If you’re wondering “why go to church” or you’re looking for a new church, or maybe you want to improve your church, read this! These are 5 important things to look for in a church.
1. The Gospel
“And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” — Mark 16:15
We’re all called to spread the gospel, and of course pastors have the most responsibility to make sure their people hear the gospel clearly.
2. Baptism
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” — Matthew 28:19
When I talk with new believers, I often point them to church as a place to be baptized. Baptism is an important step of obedience, a symbol of a new believer’s faith in Jesus.
3. Teaching/Discipleship
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” — Matthew 28:19a
“But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things — that they admonish the young women” — Titus 2:1–4a
Anyone teaching at church is discipling — marriage mentoring, children’s church, prayer group are all effective ways to lead people spiritually. Even friendship between older and younger women (like we see in these verses) can be discipleship.
4. Worship
Psalm 100 tells us to come into God’s presence with singing, which we can do alone at home, but we’re also called to worship with other believers.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
5. Edification
Every time we go to church, we should always look for ways to encourage others in their walk with God!
“Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” — Hebrews 10:24–25a
“Exhort one another daily, while it is called Today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” — Hebrews 3:13
“The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all” — 1 Corinthians 12:7
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (Notice it’s written to everyone, not just pastors!)
6. Outreach
By organizing groups and events, we can motivate others at church to reach our communities.
“For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in… Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” — Jesus in Matthew 25:35,40
7. Prayer
Church is meant to be a place where we pray together — for each other, our families, our friends, our leaders, etc.
“My house shall be called the house of prayer” — Matthew 21:13
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” — Matthew 18:20