Pastor Tony Jeffrey
Dr. Jim Denison, CVO of the Denison Forum for Truth and Culture, addresses this important question in his book, Biblical Insight to Tough Questions.
Consider these three steps toward finding a denomination.
1. Believe that the Lord wants you in fellowship with His body. When coal is removed from a fire, the fire goes out. For the fire to remain lit, pieces of coal must remain alongside other pieces of coal. The church is the body of Christ, and we’re not whole unless we’re together. Pray the Lord will direct you where He wants you to be.
2. Ask yourself. “What church do my friends attend?” If your friends or family members already attend a church and they enjoy doing so, it’s more likely that you’ll feel at home there as well. At the very least, they can be your guide to the sometimes uncomfortable or awkward experience of attending a new church for the first time.
3. Research the church online. Most churches have websites with ample information, including their Statement of Beliefs, upcoming events, and sermon audios or videos. Do your due diligence and read, watch, or listen to their resources. If a specific question isn’t answered by their site, consider emailing a relevant person on staff. As you research, ask yourself, “Does this resonate with me?” Some of your findings may require researching the church’s denominational background. At that point, instead of enrolling in a seminary course on church theology, just type in your query, e.g., “What makes a Baptist church different from a Lutheran church?”
Are Denominations Important?
Denominations are important, but don’t let differences cause you not to join a church. No denomination, and thus no church, is perfect. As Charles Spurgeon said, “The day we find a perfect church, it becomes imperfect the moment we join it.”
Rather, allow those differences to inspire you toward study and personal reflection on the place where God would have you join His body. And always remember what we have in common: the Lordship of Christ.
We can work toward unity without uniformity so that someday—and maybe that day ultimately occurs after Jesus’ return—we’ll all be a part of that great multitude in heaven, “crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! (Revelation 7:10).
If you are seeking a church that believes that the Bible is God’s inspired and authoritative word from Genesis to Revelation, believes that a person is saved by grace through faith alone, you enjoy traditional music and expository preaching, and are looking for a friendly church filled with many of your Robson Ranch neighbors, come visit Fellowship at the Ranch on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. in the Robson Ranch Clubhouse!