For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.       1 Timothy 4:3 HCSB

I’ve often heard pastors say that if you find the perfect church, don’t join it, you will just mess it up. We usually seek the perfect church, but what is the perfect church for you and your family?

What is the perfect church? Is there any such thing as a perfect church? Considering that the church is made up of people, there is no perfect church. The question is, what are you looking for in a church?

I would hope that the most important item on your checklist is doctrinal accuracy. Do the Bible classes teach according to the Bible? Does the Pastor preach from God’s word? These are what is most important. Be sure the church meets this criterion, and go from there.

Many people get out of church and have a hard time getting back in there. You may want to check out several churches before committing to one.

If you are sure the doctrine being taught there lines up with the Bible, then you need to see how the church feels. Does it feel loving, warm, and inviting, or does it feel stiff, rigid, and cold? Do the people welcome you, or is it like you are not even there?

Determining which church you will go to is important because this will be your church family. Your church family is important because they will support you and will mentor you in your walk with the Lord. You want them to be with you through the hard times.

There is no perfect church. There are just churches filled with imperfect people. The church should not be a hotel to make us comfortable, but a hospital to heal those who are broken and hurting.

Acts 2:41-47 gives us a glimpse of the early church. It says in verse 42, they devoted themselves to the apostles, teaching, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers. Verses 44-45 tell us that the believers held all things in common. They sold all they had and distributed the proceeds to anyone who was in need. And in verses 46-47, it says, “Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude, praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.

These are some of the things you want to look for in a church. You want a church family that is devoted to the Lord. You want a pastor who preaches God’s Holy Word. You want people who are joyful and humble and who enjoy gathering together to worship, fellowship, and serve the Lord.

Sadly, an alarming number of churches sit nearly empty on any given Sunday. They are in desperate need of members who want to not only join in worship but also in fellowship and service.

If you are searching for the perfect church, please know that this can only be found in heaven. So, while you are here on earth, you will have to settle for an imperfect church. If you are not in church, I strongly encourage you to find a church and devote yourself to the church and your church family. Improve any imperfections as you can by devoting yourself to the church and being a part of the solution and not a part of the problem.

Have a great day!