Finding the Right Church
Full disclosure: I am a staff pastor at a local church. I would love to for you to come to our church! But at Landing Place Church we are all about helping people find the church that is right for them.
Second full disclosure: I was not always a church attender. In fact, in my teens and early twenties I ran as far away from Jesus and the church as I could. And my journey back just might help you find the right church for you.
What To Look For In a Church
Find an invitational church
I was invited to a church in South Lake Tahoe by a server in a café. My server, Ruth, was a former prostitute and her now husband was her pimp. True story! And they were my pathway back to church. Look for a church that invites people to join them. “So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.” Luke 14:23 (NLT)
Find a church with music you enjoy
As a follower of the Grateful Dead (think, Dead and Company with John Mayer) I wanted a church that rocked. And this church rocked! Find a church with the music you like. “Singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.” Ephesians 5:19
Find a church that accepts you like you are but will help you grow
When I walked in with a Grateful Dead shirt and dirty white overalls on, they loved me right where I was. I knew little about being a follower of Jesus. This church helped me grow in my relationship with Jesus and clean up my very messed up life. Find a church that will accept you just as you are but will help you grow. “Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18
Find a church that makes Jesus the center
Jesus is more than just a good teacher, Jesus is the center of the Christian faith. The earliest followers of Jesus declared that Jesus was co-equal with God and has always existed. Jesus is the unique Son of God who is recorded as saying, “if you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” Placing Jesus at the center of my life changed everything. Find a church that puts Jesus at the center. “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” John 14:6
Find a church that believes that the Bible is the Word of God
Christians accept God’s Word as our manual for living and final authority. We ask, “What does the Bible say?” The Bible is the foundation for all we believe. Ever since entering that church when I was so far from God, I have been growing in my relationship with Jesus and others through the Bible. Find a church that believes that the Bible is the Word of God. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
So put on your favorite t-shirt or your fancy Sunday Best, and go check out some churches. And you will find the right church for you!