What Should You Look For in a Church?

Messiah Community Radio Talk Show

Practical Insight into Finding a Healthy Church. Looking for a new church can feel overwhelming, and it’s often difficult to know what aspects to prioritize. In this addition to the Church Questions series, Alex Duke provides criteria on what to look for in a healthy local church. Using personal experiences and biblical principles, Duke identifies important elements within the church―the gospel, the Bible, and the community―as well as specific questions to ask. He also reminds believers that they should not be looking for a perfect church, but a biblical and faithful one. This booklet is perfect for those who are looking for a new church and unsure where to begin. Short, Accessible Format: Concise, biblical advice on searching for a churchPart of the Church Questions Series: Helping Christians understand the centrality of the local church in Christian discipleshipPractical: Provides specific questions to ask about the church’s treatment of the Bible, the gospel, and meaningful relationships Alex Duke (MDiv, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is the editorial manager for 9Marks and the director of youth ministry and ecclesiological training at Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. At 9Marks, we help pastors, future pastors, and church members see what a biblical church looks like, and to take practical steps for becoming one. Our goal is to see churches characterized by nine biblical marks of a healthy church. Why these nine? Because sadly, they’re too often assumed or ignored in evangelical churches. In order to inform and influence churches, 9Marks creates a wide variety of practical resources. This includes books, articles, podcasts, book reviews, and a quarterly Journal. We also host regular events around the world—almost all of them geared toward equipping and encouraging pastors. 9Marks supports the global church by partnering with international churches and pastors in translating our resources into dozens of languages. We have a growing number of language-specific websites where we post articles, books, and other translated material in partnership with local ministries for worldwide access. Visit https://www.9marks.org/