How Do You Know?

How do you know which decision to make when faced with options?
It can be an especially challenging task when more than one of the choices before us is seem equally "good." I do not intend here to tell you the option to take when considering a career, a home location, a school to attend, the mate to marry, or even pork versus beef brisket barbecue. I do hope to provide some guidelines, however, for your evaluation of a local Christian congregation.

A dozen "Biblical" characteristics.

1. Biblical THEOLOGY. A congregation which knows and teaches the truth about the One, True God of the Bible as He reveals Himself.
2. Biblical WORLDVIEW. A congregation which shares an understanding of global human needs and God's unconditional, perfect and personal provision.
3. Biblical MESSAGE. A congregation which communicates compassionately that those deserving judgment may receive forgiveness and life through Jesus Christ.
4. Biblical PREACHING. A congregation which strives carefully to explain the meaning and application(s) of God's Word, the Scriptures in a culturally engaging way.
5. Biblical IMPACT. A congregation which reaches its wider community with the truth about their deepest spiritual needs, and their real consequences.
6. Biblical HUMILITY. A congregation which demonstrates an appropriate wisdom in knowing the local congregation is not perfect.
7. Biblical LEADERSHIP. A congregation which identifies and trains mature, right-hearted officers to serve as models and mentors to shape generations.
8. Biblical TRANSFORMATIONS. A congregation which invites and facilitates radical spiritual changes for good among the people, as well as sincere forgiveness and encouragement for all.
9. Biblical DISCIPLINE. A congregation which equips, teaches, challenges and corrects thought and behavior according to scriptural principles, without condemnation.
10. Biblical GATHERINGS. A congregation which unites people for specific purposes, such as worship, service and restoration, and gladly welcomes neighbors to join.
11. Biblical MEMBERSHIP. A congregation which welcomes fellow travelers through life in a supportive, extended family of faith relationship.
12. Biblical GROWTH. A congregation which increases people's thoughtful and prayerful understanding -- and its numbers -- in a healthy and consistent fashion.

So, how do you decide whether a local congregation is a "good" one?
Well, in my humble opinion you will want to discover in a fellowship of saints as many as possible of the above distinctives. Remember, though, do it with a generous and gracious spirit.

There you go, these are for free. Hopefully, they will be valuable to you now and in the future. You may just want to suggest these characteristics to your family, friends and neighbors, as well. It may be that you will be used of God to inform those close to you as to how to get close to God and His people. That should fill your sails for a while.

As for me, I'll take the pulled pork BBQ.
(A little vinegar, a little mustard, and a little ketchup based sauce, please -- you see, I just can't decide!)