if you had to choose?

First and Foremost find a Church where the word is preached. If you do this all the other things will fall into the right place. Everything else is merely support of the Gospel. The WORD is superior to all things

 

The preaching / teaching of the Word would be paramount to me.

Next would be good Bible study, either at the church on Sunday, or thru small groups during the week.

Music would be last on my list of importance.

 

Most emphasis should be placed on youth music It is rare to see a good youth program W/O a good music program. As an older (real old) adult I enjoy most music and can endure all of it if the lyrics are S.criptural.

 

Music is not benign.

People need to understand it isn't the lyrics that make a difference, but the elements of the music that communicate far sooner than the intellect engages.

That aside, the most important matter in any assembly is the teaching.

Be it in the small group or the whole assembly, the people are to learn and learn very well the principles of the Scripture.

Paul states that it is the purpose of the leadership to literally work their way out of a job - teach until the learners have no more need of being taught.

Unless an assembly is learning to this end, there is really no reason for the church to assemble - the rest is peripheral and as music very much can be a distraction.

 

I agree with this feller right here :thumbs:

I might also add that it is important for me to see how all generations interact with each other, if they do at all, are children encouraged to sing, are youth encouraged to serve in some way, to me that says a lot about the church as well.

 

Yes the Word is number one. Usually the Sunday School program will follow in quality. I have an extra question related to this. If this is a married couple seeking a new church, and lets say the husband likes Baptist Church A for its sermons, and the wife likes Baptist church B for its Bible studies and fellowship, is it more important that they join a church they will be more at home, or, is the idea of going to church together more important while not being in a church of one's dreams for the sake of going together? Or maybe the solution is to seek out Baptist Church C. Any thoughts?

 

In the scenario you have given, I would the think the quality of pot luck should be the deciding factor, if no clear choice can then be made proceed to seek out Church C.

 

None of the above.

I would try to find the leading of God to a church where I could make a difference for the Kingdom. The church is just something that happens organically where there are Christians seeking for and building the Kingdom. I think we should not go to a church to have our needs met as much as go to a church to meet needs. God will see to it that our needs are met in some way. If a church needs someone to preach, I'll preach. If they need someone to lead music, I'll do the best I can (I have done this). If they need help in the Bible study/Sunday School, I'll pitch in there. If they need help in the discipleship ministry of the church, I'm delighted to be a part. If they need help to minister to the community, the poor and ignored, I'm going to be there.

We meet Jesus in those activities and the fellowship of the church occurs naturally around groups of Christians working together for common cause. The "quality" of the elements of the church should only pointers to places where we should consider exercising our gifts instead of being served by "professional" programs.

 

The preaching and teaching of the word is most important. I left the only church I had ever been a member of over poor preaching and poor pastoring.

 

As I said before, I would seek God's guidance. At the same time, I go to a church to serve, not be served.

If I go to a church, I don't go to "shape them up," but to help them fulfill their calling. That's a very different attitude.

Everyone should use the gifts they have.

Doesn't matter to me.

 

The church MUST teach sound doctrines and practices, have worship and love for the bethren, and be active in Evangelizing/witnessing, and have a children/youth teaching area...

That is what my wife and I used to decide when moving away from Charasmatic circles!

 

We, as Christians, do not have the option to not serve in a local assemebly. Going to church is not nearly as much about getting something from God as it is giving our worship to Him.

 

No where does scripture suggest that worship is a private and intimate moment. Worship is anything we do that gives God glory. That can be singing preaching, witnessing, or even cleaning the toilets.

What we do in the church is for the purpose of getting us ready to serve God (worship) outside of the church. I do not go to church to discover what I can get out of it or from God. I go to worship and that means what I can give God. That is old school Baptists. That is biblical. That is worship.

I would never make such a choice based on your criteria.

 

Would choose a church with solid teaching, but hopefully, thaey will also put into application those truths, as we seem to have many saints that know a ole lot more than they apply!