Church Hunting? Here’s What You Need to Know Before You Commit
Key Takeaways
➤ Scripture Should Be Central: If a church isn’t prioritizing Scripture in its sermons, it’s a major red flag. The Bible should be the foundation of every message, not just personal stories or life lessons, as the preacher’s words should never overshadow God’s.
➤ Theology and Leadership Matter: Understanding the church’s stance on primary, secondary, and tertiary theological issues is crucial. Also, leadership should be biblically qualified, with elders who provide accountability, wisdom, and support for the pastor, ensuring the church stays on track and healthy.
➤ Practicality and Community: It’s important that the church is not only a place of great teaching and leadership but also a practical choice for you. Ensure you can engage in community and fellowship beyond Sunday services and that the church’s location won’t hinder your involvement and growth.
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (Hebrews 10:25, NLT)
"RUN"—faster than you’d run if a bear were chasing you in the woods
I say this with the most sincerity I can muster: If you’re sitting in a church where the Bible isn’t cracked open, and there’s no Scripture flashing up on the screen, you might want to quietly back away. And by "back away," I mean "RUN"—faster than you’d run if a bear were chasing you in the woods, and DON’T LOOK BACK!
If Scripture is not used, then it leads me to believe the preacher thinks their words are more important than God’s. Cue a big red flag waving in the air—loud, clear, and hard to ignore. I get it, we all love a good story or life lesson, but when the Bible takes a backseat to someone’s personal thoughts, that’s a sign you might want to reconsider where you’re relationship to that church.
Choosing a church is a lot like dating—you're looking for someone who shares your core values (and hopefully doesn't make you feel like you need to run for the hills after the first meeting). In theology, we break things down into three categories that make sure you’re on the same page before you commit.
First up: Primary issues. These are the big guns, the non-negotiables—think of them as the "written in blood" topics. If you don't believe in these core truths (like Jesus being the Savior, the Bible being God’s Word, etc.), well, that’s called being “unorthodox,” and you might want to take your exit. Grab a list of questions and sit down with the pastor. If there's any contradiction here it’s not a good fit.
Next, we have secondary issues. These are the “written in pen” topics. They matter, but they’re not as crucial. You might have some wiggle room here—maybe you’re cool with a little difference on communion or baptism style—but if there are too many of these disagreements, you’ll probably end up frustrated and asking, "So... do we agree on anything?"
Finally, the tertiary issues. These are written in pencil, and frankly, they don’t matter that much. Like, at all. Whether the pastor wears flip-flops or a suit, or if the church serves donuts or kale chips in the lobby, this is the stuff you can leave at the door. Focus on the big stuff, and let the minor things slide.
Need help with questions? We got you! Check out our list of questions to ask before committing to a church.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts
When it comes to worship songs, don't just mindlessly sing along—pay attention to the lyrics! Are they lining up with what you believe and the theology you hold dear? Sure, it's easy to get lost in the melody, but the words matter big time. Now, I know this topic has sparked its fair share of debates (and trust me, we don't want to get into all of that right now), but here's the deal: I'm less concerned about the worship songwriters' personal lives or their past mistakes than I am about what their lyrics are actually saying. At the end of the day, if we avoided songs or books because the person who wrote them was sketchy, self-focused, or an apostate, then you should probably not read quite a few of the Psalms. But the message behind the song is what shapes our faith and spiritual growth.
Take a look at Colossians 3:16, which says, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts (NIV).” That’s a pretty powerful reminder that worship is about more than the tune; it’s about letting Christ’s message dwell in you through those songs.
Then, there’s the golden question I learned from Sing! by Keith and Kristyn Getty: "Is there congregational singing?" If you’re standing there in silence, wondering why everyone’s just staring at the stage, it could be a red flag. It might mean 1) The congregation hasn’t been taught how to sing together, 2) They’re stuck in a performance-based worship routine, or 3) Worship just isn’t a top priority for them. Now, this isn't the deal breaker that will send you running for the hills, but it’s definitely something to take note of as you consider your church home. After all, singing is a communal activity, not just a spectator sport!
When it comes to church leadership, it's crucial to ask, Are there safeguards in place for the leaders? Are there elders? And more importantly, do those elders meet the qualifications laid out in 1 Timothy 3:1-7? These aren't just nice-to-haves; these are absolutely vital roles in the church that directly impact the health of the congregation. Without a strong leadership structure, a church can quickly lose its direction or fall into unhealthy patterns.
In our local church, we’re blessed to have a team of elders, and as a pastor’s wife, I can’t stress enough how invaluable it is to have these strong, godly men surrounding your pastor. They’re not just there to offer advice—they are encouragers, teachers, accountability partners, and, most importantly, friends. They stand in the gap, pray with and for the pastor, and offer a wise, balanced perspective that only comes from mutual respect and shared mission. It’s a team effort, and the burden is lighter when it’s shared with a trusted group of leaders.
So, when you're church hunting, take a moment to assess the leadership. Do they have a structure that promotes accountability and growth? Are they truly qualified according to the Bible's standards? A church with strong, biblically qualified leaders will always be better equipped to care for its members, shepherd them well, and stay on mission.
Okay, so this one might not be at the top of your priority list, but it’s still worth asking: Is the church you’re thinking about committing to a practical choice? I mean, is it so far away that your drive will end up keeping you from connecting beyond just Sunday mornings? Look, we all love a good Sunday service, but community and fellowship throughout the week are more important as the Sunday service itself. If you're only showing up on Sundays and then vanishing into the abyss, you're missing out on some of the best parts of being part of a church.
Think about it—church is meant to be a community where you do life together, not just show up, sit down, and leave. Fellowship throughout the week—whether it's midweek Bible studies, small groups, or just grabbing coffee with fellow believers—is key to your growth. So, before you sign up for a long commute, ask yourself: Can I really plug into the community here, or will the drive make it impossible to engage with the people and the life of the church?
We want you to be more than just a Sunday-only attendee, friend. Find a church where you can truly be involved in the life of the community, and where the drive is just a small part of a bigger, richer experience.
When it comes to pastor’s teaching, let me make one thing clear: education matters. A pastor who stands up to teach the Word of God must be educated, and here’s why: you can’t teach what you don’t know! Now, before you think I’m about to launch into a rant about seminary degrees or PhDs, let me stop you right there. When I say a pastor needs to be educated, I’m not saying they need to hold a fancy doctorate. But they do need to have been trained by someone who actually knows what they’re talking about. They should have been mentored and equipped by people who are deeply rooted in Scripture and theology.
A good pastor isn’t just someone who can string together a few nice-sounding sentences. They need to be grounded in solid teaching because you’re trusting them to guide you in your faith. And trust me, that’s not something to take lightly. So, when choosing a church, make sure the person leading you knows their stuff—and is dedicated to teaching it with wisdom and integrity!
When church hunting, it’s essential to ensure that the church aligns with your beliefs and values, especially in key areas like theology, Scripture use, and leadership. First, make sure Scripture is the heart of every sermon; if the Bible isn't central, it's a big red flag. Theology matters too—understand the primary (non-negotiable), secondary (flexible), and tertiary (insignificant) issues before committing. Pay attention to worship songs and their alignment with your theology, and look for congregational singing that fosters community. Strong leadership is another must-have, with biblically qualified elders who support and guide the pastor. Practical considerations, like how far the church is from you, matter as well—community engagement should extend beyond Sundays. Finally, make sure the pastor is educated and rooted in solid theology, as they must be equipped to teach God’s Word with integrity. When all these elements align, you’ll find a church where you can grow spiritually and thrive in fellowship.
(some might call this a glossary)
TL/DR - Too Long/Didn’t Read
Scripture - The authoritative word of God.
Theology - The study of the nature of God and religious belief.
Doctrine - A set of beliefs or teachings taught by the church.
Primary Issues - Core theological beliefs essential to Christianity, such as the divinity of Christ or the authority of the Bible.
Secondary Issues - Doctrines that are important but do not affect the core beliefs of Christianity, like differing views on baptism.
Tertiary Issues - Minor beliefs or practices that do not significantly impact a person's faith, such as preferences for church attire or snacks.
Psalms, Hymns, and Songs from the Spirit - Different types of worship songs mentioned in Colossians 3:16 represent various ways of expressing faith through music.
Congregational Singing - The practice of the entire congregation singing together in worship, not just the performers on stage.
Elders - Church leaders who are responsible for overseeing the spiritual health and direction of the congregation. The qualifications for elders are outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7.
Accountability - The process of ensuring that leaders are held responsible for their actions and teachings, often through a system of checks and balances in the church.
Fellowship - The shared community and spiritual relationships within the church, including activities like Bible studies or small groups.
Seminary - A school for training pastors and church leaders in theology, biblical studies, and ministry.
Mentorship - The guidance and teaching provided by more experienced believers, often helping new leaders grow in their understanding of Scripture and ministry.