How to Choose a Church

Co-authored by Zachary Rainey

Last Updated: March 11, 2023 References

Church can be the building where people come together to worship God, or it can be used to describe a group of followers, sometimes referred to as a congregation.^{[1]
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Research source} Finding the right Christian church isn't that easy. There are a plethora of separate denominations and thousands of different churches across the world which can make the process of choosing the right one relatively difficult. Luckily, by evaluating your religious beliefs and investigating the churches that are available to you, finding a church that's right for you and your family is an easy task.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Determining Which Denomination is Right For You

1
Do your research on the different branches of Christianity. There are three traditional branches of the religion that include Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestant Christianity. Each of these religions hold different beliefs and have different traditions. All of the religions believe in Jesus Christ and Scripture, but have differing views on whether the Pope or the Catholic Church hold any religious authority.
- Protestants concentrate on Scripture and the Bible to guide their faith, rather than a centralized church.^{[2]
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- Eastern Orthodoxy teaches the writings of the Deuterocanonicals and holds the belief that the Pope holds the same authority as other bishops.^{[3]
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- Roman Catholicism believes in the doctrines of Transubstantiation and Purgatory and the belief in the Pope as a Holy authority.
  - Transubstantiation is the belief that during communion, the Eucharist or the bread and wine, are transformed into the actual body and blood of Jesus.^{[4]
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  - Purgatory is the belief that you can make penance with God after death for minor sins and an allotted amount of time.
2
Educate yourself on the different religious denominations. Under the traditional branches of Christianity, many sects or denominations exist as well. There are also churches that are non-denominational or that are aimed to be accept people of all denominations of Christianity. Go to a library or look online for the various Christian denominations that exist. Researching them will give you insight into their differences and may point you in the right direction for which kind of church you'd like to attend.
- Inter-denominational churches do not hold a specific historical creed.^{[5]
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- Members of the Baptist Church do not baptize members as infants and fully immerse adults under water through a ceremony called believer's baptism.^{[6]
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- Quakers reject ordained clergy and sacraments and are pacifists who aim to live quiet, simple lives.^{[7]
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- Sects of Protestant Christianity include Methodist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Evangelical.^{[8]
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3
Consider the religion of your ancestors and family. If your family was actively religious when you were younger, it's possible that you are already affiliated with a specific sect of Christianity. While you can always change your denomination, it may be a good idea to stick to your religion if you already believe in its teachings.
- It's also possible that your family may have an established relationship with a specific church or specific nuns or priests.
- Being active at church earlier in life can create stronger bonds with others in your congregation.
4
Choose a church that aligns with your social beliefs. After doing research on the major branches and denominations of Christianity, you'll be able to make a more informed decision on which doctrines ring true to you personally. Think about your stances on important issues like same-sex marriage, reproductive rights, or acceptance of different people who may be viewed as sinful to some Christian Churches.
- For instance, some Protestant churches believe in reproductive rights. These churches include the Quakers, the Lutheran Church in America, the Episcopal Church, the Moravian Church in America, the Presbyterian Church, the Unitarian Universalist, the United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist Church.
- There are various churches that accept people in the LGBT community, such as the Alliance of Baptists, the Covenant Network, the Independent Catholic Christian Church, and the Reformed Catholic Church.^{[9]
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- Though the Pope has said positive things about the LGBT community, same-sex marriages are still a violation of Catholic beliefs.^{[10]
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Determine how much time and money you have to dedicate to church. Prior to joining a church, decide how big of a role your faith plays in your life and how much time and energy you have to devote to worship and doing acts of good. Some churches are more active and call on members to help build the community while others concentrate on Sunday worship and teaching. In addition, other churches require you to tithe or contribute 10% of your income to the church. Take these things into consideration and choose a church that can match your schedule and budget.
- Don't choose an active church if you don't like doing volunteer work or community service.
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Pray to God for clarity. If you're still unsure of which denomination or sect of Christianity that you should practice, you should ask God. God may be able to give you clarity on which path to follow. Ultimately, you want to choose a church that will allow you to worship in a way that makes you feel fulfilled and comfortable. You should not be anxious or stressed while making the decision.
- You can ask God something like, "I want to be the best Christian I can be, but I'm unsure of which denomination to choose. Please guide me on this journey of finding how to worship your word and live a good life."

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Finding Your Church

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Determine the church's religious affiliations. Determine the church's denomination and make sure that it matches with your religion. Check on the church's website or inquire with a staff member or pastor about any possible affiliations with outside organizations.^{[11]
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Research source} Find a church that supports the same causes that you are passionate about.
- For example, your church may be affiliated with youth organizations like Boy Scouts of America.
- If the church is affiliated with an organization that you oppose, consider choosing another church.
- Churches that are affiliated with nonprofits that concentrate on doing acts of good may be a good choice.
2
Decide if you want to attend a large or small church. Some churches are small with only a few dozen members while others are large and have thousands of followers. Decide what kind of environment you want to worship in. While larger churches will have the capital for new infrastructure and amenities, smaller churches can provide a more personalized experience. Decide on which environment you like better and try to find a church that reflects that.
- You may become closer to your pastor, priest, or minister at a smaller church because they will have time to speak with you individually.^{[12]
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EXPERT TIP

Zachary Rainey
Ordained Minister
Rev. Zachary B. Rainey is an ordained minister with over 40 years of ministry and pastoral practice, including over 10 years as a hospice chaplain. He is a graduate of Northpoint Bible College and a member of the General Council of the Assemblies of God.

Zachary Rainey
Ordained Minister

Consider where you will best be able to serve. Zachary Rainey, ordained minister, advises: "Find a church where you can serve well. Your own personal preferences and opinions may hinder you from finding a fellowship where you can minister in an effective way. Ask what you have to offer and find a church that needs you. You will be much more fulfilled by serving than you will by sitting in a chair with a bunch of other people sitting in chairs listening to a worship band."
3
Read the church's doctrinal statement. The doctrinal statement is the closely held beliefs of the church you're looking to join. Before making the decision, go to their website or give them a visit to see their doctrinal statement.^{[13]
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Research source} Make sure that it matches with your closely held beliefs, so there are no conflicts once you join.
- The doctrinal statement usually includes views on Scripture, God, the son, Mary, figures of authority, and the church.
4
Make sure the church has the amenities that you want. Amenities include things that you may need such as sufficient parking, wheelchair ramps, disability-accessible restrooms, or a sign-language interpreter. You must make sure that you have the ability to worship even if you or a loved one has a physical disability so choose a church that has access for you and your family members.
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Make a checklist of things that you want in a church. Keeping a physical checklist will allow you to evaluate all the churches around you fairly. As you go around and visit different churches and watch different sermons, take note of things that you like and dislike so that you can make an informed decision. While you're unlikely to find a church that meets all your criteria perfectly, you can choose one that matches your needs the closest.
- Things on your checklist could include: traditional worship, a powerful sermon, confession, singing the traditional hymns, or casual and open worship.
- The things on your checklist will differ depending on your personality.
6
Visit a variety of churches. A good way to get an understanding of the way that a specific church will worship is by visiting during a service. There, you'll be able to examine things like the church's traditions, the ministry, the sermon, and the congregation so you can get a better idea of whether the church is right for you. Get a list of churches in your area and visit each of them during service.
- Pay attention to the preaching style during the sermon, as this is a usually big deciding factor for many people when choosing one.^{[14]
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- Take notice of the service and whether you feel engaged and inspired.
7
Decide if you want to go to a traditional or nontraditional church. Some churches are nontraditional, and the pastor or preacher will dress down, use technology, or use non-traditional instruments like the guitar during praise choruses.^{[15]
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Research source} Other churches will stick to the denomination's traditions like a confession, communion, and instruction. Decide if you want a traditional church that will require you to dress up or a more casual church experience.
- Some churches require you to wear a suit and tie or a dress during service, while others are more relaxed and allow you to wear casual clothes.^{[16]
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Consider the church's music. Music remains an important aspect of the church. While the Catholic and Orthodox churches have more traditional worship styles and sing the traditional hymns, other churches prefer to take on a more contemporary music style, even incorporating styles like reggae and hip-hop.^{[17]
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Research source} Many Baptist churches sing gospel music, which combines the sounds of jazz and blues with Christian hymns.^{[18]
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- Other examples of music include Christian rock, European cantatas, and African choruses.^{[19]
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Make your decision. Take a look at your checklist and compare each of the churches that you were able to visit. Try to remember things that you liked and disliked about each service, and consider all of the things that you've researched. Think about the church's worship style, what is expected of you, and the type of clothing that you'll have to wear.
- Ask the ministry questions that you can't answer by looking at their website.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Building a Bond With Your Church

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Communicate with your ministry. Talking to your priest, minister, pastor, or nuns will help bring you closer to the teachings of God. It will also give you the ability to ask questions that you may have or get spiritual advice. Find a church where you can talk openly about your experiences and how to avoid sinning.^{[20]
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- As technology advances so does the ability to speak to your pastor or minister. Many have an e-mail address and can be reached via phone.
2
Volunteer and become involved in good works. Volunteering at a church can fulfill you spiritually and will bring you closer to your church. You can help feed the poor, work on a community project, or become a missionary. If you choose to give more of your time, you may be sent abroad to help poorer countries.
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Become friends with others in your congregation. Get to know other families and people within your church and become friends with them. See if they want to share a meal or join you in volunteering. The more you get to know other people from your church the more involved and engaged you'll be. You can also share spiritual dilemmas or questions with friends in the church who hold the same moral values.
- In Mark 12:31 it says, "The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”^{[21]
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4
Visit the church and attend mass. The only way to truly know if you feel like you belong to an individual church is to go their mass. Just because you visit does not mean that you have a responsibility to that church. The most important thing is that you feel a sense of belonging and feel as if the church can lift your faith and help fulfill you. If you don't feel that way because of the church, the ministry, or congregation, then you should try going to Mass at a different church.

Community Q&A

Question

I believe Catholicism is the truth, but I'm only 16 and my parents are Protestants and I feel so comfortable in my current Protestant church. Do you think I should convert or just stay?

Community Answer

You're very young and you have a long time to figure this stuff out. Consider talking it over with your parents, they may have some good advice for you. You may want to consider staying with your current church for now, especially if it would make your parents happy. Continue to do research, reflect on your beliefs, and pray for guidance. You'll figure this out.
Question

How do you know if the church uses your tithe money in the right way?

Community Answer

Get involved with the church and ask the ministry if they are doing acts of good. If they tithe, then there's a good chance they are involved with volunteer or missionary work. If you get a full idea of what your church is involved in, you can see how your money is being spent.
Question

I'm starting to lose energy to attend church on Sunday. What can I do to bring back the energy of attending the church?

Community Answer

It is up to you to find put what's hindering or affecting your regular visits to the church. In the meantime, you can motivate yourself to reinvent your faith. Find reasons to be in church. It could be anything from experiencing the presence of Jesus with a newer perspective or going to defeat demons that hinder your going to church.