How To Find A New Church
It's hard to find a new church! It can be easy to grow so comfortable and familiar with your current church environment that it's hard to find a new community when life pulls you in a new direction. So, where do you begin? Where do you look? How do you look? And how will you know when you have found the next right church to invest your time and resources in Jesus' name?
When making big decisions in life, it's essential to look into what God has said and discover what He has in mind. Scripture has a lot to say about what healthy churches should look like! In fact, one of the best places to look for a model of a thriving church is in the Book of Acts. This book is full of stories of early followers of Jesus finding their way in His direction together.
In Acts 2, Peter (a close friend and follower of Jesus) is preaching a message to a few thousand people. Jesus has already died on the cross, risen again, and ascended into heaven, and the Holy Spirit has come upon the believers. Now, these followers of Jesus are left asking, "What do healthy groups of people following Jesus together look like?" Another way to ask the question could be, "What does a healthy church look like?" What Peter says next is a clear answer to that question:
"So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!" Peter's words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Peter replied, "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God." Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation!" Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. - Acts 2:36-47
So many helpful things in this passage begin to help think about what to look for in any church that you may consider attending! Another way to think about this passage of Scripture is through a simple picture:
Everything Peter says in this passage can be represented on this simple tool called the Healthy Church Circle. Three lines to this tool can be represented like this:
Belief - This is marked by believing that Jesus is Lord and Christ, repenting (changing direction toward Jesus), being baptized and baptizing others, and receiving the Holy Spirit who lives in every believer!
Practice- This is marked by reading and obeying the Bible, gathering in fellowship, breaking bread (sometimes called communion), and praying.
Experience - This is marked by God doing miraculous things (signs and wonders), sacrificing money and time for the good of one another, worshiping together, and new believers multiplying (disciples who make disciples who make disciples).
All of these things are key components to healthy groups of people following Jesus together or to healthy churches. So, as you look for a new church to call home, it's important to reflect on this passage from Acts 2 and ask a few helpful reflection questions. Grab a friend or family member and talk through these questions as you discern your next steps toward a church community:
How does this church community communicate its basic beliefs? In what ways are these beliefs in line with the top line of the healthy church circle?
What sorts of practices does this church community do together? How do they allow God to form them individually and together? In what ways do those habits reflect the behaviors listed in the second line of the healthy church circle?
What is your experience of this church and how they behave together? How are believers enjoying God together and living generously? What is the emphasis given on multiplying good to those far from God?
No church community is perfect - all believers are a work in progress, pursuing what it means to follow and become more like Jesus together!
Looking for a church?
God is up to something new in Las Vegas, and He wants you to be a part of it! Whatever stage of life you're in, Canyon Ridge Christian Church is a place to find a community that will help you discover your next step into what God is up to and join Him in bringing life in everything you do.