The Pew Research Centre conducted a poll a few years ago asking people why they chose the church they did, after for example moving to a different area. The most common reasons were the quality of the sermon, the welcome they got, how much they liked the style of worship, and the location of the church. Well behind these was the specific teachings of the church.
So what I’d like to hear people’s views about is whether “doctrinal purity” is, or even ought to be, a consideration in people’s choice of a church. If it’s not, doesn’t that make the religious wars of past centuries quite pointless, and no church should claim to be “the one true church” or whatever?
That’s an excellent and thought-provoking question. I’ve often seen how people decide where to worship. The reasons vary some choose a church because of the sermons, others because of the music, the friendliness of the congregation, or simply the location. Yet, the Bible reminds us that while feelings matter, faith must rest on truth.
When people move to a new area, they naturally look for a church that feels like home. They want to be welcomed, inspired, and uplifted. These desires are not wrong. The early church was built on love and fellowship. Acts 2:42–47 tells us that believers
“devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” The love and community they shared drew many others to Christ. So yes, how people are treated in church matters deeply. Jesus said,
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). A warm handshake and a kind word can often speak louder than a thousand sermons.
However, there is another side to the story and that is
truth. In our desire to make church comfortable, we must be careful not to compromise the very foundation of our faith. Paul warned in 2 Timothy 4:3–4,
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” That time, my friends, has surely come. Many today prefer churches that make them
feel good rather than those that help them
grow in righteousness.
Doctrinal purity may sound like an old-fashioned term, but it is essential to a healthy spiritual life. It doesn’t mean being judgmental or arrogant about what we believe. Rather, it means holding fast to the truth of God’s Word in love. Paul told Timothy,
“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16). A church that preaches sound doctrine will always point you toward Christ not human opinion or popularity.
Some might ask, “Does doctrine really matter as long as we love Jesus?” The answer is yes, because right belief shapes right living. If we misunderstand who Jesus is, what salvation means, or how grace works, we can easily drift into confusion. That’s why Jesus compared truth to a solid foundation:
“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24). A church built on the shifting sands of opinion will not stand in times of testing.
So how should a believer choose a church? I often tell people to look for four things:
- Biblical Teaching: The Word of God must be central, not just occasionally mentioned. A true church feeds your soul with Scripture that convicts, corrects, and encourages (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
- Christ-Centered Worship: Worship should draw your heart to God, not just entertain your emotions. Jesus said, “The true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23).
- Loving Community: You should sense genuine love and fellowship among believers, not cliques or competition (1 John 4:7–12).
- Spiritual Growth and Service: The church should help you grow in faith and give you opportunities to serve others (Hebrews 10:24–25).
These are not just preferences; they are biblical principles that guide us in finding the right spiritual home.
Regarding the question about religious wars and divisions yes, history has seen its share of pain because of doctrinal disputes. But that doesn’t mean truth no longer matters. Jesus prayed in John 17:17,
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” Unity in the church must be built on truth, not at the expense of it. We can love one another even when we differ, but we must never abandon the foundation of God’s revealed Word.
At the end of the day, choosing a church should not be a matter of convenience but of conviction. Pray before you decide. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Visit, listen, and discern where God’s Word is honored and Christ is exalted. Remember, a church is not a club to join but a family to belong to a body where every believer grows together in grace and truth.
So yes, doctrine matters, love matters, worship matters but above all,
Christ matters. Choose the place where His presence is real, His Word is preached, and His people walk in love. Then you’ll not only find a church; you’ll find your spiritual home.
Near to me,
The right church will not just make you comfortable; it will make you more like Christ. When love and truth walk hand in hand, that’s where the Holy Spirit dwells, and that’s where you belong.
Blessings
Pastor Waris
