As a pastor, I often talk with people who are looking for a place of worship — “church shopping” is the current term. Things are not as simple as they once were, when Presbyterians went to Presbyterian churches, Methodists to Methodist churches, etc.
Today’s church shoppers have less “brand loyalty” than did our parents, and we tend to shop around for a place of worship that meets our needs. Obviously this is a challenge to churches, and some have responded by observing that we have become a “consumer culture.” However, I’m not sure that this trend is not ultimately good for churches.
No longer can we adopt an “if you build it, they will come” mentality. Now we have to consider more carefully how well we are responding to people’s needs, what kind of community we are creating, and how effective we are in being who we claim to be.
So I’ve been thinking lately about how, if I were in the position of shopping for a church, I’d make that important decision. What would I look for? Here are a few thoughts as I consider that question:
I’d look for integrity. This is probably the No. 1 requirement for me. Do people at least try honestly and earnestly to be who they claim to be? No church is perfect, and only people with low ideals actually live up to all of them. But does a church actually attempt to be the kind of community they describe in their creeds and their mission statements?
I’d look for transparency. Does the leadership of a church tell you what is going on in their inner workings? Do they seek regular feedback from their members? Do they tell you how the hard-earned money people give is used? Do they tell you readily what they pay their clergy and staff? Will they cheerfully provide you with a copy of their budget?
I’d look for passion. Are they excited about their vision of what is possible, what they want to achieve? Is the divine Spirit evident in the way they talk about their church and their mission to the world around them? Are people earnest in their desire to find a lively relationship with God? I once had a sad conversation with a man who had not found a church because, he said, he had never found a church or a pastor with any real passion. It could have been an excuse, but how sad if it was true.
I’d look for people who take the sacred text seriously. Notice that I say “seriously”, not “literally”. There are people who are literal in their interpretation of sacred scripture, who do not take it seriously. Serious people wrestle with meaning and interpretation, and hold lively conversations about scripture’s application to contemporary life.
But more than any other single attribute, I’d look for love. Love for God comes first. But also, how do these people care for each other? Understand, this is more than mere “friendliness.” A smile and a handshake are great, but real love means that you’ll find friends who stand with you when you’re down, and celebrate with you when you’re up. As St. Paul said, “Without love, I am nothing.”
I hope you’ll go on to complete my partial list. And if you’re shopping, I hope that you find the true family of faith you’re seeking.
Blair Monie is senior pastor of the Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church (phpc.org). The Worship section is a regular feature underwritten by Advocate Publishing and the ch urches listed on these pages. For information about helping support the Worship section, call 214.560.4202.
