God designed the Christian life such that His children would experience His love and know Him better in the context of Christ-like fellowship. Following Jesus’ call to abide in His love (John 15:9, John 13:35) and make disciples (Matt 28:18-20) does not lead us into spiritually-isolated obedience. Instead, His Spirit makes us part of His body, the church, where we can be strengthened, admonished and exhorted (1 Thess 5:11) to love God & others with our whole lives (1 Thess 2:8). Surely, this is not always the case as many have experienced the opposite. Nevertheless, as part of God’s ideal, He calls us to pursue it (Matt 6:33).

Today, the word ‘church’ often refers to a building used for Christian religious services. But the word didn’t take on this meaning until centuries after the resurrection of Christ. Before then, ‘church’ was not something you went to, instead it referred to a gathering or assembly you belonged to. The Greek word for church is ekklesia which literally means assembly or congregation. For a variety of reasons, the earliest Christians did not gather in “Christian” buildings, but in homes (Acts 20:20, 1 Cor 16:19). The earliest archaeological finding of a gathering of believers was a house church in modern-day Syria that gathered between 233 and 256 AD. The house had a knocked down wall for added open space, a well-developed baptistry and some of the oldest Christian paintings ever recovered. As time went on from the 3rd century through the Medieval period and the Renaissance, the church progressively came to be understood as a building you went to rather than a body to which you belonged. However, it is important for the health of our churches for us to remember what it means to be the church and to live out the metaphor of being the body of Christ.

Scripture’s metaphors give us a deeper understanding of abstract realities of the kingdom of God, including the marvelous mystery of the rectifying work of Christ. The metaphor of adoption highlights the character of God as a loving father who pursues the forgotten. Further, our adoption describes our fallen state and our restored intimate belonging with Him. Language of Jesus as a shepherd highlights His nature to pursue the lost, to walk with His sheep and to protect them from threat. The metaphor of a vine and its branches helps us better understand what it means to abide in Christ (John 15:5). In speaking of the body of Christ, God communicates to us both a sense of belonging and call to actively participate in bringing about His will on earth. God’s will for the church is to be His unified vessel of grace to the world. For this reason, Scripture calls those who are in Christ members of His body: eyes, hands and feet all integrated into Christ and functioning for the sake of Him (1 Cor 12:14-27).

We experience the deeper realities of God when we fully embrace the metaphors He chose to communicate. Belonging to a local church, the body of Christ, allows us the opportunity to experience the life God wants for His children. But what should a church look like? If you’re looking for a church, what should you look for? If you’re already at a church, what should you want to see more of? In these scenarios, we find the wisdom of God in Scripture to be a helpful guide. 

SCRIPTURE’S MODEL

We should seek to be a member of a church that stands on God’s truth (1 Tim 3:15), and it is His breathed word (1 Tim 3:16) that sets the framework for the crux our communities are built on, the culture they exude, and the teaching they exhibit. The process of finding a church can easily become consumeristic, “shopping” for the best preacher, worship experience, aesthetically pleasing buildings, or quality of the coffee bar (only in the US). It is the wisdom of God put forth in Scripture that gives us the helpful structure needed to make this process one of rightful searching rather than selfish shopping.

THE CRUX

• The church is built on communal prayer (Acts 1:14, Acts 12:5), unyielding truth (Acts 2:14-41) & devoted followers of Christ who prioritize fellowship, unity, generosity, regularly worshiping and praising God together and engaging everyone around them in love (Acts 2:42-47). 

THE CULTURE

• The church is meant to be united, without unresolved discord or unaddressed need (Acts 4:32). It is composed of many members all contributing to the needs of the body (Acts 6:1-7). The church loves and builds up its own to be rich in good works (Titus 3:1-2, Titus 3:14, James 1:22-27), allowing people to share and use their gifts as God wills (1 Peter 4:10-11).
• Leaders of the church are to be chosen intentionally by certain qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9) with much prayer and fasting (Acts 14:23). Leaders are to actively lead their flock with humility (1 Peter 5:2-3); willing to admit their sin and shortcomings (1 Tim 1:15). They submit themselves to admonishment (Galatians 2:11-14) and exhortation (1 Peter 5:1-3) of fellow leadership in the church.
• The church is universal. The local church does not care about its own name, only that the name of Jesus is being proclaimed in truth (Acts 11:19-26). 

THE TEACHING

• The church should be strong in a true understanding of God’s word (1 Timothy 3:15). The Bible is taught, read and respected by all in leadership (1 Timothy 4:13, 2 Timothy 4:2-5).
• Leaders understand and teach well the good news of Christ and biblical doctrine rather than speculations or opinions that have a propensity to divide (1 Timothy 1:3-4). Leadership will encourage you to not merely listen to pastors but test what is said by looking to Scripture (Acts 17:11, 1 John 4:1).
• Truth will often be an offense to the surrounding culture and may bring opposition, but the church does not cower (Acts 7:1-60, Acts 13:15-52), even if the leader(s) are persecuted, truth will continue to be preached (Acts 14:19-23). 

SUMMARY

Built on Truth. The NT contains an abundance of passages condemning those who teach false doctrine and warning those in the church to flee from them (1 John 4:1, 2 Pet 3:17). Prioritize choosing a church that has high respect for God’s word and challenges its members to abide by it.

Communal Pursuit. The church is focused on pursuing the holiness of God with fellow believers in unity with one another (Eph 4:3), emphasizing community in all areas of the Christian walk: prayer, finances, generosity, endurance through burdens and hardships, confession of sin, faithful admonishment and repentance, conflict resolution, evangelism, service, sexual purity, marriage and singleness.

Consider the Commute. Attend a church that holds these priorities in high regard but also use discretion when considering the location of the church. It is wise to attend a local church that is indeed local. If your commute to church or to the homes of other believers at the church is an obstacle, you will have great difficulty following through on many of the important aspects of the Christian walk when it comes to community & involvement in the body.

Finally, have grace for the body you choose. If you find a perfect church, don’t go there because you’ll ruin it. There is no perfect church. No church will exhibit all these perfectly, just as no believer will follow Christ perfectly. Remember your own weakness, sin and shortcomings and approach this process with humility knowing you need brothers and sisters around you. Biblical community to keep you steadfast in righteousness (Prov 4:27, Prov 24:6); spurred on to love, good works (Heb 10:24-25) and the joy of genuine faith (1 Tim 1:5). Family to fight side by side with you as you hold fast in Christ (Heb 4:14, Heb 10:23). Together, may we press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:14).

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