Frequently Asked Questions

This is not as easy as it first appears. In London we find there are so many different kinds of church. And, as a fairly new believer, someone may not know what criteria to use. However, we need to know these things: (1) Is the church bible believing? (2) Is it open to the moving of the Holy Spirit? (3) Is the worship something I find I can easily join in with? (4) Are there activities which are open to me, and which I would find helpful? Those questions are very important. But then we need to ask some questions which are also spiritual and practical. (1) Can I get there on a Sunday? In the New Testament the church was local. It is not so much the case today. But we do need to make sure that we can be regular in our attendance. (2) Is the Pastor living the Christian life? Although we need to be careful about judging and criticising we do need to be going somewhere which has a good reputation. It is all very well to be criticised for preaching the gospel. But if there are negative criticisms which are justified then we need be aware of them, and judge accordingly. (3) Do I agree with the ethos of the church? Whilst all decent churches want to glorify God and serve Him they also centre on different aspects of ministry. Some have a mission to youth; others to ethnic groups; yet others on missions abroad. You need to be "comfortable" with the direction the church is taking. (4) Are the people friendly with new people or are they something of a closed shop? Are they only looking for a certain kind of person? An example of this is are they wanting only youth? Or, maybe a particular ethnic group? Or, even a particular class and income group? These may be perfectly properly motivated, but you may not fit in. Do not be afraid of asking questions before you make your decision. Have a good look around. If the church has their own building see if they are keeping it in good order. If it is not, is because they are lazy, or is it because they need you? Although looking for a decent church can be stressful it need not be. Enjoy looking around. Celebrate the differences in the churches you see. Don't be harsh in your criticisms. Some may seem very different to what you feel is right for you, but remember that they are right for so many of those who currently attend.

I am answering this with reference to English bibles. If you read in another language then I do not know, but I do understand that the choice is a lot more limited. In English there are now dozens of translations to choose from. There are no rules regarding this. However, there are bibles which are literal translations, such as the King James Version (Authorised Version) and New King James. They are usually much closer to what the author originally intended, and therefore we do well to take doctrinal truth from them. We need to be aware that language has changed in the four hundred years since the King James Version. Some of it, although archaic, is still beautiful to read. I always suggest that a person has TWO bibles. One for study; and for this I suggest The King James, New King James, New American Standard Bible etc. The other is to be read like a love letter from our Father. For this I suggest a modern version. You can then just read it for the flow of what God is saying to you personally. The Message is really fun to read. The Living Bible is hilarious in places. The Good News Bible and New Living Translation are easy to understand. Be careful of reading Bibles which have been deliberately altered to fit a doctrinal point of view such as the New World Translation which is used exclusively by the Jehovah's Witnesses. So, yes you should read the Bible. But you can choose from a wide selection and learn from God and grow in His grace as you do.

As Christians have a living realtionship with God we seek to do things which please Him. We know that these things please Him because the Bible says so. It tells us that He is pleased with a dance which is intended for Him: "Praise him with tambourine and dance;" (Psalm 150:4)...... The Psalmist says it is a good thing to clap for the Lord: "Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!" (Psalms 47:1)...... And the lifting of hands is a sign of our surrender to Him: "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!" (Psalm 141:2)and "I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;" (1 Timothy 2:8)

Your Pastor is a human being with strengths and weaknesses. Most church leaders are well motivated and are honourable in their dealings with the Lord and other people. They are a gift from God to you, so try to treat them accordingly. Below are a few principles which might hold you in good stead:

1. RESPECT AND LOVE YOUR PASTOR (1 Th. 5:12-13)...... 2. PUT INTO OPERATION THEIR TEACHING AS THEY FOLLOW THE SCRIPTURES AND AS THEY SEEK TO BUILD UP THE CHURCH FOR THE SERVICE OF THE LORD (Eph. 4:11-12)......3. FOLLOW THEIR EXAMPLES (Heb. 13:7). Conversation means lifestyle......4. SUBMIT TO THEIR OVERSIGHT IN CHURCH AFFAIRS(Heb. 13:17)......5. PRAY FOR THEM REGULARLY(2 Thess. 3:1......6. PROVIDE FOR THEIR PHYSICAL NEEDS, THAT MEANS FINANCIALLY (1 Tim. 5:17-18)......7. GIVE THE PASTORS THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT AND DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO BE A SUBMISSIVE, OBEDIENT MEMBER......8. GUARD YOUR HEART AND YOUR ATTITUDE......KEEP YOUR EYES ON CHRIST RATHER THAN ON MEN . "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;" (Heb. 12:2)......9.. PRAY FOR YOUR PASTORS AND THEIR FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER CHURCH LEADERS....

Well, actually that is not totally true. The question sounds like we ONLY worship on Sundays. The truth is that the believer worships God every day. It may include singing, but it also includes the way he lives. However, the church came together on the first day of the week to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. For us in the western world it is certainly the easiest thing to do because it is the day when most people are not expected to go to work.