings and principles of the bible. The church you are looking into becoming a member should clearly line up with the word of God.  Take time to read through the churches website or available literature. Often it is useful to email or call the pastor and get to know them more by asking them some key questions that will be addressed further on this page.

 

If possible, download or listen to online sermons. Does the Word of God have final and absolute authority? Does the pastor speak with passion regarding Jesus and does he preach truth – meaning does it line up to the word of God. Remember Galatians 1:7-9, does the message go against the true message of the gospel or is the word treated as the infallible, inerrant and inspired word of God.

One of the key things to finding a church is knowing if the church holds onto key biblical guidelines. Such as,

 

Does the church have an elder government? (Acts 14:23 , 1 Tim, 5:17, Titus 1:9)

Is Jesus Christ exalted (Philippians 3:7-8, Romans 12:1,  Phillipians 2:9)

Do they have a Holy fear of God (Proverbs 1:7, Deuteronomy 6:2, Psalm 19:9, Proverbs 9:10)

Does the church fulfill the biblical mandate of Evangelism (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8)

Does the Church have a hunger and desire for Holiness (Romans 5:1-8, 1 Thessalonians 4:7, Hebrews 12:10, 2 Peter 3:11)

Do they obey and believe in prayer  (2 Chronicles 7:14, Matthew 21:13 Ephesians 6:18)

Is there expositional preaching (2 Timothy 4:2)

Is there an evidence of the importance of stewardship (Matthew 23:23, 2 Corinthians 8:3)

 

Another important issue is making sure the church is sound in biblical doctrine. This is vital for growing in Christ! If the doctrine is with error, the growth of the Christian is affected.

 

Below is a list of doctrinal points that must be preached and lived out at the church.

 

They MUST hold onto the Deity of Jesus Christ – See John 1 –Hebrews 1 and Romans 9, Isaiah 9:6-7

They must believe and understand that man is totally and utterly deprave. See Romans 3:9-10,18

They Must believe and preach that Salvation is in Jesus Christ alone – not of any works. See Acts 4:1-12, Ephesians 2:8-9,

They must hold onto that justification is by faith alone, not by works. See Galatians 2:16-21 and 3:10-11, Romans 11:6

Do they preach and practice continual growth in Christ, known as Santification. See Acts 26:18, 1 Peter 1:2

Does the church believe and preach the gospel, without apology and hold firm that  scripture has all authority, is fully inspired and completely sufficient. See 2 Timothy 3:16, Mark 13:31, 2 Peter 1:20-21

Does the church practice the proper principles of headship (Husbands and Wives), and does the church hold onto the teachings of biblical principles in Ephesians 5:22-33, 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 2:3-5

Does the church hold true and teach to the accounts of Genesis 1 regarding that there are six actual days of creation.  

 

Now you have a clear outline to what to look for in a church. Remember there is no such thing as a perfect church, and the above is an outline to assist you. Again, the above will assist you and provide questions you can ask or look for.

Below, are sections from an article from desiringgod regarding their church government. There are exerts pasted below to further outline what has been covered and to stress other issues a healthy church should operate in. To read the article in its entirety, please click here.

 Used with permission as stated © Desiring God By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org

Biblical Principles of Local Church governance

That the ministry of the church is primarily the work of the members in the activity of worship toward God, nurture toward each other, and witness toward the world. Internal structures for church governance are NOT the main ministry of the church, but the necessary equipping and mobilizing of the saints for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:11-12).

That Christ is the head of the church, and spiritually all his disciples are on a level ground before him, each having direct access to him and responsibility to intercede for the good of all as a community of priests (Eph. 4:15; Mt. 23:8-11; 1 Tim. 2:5; Rev. 1:6; Gal. 6:1-2; Heb. 3:13).

 That, under Christ and his word, the final court of appeal in the local church in deciding matters of disagreement is the congregation itself. (This is implied, first, in the fact that the leaders are not to lead by coercion, but by persuasion and free consent [1 Peter 5:3]; second, in the fact that elders may be censured [1 Tim. 5:19]; and third, in the fact that in Matthew 18:15-20 the church is the final court of appeal in matters of discipline).

That the leaders of the church must be people who are spiritually mature and exemplary, gifted for the ministry given to them, and have a sense of divine urging, and are in harmony with the duly established leadership of the church. (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Rom. 12:6-8; Acts 20:28; Phil. 2:2)

That spiritual qualifications never be sacrificed to technical expertise. For example, deacons or trustees or financial and property administrators should be men or women with hearts for God even more importantly than they have heads for finance, and best of all, both. (Implied in the preceding principle.)