What do you look for in a church?

[MennoSota]

Theology is important if we are defining theology as the study of God. Churches that are too concerned with doctrine and not concerned enough with the metanarrative of scripture are churches I would disagree with.

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The study of the attributes of God in scripture is worthwhile.

 

[J.Money]

The study of the attributes of God in scripture is worthwhile.

I'm sorry if I wasn't clear, I thought my second paragraph made it clear my stance on theology. People who have studied the text in an academic setting have encountered and dealt with certain theological issues that could arise and learned how to handle them. Not that education is everything but as someone who has studied and currently studying the scriptures in an academic setting I find it more helpful than not.

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[MennoSota]

I'm sorry if I wasn't clear, I thought my second paragraph made it clear my stance on theology. People who have studied the text in an academic setting have encountered and dealt with certain theological issues that could arise and learned how to handle them. Not that education is everything but as someone who has studied and currently studying the scriptures in an academic setting I find it more helpful than not.

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I have met many a heretic with a doctorate degree. The heretical Jesus Seminar came out of Luther Seminary in St Paul. People who deny the deity of Christ very often have been highly educated. While education helps with reading greek and hebrew, it does not guarantee rightly dividing the word of God.

 

[J.Money]

I have met many a heretic with a doctorate degree. The heretical Jesus Seminar came out of Luther Seminary in St Paul. People who deny the deity of Christ very often have been highly educated. While education helps with reading greek and hebrew, it does not guarantee rightly dividing the word of God.

Sure I agree, I look for quality academic institutes. I think you may be reading into my thoughts a little more than I'm anticipating. There are plenty of bad advanced degree programs and most people in the actual academic and scholarly realm can point out those bad institutes.

Also among quality schools are differences in thought which can be debated, the academic realm is not without debate. Scholars can come to different conclusions about aspects of theology, doctrine, or the text itself. I think there will always be debate. I was simply saying that those who have obtained a degree fromage quality school and studied under professors with the same credentials would know how to handle the text with more care, in my opinion.

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[MennoSota]

Sure I agree, I look for quality academic institutes. I think you may be reading into my thoughts a little more than I'm anticipating. There are plenty of bad advanced degree programs and most people in the actual academic and scholarly realm can point out those bad institutes.

Also among quality schools are differences in thought which can be debated, the academic realm is not without debate. Scholars can come to different conclusions about aspects of theology, doctrine, or the text itself. I think there will always be debate. I was simply saying that those who have obtained a degree fromage quality school and studied under professors with the same credentials would know how to handle the text with more care, in my opinion.

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Thanks for the clarification. I concur.

 

[tango]

What I look for is Leadership that cares about the people coming in. If the pastor or volunteers (if it's a larger church) take the time to get to know you that's a plus.

I look for educational qualifications of the leadership. Not all schools are the same, but if they've pursued at least a college degree in ministry or biblical studies and/or done advanced work it shows me that at least they've spent some time dealing with the text and know more or less how to handle certain issues that may arise.

Last I look for a church that will challenge me and what I believe. If I go to a church that preaches exactly what I want to hear it may not be the best fit. Becoming too comfortable could mean getting to complacent with faith. I want to grow deeper and sometimes that means hearing things that make me think and challenge what I previously thought.

Good music and production is a plus, but the first three items are most important.

Deal breakers are churches that are pretty much the opposite of that. Or churches that give political sermons on either the political left or right. Politics has not place in the pulpit in my opinion, those conversations should take place in a one on one setting or with a small group outside of the sermon.

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I have walked out in disgust during a sermon exactly once in my lifetime, and the reason was that the "sermon" (I use the term loosely) was little more than sharing a couple of in jokes with members of the congregation and making lots of pointed partisan political comments. It was curious that, politically speaking, I broadly agreed with the speaker but agree with your comment that politics don't belong in the pulpit.

One thing that can be dangerous is when some aspects of a church are good and others are bad. For a few months I attended a church like that - at the time I was convinced it was where God wanted me to be - and it made many things very awkward. It was very strange to look forward to the minister's sermon yet routinely leave during the "worship" time (again, the term used loosely) which was often little more than a video of the mindlessly repetitive drivel coming from IHOP in Kansas City. It was strange wanting to be a part of the church, but at the same time knowing that I couldn't recommend a new Christian attend in case they were led astray by some of the more aberrant teachings. Now I'm in a church where the music isn't particularly to my taste but the teaching is solid and the fellowship is real. There are a few things that aren't to my liking but nothing about the church leaves me thinking "but you're just not supposed to be doing that" or "but that's the exact opposite of what Scripture teaches".

 

[Albion]

I discovered that you can adjust to the music a whole lot easier than to worthless sermons or erroneous doctrine. :ewink:

 

[NewCreation435]

The Holy Spirit for one.

But even the churches have moles in place these days.
And if a sermon is given that blasphemies in lying about the scriptures.

I dust my feet.

Unfortunately the mark of the beast is prevalent.

so how do you recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit?

 

[Lamb]

so how do you recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit?

If the word of God is there, there also is the Holy Spirit.

 

[NewCreation435]

The study of the attributes of God in scripture is worthwhile.

I think this is a very worthwhile study to do. Many people have views of God that are extremely small. As a result they have little faith. When we really get a good understanding of who God is then our faith will grow because we understand how awesome God is.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Question: What do you look for in a church?
Answer: God.

 

[Lamb]

Question: What do you look for in a church?
Answer: God.

That's a who.

 

[MoreCoffee]

That's a who.

and what

 

[atpollard]

Question: What do you look for in a church?
Answer: God.

I thought God was everywhere? (Psalm 139:7)

(Would it be shallow to say a really good cup of English Breakfast tea?)

 

[MoreCoffee]

I thought God was everywhere? (Psalm 139:7)

(Would it be shallow to say a really good cup of English Breakfast tea?)

I look for God everywhere.

 

[Confessional Lutheran]

I thought God was everywhere? (Psalm 139:7)

(Would it be shallow to say a really good cup of English Breakfast tea?)

That's not shallow at all!! Pshaw!!