Why Did You Pick That Church? by Donna Hylton

 
Millions of people all across America attend church religiously on Sunday mornings. The services, edifices, music and style of preaching that we encounter in our respective houses of worship are as diverse as we are. Have you ever stopped to seriously question why you have picked the church that you attend? I'm sure that if we were to take a survey of regular churchgoers, we would be surprised at the responses that we would get. I have no such survey data, but I have put together what I consider to be 10 factors, which most commonly influence the selection of our place of worship.

PASTOR: One very important influence is the person or persons, which represent the leadership in the local assembly. People are generally drawn to the pastor because of his personal style, his ability to preach the Word of God, the personal relationship that they have developed with him, his leadership style and his personal availability. Some people look for pastors who are authoritative and stern because they satisfy their need for discipline and structure. Others are drawn to pastors who are tender and compassionate because they respond best to the gentle approach. Consciously or unconsciously, we tend to seek out pastors who best complement our own personal style, and best satisfy our need for 'shepherding'.

PEOPLE: The people of the church are another big factor, which draws us to our place of worship. People attract people, and there is something reassuring about having a group of peers with which to identify in the local church. Besides providing fellowship, the people of the church set the climate of receptivity (or lack thereof) in the church, and as such they play a key role in the church's growth. If, for example, newcomers to our church are made to feel like intruders, they will not likely return. If unbelievers are made to feel like outcasts who are not worthy of our fellowship, they will not return either. If, on the other hand, the people of the church are joyous and enthusiastic about their place of worship, they will automatically attract others to such a place. If they welcome newcomers with warmth and love, you will soon find a steady stream of newcomers coming in. Never discount the importance of a friendly smile, a warm handshake, or a gentle hug; that may be all it takes to turn a life around.

PRAISE & WORSHIP: Music, singing, praise and worship are all vital ingredients in any church service. The style, flavor, and intensity of the praise service also play an important role in attracting people to our church. People will seek out a style of worship that is appealing to them. In the early 70s when the Jesus Movement was in full swing, former hippies who had come to know the Lord were having difficulty identifying with the traditional music of the church. The need for music that was spiritually uplifting, yet appealing to this generation gave birth to the new era of praise music that we know today. The message of hope, love, salvation, and worship to the Lord remained the same, but the music, rhythm and sounds took on a new flavor. God enjoys diversity!

PROGRAMS: The church today is more than a place of worship. Many churches have become centers, which minister to the gamut of human needs. We have embodied many social ministries in our churches simply because of the shortage of morally sound alternatives in our communities. It is not uncommon to see churches who have expanded their outreaches to include adult literacy, day care, elder care, feeding centers, Christian schools, Christian counseling, etc. Besides the social programs, many churches have diversified their ministry to meet the needs of every community and sub-community of the congregation. There are specific outreaches for singles, couples, women, men, children, infants, teenagers and the elderly. Churches also have many programs that bring the gospel to the world, such as prison ministry, street evangelism, door-to-door witnessing, and local and foreign missions.
People are often attracted to churches because of the programs which minister to their individual needs in their local church. Parents may want to plant their children in vibrant youth groups, singles may want to network with other singles, and retirees may want daytime fellowship and care. In short, people look for programs which minister to their individual needs in their local church.

POWER IN MINISTRY: Many people follow the signs and wonders of a ministry. People will be drawn to places of worship that experience the demonstration and power of the Holy Spirit in healings, miracles, and other supernatural manifestations. Some will go just because they are curious; others because of their own personal needs, and others will seek to satisfy their desire for deeper experience with the Lord.

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES: Denominations provide a convenient way of identifying groups of believers who share like principles, practices, procedures, and doctrines. Whether the church labels itself as denominational, non-denominational, inter-denominational, or independent, there is usually some commonality or points of identification with other churches. People seek out churches that uphold the principles and doctrines, which they believe in.
Whether our preference is Full Gospel, Charismatic, Word of Faith, Baptist, Pentecostal, Methodist, or Lutheran, we cannot deny the fact that people seek to affiliate with churches along denominational lines.

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE: Some may think that this point is trite, but the physical appearance of your place of worship is often the first contact that the outside world has with your church, and it does give a message about its congregation. If the building is disheveled, observers will assume that the membership is lax and unconcerned. On the other hand, a well-maintained building will give onlookers a positive message about the members. Buildings are not to be worshipped! However, we should take pride in the appearance of God's house, and we should all do our part in making sure that it reflects a positive image of our Lord and Savior to our community.

PROXIMITY: Another very obvious reason for selecting one church over another is its proximity to our place of residence. Most people do not want to travel long distances to go to church; therefore, those churches that are located in our neighborhoods have a special appeal. For this reason churches need to make their presence known to the community around them. Churches, which venture outside of the four walls of the sanctuary and the comfort of congregation to make contact with the residents who share our surroundings, will usually experience reciprocal growth.

PARENTAL INFLUENCE: For many people, attending a particular church has become a family tradition. Whole generations spend their lives attending the same church. You would probably get the following reply if you quiz these churchgoers about their allegiance, "My great grandmother, my grandmother, my mother and father, and all my aunts and uncles have always attended Church of the Family Way. This is my family's church." For these individuals, the thought of leaving their "family church" would be equivalent to breaking their sacred heritage. Parental and familiar influence weighs heavily in the selection of our church.
With so many choices available to us, and so many factors influencing our decision, what is the right way to select our place of worship?

PRAYERFULLY PLANTED: Selecting a church home in which we regularly participate is not an option for the believer in Christ. It is specifically commanded by God (Heb. 10:25).
God desires to plant us for worship and service in a Christ-centered, Bible teaching church where we will receive the spiritual enrichment and edification that will help us grow into fullness of the stature of Christ. In turn He wants us to be prepared to do the work of the ministry; fulfill the Great Commission and let the world know that Jesus is the only Way to God. There are obviously other added benefits in attending church, such as corporate worship, fellowship, observance of God's ordinances, and so on.
Our church is a vital part of our Christian experience, and we should seek God's direction when choosing one. He will lead you to His best. That place of worship where God chooses to plant us may not boast of the finest edifice, the most innovative programs, or the most gifted musicians. It may not even be close to your home, but if that is the soil in which God has chosen to plant us, then we can be assured that we will yield much fruit for the Kingdom. Be faithful where God has planted you. We won't grow or bear fruit if we don't allow ourselves to be still long enough for our roots to penetrate the ground.
Copyright©  of Shiloh Christian Church, Middletown CT.  All rights preserved. Revised:01/03/08