How Do I Know Which Church God Wants Me To Go To?
Finding the right church home can be a daunting task when there are so many options to choose from. If you feel overwhelmed with indecision, don’t worry – this comprehensive guide will walk you through the biblical process of discerning God’s will for the faith community He desires you to join.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Pray and ask God to guide you, examine biblical truths taught, observe genuine love among members, look for evidence of spiritual gifts, and listen for the Holy Spirit’s conviction in your heart about a faith community.
Pray for Discernment and Guidance
Ask God to Reveal His Will
When trying to discern God’s will regarding which church to attend, the first and most important step is to pray. Ask God to clearly reveal His plan for you and to guide you to the church community He desires you to be part of.
As you pray, humbly submit your own desires to Him and trust that He knows what is best for you. Ask Him to give you wisdom, discernment, and an open heart to hear His voice and follow His leading. Remember that “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7), so seek God’s supernatural guidance through prayer as you navigate this decision.
Some specific things you can pray for include:
- Wisdom to understand God’s will for your life
- Discernment between your own thoughts/feelings vs. God’s voice
- Eyes to see the church as God sees it
- An open and obedient heart to follow God’s leading
- Confirmation and peace once you have clarity about His will
As you pray, listen for how the Holy Spirit may speak to you through Scripture, wise counsel from mature believers, convictions in your heart, open and closed doors of opportunity, and a spirit of peace once you discern His direction.
Allow God to shape your desires so they align with His perfect plan.
Trust in Divine Providence
In addition to praying for guidance, it’s important to trust that God is sovereign over the circumstances that will lead you to the church community He has prepared for you. Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
God promises to order the events of our lives according to His purposes if we acknowledge Him and commit our way to Him (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Therefore, don’t worry about making the “perfect” choice or trying to control every detail. Release control to God, keep your heart open and flexible, and trust that He will orchestrate situations to guide your steps one at a time.
He knows the beginning from the end and sees the full picture when we only see a small part of it. Trust that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6) as you depend on Him.
Some biblical examples of God providentially guiding His people’s steps include:
- Ruth “happening” to glean in Boaz’s field (Ruth 2:3)
- Esther “happening” to be chosen as queen (Esther 2:17)
- Philip “happening” to run into the Ethiopian’s chariot (Acts 8:26-29)
In the same way, God promises to guide, direct and order your steps as you seek His will and trust His providence regarding your church decision. He knows exactly which body of believers you need to worship and serve alongside in this season.
Just keep pursuing Him one day at a time and He will make your path straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Study the Bible and Theology
Core Biblical Truth
When trying to determine which church God wants you to attend, it’s important to start by studying the core biblical truths found in Scripture. The Bible provides the foundation for Christian beliefs, so studying books like the Gospels, Romans, and Hebrews can give you a solid understanding of basics like the deity of Christ, the Trinity, salvation by grace through faith, and the resurrection.
As you evaluate churches, consider how well their teachings align with these essential truths. Do they hold to the divine inspiration and authority of Scripture? Do they proclaim salvation through Christ alone? Is their statement of faith grounded in biblical theology?
The more a church’s doctrine conforms to biblical truth, the more likely it is aligned with God’s will.
Areas of Doctrine
In addition to core beliefs, churches can differ on secondary doctrines like baptism, spiritual gifts, end times theology, and church government. These areas may have dedicated, Bible-believing Christians on both sides of the issue.
When examining a church’s doctrine, look for ones that share your convictions on essentials, but allow for diversity on matters where Christians can reasonably disagree. A church fixated on secondary issues or that divides over non-essentials might not be a good fit.
The best churches major on the majors and minor on the minors.
Statement of Faith
A church’s statement of faith summarizes its core theological beliefs. Comparing statements of faith can help you determine if a church’s doctrine aligns with your own convictions. Look for clear articulations of biblical truth grounded in Scripture passages.
A vague or convoluted statement might indicate unclear theology.
Also consider things like the church’s view of Scripture, the Trinity, Christ’s deity, the resurrection, salvation, and evangelism. Are their positions consistent with the Bible? Do they affirm historical, orthodox Christianity or stray into unorthodox territory?
Let a church’s statement of faith guide your understanding of what they believe.
Evaluate the Church Community
Genuine Love and Joy
When visiting a new church, observe how members interact with each other. Do people display warmth, laughter, hugs, and smiles? This reflects the presence of Christian love and joy within the community. An atmosphere of genuine care and concern for people should be evident.
Additionally, watch how new visitors are welcomed. Are guests greeted with a spirit of inclusion and interest? These qualities reveal a church focused on loving God and loving others.
Diversity and Inclusion
Pay attention to the church’s diversity during your visit. An open and inclusive Christian community welcomes people of different ages, races, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses. Diversity demonstrates a congregation living out biblical principles of acceptance and equality.
An inclusive climate allows people with various perspectives and backgrounds to grow together in faith. Furthermore, the leadership team should reflect diversity as well.
Spiritual Gifts
Determine if members are using their unique gifts to serve the church body. According to the Bible (1 Corinthians 12:4-11), the Holy Spirit gives each person specific talents. A thriving church provides opportunities for people to utilize their gifts for tasks like teaching, music, leadership, service, and more.
Additionally, find out if the church offers gift inventories or classes to help people discern their spiritual gifts. Using these gifts brings joy and strengthens the entire faith community.
When visiting prospective churches, thoughtfully evaluate the care expressed among members, acceptance of diversity, and use of spiritual gifts. Let these factors guide you in finding a genuine Christian community to call home.
Listen to the Holy Spirit
Inner Witness and Conviction
When choosing a church, it’s important to pay attention to the inner witness and conviction of the Holy Spirit. This involves listening to that still, small voice inside that gives a sense of peace or unrest about a decision.
The Holy Spirit guides believers into truth and convicts them of sin and righteousness (John 16:8, 13). As you pray about a church, the Spirit will often confirm with an inner “yes” or “no” regarding whether it’s the right fit.
Some key things to listen for are:
- A strong sense of peace and comfort when attending the church or thinking about joining it.
- An excitement and joy over the church’s mission, vision, and community.
- Conviction or unease about any unbiblical teaching or practices.
The Holy Spirit lives inside every believer and wants to actively guide them. So make time to listen to the Spirit’s voice and trust His promptings when considering a new church home. He knows what is best for you spiritually.
Spiritual Resonance
Another way the Holy Spirit guides is through spiritual resonance. When the message, values, and vision of a church resonate with the work the Holy Spirit has already been doing in you, that’s a good sign it may be the right fit.
Consider:
- Is the preaching convicting, challenging, and encouraging you in your faith?
- Do the church’s core beliefs align with your understanding of biblical truth?
- Does the vision for ministry resonate with your spiritual gifts and passions?
- Do the ministries and programs aim to make disciples as Jesus commanded?
A church you’re meant to be part of will feel like the community your soul has been waiting for. The Holy Spirit’s goal is to transform believers into Christ’s image (2 Cor 3:18). So when a church’s teachings and practices line up with that sanctifying work, it’s a sign you’re in the right place.
Peace and Confirmation
The Holy Spirit will also confirm the right church through supernatural peace. As you pray and seek God’s guidance, a strong sense of peace will envelop you regarding the church God wants you at. Peace that transcends understanding is one of the Spirit’s hallmarks (Philippians 4:7).
In addition, wise and godly believers can help confirm what the Holy Spirit is saying. Talk with mature Christian friends and mentors and ask them to pray with you about your decision. Their godly wisdom and feedback can reinforce the Spirit’s promptings.
Finally, keep your heart open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance during your first several weeks or months at a new church. It takes time to fully experience a church community. The Spirit will continue to affirm that you’re in the right place or nudge you to keep looking if it’s not quite the right fit.
Stay sensitive to His voice as you commit your church life to the Lord in prayer.
Additional Factors to Consider
Location and Meeting Times
When looking for a new church home, the location and meeting times are practical considerations that can significantly impact your experience. Churches located near where you live or work may be most convenient for regular Sunday attendance.
Proximity also enables greater involvement in midweek activities. Be sure to research the service times too. If you are an early riser, you may prefer traditional services held in the morning. For night owls, a later service time may be a better fit.
Consider if you want a contemporary or traditional worship style as well. With many options to choose from, you can find a church that aligns with your location and schedule preferences.
Denomination and Network
The church’s denomination and network affiliations can provide insight into its doctrine, style of worship, organizational structure, and ministries offered. For instance, Baptists practice believer’s baptism while Lutherans baptize infants.
Non-denominational churches operate independently of established denominations. Networks like the Willow Creek Association or Acts 29 connect like-minded churches across denominational lines for fellowship and resourcing. Study the statements of faith and values of various denominations and networks.
Finding one that aligns with your core beliefs will help you feel at theological home in that church family.
Children’s and Youth Ministry
For families with kids and teens, the presence and quality of children’s and youth ministry will be a top consideration. Strong programs make the Scriptures engaging and relevant to young people through creative teaching, small groups, camps, mission trips and more.
Not only does this benefit your children’s spiritual growth, it also provides community connections with other families. Thriving children’s and youth ministries are indicative of a church’s commitment to fulfill the Great Commission by discipling future generations.
Visit potential churches and speak with ministry staff about nursery facilities, Sunday school curriculum, youth activities and safety policies. Choose a church where your whole family feels cared for.
Conclusion
Choosing a church home can be a challenging process, but God promises to guide those who seek His will. As you pray, study Scripture, observe church communities, and listen the Holy Spirit’s leading, trust that the Lord will faithfully direct you the congregation He desires you to join.
When you find the church home where you can worship God freely, serve others, and grow in your faith – you’ll know you’ve found the right fit through God’s perfect, loving providence.
