Take extra time when finding a new church

For people moving into a new community or area, choosing a church can be as important as finding the right house or choosing a good school for the kids. For some, the church may come before the house.

Choosing a place of worship is no small task.

Jews, Muslims and Buddhists are limited to a handful of options in many areas of the nation. Hindus, Sikhs and others may have just one or two or have to travel miles. But Christians can find a church on almost every street.

Each has its own set of variables -- size, location, musical tastes and preaching styles, and that doesn't include theology.

Joshua Harris, a pastor and author of "Stop Dating the Church, Fall in Love With the Family of God" (Multnomah, $12.99), says people should take at least as much care in choosing their church as they do with life's other big choices, such as whom they will marry or allow to care for their children.

"When it comes to the issue of the church we go to, we are talking about the most important aspect of our lives -- our relationship with God, our spiritual formation," Harris says. "That is so vital."

Harris says people who fail to commit to a church cheat themselves and their community. Church teaches them how to pray and love God, he said. It enables them to draw strength in times of weakness and to give help to others in need.

Gary Ziegler, senior pastor at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church in Carmel, Ind., describes the church in terms of a family. He says it is important to make the same commitment to a church as people do to family.

"No church is absolutely perfect," Ziegler says. "To be able to work through even differences is a growing experience for us all."

Harris says while welcoming warmth and friendliness are great, they also can be deceiving. The flashiest churches may not have the most solid foundations.

"There's some skill in creating an environment that matches Disney World, but if there isn't the faithful teaching of Scripture, you might have the wonderful environment, but your soul is not going to be set," he says.

Kevin Harney, a Reformed Church pastor and author of "Finding a Church You Can Love: And Loving the Church You've Found," (Zondervan, $7.99) said it is vital to know what a church believes and equally important to know what you believe.

Harney says some issues might be non-negotiable for a churchgoer - - such as the authority of the Scriptures. He says there are good ways to figure out where a church stands.

Frequently, church Web sites contain statements about core beliefs. Visitor packets often offer the same thing on paper. Many churches offer "What We Believe" classes.

Generally, pastors urge those who are considering a church to give it a month of Sundays -- a four-week test drive -- to understand the essence of the church.

Before doing that, though, Harney says people should think about where they stand on matters up for debate -- women in leadership roles, baptismal practices (sprinkling versus immersion, for instance) and even formal versus casual dress.

They may seem small, but they could grow into a real hindrance to being at peace in a church.

"No one is going to find the perfect church that meets their every need," Harney says. "But you do want to ask the question: 'Can I find joy in being a part of this church on a weekly basis?' "

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