Church Survey

CORE PRACTICE #20: Plug into a church that offers solid biblical teaching and where you feel at home.

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. . . . They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. —Acts 2:42-43, 46-47

TONY

Recent studies on church membership and attendance are uncovering some alarming trends. Fewer and fewer people attend church these days—probably not a surprise to you.

For those who go to church regularly, fewer are sticking with one church. People don’t seem to be willing to stay at one church anymore, or even in one particular denomination, simply because their parents belonged to it. They’re not even content staying in churches where they have worshiped for years if the needs of their family start to change.

And that’s okay, as long as they’re focused on the right reasons for moving.

Our family has actually changed churches three times during the seventeen years we have lived in Tampa. Each church was solid in the teaching of the Word, and each provided an edifying worship experience. There was nothing wrong with any of the churches, nor did anything happen to make us leave them. There was no change in leadership, no scandal, no problem of any kind. We loved the pastors and had many great friends in each congregation. We still do.

The impetus for each move was the changing dynamic of our growing family. Over the years we found ourselves with children of different ages and in different stages of their spiritual development. We have moved to another church when we knew a certain type of youth program would help our children grow best. But all the churches we have attended have three things in common: sound biblical teaching, corporate worship services that provide the opportunity to praise God, and friendly congregations.

Another thing these churches had in common? We felt as if we were home. In fact, when we teamed up with Tyndale, our publisher, to produce a simulcast shortly after the release of our book Uncommon Marriage, we decided to hold it at Grace Family Church, our own body of believers. We knew there was no place we’d rather share some of the lessons we’ve learned about building an uncommon marriage since many of the people who filled the auditorium that day were church family. Nor was there a worship team we’d rather have help us prepare and center our hearts on God before Lauren and I spoke.

But as great as it is to feel comfortable at church, that isn’t the most important aspect. The teaching has to be biblical. Churches should never compromise on what Scripture says.

So wherever God happens to place you, seek a church family where teaching the Word of God is of paramount importance, where the worship of God is taken seriously, and where the people encourage one another as they grow together.

Adventure Application: Is your church meeting your family’s needs at this stage? If so, that’s great. If not, what should you do?