I just finished watering the potted flowers hanging from the eaves and sitting on the patio. They were drooping badly, so I hope I caught them in time. With adequate water around their roots the sun’s a blessing, but without that water the sun’s the kiss of death. I need to watch them more closely on these hot, dry days. If I had wanted dried flowers I should just have bought dried flowers!

Your letter came today. The dilemma you refer to is a real one for many people. Once you become convinced of the importance of attending a church, how do you know which one you should attend?

I don’t want to discourage you, but there are over 2,000 different denominations and associations to choose from. The good news is that you probably have only a few of these within a reasonable driving distance of where you live, so that narrows the field greatly. Still, that leaves a considerable number to choose from.

Don’t let the diversity of churches upset you or confuse you. God’s church here on earth is meant to be a rich quiltwork of contrasting ways Christians can worship and organize themselves. Like the rest of His creation, the many differences in His churches show that God delights in variety.

Churches are so different because people are so different. Car manufacturers take advantage of these different tastes and make all kinds of vehicles. Some people like a big car, some a little car. Some want a minivan, others want a sport utility vehicle. Some want good mileage, others want lots of power. And with each model there are seemingly countless choices of colors and options. We want the same kind of choice when it comes to our houses and restaurants. Why should we think it would be any different with churches?

There are churches that meet in cathedrals, others that meet in storefronts, and a great many who meet in church structures somewhere in between. There are mega churches with thousands of people attending and home churches with a dozen or fewer. People have different beliefs when it comes to how to take Communion and how often. There are churches that baptize children and there are others that baptize only believers, usually by immersion but some by sprinkling. Some churches sing amens at the end of the hymns and some shout them during the sermon. The organ is the preferred musical instrument of some, while a keyboard and drum set is for others. There are those who feel that if the preacher can’t say what should be said in 20 minutes he doesn’t know what to say, while others think that the preacher is just getting warmed up after 20 minutes!

When it comes to church government there are churches who hold staunchly to their independence and don’t want any denominational headquarters telling them what to do. Others feel that it’s important to be a part of a larger body of Christians, called a denomination, and to work closely together.

Most of this has to do more with preference than principle. After all, we’re all going to be in heaven together, so I don’t think such things are a major concern of God’s. Frankly, I think God enjoys the different styles of worship as long as they’re intended to please Him and glorify Him. I believe He delights in working through a variety of church structures as long as His work gets done.

What’s important is to find a church where worship has God, not the congregation, as the audience. The person of Jesus Christ, not the program, is the central focus. An emphasis on the Bible exists with the purpose of understanding its contents and applying its principles. The church’s fellowship goes beyond the discussion of sports scores and vacation stories; the sharing and bearing of each others’ burdens along with conversation about life in Christ is evident. There exists a desire to share the good news and compassion of Jesus with others, both locally and around the world. An atmosphere of prayer and joy permeates the church.

There’s not a church on earth that’s achieved any one of these characteristics to perfection, let alone all of them. Still, it’s important to find a church where a beginning has been made and progress looks promising. And don’t forget to look for a church where you not only can receive but where you can offer the gift of yourself.

A fellow seeker after truth,
Dave