What Are You Looking For In A Church?
August 1st, 2007 | by Scott |Update: I have fleshed out this post with more of my thoughts. I did not want to convey that I am 100% on board with this. However, I don’t want to throw the baby out with the bath water. The attractional/missional approach does not need to be an either/or in my opinion. Elements of intentionality in corporate assemblies can be a good thing (although I feel they are likely to be better pulled off in smaller group settings).
About a week and a half ago I stumbled across this blog post by David Foster.
In the post he recounts the 16 things he would look for if he were seeking a church to attend. It’s gotten a lot of feedback, both positive and negative. The negative feedback was primarily that it seemed to be more superficial and less doctrinal and substantive. Unfortunately, I think these are the things people too often look at first. I don’t agree with everything, but it’s worth looking at. And maybe slicing it up a bit.
Here are his thoughts (my comments in bold):
If I were looking for a church to attend in the morning, here is what I’d look for:
1. When I enter do I hear laughter? There is a danger always of a laughter that excludes, as if what we do is exclusivistic. But then again, laughter is a good thing. But the first sign of what to look for seems somewhat out of place.
2. Are people greeting me as a job or a joy? If they are standing outside in the pouring rain directing you to visitor parking then my guess would be a combination of both.
3. Does the place look like they were expecting me? I get this. We should operate in expectation of new faces.
4. Are people buzzing as they greet each other? What does this mean? Does it mean like liquored up? I’m afraid this falls under undefinable.
5. Is there spirited music playing as people gather? Again, I’m not sure that a prelude is necessary to profound and meaningful worship. It doesn’t hurt, but not a prerequisite for my edification.
6. Does the music move me? I have to admit that, personally, this would be high on my list. I want a place with lively tunes.
7. Do the people on stage look real and engaged? No Madame Tussaud’s figures on the stage.
8. Are the announcements short, strategic, and to the point? I get this as well because I personally hate prolonged announcement times. But, conversely, does long announcements indicate a connect body of believers?
9. Is there a printed outline with Scripture already printed on it? Is this necessary?
10. Does the pastor smile? Come on, that’s just nit-picking.
11. Does the message title promise a relevant topic I am interested in? I’m less interested in whether or not it applies specifically to me than whether or not it is well reasoned, articulate and true.
12. Does the pastor speak with humility and authority? Hard to gauge, but important I would gather. We can all fake humility.
13. Do I feel the presence of God? This comes across to me based upon the previous points to be “do I like it, because if I do God must be here.”
14. Are people listening and engaged? Ain’t no church in existence where all the people are listening and engaged.
15. Is the service no more than 71 minutes? Do I hear 68 minutes?
16. Does it pass by fast? Maybe if we could get it down to 63 minutes it would go faster
What do you think of these? I’m busted on #10 if he’s talking about before services start.
Honestly, I think we can come up with better things than this.
14 Responses to “What Are You Looking For In A Church?”
By joe on Aug 1, 2007 | Reply
Me, me, me. I, I, I.
By joe on Aug 1, 2007 | Reply
[sigh]
By Scott on Aug 1, 2007 | Reply
Isn’t that why most people are looking for a church?
By Scott on Aug 1, 2007 | Reply
I guess my questions about it were why these things bubble up to the top? God makes an appearance at #13.
Why 71 minutes? What value is there to that arbitrary number?
Is there that much importance to a printed outline?
So much of it depends, as Joe states, on my personal preferences. But the reality is that what most “church-hoppers” are looking for.
Does it really say anything about being missional?
By Matt on Aug 1, 2007 | Reply
Maybe I’m a heretic, but can somebody explain #13 to me? What is the difference between “feeling the presence of God” and a psychological feeling of euphoria you get when you are witness to something really cool?
By Scott on Aug 1, 2007 | Reply
Matt, you are a heretic, but it does seem somewhat nebulous.
By Jason Bybee on Aug 1, 2007 | Reply
My thoughts:
#3 - I’d be less interesting in whether or not a place “looks” like they were expecting me. Instead, I’d be listening for clues that a church is vistor-expectant. Do they use a lot of insider language and “churchy” jargon?
#5 - Who cares?
#6 - What if the music doesn’t move you? Is that the church’s fault? What moves you is probably boring/trite/superficial to others.
#8 - I used to hate announcements. But it’s body life stuff, man. No way around it.
#9 - Who cares?
#15 - Ridiculous. Who cares?
By Scott on Aug 1, 2007 | Reply
Great thoughts. The more I think about it and the less I like it the more I wonder if there are any churches that would ace this litmus test.
By That Girl on Aug 1, 2007 | Reply
Our current minister comes across as very arrogant to me. I pretty much shut down when I get that message from him.
By Belinda on Aug 1, 2007 | Reply
I’m afraid we focus too much on how church makes “me” feel . . . sure, we’re there to “edity” one another (whatever that truly means), but we’re there to glorify God! I think we’ve changed our worship services because it sounds good to us - it may not be what God wants (or has commanded), but by golly, it makes me feel good. BAD DECISION
By JTB on Aug 2, 2007 | Reply
#17: Is there a scripted role I can easily identify and play without effort for the 71 minutes I’m there, and can I count on everyone else not to deviate from their lines?
By Scott on Aug 2, 2007 | Reply
Now we are talking. Don’t miss your cues and follow the stinking script.
By Grant F. on Aug 30, 2007 | Reply
Wow, it is amazing to see how Christians have so many different preferences in Church.
Scott, I disagree with your response to #14, and I pray that all Christians could identify with what I am about to say. I guarantee you that 99% of the congregation at my Church in Oklahoma City (one of many campuses nation wide) are listening and are engaged with all their hearts every service. I see it every week. I go to a special Church with this mission: “To lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ.” This may sound cliche, but it is not if you knew my Pastor and his teachings, and the way he admits, on stage, that he is a sinner and prays to God every time he preaches. This is true preaching.
So many Churches today lack something that is so important, and that is “follow through.” I believe all Churches need “Life Groups.” To some this would just be a Bible Study Group outside of Church. But what I am talking about is being part of a group with similar demands in life and who are in the same stage in life. It is important to be part of a group that practices God’s word together, outside of Church. Frankly, Church for me is just gravy. It is the life one leads that is important, and Church just guides you. I found Jesus on my own, through careful studies and prayer.
I am fortunate to be a member of a wonderful Church with an honest pastor who speaks from the heart. He exhibits humility every week. I have learned more from him in 1 year than I have ever learned in 33 years on earth. What I have learned is to understand God’s word, and that is the goal of all Christians.
By Scott on Aug 30, 2007 | Reply
Grant, thanks for the comment and I largely agree with you. I think some sort of small group program is essential.