In my lifetime, I have moved more than 1000 miles seven times, and numerous more times locally. There are many benefits as well as detractions to such a nomadic existence. When we moved prior to my sophomore year in High School, I became aware of a new difficulty — how do you choose a new church? Never before had I considered that aspect of moving, but as I began the process of making my parent’s faith my own, I realized that soon I would be on my own and I too would have to make that decision. What would be the criteria? What were the important things to consider in making the decision, and what things could be tolerated and overlooked as “insignificant?”
What my questions were really addressing was not only the question of “How Do I Choose a Church?” but “What is the Mark of an Effective Church?”
It is a question that our grandparents and great-grandparents probably never asked — because they stayed in the same one or two churches their entire lives. But the mobility of the succeeding generations, along with a “fast-food” mind-set of life (“I want it my way and I want it now”) has changed that. Now the average person probably changes churches every two to four years. And that means that two or three times each decade that person has to make another choice — “with which church will I fellowship?”
What factors should play into that decision? The possibilities are endless, but those that are on our typical list (Location? Programs? Sermon style and length? Are there children my children’s ages?) may not be in Scripture. What follows does not exhaust the New Testament criteria of an effective church, but it is a good start. [Mark Dever has written several books and/or articles on this very topic and is well-worth reading.]
- Sound Doctrine (1 Tim. 4:6). In the first direct reference to the church in the New Testament, Jesus points to its foundation being a clear articulation of His person and His work (Mt. 16:13ff). Sound and orthodox theology is the basis for spiritual nourishment and changed hearts (1 Tim. 1:5). And when doctrine and Biblical truth is ignored, infantile believers result (Heb. 4:11-12).
- Godly Leadership (1 Tim. 3:1-15). Christ is the Head and Shepherd of the church, but He also has established those who serve as under-shepherds to lead the flock of god in His absence. In a healthy church, these men have moral integrity and Biblical discernment (vv. 2-3, 6-7), are capable family managers (vv. 4-5), and are willing servant leaders (1 Pt. 5:2-3).
- Corporate Unity (Rom. 12:5). Spiritual unity in the body means that we not only are tolerant of one another, but that we love one another and give equal care for one another (1 Cor. 12:24-26). And if we love one another, we will be involved with one another in long-term, nurturing relationships.
- Fundamental Purpose (Acts 2:42-47). An effective church is active in and balances the four primary aspects of its purpose: worship, instruction, fellowship (edification, or building up one another), and evangelism.
- Steadfast Faithfulness (1 Cor. 15:58). The effective church is a group of people who are committed to doing and being what God has called them to be, regardless of other influences. The implication of this is that while we may not yet be what we desire to be, but we know what we are called to do, and will not stop striving to please God.
An effective church does not lead God to man, “bending” His will to meet our desires, but leads man to God, training our hearts to follow His will.
Words of Grace 