“Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds. You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other. Do this even more as you see the Day coming.” Hebrews 10:24,25
One of New Life Network’s main focuses over the last 27 years of ministry is to help people find
the “RIGHT” church. We are big believers in participation in a local church congregation and we have assisted literally thousands of people find good church homes. As with anything else, over time you begin to recognize red flags and begin to develop some criteria on what to be wary of. There are a lot of you that will be reading this email that are still looking for that “right” place to worship. There are others that may already be in a church but for all the wrong reasons and are not even aware of it.
The following are a few “red flags” (warning signals) that we have learned over the years to watch out for:
1. A particular church or denomination promotes itself as the only “true church”
2. Members are told they will lose their salvation if they attend any other church
3. The way that this church conducts worship is the only true way to worship
4. A church has no outside spiritual covering that they are accountable to
5. You are attending this church solely because your relatives attended here
Be very careful of churches who’s main focus is on the “do nots” or what we call legalism. The traditions of man make the Word of God of no effect. Your salvation was paid for by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and is available to you only by grace through faith and not by works. You will never be able to be good enough or do enough to earn eternal life. It is a gift that is received by faith!!! Legalism equals bondage. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty and freedom.
We do not believe you will see any denominations in Heaven. In fact, we believe that there are true believers in a lot of churches that would normally be branded cults by most evangelical Christian theologians. We know this because we have met some of them. We don’t recommend these types of churches but at the same time we all need to be very careful of judging another person’s heart. God is the only one that can do that.
The following are a few things that we do look for in a good church:
1. They believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and teach all the Bible
2. People of all races, ages, and backgrounds are drawn to that church
3. Lives are being radically changed (people saved, healed, and delivered)
4. There is a healthy focus on outreach (missions, evangelism, benevolence)
5. There is vibrant (alive) worship with musical instruments and the arts
6. People are excited to be there (including the youth)
7. The “Love of God” and the “Power of God” permeates the atmosphere
Needless to say, these type churches are not that easy to find, but they are out there. You just have to be willing to seek and knock. Pray and ask the Lord to show you where you and your family belong. There is a church for you, one that needs your gifting and calling, and one where you can grow and mature in the things of God. You do not have to spend the rest of your life in a dead church, or in no church at all.
If you need New Life Network to assist you please don’t hesitate to email us at churches@newlifenetwork.org and we will be glad to recommend several churches in your area.
Ed Henderson
New Life Network
