Looking for a Church: Commit to One

Posted on by Matthew Laker

When looking for a church it is so easy to keep jumping from church to church, and to point out flaws and reasons not to stay.

IMG_2879When looking for a church it is so easy to stay in the loop of looking. Bouncing around gives you a higher chance of burnout in your walk with Jesus.

Make a commitment. Just make a choice. If you are stuck, then make an educated choice and try for 6 to 8 months.

Be honest with people, but make a commitment to work and be with the people. You will get so much more out of the local body of believers by committing to them. Begin to care for them and let them care for you.

Too many people hold off, trying to find that perfect group, and it just is not going to happen. Each group has strengths and weaknesses, but do not let that stop you.

Looking for a Church? Commit to one.

What do you find is the hardest thing about finding a Church?

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More from Looking for a Church Series

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Think Different!

Think Neighbourhood!

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Commit to one.

Looking for a Church: What do you want?

Posted on by Matthew Laker

What do you want in a local church? While we need to be careful of the consumerism aspect of looking for a church there are some important questions to ask.

  • What type of organization style?
  • What type of tradition, for example music or denomination?
  • What values are important to you?
  • What are the core teachings and doctrine that are important?
  • What type of philosophy or expression of church are you looking for?
  • What questions do you need answers to?

IMG_2879Answer the above questions, while remembering you will not find a perfect match to everything or a perfect church. Nevertheless, answering these questions will help.

You may have to compromise on a few things, such as, style; however, let it push you toward God.

In searching for a church what are the most important things to you? What are the core parts?

 

 

Looking for a Church? Let me help: You can contact me at: matthew@matthewlaker.com

More from Looking for a Church Series

Prayer

Think Different!

Think Neighbourhood!

What do you want?

Commit to one.

 

Looking for a Church: Think Different

Posted on by Matthew Laker

 

IMG_2879Do you find yourself looking for a church?  What if you began the journey thinking differently?

Often when we look for a church, it is similar to selecting a product. Now that is not always a bad thing because of our personality. Looking at what is happening in the community, and how they will help you grow is an important question.

What if in looking for a church you did not approach it with a consumer attitude, but with serving in mind? Consider looking for a place where you can join in building the kingdom together. Look for a place to serve together with other believers, instead of asking how they can serve you. This may be serving in an uncomfortable area for some time, but that is okay.

Matthew 20:28 (NIV)

28 “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

When looking for a church, consider thinking differently. Go in prayerfully and, with an attitude to find a community where you may serve together in the kingdom of God.

 

 

More from Looking for a Church Series

Prayer

Think Different!

Think Neighbourhood!

What do you want?

Commit to one.

Looking for a Church?

Posted on by Matthew Laker

Help I am looking for a Church?

In many major urban centres, people move in and out. This means that often people are coming into the city and looking for a church. For some, this can be a stressful time of trying to find a church and balancing other responsibilities.. Here in Ottawa, we have one hundred thousand University students plus the normal transition of people.  Each year there are many looking for a new community of Jesus followers in their new city.

In this series of post, you will find tips to help you find a Church.

Start with Prayer

A follower of Jesus knows the need for prayer. However, are you doing it? Before Jesus chose the 12 disciples, he spent a night in prayer.   Prayer is important when seeking a community to live in, and live out the gospel together.

The scripture is full of texts that remind us that God will lead our steps, and is leading our steps. Prayer puts us in a  posture to see the guidance of his spirit in our life.

Three things to pray for:

  1.    The city you are living in, and where to live that you may best serve the city and kingdom.
  2. Gather a list of three churches and ask Jesus where to start.

If you are in Ottawa, I have to give a shout out for where I am: www.sunnysidechurch.ca

We would also be glad to help you find a church home if ours is not a good fit. Feel free to send me an email: matthew@matthewlaker.com

  1. It would not just be an emotional choice, but one where you can serve and have strong community.
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More from Looking for a Church Series

Prayer

Think Different!

Think Neighbourhood!

What do you want?

Commit to one.

 

Building faith in Jesus by dismantling our idols

Posted on by Matthew Laker

Like rust on a bike chain, idols can stop us from embracing what God calls us to be.bike

When I had to sell my house, I soon realized how much my identity was wrapped up in the home. In a way, the house was a symbol of success for me. I bought into a lie that owning a home = success. We were moving for good reasons, but I felt a tension between trusting Jesus, and what I thought the idol (a home) would give me. I came to understand that it is Jesus who will be my security and future, while the house will not be my blessing.

“An idol is anything that we look to for happiness or meaning in life or identity that is not Jesus” (Timothy Keller).  It can be a good thing (like owning a house) and we make it an ultimate thing.  In Colossians 3:5 Paul labels a list of sin all under the term idolatry, that is worshiping something else besides Jesus.

Throughout our life idols and obstacles will come up, and we will have to choose to put faith in Jesus or the idols. If we are to build our faith in Jesus, we will have to deal with our idols. Dismantling our idols will not be easy. However, Jesus does reveal what we must do.

Three things to help dismantle the idols in our life and build faith in Jesus are:

1. Identify the idols

Admit that you want something.  If we are to put it to death as Paul says in Colossians, then we must identify it.

2. Repentance and faith

Repentance and faith need to be regular rhythms of the Christian life. Abraham turned from his land, family, country and to God.  In the life of the follower of Jesus, this actually is not just a one-time event.  As one grows, the Holy Spirit and the scriptural truth together operating on our hearts, will call us to a deeper trust in Christ. They will call us to leave the idols of our life and trust in Jesus.  The daily rhythm of Repentance and faith is about putting Jesus back on to the “King-throne” of your life. letting him direct and guide your life and be your identity.

3. Resting in our Identity in Christ.

We turn to idols when we, at some level, believe they will be a better blessing or hope then Jesus. If we are to build our faith in Jesus, we will need to rest in who he says we are. The result of this is that we will stop running after or with idols.

What one of these steps do you need to deal with today, this week?