<p class="rteleft">There's an old saying... “If you find the perfect church, DON’T go to it - you’ll ruin it!”</p>
<p>Just as there are no perfect people in the world, there are no perfect churches. The reason is that churches are made up of people. Sometimes we think of churches as a building, like when we say, “Let’s go to church,” but according to the Bible a church is not a building, but rather a fellowship of people who are endeavoring to follow Christ - people who aren’t perfect but who are following after the one who is perfect and Holy, Jesus Christ.</p>
<p>Maybe you have just moved to a new city, or perhaps you are considering coming back into church after being away for awhile. Whatever your life situation, as you begin your church search, know that even though there are not perfect churches out there, God does have <strong>the perfect church for YOU</strong> during this season of your life!</p>
<p class="rteleft rteindent1"><em>“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper and not to harm you; plans to give you a future and a hope.”</em> - Jeremiah 29:11</p>
<p class="rteleft">The search for a church should not be taken lightly. Selecting a church is one of the most important decisions you will make. Your spiritual life and the spiritual life of your family has an effect on every other area of your life. So when looking for a church, look for a group of people who are actively growing in their walk with God, and striving to be more like Christ. This will be evident in the worship music, the Pastor’s sermons, and the atmosphere of community and love. Some key questions to ask when visiting a church are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Is this a community of Christ-followers who are endeavoring to live their lives according to the Bible and seeking to grow in their Christian walk?</li>
<li>Does the pastor have a heart for God, and a desire to serve the people of the church and see them grow and mature as Believers?</li>
<li>Is this a church that I think I can grow in, where I can be challenged and encourage by the pastor and others in the church, and that I can find a place to serve and minister to others?</li>
</ul>
<p class="rteleft">Even though there is no perfect church, there is a perfect fit for you - a church God has for you to grow and be encouraged in your faith.</p>
<p>The Bible talks about being different from the world and finding God’s will:</p>
<p class="rteleft rteindent1"><em>“Do not conform any longer to the patter 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.”</em> - Romans 12:2</p>
<p class="rteleft">God has a plan for your life, and that plan includes a church family! So take your church search very seriously. Take some time visiting several churches, think through each aspect of the decision, and most importantly, pray and ask God for wisdom and direction.</p>
<p class="rteleft rteindent1"><em>“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”</em> - James 1:5</p>
<p class="rteleft">But also, do not be so overwhelmed by the decision - or by wrong thinking of trying to find a “perfect” church - that you become a “church-hopper” - someone who jumps from church to church but never commits and never gets involved in a church family. Or worse - you don’t make a decision at all, and end up believing the lie that you can “do it yourself” when it comes to your spiritual growth and walk with God. You don’t have to go through the journey of life on your own - God has a church family for you.</p>
<p>If you have just moved to a new city, have been away from church for awhile, or maybe you have never really been to a church, take some time and prayerfully plan your “church search”. After all, if you find the perfect church for you for this stage in your life, it could change your life in greater and better ways than you can imagine! </p>
<p>Take a moment right now and pray (talk with God) about it. Maybe you can pray something like this:</p>
<h3 class="rteindent1"><strong>God, thank you for having a plan for my future. I ask you to guide me as I look for a church family to be a part of. Please lead me to the right church for me, and give me wisdom as I visit churches and look for a place to call my spiritual home. I want to be an active part of Your church - help me to find a place where I can use the gifts you have given me to minister to others. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.</strong></h3>
<p class="rteleft"> </p>
<p class="rteleft">Remember that <em><strong>God has a plan for your life!</strong></em> May God lead and guide you on your search for the right church for you!</p>
