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<blockquote data-quote="Athanasius" data-source="post: 1306236" data-attributes="member: 16809"><p>If you are interested in protestantism/evangelicalism, there are many decent articles on what to look for. <a href="https://www.gty.org/library/Questions/QA121/What-should-I-look-for-when-choosing-a-new-church-home" target="_blank">Example 1</a>. <a href="https://answersingenesis.org/christianity/church/how-to-find-good-church/" target="_blank">Example 2</a>.</p><p></p><p>Avoid all mainline denoms like the UCC, American Baptists (ABC), ELCA, PCUSA, UMC, CRC, etc. There are still occasional ones where the pastor is a believer, particularly in the UMC, but the denoms themselves are fatally compromised and you may find a visiting pastor or presiding bishop or presbyter is more interested in globohomo than the cross of Christ. </p><p></p><p>There aren't a lot of evangelical churches like this, but avoid any Willow-Creek style church where there are women in pastoral, associate pastor, elder, or deacon roles. That's a sure sign of a compromised view of Biblical authority and they'll be flying the rainbow flag out there as well within a generation.</p><p></p><p>Be also discerning about megachurches. As noted before, these are places where people can go to hide. There are very good larger churches but you to be in a church where an elder knows you and can help shepherd your soul along with the pastor. Verify the purpose of church. If it is to worship God and in return He ministers to us, that's good. If it's to draw in as many seekers as possible, that is not good. If the focus is on loud contemporary music and performance up front, if there's a "hip" feel to it all, etc., that's bad. (Personally I despise contemporary worship, but there is a difference between ones where they are leading the congregation simply and the smoke, lights, and emotions extravaganzas).</p><p></p><p>Ask them for a few examples of when they exercised church discipline and why. You want to be in one that faithfully exercises it. You could also ask a few misleading questions where you are trying to see what spine and adherence to truth they have. "I have a xxxxxx who is gay, and it seems unfair that he shouldn't be able to be a member here." "It seems unfair that women can't be pastors in this enlightened age." Don't be afraid to "interview" them. </p><p></p><p>When you are at church, do fellow attendees give evidence of faith? Do they talk about their faith? Do they read the Bible? Do they read books about the faith? Do they evidence love and mercy and an attitude of forgiveness for others? You can tell the difference between nominal and real believers.</p><p></p><p>I prefer a church that has a historic creed of significance (Westminster Confession, Belgic Confession, 1689 London Confession, Book of Concord, etc). rather than a one-page "What we believe" on the web site. My single favorite short summary of the faith is the Westminster Shorter Confession. James White's "Forgotten Trinity" is a great book on Trinitarianism. Protestant churches should all accept the Nicene Creed and other results from the first four ecumenical councils. Avoid non-Trinitarian churches like the United Pentecostal church and anything attached to the word-faith movement (e.g. Osteen).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Athanasius, post: 1306236, member: 16809"] If you are interested in protestantism/evangelicalism, there are many decent articles on what to look for. [url=https://www.gty.org/library/Questions/QA121/What-should-I-look-for-when-choosing-a-new-church-home]Example 1[/url]. [url=https://answersingenesis.org/christianity/church/how-to-find-good-church/]Example 2[/url]. Avoid all mainline denoms like the UCC, American Baptists (ABC), ELCA, PCUSA, UMC, CRC, etc. There are still occasional ones where the pastor is a believer, particularly in the UMC, but the denoms themselves are fatally compromised and you may find a visiting pastor or presiding bishop or presbyter is more interested in globohomo than the cross of Christ. There aren't a lot of evangelical churches like this, but avoid any Willow-Creek style church where there are women in pastoral, associate pastor, elder, or deacon roles. That's a sure sign of a compromised view of Biblical authority and they'll be flying the rainbow flag out there as well within a generation. Be also discerning about megachurches. As noted before, these are places where people can go to hide. There are very good larger churches but you to be in a church where an elder knows you and can help shepherd your soul along with the pastor. Verify the purpose of church. If it is to worship God and in return He ministers to us, that's good. If it's to draw in as many seekers as possible, that is not good. If the focus is on loud contemporary music and performance up front, if there's a "hip" feel to it all, etc., that's bad. (Personally I despise contemporary worship, but there is a difference between ones where they are leading the congregation simply and the smoke, lights, and emotions extravaganzas). Ask them for a few examples of when they exercised church discipline and why. You want to be in one that faithfully exercises it. You could also ask a few misleading questions where you are trying to see what spine and adherence to truth they have. "I have a xxxxxx who is gay, and it seems unfair that he shouldn't be able to be a member here." "It seems unfair that women can't be pastors in this enlightened age." Don't be afraid to "interview" them. When you are at church, do fellow attendees give evidence of faith? Do they talk about their faith? Do they read the Bible? Do they read books about the faith? Do they evidence love and mercy and an attitude of forgiveness for others? You can tell the difference between nominal and real believers. I prefer a church that has a historic creed of significance (Westminster Confession, Belgic Confession, 1689 London Confession, Book of Concord, etc). rather than a one-page "What we believe" on the web site. My single favorite short summary of the faith is the Westminster Shorter Confession. James White's "Forgotten Trinity" is a great book on Trinitarianism. Protestant churches should all accept the Nicene Creed and other results from the first four ecumenical councils. Avoid non-Trinitarian churches like the United Pentecostal church and anything attached to the word-faith movement (e.g. Osteen). [/QUOTE]
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