“How you ought to conduct yourself in . . the church of the living God.” 1 Timothy 3:15 NKJV
“Where you are is not as important as who you are.”
My thoughts today are about “expectations.”
I often meet people who are “looking for a church.” People are a bundle of expectations, though not often very clear what those should be. I wonder how many have an accurate, Biblical idea of what a church should be. I think an individual or family should be looking for the same thing God looks for and expects in His Church.
With today’s consumer mentality, many people look for a church the way they might look for a grocery store, restaurant, or beauty salon – convenient location and availability, product value and reasonable prices, likeability of staff, customer service, and exceeds expectations. Let me suggest some fundamental expectations that I think characterize a “good” church home.
I expect to find Christ-centered worship. Worship is not a style of music, nor even what fits your personal preferences, and worship certainly does not just happen “up front” where others, who do it so well, do so for your enjoyment – that’s entertainment! Look for a church where people are engaged – active participants in their expression of praise to the Lord. No spectators allowed.
I expect to find quality, Bible teaching – practical, relevant, and applying to everyday life, which encourages my own study and understanding. Both pastor and people should value God’s Word and be observably seeking to live according to its truth. “Receive with meekness the implanted word . . but be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:21-22 NKJV. God is not looking for a polite hearing; He is looking for real obedience.
I expect to experience meaningful friendships. A sound and healthy church would be a “family of families” where people care for one another, while genuinely caring about one another. I cannot experience that kind of Biblical fellowship by Sunday morning involvement alone. In such a limited time and setting as the brief context of a church service, I may see whether people love God, but loving others must be observed as “practical and observable,” across a wider slice of real life outside the church campus.
I expect the people to be involved in practical outreach to others. People who have a whole heart for God will express God’s heart for a whole world, and touch that world within the circle of their God-given reach. “You will be My witnesses . . to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NIV.
I expect a ministry that offers a generous but Biblical grace; I expect church leaders that seek God’s guidance and lead with a clear measure of faith and integrity. Any church can tell people what they should not do, and freely will; I would look for a church that tells me what God will do, and what I can do to grow spiritually, and walk in the power of God’s Word and Spirit. What a church offers you is no more important than what you offer to a church.
Now, here’s what I do not expect. I don’t expect to find a perfect place with perfect people. If any of us did, we would spoil it by our imperfections. I don’t expect that it will be all about me; I don’t expect any church to do everything for me. I should focus on what I can do for God and others. Happy church shopping! Choose prayerfully and carefully; your life could depend on it. Where you are is not as important as who you are.
My prayer for you today is that you know and look for what God is looking for.