Church Leesburg VA
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Picking The Right Church: The Vital Considerations
In the Bible, both the New and Old Testaments clearly define the word "church." It's not merely a building; it's a community of believers. Hebrews 10:25, for example, is an explicit encouragement to uphold the tradition of meeting together for worship. Meeting together with other believers is a core part of following Jesus Christ.
This communion with fellow Christians usually happens under the aegis of a local church leesburg va. That makes your choice of church extremely important -- perhaps almost as important as choosing a spouse. The church you participate in plays a vital role in shaping your relationship with God. Your church is also an instructive tool that will deepen your understanding of your faith, the Bible, and your life as a Christian.
Such a momentous choice deserves careful thought, and you have many options. Recent demographic data shows that the United States has almost half a million different churches. Even in a relatively small town, you're likely to have half a dozen local churches. Where to begin?
Your Church Should Encourage Your Worship To God
Though this point is obvious, it's also so important that it is heard. Churches -- and the Christians of which they are made -- exist to worship the Creator. This is not a matter of interpretation or philosophy; Jesus Christ makes this point explicitly in Matthew 22:37-39. When the Pharisees ask him which is the most important of God's commandments, he distills them into the core message of loving God with all our hearts and souls (as well as loving our neighbor as ourselves.
Worship is about more than attending services, listening to readings of Scripture, and singing Christian songs. True worship is a more intimate affair, a personal matter of how you and you alone connect with the Lord. A church that's right for you will nurture this connection and allow it to illuminate your entire life, not just the hours you spend within the church's walls.
Your Church Should Help You Be A Better Disciple
A disciple is, quite simply, one who strives to live in Christ's example. Good churches recognize this and concern themselves with the quality of their disciples, not just the sheer quantity they can attract on a Sunday. A healthy church is a growing church, one in which all the members are growing to be better disciples of the Lord.
To return to Hebrews, note how the author of the text gently rebukes his readers (Hebrews 5:12-13). They should be teachers and spreaders of the Word of God, yet they still need basic instruction in the faith. "You need milk, not solid food," the author writes. Again, the meaning is clear: The original readers of this epistle were stuck in an "infant" state of Christianity instead of growing as they should.
Growing churches glorify God in all that they do, not just in attracting larger crowds. Growing churches encourage their members to serve, learn, witness, share the gospel, and share their resources with their church and their larger community. When you choose the right church, you choose a powerful ally in your mission to be a better Christian.