Oh Church, Where Art Thou?

Another Sunday spent visiting a church and we both agreed that we don't really think it's the one.  (I've certainly prayed that God will give us both peace when we find the church home He wants us to be a part of)  We enjoyed the music and the people, but the preaching was . . . well, so-so.   Honestly, it was shallow. The pastor read about three verses total, not passages, verses.  It was very topical and very standard for the type of church we visited, but one can hope there might be a pastor who doesn't follow the status quo.  So are we just being too picky? 


I recently discovered an article written by a Steven Lawson entitled the "The God-Driven Church."   I don't know anything about Steven, but I thoroughly enjoyed his article.  When reading it, I was mentally "Amening" several of the point he made.  He divides modern day churches into several categories:  consumer driven, culture driven, needs driven, purpose driven, and of course, God driven.   His list of marks found in the model church include: 

• Converted hearts
• Changed Lives
• Clear Convictions
• Convicting Preaching
• Christlike Walk
• Courageous Commitment
• Contagious Faith
• Complete Repentance
• Confident Hope

He ends by stating that "man can build a booming church, but only God can build a biblical church."   I encourage you to visit the link and read the article for yourself.

There is such a dearth of biblical churches.  And sadly, so few "Christians" who even care.  They show up on Sunday morning and perhaps also on Sunday evening, and then live the remainder of their week without any regard for their Father's will. Could it be many have never truly been converted?  Have the goats infiltrated the flocks of sheep?

A few years ago I stumbled across a man of God by the name of Paul Washer.  Here is a video clip of him discussing "Churches Using Carnal Means."  In it he states:  "If you use carnal means to attract men you’re going to attract carnal men and you’re going to have to keep using greater carnal means to keep them in the church. So, what has happened is this; we have these large churches filled with many unconverted carnal people, but in those churches we also have this small group of people that honestly want Christ and they honestly want his word and they honestly want to be transformed. They don’t need anything else all they need is true worship of the true God and scripture being preached to them and lived out before them. That’s what they want." Hear hear!

While we're not searching for the perfect church, we're not interested in a spectacular praise and worship teams, a lavish drama department, and lots of creative programs for the kids;  we just want to be fed. 

Later this evening I scoured the web again and found another promising church to visit.  Perhaps it will be the one for us.  I don't want a church merely for our own spiritual benefit.  I want one that God can use to stretch us and develop our spiritual gifts so that others might be blessed. 

I praise God for the freedom we have to attend church in this country!  At least we have the option of trying many churches before choosing one to become a part of.