By visiting our website I suspect that you might be in the process of selecting a church for you or your family. I want to take a few moments and see if I might be of some assistance with your choice; even if you never end up at Abundant Life. There are at least 9 things that each "seeker" should consider when looking for their spiritual home.

1. Does the Church I am seeking have a dedication to the Word Of God?

What purpose can a church possible have without honoring and calling upon the written guidelines of God’s Promise Book for mankind? God’s Word was expressly given to be a guidebook, curriculum and final answer to all of life’s questions. Life’s plans are best guided with the answers from the Bible. This is truly found in the Word, you and I asking, "What does God say about…?" The rightly divided Bible contains those answers.

2. Is there an atmosphere of love and acceptance found in the congregation?

A body of believers should always have an inviting and warm greeting towards visitors and each other. If you encounter a sense of suspicion or exclusivity there is likely a core issue within the church. The shepherd (pastor) of the church you choose will set the tenor of the body in this regard. He, or she, must bravely lead the church to love others to overcome fears, past issues and to practice the true recognition of persons through the eyes of Christ.

3. Does the Church have a clear, readable (and defendable) statement of belief

I once attended a church for many months before finding out that there were several key doctrinal issues that were avoided by the church leadership because of fear of controversy. The church is called to be set on the "Solid Rock" and is by it’s very nature controversial. Choose a church that knows what it believes. A successful church must know and state their beliefs and be prepared to give an account of why they believe in them. Even if you don’t agree, at least you should be able to decide if it is a major item or just an interpretation of a minor issue.

4. Does the pastor exhibit a sense of confident, compassionate leadership where love flavors his/her messages and interactions with the church family?

Any leader should have a definite sense of calling, and the "tools" to do his/her mission; this includes knowledge of the Word, intimacy with the Father and Son, and an ear for the Holy Spirit. Yes, they should be allowed to be growing, perfecting their gift(s) and their faith, but a pastor or church leader still should be a mature believer in Christ.. Will the church you choose feed your needs and the needs of your family?

5. Will the church you choose feed the needs of you and your family?

Every member of your family is important to the Lord. The church you choose should demonstrate that to your family, too. Some allowances can be made for growing congregations, but, all in all, there should at least be evidence of intent to feed the whole family, and soon.

6. Does the church you choose have a place for you to be involved in ministry?

Every believer has a call. You do, I do. It is as simple as that. Believers become "receivers" if they settle into a church that only has a few people doing all the ministry. Find a place where (perhaps after some training) you can be a part of what brings the Gospel to your community.

7. Does the church focus on money?

Many congregations get tricked into large, destructive debt. Then the pastor gets handed the task of "passing the plate", this puts things quickly out of balance. My philosophy is this (and it’s based on God’s Word), "the Lord loves a cheerful giver." At Abundant Life I have one idea when it comes to giving, "If you can’t give cheerfully take your money home with you, God doesn’t need it!" A confident and balanced church will have this philosophy towards money issues. (Every congregation I have ever been to needs money to function, but it never should be a week after week crisis or central point of the services.)

8. Will your regular attendance at this church encourage you to bloom into God’s victorious, overcoming saint? **That is his plan for you!**

Long ago I felt that God demonstrated, through Christ, a focus on the success of the church, both individually and corporately. A healthy church is a place full of believers who are overcoming, growing, and in fact, shining for Christ’s glory. At the end of Christ’s messages there is always a blessing, each parable, each demonstration of his divine power created an opportunity for the hearer to become more than their previous self. That is the essence of ministry at Abundant Life—it should be at any church you attend. I call that ending with a blessing. Yes, correction, instruction and ministry (that kind of training leads to repentance), but never a message that belittles or browbeats a child of God into compliance. When people leave the church feeling guilty, empty and condemned they become easy targets for Satan’s forces. We are alive in the church age, a time of grace, growth and mercy. That is simply God’s plan for you. A church should teach and actually resonate that.

9. Does the church have a plan for the future and eternity?

The body of Christ is an invested organization, God invested his Son, the Son invested his Blood, and the Spirit inhabits God’s redeemed investment; you and me! Choose a church that preaches and practices an eternity with God. A successful church cultivates growth on earth, through ministry to community and congregation, and a firm commitment to the promises of eternal life for the body of Christ. May God bless you in your searching for a church home. - Bruce A. Jerome