So, which church is right for you?

We cannot help but be impressed by many of the beautiful and ornate churches in the world. In an effort to celebrate and glorify God, these structures were created to the highest standards. Elsewhere, humble structures were constructed for the same purpose. Neither of these qualifies as a church.

We need to recognize that a church is a community – not a building. A church is a community of people who collectively believe in the same God, in the same way.

If we look at the variations in Christianity, we should conclude that the differences between churches are strictly man-made. Somewhere along the line, someone has made an interpretation of the Bible and convinced others that their interpretation is the correct one. That became the path that determined a particular church philosophy.

If we want to take it a step further back in time, we will find that the Bible itself is the result of a group of religious scholars who negotiated which ancient texts would become the official Bible.

Once we recognize that denominational differences are the result of human interpretations, it becomes clear that each denomination has elected to build their brand around specific Bible passages.

So, how does this help us decide which church is right for us?

It helps to become familiar with the bedrock principles of Christianity. Armed with that understanding, we can explore different churches to see which one we feel is built on that rock-solid foundation. We may also find which churches are distorting the basics or creating their own interpretation of the Bible to suit their pre-conceived philosophy or political ends.

We may find that certain churches are cherry-picking Bible passages to justify their viewpoint, or blatantly promoting misinterpretations.

Ultimately, we must each choose the community that we feel represents our personal beliefs. The most important aspect is that, whichever path we choose, the basic principles are the foundation. From that standpoint, all the rituals, all the traditions, and all the ceremonies are just window-dressing.

Whether we attend a celebrated, ornate cathedral, a simple country church, or a start-up congregation meeting in a vacant storefront, we must remember why we gather.

Matthew 18:20
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”