SHOPPING FOR A CHURCH
by Wayne S. Walker
Not too far from our house is a denominational church building which we frequently pass. The church has recently installed an electronic sign. Lately it has been flashing the message, “Church shopping? We’re open on Sundays.” Since the concept of “church shopping” is not found in the Bible, it might be helpful to see what the term means and involves.
Our English word “shop” is defined as “to visit shops or stores to purchase or look at goods.” So, if one is shopping for a car, he visits various dealers to look at different makes and models until he finds one that pleases him with regards to price, features, gas mileage, color, and other acceptable criteria.
Likewise, if one’s shopping for a church, he visits various denominations to look at their different activities until he finds one that pleases him regarding size, architecture, kind of music, style of preaching, etc., or in other words, that suit his fancy. However, rather than shopping for a church, let me suggest that one should seek for the church — the church of Christ.
Jesus built His church, singular, not churches (Matthew 16:18). He purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:28). It is His body (Ephesians 1:22-23). And there is one body (Ephesians 4:4-6). Moses was given a pattern for building the tabernacle (Hebrews 8:5). Jesus revealed the pattern for His church in the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17). One should seek for the church that fits God’s pattern.
If one is seeking for the one true church, he should seek for salvation because the Lord adds those who are saved to the church (Acts 2:38, 42). And if one is genuinely seeking for salvation and the Lord’s church, Jesus promises that he can find it (Matthew 7:7-8). Where should one start looking? “The churches of Christ greet you” (Romans 16:16).
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