Church Shopping

Dear Victorious,

We've been shopping around for a new church home. After visiting several churches, we're just more confused than ever. We find a church that looks good and we think that we'll like it. But as we become more familiar with a church, we begin to see things about it that we don't like. I know, maybe we're being too picky or maybe we have unrealistic expectations. Still, I find it hard to imagine committing myself to a church with so many flaws that these churches seem to have any more. What do we do?

Xenia P. - Ft. Collins, CO

Dear Xenia,

A church doesn't have to be perfect to advance the cause of Christ. It doesn't have to be perfect for God to use it. And you're right about having unrealistic expectations. Rick Warren, a pastor and famous Christian author, says that there are no perfect churches. Further he says that if you find a church that you think is perfect ... you definitely should not go there because you're not perfect and you'd contaminate it!

The thing is you'll never find a perfect church. So rather than looking for what's wrong with each church you check out, consider looking for what's right at that church. In what ways do you see God moving in that church? In what ways do you see evidence that the people in that church love the Lord above all else and love others (both inside and outside the church)?

If you're looking for another church, I'm not going to ask why. That's between you and God. But let's just suppose that you had God's permission or leading to leave the last church you were in. Then I would expect God to have another church in mind for you. So ask Him. "Lord, is this the church you have for me? Is this where you want me to to engage?" Then listen to His answer.