Things to Look for In a Church…
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Tue, July 24, 2007
- Viewed 171
- (25) comments so far
1. When I enter do I hear laughter?
2. Are people greeting me as a job or a joy?
3. Does the place look like they were expecting me?
4. Are people buzzing as they greet each other?
5. Is there spirited music playing as people gather?
6. Does the music move me?
7. Do the people on stage look real and engaged?
8. Are the announcements short, strategic, and to the point?
9. Is there a printed outline with Scripture already printed on it?
10 Does the pastor smile?
11. Does the message title promise a relevant topic I am interested in?
12. Does the pastor speak with humility and authority?
13. Do I feel the presence of God?
14. Are people listening and engaged?
15. Is the service no more than 71 minutes?
16. Does it pass by fast?
Read more here. What do you think?
David Foster offers up these 16 things he would look for in a church if he was picking one to attend this week. It's an interesting list. I wonder... what would you look for in a church if you had to pick one this week? Would it be a lot like the church you're serving in now, or totally different?
Comments
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MG on Tue, July 24, 2007
Wow!!! Nothing about whether or not the message properly interprets Scripture?Does the “authority” of the pastor have to do with his “authority” in accurately interpreting the Bible or does he just have to speak confidently?A sad list for sure because it shows how self-centered the idea of “worship” is among some.
Todd Rhoades on Tue, July 24, 2007
I expected that. Thanks, MG.
Peter Hamm on Tue, July 24, 2007
MG, you actually have a point. But keep in mind… for some of us it goes without saying that we are creating worship experiences that are God-centered, even if they are contemporary and relevant. Otherwise, we’d be working in some other job, because this one doesn’t pay as well as the ones we could get out there. (I worked “out there” so I know this…)
But it would have been nice to have “God-centered” on the list.
That said… our services, I’m glad to say, really fill the bill when it comes to this list. I’m pleased! Number 13 is more than a little subjective and impossible to measure, though.
Todd Rhoades on Tue, July 24, 2007
Careful now, some of you. I’ve had to delete a comment on this post already because of ad hominem, and will continue to do so as need be.
I believe that this list by David wasn’t meant to be a theological dissertation. Of course, he would be an advocate of the Bible being preached and presented correctly. Give it a break.
Let’s add:
#17 The Bible and it’s message are articulately and accurately presented.
It would be kind of interesting to do a list of what some people would think a church would look like.
Todd
Snoop on Tue, July 24, 2007
Knowing some of the history of David Foster, this list seems to be in line with his approach to ministry. I think that the list fits into the seeker sensitive mold of ministry. While I think that there is a degree of importance to the welcoming feel of a church, and the buzz… I also think that we do need to be careful about the entire message that we communicate.
I tend to read much of what Foster writes with a huge grain of salt, having watched from a distance what went on at Bellevue, but I think that this list is a good start…
Ray Fowler on Tue, July 24, 2007
Number 3 jumped out at me: “Does the place look like they were expecting me?” I think this is a good one to keep in mind as we evaluate how we are welcoming our visitors.
Mark A. on Tue, July 24, 2007
71 minutes? Really? Wow! Different strokes, I guess. It just doesn’t work for me biblically or culturally. If we’re pursuing creativity, excellence, and authenticity in what we do, 71 minutes ceases to be an issue. Oh and that subjective “presence of God thing”? Most probably agree that it IS subjective and it IS the most vital element, and if this is the case, 71 minutes becomes even less relevant to me.
My $.02: if Christ is the focal point of our worship gatherings and we do our part to offer sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving in a spirit of excellence and real-ness, 71 minutes would feel like a rip-off.
Leonard on Tue, July 24, 2007
It does not say KJV only Todd. (Smiley Face Here) Actually I really thing some of this list is cultural. My service lasts 75 minutes and in my little neck of the woods here, that is about the limit but just up the road a piece my buddies service is 90 minutes and that is just about right. His church is very ethnicly diverse, mine is only about 20-25% mixed.
I would add; Are other people working hard, showing committment to this place? Do others see this as important enough to give a committment to what is happening. and another is; Is there a sense of celebrating changed lives?
Todd Rhoades on Tue, July 24, 2007
Yes, Leonard… I agree.
Some people have a problem reading something and automatically viewing a list like this as a be all/end all. That’s not what it is (or at least what I intended it to be)… I included it hear as a thought piece about what you’d like to see in a church and how that relates to how your church is doing.
I hate it when I have to feel like a first grade sunday school class person and try to look bright by answering every question asked with either “Bible” or “God”.
http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Todd
Mark A. on Tue, July 24, 2007
Bottom line? I’ve been in 40 minute services that were 39 minutes too long, and I’ve been in 3+ hour services that flew by, so I don’t use a concrete figure as something to look for when I visit a church.
Tony Kummer on Tue, July 24, 2007
I was a little disappointed that he didn’t mention children’s ministry. So here is my addition.
Add this:
#18 Are kids treated like guest too or baggage?
John Morris on Tue, July 24, 2007
We can sit through a 3 hour baseball game or a 3 hour Keith Urban concert and maintain a level of interest, but we need a church service to be no more than 71 minutes long? In my opinion, it’s not even worth the time and trouble to rehearse and set up a band and a stage if we’re going to play under 35-40 minutes(NOTE: If the worship goes well, people don’t even notice!) I don’t know if I think very highly of that just from a logistical standpoint. I agreed with everything else, though I don’t personally like topical teaching…I prefer expository verse-by-verse, book-by-book teaching…but that’s just a personal preference.
Todd on Thu, July 26, 2007
I hope #1 on the list wasn’t referring to during the service. I just left a church whose stated #1 goal on Sunday mornings was to make sure everyone “had fun”. That might be a good way to attract visitors, but it doesn’t seem like a Biblical vision for church/ministry. Don’t get me wrong. I definitely think people should enjoy their time at church, but not because it was entertaining and fun. I think the joy of the Christian life should go quite a bit deeper than that. Whether they came looking for it or not, I hope visitors to my church would say first and foremost that they experienced/sensed/understood God a little more—through the worship, the teaching, the friendliness, the testimonies, etc.
BK on Mon, August 06, 2007
One thing that I think is missing from our list and a lot of our churches is, “Are people being healed?” or “Is the Spirit of God moving in obvious ways”.
I am a post-modern. I enjoy things that are packaged creatively and intellegently. But, I am drawn to the mysterious. I need & I want a Family where God can show up and show off. Let the Bridegroom be the Bridegroom.
Don’t we need the power of the Kingdom of God to show up in our meetings and our lives more than anything else?
James on Wed, August 29, 2007
1. When I enter do I hear laughter?
No becaue you aren’t at the United METH Church
2. Are people greeting me as a job or a joy?
Because, after all, (sing) “It’s all about meeeeee…. reaaally”
3. Does the place look like they were expecting me?
Meaning, do they have my favorite kind of coffee and bagels, apparently.
4. Are people buzzing as they greet each other?
Or did they forget to turn their cellphones to vibrate?
5. Is there spirited music playing as people gather?
Songs like, “It’s all about meeeeee….”
6. Does the music move me?
Because our emotions are what are really important.
7. Do the people on stage look real and engaged?
Or are they using Disney-like animatronics?
8. Are the announcements short, strategic, and to the point?
Because, God forbid you take up more than 60 seconds of my time with information that could possibly be relevant to me and help me connect to the church instead of just having a chair to sit in on Sunday mornings.
9. Is there a printed outline with Scripture already printed on it?
Because I am not about to bring much less open a Bible of my own.
10 Does the pastor smile?
Stupid.
11. Does the message title promise a relevant topic I am interested in?
Because if I’m not interested, it couldn’t possibly be important.
12. Does the pastor speak with humility and authority?
The FIRST good one.
13. Do I feel the presence of God?
Because if I don’t FEEL it, it must not be true (never mind that the Bible - which I don’t bring or open - clearly states that “The heart is wicked and deceitful above ALL things.”)
14. Are people listening and engaged?
Stupid.
15. Is the service no more than 71 minutes?
Because, God forbid we take up more than 60 minutes of God’s time (because, you know, God has places to be and people to see) with a word (that better come froma smiling, humble and engaging pastor) from God (whose presence we should feel) that could possibly be relevant (in my opinion of course) to me and help me connect to the church instead of just having a chair to sit in on Sunday mornings.
16. Does it pass by fast?
No but neither will Heaven… or Hell for that matter.
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