It is not easy to find a sound, healthy Bible teaching evangelical church in the 21st century. For example, we (my wife and I) have been without a stable church for quite some time. We have “church-shopped,” and that gets almost defeatist after a while. It isn’t that we’re looking for the “perfect church,” not at all. We are simply looking for a church where the Word of God is opened and exposited in a way where Christ is central; where the Gospel is central; where genuine Christian proclamation is taking place. Unfortunately, the MANY churches we have visited over these last many years are still more concerned with being “relevant,” and user-friendly than they are with being biblically faithful. But then you’ll visit a church that is ostensibly biblically and doctrinally focused, and all your generally left with are John MacArthur-like churches. Or you’ll visit a church that is either, in fact, a mega church, or aspires to be one. Or maybe, you’ll visit a church that has a bunch of satellite campuses, with one mothership campus that keeps the franchise steady. But in the main, most so-called evangelical churches out there in the 21st century, are indeed peddling what has been called a moralistic therapeutic deism; so not really even the Christian religion, but a folk religion. They literally have a Ted Talk for the sermon and a tryout for American Idol as “worship.” And this is pervasive.
On top of all of that, and at a personal level, my job doesn’t make things very easy either. I work on-call which in and of itself makes it prohibitive towards looking for a solid church. And then when it works out to try and do that, we end up wasting our time at the types of churches described previously. So, we are in a hard spot; and I don’t think we are alone. What we have been doing in lieu of being able to find a worthwhile church is live viewing a church online that used to be my parents church, and that we attended back in the day in Lakewood (Bellflower), CA. I am friends with the senior pastor, and they have something very unique going as far as churches go in the 21st century. But ultimately, while it is good to still get the Word taught, doing online church isn’t sustainable; as far as meeting bodily needs, such as fellowship, friendship, and an immediacy to one-another that Christians ideally ought to have; indeed, as the body of Christ meeting physically around the Word taught, and the Bread and Welch’s Grape Juice consumed (i.e., communion, “Lord’s supper” etc.)
So, as you think about it, please pray that we will finally be able to find a healthy sound Bible teaching church that we can settle into. Thank you.
Start a house fellowship that’s what we did. The number of people in your position is legion and they are all looking for what you are looking for. Doing house church has been the most fulfilling and spiritual illuminating thing I have done as a Christian. It is messy it takes beyond your spiritual capacity and that is where the HS does his amazing work thru you in you and in them.
Yes, sadly, that is a familiar story for too many people, here in Australia also. Trevor
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@Richard, that is a good idea if that works logistically for someone (like you). But my employment is on-call, so making hard and fast time commitments isn’t feasible like that for me. But yes, I know there are lots of other people out there just like me, like you in this regard.
@Trevor, it is a sad reality. A hard nut to crack in certain ways.
Bobby, you might try Woodland Christian Church. They have an online presence and you can check out some of the exposition preaching/teaching, humble worship, family approach, and I think a general conservative approach to things. I saw a portion of the pastor’s sermon on I Peter 3 where he actually addressed how a woman should think about what she wears – that takes guts these days! I thought his thinking was very balanced and profitable. The church is about two minutes off the freeway exit 21. I haven’t been there yet but if I get back into looking I will start there. P. S. Don’t be put off by the Pastor’s (Scott) education (Liberty). I think he is more than that now.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the recommend. Back in 95 I did a by correspondence survey of the Bible course (with tape cassettes etc.) through Liberty. It’s not all terrible 😉 .
Hi Bobby,
I live in the Bible Belt of NC. I have been looking for what you are seeking for many years. Still nothing. There is a little tiny church near where I live that seems to be struggling with getting new members. I attended once when my husband was out of town. They were the friendliest people I have ever encountered on a first day. I had two people on either side of me very quickly. They are mostly senior citizens. Maybe 30 people. On their website they share about the gospel of Jesus Christ and offer no other philosophies or affiliations or selling points. How refreshing! They don’t have a large screen in their old sanctuary, and they don’t have an online sermon or link to donate lol. I have interpreted all of this as they want people to come in and gather, just to celebrate the good news. My husband has misgivings due to church size, lack of ministries, and the aged population (ironically, we are in our early 60’s). He wants a church where “there is a lot going on…” Ughh…
Joining you in prayer for the Lord to make a way, because living without gathering is very lonely….
Hi Christina,
Thank you for your comment. It is a difficult search. I grew up in the church, the son of a Baptist pastor. Church has been my life, my whole life. But my wife and too have struggled to find a solid “irrelevant” Bible teaching church these days; and I realize, as you exemplify yourself, we are not the only ones. Church size can have issues of its own. But it is definitely a case by case basis.
Thank you for the prayer, and I’ll pray the same for you and your husband.