How To Find a Good Church

Define what "good church" means. It’s common for people to find a 'good church' that feels just like "home" ... Question is, “What was your home life like?” If it was filled with abuse – are you finding a church that is abusive like home? (abuse comes in many forms) Or if your home life was compassionate, supportive and educational – perhaps you truly have found your “home” church”.

All churches are made up of human beings – although obvious, it’s often not recognized, so unreal expectations arise along with the disappointments that those unreal expectations foster.

What if you were a woman who loves being a mother and relished the moment she gave birth to her babies. So much so, that any discussion about pregnancy and birthing babies has your full attention. You would do best in a church were there was an appreciation of midwifery, mothers and babies, for instance.

One of my dearest friends gave me the most wonderful gift by encouraging me to find a mid-wife when I was pregnant with my second son. The result was a beautiful, peaceful birth for both the baby and myself - and later our daughter was born at home in a loving, peaceful atmosphere with her family.

My friend's passion for pregnancy, birth, babies and mothers resulted in her receiving her own training in certified midwifery (after serving as a doula* for years). She enjoyed being a part of almost every birth that occurred in our local church - and now delivers babies herself in her community – and overseas.

Her special joy is going on mission trips to help poverty stricken areas with a healthier approach to delivering babies and helping to ensure that more survive their arrival on this earth - and that the mothers are educated on how to nurture them and keep them healthy.

Jean's website is: http://heritagehomebirth.com (*by the way, if you don't know, a Doula is a woman who assists women during labor and after childbirth.)

So . . . the best church for you will be one that is already involved in the areas that you are passionate about. They will support you and encourage you in your passion (and the Call of God on your life). They will not try to turn you another direction or talk you into doing something else.

For instance, if a person is passionate about feeding the poor - a church that does NOT have a ministry for homeless or feeding the poor would not be a 'good church' for them.

Just as a person who was interested in drama, would not find that the church that is focused on feeding the poor is a good church for them. They would do much better in a church that had a focus on drama, the theater and arts, just as the person who had a passion for feeding the poor would do best

Define your future goals, the passion of your heart and what gives you life and energy in your service to the Lord - then find a church that will support that in your life.

Recognize that again, all churches are comprised of human beings - who are all imperfect and must access God's grace and mercy to be tolerable . . . just as you do.

The building of our character, our ability to forgive and our unconditional love and mercy is challenged and created in our fellowship with one another. When we are intentional in our goals, and realistic about our own failures and faults, then we have learned to forgive ourselves and to celebrate ourselves and who God created us to be. Because of this, we can be generous with one another in the same manner. It is this fluid life of unconditional love and grace, mercy and patience and the sharing of like passions that makes a 'good church'.

Practically speaking, local directories, web sites, word of mouth and newspaper articles will reveal where these actual churches are in your area. Visit a few, observe the culture and the expressions on the faces of congregational members. Are they doing "duty" or are they really excited about where they worship and are actively involved in pursuing their dreams which in turn impact their communities for good?

Visiting a few churches, observing the culture and atmosphere, asking questions about their beliefs and mission statement will help you to choose.

When its all said and done - and you stand before the Lord on that last day, you will be judged by what you were CALLED to do (that which you are passionate about and that thrills your heart) ... not what you DID.

Inevitably, someone will say, “I’ve checked all the churches in my area and there is no such thing as a perfect church.” My answer to them is, “YOU are the ‘good church’ – speak to the pastor, share your heart, and if he is receptive to your ideas and supportive of your dream – then bloom where you are planted.

If you find a good church and would like to share it with us so that others can visit, please send me an email through Sarah's Tent. ( http://sarahstent.com ) I'll be happy to add it to our directory of churches.