How to Find a Biblically Healthy Church Ep. 4

Sarah Annie Schneider: you Welcome to the Addicted to God podcast. I'm your host and Bible mentor, Sarah Schneider, and I'm addicted to God. In today's episode, I'm going to answer one of the most frequently asked questions. How do I find a church? I might be getting ahead of myself a little bit in this Addicted to God podcast series because I have a lot of stories and a lot of other things I want to share, but this ⁓ I want to share completely from my heart because it's a question I get asked so frequently. Even though I don't have an exhaustive list of what a good church looks like, ⁓ will share not only what I tell women that I've mentored in our local jail for over the last 10 years, but from personal experience, what types of churches have been instrumental in my personal and spiritual growth over the last 20 plus years. So let's jump right in. I am going to 10 things to look for in a good Bible teaching church. And these 10 things are not in any particular order. I'm sincerely going to derive from experiences ⁓ and truths that I have to as I have looked for and guided people to identifying a good biblical church. So number one, sound doctrine. and biblical fidelity. You want to look for a church that adheres closely to core biblical truths, such as the Trinity, salvation by grace through faith and not by works or earning your way to heaven, and the authority of Scripture itself. matters because it ensures that teachings align with the Bible rather cultural trends or personal opinions. I got some red flags and some tips. The first red flag would be that they use scripture selectively. They manipulate scripture to sound good justify a point, but they don't bring you any context ⁓ they use that scripture superficially and not what it was truly intended to do. ⁓ way I can encourage you to source whether or not they have sound doctrine by checking their church's statement of faith online. In my opinion, it is a red flag if they do not have a statement of faith or it's buried so deep that it's really difficult for you to find it. Proverbs 30, 5-6 says, Every word of God is flawless. It shields those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His Word or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar. This is what's at stake when we have people behind the pulpit or teaching Bible that do not really give you the truth as it's spoken in the Bible. Number two, accurate Bible preaching. Somewhat building on what I wanted to up in the first point. Expository sermons systematically explain Bible passages in context. Some churches, like mine and many in our area, have topical real-life stuff like marriage, homosexuality, addiction, abortion, and capital punishment. Topical churches will not shy away from a hot topic. If anything, they need to explain what the Bible says about those topics and how we, as Christians, are called to live in a world that is very divided on these topics. These types of churches promote deep understanding and application of God's Word, ultimately fostering your spiritual growth. I like both the expository teaching and topical teaching. Expository teaching transforms your view on a specific book like Romans because it literally goes verse by verse and explains what it means culturally. In other words, in the time it was written and why and how it is relevant today. Yet topical is great, particularly through the seasons of life. Singleness, married, raising children, how to create disciples as you walk with the Lord and deepen your faith. The third point is a gospel-centered church. This is a church that regularly emphasizes Jesus' life, death, and resurrection as its central message. This type of church keeps the faith rooted in Christ's redemptive work. It avoids legalism, in other words, living by the rules and keeping a standard based on rules. And if you disobey rules, you're punished, you're not going to make the cut, you're basically judged against those rules. The other ⁓ it could potentially do if you're not focused on Christ's redemptive work is that you get sucked into self-help vibes. They imply that you're a better person for either being affiliated to that church or that they are offering you ⁓ something believe in that ⁓ is but It'll make you feel better. A flag would be any church that promise prosperity, that your life is going to be better if you accept Jesus, that, by reading the Bible or doing good works, you are ultimately going to be a better person and live a better life. That is unfortunately a lie and definitely something I will talk more about in a future episode. But here's the question. The church you're looking into or doing the research for, does that church point you to Jesus in every service or just occasionally, like on Christmas or Easter? Because a true church that is gospel-centered is going to continually remind you that your redemption can only come through Jesus Christ. John 14, 6 says, And these are Jesus's words. I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. That's a pretty standard. Probably not one that is acceptable or even considered in society today. But the truth is, Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life. Because God sent Jesus to earth as a human to live a perfect life and die the cross as bridge or the means or the, replacement for our sins covers them over so we have access to heaven. Without Jesus, there is no access to heaven. Again, That could really offend some of you if you're new to the Bible and you're new to scripture and you are really trying to find truth and grow in your relationship with God. That is another episode for another day. Stick with me because I want to move on to point number four. A church should consist of qualified and accountable leadership. Leaders, which includes pastors elders and teachers. who meet the biblical qualifications. And if you want to see those more in depth, go ahead and read 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. What they outline is that in transparency, any decision-making should be vetted. Those leaders are accountable and qualified for making those decisions. These passages outline the character, family life, and abilities required for those in those leadership roles, emphasizing that leaders must model godliness since they shepherd God's people. have a big accountability. Godly leaders do model Christlikeness, and they protect the congregation from error. We have leaders that warn against authoritarian styles. In the church I grew up in, there were a lot of disagreements. ⁓ I remember my parents venting about what the pastor wanted to or how some of the members of the church were ⁓ stirring the pot and creating division. One of the things I love about the churches I have visited over the years and found to be true churches with strong leadership is their transparency. How they regularly talk about where they feel God is leading them and ultimately inviting us to support their well-vetted, strategic, prayerfully-led vision. They hold listening sessions and invite people to vote. And they want to talk to people and explore. why they believe they're making the decision that they're making. It's not just one person who is standing up saying, this is what we're going to do. They can't make everybody happy. ⁓ And of course they won't. But if they are striving to be obedient to God is calling them to do and ⁓ are accountable to God, They will discern what is best. James 3.1 says, not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that those who teach will be judged more strictly. You see, biblically, the leaders of our churches are being held accountable to God at a higher level. Even I am being held to a higher expectation by teaching Bible studies, mentoring women in Scripture and even doing this podcast. I ever you or I did not speak truth on this podcast I would have consequences for that. That is why I am leaning into the call that God has placed on my life to help people deepen their relationship with Jesus. And I am doing it with fear to be quite frank because I take my responsibility to handle God's Word and share that truth very seriously. Point number five. The church you're seeking should be a vibrant community and have great fellowship. Evidence of relationships, small groups, and mutual support among all of its members. I mentioned ⁓ a bit ago. that the Bible calls the Church a body. That's in 1 Corinthians 12, where believers are coming together on a consistent basis to encourage one another. In my opinion, this is non-negotiable. If you think you can just go to church on Sundays, get your Sunday God shot in the arm, and then go back to the week on your own, you are destined for discouragement and defeat. I remember as a kid thinking, I am going to be perfect this week. that intention barely lasted until we got into the car. My brothers knew how to push every button ⁓ there goes my best laid plans. Have you ever done that? Pledged to do better only to get cut off in traffic or respond offensively to a spouse's accusation or just simply lose it with your kids? ⁓ I have too. So we want to find a church that says relationships grow in circles, not rows. When you get to plug into small groups, whether that's volunteering as an usher or greeter, joining a Bible study, a couples or singles group, or playing an instrument, maybe even singing on the worship team. This is where friendships, accountability partners, mentors, and true bonding happens with others who are navigating this crazy life right along with you and potentially have like minds because you're sharing like interests. ⁓ Churches host support groups like Celebrate Recovery, How to Live Free from Sexual Addiction, Divorce Care, Grief Share, and even Discipleship and Leadership classes. All that to say, get connected. Sincerely, there are no excuses. These should be posted on their websites too. So the churches you're investigating or the churches you want to be affiliated with have a dynamic circle fellowship and community. Number six, biblically grounded worship. Worship is a big word technically our lives are our worship. However, we often think of a church and we think of worship, we think of the music. Music and liturgy, which the sermons, need to honor God. They need to draw from scripture and they need to engage the congregation. Admittedly, some churches are way over the top making it feel like more of a concert or an entertainment venue than a true center of worship. This is where ⁓ share with the women in jail that we are given the ability to have personal preferences. This isn't a heaven or hell, life or death issue. Some people love the old hymns. I have to admit, I have really come to appreciate ⁓ love those old classic hymns. Growing up I did resent them, but today as a believer in Jesus Christ, my church pulls out one of those oldies, I am literally a puddle on the floor. Those lyrics are so incredible and biblically powerful. I had no appreciation or even understanding of how incredible they were until I hear them now as a more mature believer in biblical knowledge. and I get to connect all of those amazing hymns to the truth of God's Word. The important thing is, regardless if you like old hymns or modern day, you know, catchy tunes, the important thing is that worship should glorify God and edify believers, not prioritize emotional highs, showcasing egos, and showing off actors and actresses. Never should a worship be human-centric. It should always be pointing you to the one and only true and amazing God. A good test to see if the church's worship is authentic, God-honoring, and biblically aligned is if you feel closer to God. I am not a puts your hands in the air kind of girl. I'm not. I might bounce. I might dance a little, little hip shake here and there, but I just really do reserve. my worship for more of a contained style, let's say. I'm not a yeller. You won't hear me shouting out the amens and the uh-huh's. And I cry. I actually cry pretty often because the music and the words and the messages move me. The words to songs, the connections I feel in my heart and the joy and praise that it draws out of me. That my friends is true worship. That's a church. you want to connect with. Number seven, a commitment to teaching. Programs like Bible studies, marriage, and one-to-one mentoring, or classes that equip members to grow in faith and apply scripture daily. I kind of touched on this already, but I need to take it just a bit deeper. because it's not just small group offerings. I'm talking about the church fulfilling Jesus' command of making disciples. In Matthew 28, 19-20, this is where Jesus makes this command. A strong Bible teaching church must invest in your spiritual maturity. We all start as observers, but to grow, you have to grow. What I mean by that is that you have been created by God with special gifts, talents, and abilities. As you deepen your knowledge of God, His Word, you'll start to identify role models and mentors, and you'll eventually become one. God starts to lead you into exact place that He has designed for you to serve. Yes, He may have called you ⁓ to particular ministry, Like I started as a baby Christian just being a classroom helper in our children's ministry. But God gave me a fire in my belly early to teach His word. The more I learned, the more I grew. Teaching also gave me accountability because I had to know what I was talking about before I could lead a classroom. And leading a classroom of third, fourth, and fifth graders was a lot safer to me than leading a group women because I just wasn't that confident yet. God gave me a heart for incarcerated women, as you know, which took teaching God's Word outside of the church and into some unreached places in our community. Quite frankly, places in our community, think society has cast aside. I'm honored to be there. Professionally, I love public speaking. And God has opened the door for me to speak at Christian camps, church retreats, and in Christian and marketplace ministries. Then to mentor women and help them identify their unique gifts and abilities and watch them grow. That's the most incredible part. Not only for me to be called by God as His messenger, but to witness transforming people right before my eyes. I'm so humbled. Number eight, outreach and mission orientation. Active involvement in local evangelism, global missions, or community service is also reflecting the great commission spoken in Matthew 28. I have not yet been on a missions trip abroad, but I have done several missions trips domestically. The most memorable was going to Joplin, Missouri to rebuild homes for Habitat for Humanity. Joplin, if you're listening out there, your hearts and your community have changed my life. Being able to be the hands and feet of Jesus to people who have lost everything and having the privilege of helping them rebuild their homes and restoring their lives is one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I'm so grateful I never experienced an F5 tornado. That community holds ⁓ very special place in my heart yet today. Honestly, a healthy church looks outward, sharing the Bible's message of hope with the world. I could sincerely dwell on this topic ⁓ day. It's that big of a deal. But I will just say this. Matthew 25, 35 through 40 says, for I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me in. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me. Truly I say to you, as you did for one of these, you have done for me." That's Jesus. When you love God, you show that love by helping and serving others. If your church inspires you to do this, and has ways for you to live out this verse, then you have found an amazing church and you are very fortunate. Number nine, handling of difficult topics. The willingness to address tough biblical issues is a true sign of a good church. Some of those biblical issues may be sin, suffering, and cultural controversies. and they will handle those conversations with grace and truth. A church that approaches topics that are polarizing with the baseline that we are all sinners in need of a Savior. I love the story in John 7 verses 23 through chapter 8 verse 11. that tells how the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who was caught in adultery to Jesus, he responds saying, Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw the first stone at her. One by one they walked away, realizing that they were just as guilty for their sin, and they too should be held accountable for what they have done. You see, this helps navigate real life through Scripture. ⁓ I seriously need in a world where the lines are so blurry between what is good for us, bad for us, right or wrong. ⁓ how I value that my church loves people right where they're at, provides us with resources and programming, teaches us God's truth directly from Scripture rather than by made-up human doctrines, mad-made beliefs, or what the Bible warns us about to satisfy our itching ears. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. That's 2 Timothy 4, 3-4. Some people and churches will turn their ears away from truth and turn aside and accept myths. That is so sad. I do not want that happening to you. especially as a new believer seeking truth where you are learning, growing and being supported is so important that you are around people and churches and leadership that handles those hard topics. number 10, fruit of the spiritual practice. You should be seeing observable signs of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. gentleness and self-control, just as it's stated in Galatians 5, 22-23. You should see this in the congregation's interactions and their overall atmosphere. ⁓ teaching church should produce transformed lives, not just head It's a really big deal to have knowledge about the Bible. but it's a whole other level to see people's physically, emotionally, spiritually changing. People are hungry to grow in the knowledge and depth of insight as it says in Philippians 1, 9 through 11, and that they desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as 2 Peter 3.18 says. I want to share with you one of the verses that I have seen come true and deeply treasure. especially over last 20 years of reading, studying, and teaching scripture. And that is Romans 12, 1 and 2, which says, Therefore, ⁓ urge you, brothers sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This ⁓ is your true proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world. but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is— His good, pleasing, and perfect will. You see, when you're in a church that is encouraging your growth, you will be transformed, and you will see the transformation of the people around you. Evidence that the Holy Spirit is alive and active in that church. That's a church you want. Romans 12, 1, and 2 is a passage which is a pivotal call to Christian living in Paul's letter to the Romans. He spends 11 chapters explaining God's mercy, grace, and His plan of salvation. And then Paul urges believers to respond by fully dedicating their lives, their whole bodies, to God. Living sacrifice? That's a total surrender of one's life as worship. Do not conform means resisting worldly values and pressures. To be transformed is to experience inner change through the renewing of your mind. And that'll come through scripture, prayer, the Holy Spirit, and a really strong support network and community of believers around you on the same journey, arm in arm, side by side, failing forward in many cases. ⁓ Never discourage because you know where your true hope lies and that's in Jesus Christ. And you know what this will produce in you? The ability to discern and live out God's perfect will. See, that's what's really important. And that's what I sadly see many people don't have when they haven't fully vetted the type of church that they attend. So I hope that these guidelines, help guide you into finding a good church, a good Bible teaching church. But before I wrap up this episode, I need to acknowledge church trauma. This is real. I have met dozens, if not hundreds of people who have been hurt by their church, ⁓ our pastor, a fellow church member, or even by that was said or done to them. Even if it was directly out of the Bible, you may have taken offense. Hopefully the information I shared in this podcast episode will help guide you not only toward healing from these past hurts, but help you find a church that will welcome you broken and confused and even help you to have what is the ultimate goal, a relationship with God and the people who love Him and want to know Him and grow in Him as much as you do. There is no such thing as a perfect church because churches are made up of broken people. If there's anything I want you to take away from today's episode, it's that the best church is a church that opens the Bible every Sunday, tells you things that you may not want to hear, but they love you enough to tell you. They speak truth unapologetically. They accept you for who you are, regardless of where you come from or what you've been through. A church and people in it who invest in you so you are not alone, and have people who model what it's like to have an authentic, personal, and intimate relationship with Jesus. If you have enjoyed this episode, hit that like button, ⁓ it with ⁓ who comes to mind ⁓ you listen, ⁓ give me your thoughts ⁓ ⁓ some comments. ⁓ appreciate that you have taken the time to listen, ⁓ I sincerely pray that you are blessed by this episode ⁓ that you can find a community of support to help you on your journey ⁓ being ⁓ ⁓ God.