How to Select a Church.

For those new to Christianity, selecting the right church to attend can be confusing at best. And selecting the wrong church can be a disaster! There are no perfect churches. However, the church you select should make a good-faith effort to obey everything in the Bible.

Here are some simple guidelines in selecting a church.

Bible: The church must use an accurate version of the Bible. The bibles I recommend are the most commonly used by legitimate churches. Some legitimate churches do use the New Living Translation Bible (NLT). If yours does, I recommend that you not use an NLT Bible as your primary study bible. Some large churches that use illegitimate bibles include the Catholic Church, Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (i.e. Mormons).

Source of Truth: The church should recognize the Bible as the only objective source of truth. Not church traditions or the pronouncements of some church leader or group of elders.

Legitimate churches can and do have differing viewpoints on non-central issues (Speaking in tongues, consumption of alcohol etc.). This is to be expected.

Cults: The church should not teach that it is the only "true" or legitimate church. The church should not discourage you from associating with family or friends. Nor should the church encourage you to turn all your worldly wealth over to the church. If any of these occur, leave the church immediately and never return.

Pastor: The pastor(s) should be a good example: “Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer (pastor), he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap (1 Timothy 3:1-7 NIV).”

Pastors can only be men (1 Timothy 2:12). Women may be leaders in government (Judges 4), the military, business etc. However, pastors must be men. Some churches have husband/wife teams where both are designated as "pastors." This is, of course, a violation of scripture.

Fellowship: Active homosexuals and heterosexuals having sex outside of marriage must be excluded from fellowship (1 Corinthians 5:9-13, Romans 1:24-32). These individuals, if they are unsaved, may be invited to church to hear the gospel—and should be. However, once they become saved, they must abstain from sexual immorality in order to become church members. Others with prohibited lifestyles (Examples: extortioners, revilers) should also be excluded (1 Corinthians 5:11).

Teaching: The sermons should be helpful to you personally. If you’re not learning anything useful, you probably should look for another church.

Church Size: If you're having major problems with anxiety and/or depression, you should probably choose a larger church. This way, you can go to church without socializing more than you want to. Most Christians have not experienced these problems and some will view your behavior negatively if they don't know what is going on. If you do go to a smaller church, talk to the pastor or someone else you trust for help in dealing with this issue. Whereever you go to church, do not avoid anyone no matter how nervous/depressed you are. Otherwise, you will develop big problems very quickly!

Note: Belonging to a church that defies biblical standards is a sin. So is contributing money to such a church. Any willful sin will impede the willingness of God to answer your prayers. And you may not be successful in overcoming your mental health problems.

Here's some resources for selecting a probably good church in your area.

Calvary Chapel.

Southern Baptist Convention.

Conservative Baptist Association of America.

Return to top of page.

Return to Home Page.