2.11.2012 HOW TO CHOOSE A CHURCH

in the moody monthly june 1986. by gene getz (additions of mine sprinkled throu

1. do the forms and structure of the church allow for a balance in
learning the word of God,
experiencing fellowship with one another
and time with God
and sharing Christ with others?
2. is the word of God taught clearly and regularly?
3. is the word taught with variety
through verse by verse, topical, biographical and dialogue etc.
or is church locked into one particular approach?
4. is there a balance in the teaching through all parts of the bible?
5. is teaching applied to right now...
is it applied to the regular life habits, the besetting sins of the listeners?
(if the 'teacher' is not regularly out in the homes
and taking an active, ongoing interest in lives of the sheep
ie.'where they are going' spiritually speaking
he won't know what needs to be spoken to,
he won't know the sins he needs to privately or publicly reprove.)
(note: those who are hireling and not true pastors (or spiritual
brothers/sisters) regularly stay away from those
who are crying out for their spiritual concern and demonstrated love.
too often it is
'i see no evil' with hands over the eyes;
i hear no evil with hands over the ears,
so i cannot speak of any evil with my mouth.')
6. does the church consistently and systematically disciple
those who are believers?
(note: this does not refer  to mental knowledge but rather to
actual obedience in the doing. (how do i actually meditate on the word,
pray, rebuke sin in another believer...in general, do what God wants.)
7. do the structures of the church allow relationships with God
to grow naturally out of relationships with people?
8. do they allow communion to be a meaningful experience,
involving deep (and godly) relationships with other believers/unbelievers.
(note: for he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself,
if he does not judge (evaluate) the body (and his relationships with it)
rightly.
for this reason many among you are weak and sick and a number sleep.
(note: if every person is not in a correct relationship with every other person
it is deadly. see Jesus' concern in matthew 5.21-6 about this.)
9. is there weekly, vital, dynamic prayer taking place among the church there?
(note: is there a weekly public meeting
dedicated to nothing but real,united prayer?
(ie. pray your requests, don't tell them...others can get in touch to
find out more info and pray with you personally at other times...unless you
are all of one mind to continue the public meeting until all is spoken and
adequately prayed for as a group.)
10. is giving spontaneous, regular and joyful
meant to meet the needs of people?
(note: in other what percentage of the group's giving
goes to themselves and what percentage goes outside the group?)
11. is the music balanced between songs and hymns that teach and admonish,
that exalt and glorify God? is there a variety of musical forms
or is it locked into a culturally conditioned style?
12. do church structures allow opportunities to share Christ with others,
or are people kept so busy in church meetings and events
that they don't have time to build bridges and witness to unbelievers
and neighbors?
13.does the church allow time for members to relate informally to one another
outside the church building
or do relationships consist of attending church meetings, sitting and listening?
14. do families have time to have regular morning and evening devotions
together?
or do the regular church structures compete with family life?
15. does the church allow for freedom in form?
(note: another way to state this:
is mostly everything that bears 'official' or 'approved'
top down,
roots up
or a spirit directed intermingling not untrue to the bible?)
16.