There Is No Such Model As The Perfect Church

OK, so you’ve been let down far too many times before but this weekend, you’re FINALLY going to meet “the one.” You might deliberate through a half-dozen of possible outfits to dazzle or impress…you’ll prepare and hope for the best then head on out the door to one of the trendiest “new spots” in town. It’s not a first date…you’re going to church!!!

Sometimes finding a church can feel like dating, especially when you’ve been out of the scene for a while. Maybe you grew up in the church and life got busy so -- you kind of quit going. Church has now become optional instead of priority. Maybe church has never been your thing or you’ve experienced church-hurt and just lost interest.  Whatever your reasons, you still don’t have a church home.  

Now that you’re ready to try again, will you create a church wish-list?  Will your church wish-list read like a food order: ‘I’d like a preached word but hold the truth – just tickle my itching ears???  Uhm…give me a microwave prayer but super-size my blessings please...and hurry up because brunch is in 15 minutes…and mimosas go fast!
 

It’s easy to romanticize the perfect church but when you visit a church, a wish list should not overshadow the real essentials [you need to consider] when searching for a church home. Look at the mission/vision/purpose statements. Does the church fit God’s standards?  Is the Message true? Are the people welcoming and friendly?  Do they show love or give you the cold shoulder? Can you commit to “this” church?  Do you connect to their style of worship?  Think the preacher will notice a new face in the congregation? Can you be YOU and still hold a visible position in that church?  

The problem with trying to find the “perfect” church is…people tend to focus on quantity instead of quality.  Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with a personal preference but one should not approach any church with unrealistic expectations because that can set a person up for disappointment -- perhaps even contribute to them becoming a church dropout. Expectations are good but church shouldn’t just fit your standards but meet your spiritual needs.

Most of the time, the church really isn’t the problem. Truth be told, the many churches you’ve “dated” in the past were just fine. Ever think that the problem is not with the church…???

Any time you continue the fast-track of church dating, it may be time to step back and examine your motives.  When you envision your dream church around your check list, you’re bound to miss the living, breathing, and active Gospel at work within the walls of the church.  In fact, when you get stuck on your church wish-list, you often lose sight of the purpose for the church. Let’s be honest: Are you going to church to glorify God or be glorified?  Do you go to church because you’re bored and there’s nothing else to do? Do you go to church to hear the latest gossip or check out the hot babes and fine brothers?  Do you go to church in search for a significant other or spouse or to add more people to your social network??? 

The Church is about winning souls for Christ; about the fellowship and gathering of believers.  The Church is not to entertain you but to enlighten you with the Word of God and worship Him, while focused on Jesus and love for your neighbor.  The Church was designed to glorify God and bring you into a closer relationship with Him and His people.

Committing to a local congregation is about serving the Church body as a whole and glorifying God together. When you commit to a church, you willingly put yourself under its leadership. Your actions become accountable to the members as you begin to grow through the challenges and sanctification that happens in close community.  

I’ve never known a family that wasn’t a little dysfunctional so why should your church family be any different; after all, there are imperfect people in the church so expecting a perfect church with imperfect people is UNrealistic.  Yes God’s church should operate in an orderly manner but the church will never be perfect until Jesus comes…

Your decision on a church home means you’re ready to take on a covenant commitment with that church and be held accountable to God and others.  You are making a lifestyle shift; a change for a better life.

Do you want a church that promotes individuals or God, Jesus and love?  Will the church look like something you’ve created in your own image instead of God’s image?  Do you want Jesus to be your Lord or do you prefer to call on some “other” name???

It’s OK to check out a few churches but church hopping is not cool.  You can’t commit to multiple churches just like you can’t commit to multiple intimate relationships; so plant your feet where there is genuine worship, true acceptance and real spiritual growth.  Plant your feet and grow into your full Christian potential. Church shopping is a necessary part of the process in looking for a church home but settle in a place where God has called you to; and when you have found “the one”, don’t question if you’re in the right place...take some time to seek the Lord before you commit to the “marriage”…

If you are looking for a church home, perhaps Church of the Solid Rock is the church for you!!We may actually be the church that really exists for you...and not just in your head.  

If church is going to be different for you this time, then YOU have to be willing to change your mind set. Will you give church another chance or are you not that serious about God?  As you search for a church home, be sure that your list includes God-matters and not celebrity status or worldly expectations. 

Now that you know that the perfect church does not exist, you can narrow down your list to what you need from God and not what you think you want from others.  Don’t refuse to engage in a true relationship with genuine people because you’re holding out for the “model” mannequins.  Plastic will break…don’t fake it ‘til you make it…be real with God and yourself and He’ll be your EVERYTHING perfect…

So, C’mon, ROCK with us…See you Sunday!

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)