How do I find a "Good Church"?

One of the questions we get a lot as traveling preachers is how do we define a “Good Church” (or how do I find a “Good Church”)? We use four main criteria in our ministry:

1) A Commitment to community worship- This includes an emphasis on:

• Prayer both personal and communal (Matt. 6:9-13),

• Personal and communal praise, including psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph. 5:19)

• Proclamation -- preaching, teaching, and living out the Word of God (2 Tim. 4:2-3)

2) Oneness in the church- To us this means no barriers to full participation based on gender, ethnicity, background, or age.

Please note:

• By gender we mean there are only two genders and both are fully acceptable to God as His children and as ministers to those around them.

• By ethnicity we mean where you and your family come from, and any of the myriad of skin tones that God created. There is only one race- the Human race and all are loved and made by God and precious in His sight.

• By background we mean what your life experience has been. No person has ever been beyond the grace of God, and God can use all that He calls to Him.

This is evidenced by a community that regularly celebrates Baptism of new believers and shares in Communion on a regular basis. It is evidenced by a communal habit of confessing of faith in public by new believers and visitors, and a willingness to confess our sins to our brothers and sisters and the asking for forgiveness and help turning away from that sin. It is also evidenced by the contribution of the members of their time, talent and treasure for the benefit of the community and the Kingdom of God. (Romans 12:13)

3) Active equipping for witness- To us this means what the church believes, why they believe it, and who they believe in.

• What you believe- for us this is the Gospel Message of hope for all. This should be something that most members can explain without having to study about or think to hard.

• Why- What is the reason for your hope, or as some say what has God done in your life. (1 Peter 3:15)

• Who do you believe in- this is really how do you see God. For us this includes the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as co-equal parts of one); we see Jesus as God, and Savior, and we believe that all Christians are called to be priests/ministers to the world. (Ephesians. 4:12-13)

4 Active Christianity- Are the members living out their faith?

By this we mean:

• Are there active small groups for all members?

• Are there on going ministries outside the building that members are participating in?

• Are there regular missions going out from the congregation? (Think the Great Commission in Matthew 28.)

• Are there missionaries that are equipped and supported by the congregation?

Note: these are different levels of involvement and activities. Missions are groups of congregants directly making a difference in their community or region. Missionaries are people who the congregation call and send to spread God’s hope to others!