Characteristics and Attributes of a Good Church
What marks out a good Bible believing Church where God's word is taught and lived out? Where does your search begin, how do you measure a good Church? All good questions among many others you could come up with.
Let's begin our search for a church by seeking the Lord’s direction.
Look for a Christian fellowship that is committed to upholding the Bible as their authority, which is the very Word of God. A good Bible preaching church will teach throughout the Bible, teaching that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are three distinct beings, but are all one. Do they teach the whole counsel of God and not pick out certain parts and tossing other parts aside. Seek a fellowship that has sound doctrine, proclaims the Word, and sincerely lifts up the Lord Jesus Christ in worship and in all they do. Do they believe Jesus is the Son of God and is Christ fully God and fully man.
Is there a spirit of love and devotion to God and does this love reach out to others as well. Is the pastor devoted to godliness, prayer and the word. Is the pastor the only one who can do anything "spiritual" or is the Holy Spirit allowed to minister through others too? Is the gospel proclaimed regularly from the pulpit. Is the Church Christ centered and preaching the gospel of mercy and grace through faith alone for salvation. Is there any evidence that the congregation is bound by traditional or denominational thinking.
Find a church where there is a loving atmosphere and an attitude of loving and caring each other. Is there a natural and open fellowship with other Christians. The only church in which there is spiritaul growth is one where the people submit themselves to God and to each other. A church can be warm and friendly, but later find they are theologically off. With a drive toward tolerance among churches, many denominations have been watering down their beliefs in order to fit in with the world
Is there a coming along side of one who has fell into sin, is it done in love with the desire to help them to get back on track or is their a shunning aside of one who fell into sin. When necessary will there be steps taken as per Matthew 18:15-20.
Measure a Church not by comparing to other Churches but against the word of God. Find a fellowship that seeks to bring lives to Christ, both at home and abroad on the mission fields.
Spend some time at the Church in its services, Sunday School classes, read the doctrinal statement, talk with the pastor and ask lots of questions of the pastor and its congregation.
How is giving or tithing handled? Is there any pressure, and an indication from teaching that you can earn any favour with God or buy your way into Heaven. Is there an open record of how money is handled by the Church.
Does the Church teach those within the congregation to do the work of the ministry or do they rely on the leaders and pastor to do the work of the ministry.
If you find a church that is actively pursuing these things then you have probably found a healthy environment for your spiritual growth in Jesus Christ; you have found a good Gospel Preaching, Bible believing church.
