Church “Shopping”

I am trying to find a car right now. Since we are totally committed to having no more debt payments (except our mortgage), and since we haven’t had time to save up a lot of cash, the pickings are slim. I check websites and have some other “feelers” out, but it is hard to find something that is reliable and safe that I can afford (that doesn’t have 300,000 miles on it)!

As I go through this process, I am reminded of people who “shop” for a church. Many treat the processes in basically the same way.

• When one car starts giving them a little trouble, they get rid of it. When a congregation starts to ask a little too much of them (not doctrinally, but with work), they are through.
• We talk about our car in glowing terms when it’s new, but as it gets older we get more negative and start looking for a newer model. Many do the same with churches. When we first begin attending, everything is great! However, over time, we not only see the negative, we begin to dwell on it. For many, it’s time to start looking for a “better” place.
• Some can’t decide on a car. They kick tires, take test drives, and go through the process for a protracted period of time before they finally decide on a vehicle. While it’s important to find a congregation where you can use your talents, many take years doing that, simply because they don’t want to be “tied down” if something isn’t “just right.”
• When it’s time to buy, we bargain and plead for a better price, or a few “extras” if we are buying from a dealer. Some, when they think they have found a couple of congregations that might “suit” them, try to negotiate and see which will do more for them.

Choosing a congregation to attend is extremely important. It should be handled with prayer and great thought. But you aren’t buying a car! The work of the Church is to seek the lost, save them, encourage others, glorify God, teach, aid, help, and be a community. You can’t do those things if you are constantly shopping.

Understand that no congregation–from the human standpoint–is perfect. Some teach error, and that’s a different issue. All congregations, though, have little quirks and tiffs that cause a little uproar from time-to-time. Don’t start shopping when these arise; instead, be the peacemaker! Know that, should you leave, it won’t be long before the congregation you go to will also have a little “issue,” and you’ll be looking again.

I’m thankful that Lebanon Road, while not perfect, has peacemakers! I’m thankful that we are a place that stands on God’s Word, not only in our teaching, but in our attitude and how we handle those “little” things that often break apart congregations and lead to shopping. I’m also thankful that we don’t “steal sheep.” While we have many who place membership here, we don’t seek that. We want people to be saved first and foremost.

Stop shopping, and start serving!