What to Consider When Choosing a Church

Determining whether a church is right for you and your family is such an important decision to make. Therefore, this article will support you along the way by outlining some important things to consider!

Some key aspects to consider when choosing a church include:

• Types of Worship
• Teaching and Practices
• Community and Fellowship
• Size and Structure
• Location and Accessibility
• Involvement Opportunities
• Financial Considerations

Understanding Your Beliefs and Values

The first thing to consider before choosing a church is your own beliefs and values. What do you think is most important when identifying the church you’d like to call home? For some, the community and fellowship of a church, including opportunities for outreach, along with the location are most important. Whilst, on the other hand, others are happy to travel that bit further if it means they’ll have access to richer and more theological-based teachings and practices.

Therefore, before continuing, I encourage you to choose the TOP 3 aspects that you and your family value most from the list above. In doing so, it will provide you with a lens in which you will look through when visiting different churches and help determine a checklist or rating scale for each (if that’s how you like to do it).

Some Denominational Differences between Churches to Consider Include:

1. Theology and Beliefs: Different Christian denominations interpret core doctrines, such as the nature of the Trinity, the authority of Scripture, and the role of sacraments (e.g., baptism and communion) in varying ways. For example, Catholics believe in the authority of the Pope and tradition, while many Protestant denominations emphasize sola scriptura (scripture alone) and reject papal authority.
2. Sacraments and Worship Practices: Practices like the celebration of the Eucharist (Holy Communion) and baptism differ significantly. Catholics, for example, believe in transubstantiation (that the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ), while many Protestant groups view communion as symbolic.
3. Church Governance: Denominations differ in their church leadership structures. Catholics have a hierarchical structure with the Pope at the top, while many Protestant denominations tend to have a more decentralised structure (e.g., congregational, presbyterian, or episcopal systems).
4. Salvation and Grace: Views on salvation vary. For example, Catholics emphasise faith, good works, and the sacraments as necessary for salvation, whilst many Protestant traditions, particularly those of the Reformation, emphasise salvation by grace through faith alone (sola fide).

Steps for Visiting and Evaluating Churches

There are so many aspects to consider when visiting a church for the first time. This can especially become overwhelming and even slightly frustrating when you’re visiting a hand-full of new churches several weeks in a row to help identify the right congregation for you and your family! Below are some questions you may like to consider asking based on which aspects you identified as most valuable earlier in this article:

About the Church’s Beliefs and Doctrine

• What are the core beliefs of the church?
• How would you describe your denomination or theological tradition (e.g., Protestant, Catholic, Baptist, non-denominational)?
• Do you have a statement of faith or doctrinal position? Can I see a copy?
• What is the church’s position on key theological issues like baptism, communion, salvation, and the Trinity?

About Worship and Services

• What can I expect during a typical service (e.g., style of worship, length of service, sermon format)?
• How do you integrate worship and teaching? Are there opportunities for congregational participation (e.g., singing, prayer, communion)?
• What is the role of music in your worship services? Is it contemporary, traditional, or a blend of both?
• Do you offer children’s church, and if so, how is it structured?
• Are there any midweek services or Bible studies?

About Community Life

• How does the church foster community? Are there small groups or fellowship gatherings?
• How do you support newcomers? Is there a newcomer’s class or orientation?
• Are there opportunities for people to serve or volunteer within the church or community?
• What are some of the church’s main outreach or mission initiatives?
• How do you connect people with others in the congregation who share similar interests or life stages?

About Leadership and Teaching

• Who leads the church? Is it pastor-led, elder-led, or governed in another way?
• What is the pastoral leadership like? How do you approach preaching and teaching?
• How do you ensure that teaching is Biblically grounded and accurate?
• Are there any ongoing leadership development or training programs for members?

About Membership and Involvement

• What does it mean to become a member of this church? Is there a membership class or process?
• What are the expectations for members in terms of attendance, giving, and serving?
• How do you involve the congregation in decision-making and leadership?
• Do you have a process for baptisms, weddings, and other ceremonies?

What to Look for When Choosing a Church

Worship Style:

Finding the worship style that resonates with you most involves reflecting on your preferences, spiritual needs, and how you connect with God during worship.

Traditional Worship Style

• Liturgical and Structured: Often follows a set pattern of hymns, prayers, creeds, and scripture readings, offering a sense of reverence and continuity with church history.
• Classical Music and Hymns: Typically features organs, choirs, and classical music, focusing on rich theological lyrics that have stood the test of time.

Contemporary Worship Style

• Modern and Casual: Emphasises a relaxed atmosphere with contemporary music, often led by a worship band with guitars, drums, and keyboards, catering to a younger or more informal audience.
• Engagement through Experience: Focuses on emotional connection and participation through spontaneous worship, visual elements (e.g., lighting, screens), and an emphasis on personal experience of God.

Blended Worship Style

• Integration of Both Elements: Combines traditional hymns and contemporary worship songs, balancing familiarity and innovation to reach a broad range of worshipers.
• Flexibility and Appeal: Aims to meet the spiritual needs of diverse congregational members by providing a variety of musical styles, fostering unity across generations and worship preferences.

Next Step: Consider the following two questions…

1. What moves you spiritually? Consider what kind of music and worship environments help you feel most connected to God. Do you feel more inspired by classic hymns or by modern songs with a band?

2. Do you prefer structure or freedom? Some people thrive in the rhythm and ritual of a traditional service, while others feel more connected in a spontaneous, expressive contemporary setting.

Considering community and fellowship:

Fellowship means spending time with other people in church to help and encourage each other. Community is when everyone works together to love and care for one another, just like a big family.

Churches often have many opportunities for fellowship, including:

• Group Activities: These include prayer meetings, youth group outings, community service projects, and family gatherings.
• Bible Study Groups: These are small gatherings where people come together to read, discuss, and learn from the Bible, growing in their understanding of God’s Word.
• Volunteering Opportunities: This varies from church to church, but may include serving at church on Sundays, helping people affected by natural disasters, spending time serving meals at homeless shelters or going onto the streets to chat to people about Jesus and Christianity.
• Social Events: This also varies greatly from church to church, although it may include Youth Camps, meals at other’s homes or going out and even going to the movies or for a picnic.

Assessing Teaching and Preaching:

When evaluating a church’s teaching and preaching style, consider several factors that contribute to its effectiveness.

Sermon structure is important; a well-organised sermon with a clear beginning, middle, and end helps listeners follow the message easily. Look for sermons that are Biblically grounded and offer both depth and clarity, without being overly complicated or too shallow.

Speaker engagement matters too—does the preacher communicate in a way that connects with the congregation? A good preacher should be passionate, relatable, and able to make complex topics understandable.

Pay attention to message relevance as well. The sermon should address real-life issues and provide practical applications for living out the faith, helping you connect scripture to daily life. A strong teaching style also invites reflection, encouraging you to think critically and grow spiritually. Ultimately, the message should inspire you, challenge you, and help you grow in your relationship with God.

Church Size and Structure:

Small Churches

Pros:

• Tight-knit community: In small churches, you often build close relationships with everyone, creating a strong sense of belonging and family.
• Personalised attention: Pastors and leaders are usually able to know you by name, offering more personal care and guidance.

Cons:

• Limited resources: Smaller churches may not have the financial or volunteer resources for large-scale programs or outreach.
• Less variety: Worship style, events, and ministry options may be more limited, with fewer programs for different age groups or interests.

Medium Churches

Pros:

• Balanced community: Medium churches offer a good balance between personal connection and larger community, where you can still get to know many people without feeling lost in the crowd.
• More programs: They often have a variety of ministries for different age groups and interests, from youth groups to adult Bible studies.

Cons:

• Less personal attention: While still smaller than large churches, you may not get as much one-on-one attention from leaders compared to a small church.
  Growing pains: Some medium-sized churches may struggle with balancing intimacy and growth, leading to challenges in maintaining personal connections as the congregation expands.

Large Churches

Pros:

• Many resources and programs: Large churches typically have extensive programs, including youth ministries, support groups, music ministries, and community outreach, providing opportunities for involvement at every level.
• Professional quality: With larger budgets, large churches often offer high-quality worship experiences, with professional music, technology, and facilities.

Cons:

• Feeling disconnected: It can be difficult to build personal relationships or get to know everyone in a large congregation, and you might feel like just another face in the crowd.
• Less personal care: With so many people, it may be harder for the pastor or leaders to provide individual attention, and you may need to actively seek out connections to stay engaged.

Each church size has its unique benefits and challenges, and what works best for you depends on your personal preferences, spiritual needs, and what kind of community you’re seeking.

Location and Accessibility:

When choosing a church, it’s important to think about how easy it is to get there. Distance matters because you want to find a church that’s close enough so you’re not driving too far. If the church is too far away, it might be hard to make it regularly.

Parking is another thing to consider. Is there enough space to park, or do you need to walk a long way?

Transportation is important if you don’t have a car. Does the church offer rides, or is it close to a bus stop?

Finally, think about the service times. Does the church have services that fit into your schedule? If it’s too early or late, it might be hard to attend. Picking a church that is easy to access makes it more likely you’ll enjoy going and be able to participate regularly!

Involvement Opportunities:

Getting involved in the church you call home as soon as possible is a great way to get to know people and contribute towards the growth and positive outcomes of the church! A pastor once told me that volunteering and serving in a church is like doing chores at home in your family network. Whilst you’re young (or new to the faith), it’s an opportunity for you to be invested in, although once you’re established, contributing is vital. Ways to get involved include:

Volunteer Program: If your church offers outreach opportunities, definitely get involved! This may include mentoring young students in schools, helping at homeless shelters or even serving on the kids or production team within your church.

Leadership Roles: Leadership roles allow you to further develop and enhance your knowledge and skills by supporting and encouraging others along the way. This includes running a connecting group, leading the kids’ program, or even the production team.

The truth is, the church is like a big family and volunteering within the church is like doing chores in your family home. It’s important that all members contribute in the way they can, no matter where they are!

Financial Considerations:

Traditionally, tithing is the practice of giving a portion of your income (usually 10%) to the church to support its ministries. Within this, churches should provide financial transparency, which ensures that the church is open and honest about how those funds are used.

Some common questions about financial considerations and expectations include how money is used, if one of the donations is the same as tithing and whether contributions aside from financial are sufficient. Every church has their own stance and understanding of this, although commonly, tithing is 10% of your pay on a regular basis as opposed to just here and there and happens alongside other contributions, such as volunteering your time.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Having read through this article, we trust you are now well-equipped to make an informed decision about which church suits you best! There’s never a one-size fits all, or the perfect church that ticks all the boxes, but we know there’s always one for you and your family/friends!

If you have any further questions or need support in getting connect, please feel free to reach out anytime, we’d love to hear from you!