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Questions to Consider When Looking for a (New) Church
Questions to Consider When Looking for a (New) Church
Christians are commanded to “test all things” and recognize when the Bible is being misused (Acts 17:10-15; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 1 Thess 5:21).[1] This expanded checklist provides objective, thorough, and accurate questions to analyze, evaluate, review, and rate a local church’s orthodoxy (beliefs and theology) and orthopraxy (practices and behaviors). It equips one to make qualified judgments, acknowledging strengths and weaknesses. These questions can also be used for considerations on when to leave a church.[2]
Christians are commanded to “test all things” and recognize when the Bible is being misused (Acts 17:10-15; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 1 Thess 5:21).[1] This expanded checklist provides objective, thorough, and accurate questions to analyze, evaluate, review, and rate a local church’s orthodoxy (beliefs and theology) and orthopraxy (practices and behaviors). It equips one to make qualified judgments, acknowledging strengths and weaknesses. These questions can also be used for considerations on when to leave a church.[2]
Your evaluation should include rational reasons and evidence for each aspect. Clarify standards by comparing the church to Scripture, historic creeds (e.g., Apostles’, Nicene, Chalcedonian, Athanasian), and classical Christian theology (e.g., Bibliology, Theology Proper, Christology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology).[3] Rate each category on a scale of 1-5 (1 = poor alignment with biblical principles; 5 = strong alignment). Identify STRENGTHS (positive alignments), potential WEAKNESSES (areas needing growth), and CONCERNS (red flags). Consider what can be RECEIVED (affirmed), REJECTED (discarded), or REDEEMED (reformed through biblical teaching).
Your evaluation should include rational reasons and evidence for each aspect. Clarify standards by comparing the church to Scripture, historic creeds (e.g., Apostles’, Nicene, Chalcedonian, Athanasian), and classical Christian theology (e.g., Bibliology, Theology Proper, Christology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology).[3] Rate each category on a scale of 1-5 (1 = poor alignment with biblical principles; 5 = strong alignment). Identify STRENGTHS (positive alignments), potential WEAKNESSES (areas needing growth), and CONCERNS (red flags). Consider what can be RECEIVED (affirmed), REJECTED (discarded), or REDEEMED (reformed through biblical teaching).
The checklist focuses on essential doctrines for salvation and historic orthodoxy, secondary doctrines (e.g., practices derived by implication), and non-essentials (e.g., traditions not central to the gospel).[4] Prioritize Scripture as the ultimate source of truth over experience, emotion, tradition, or reason.[5]
The checklist focuses on essential doctrines for salvation and historic orthodoxy, secondary doctrines (e.g., practices derived by implication), and non-essentials (e.g., traditions not central to the gospel).[4] Prioritize Scripture as the ultimate source of truth over experience, emotion, tradition, or reason.[5]
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