How will you decide which congregation to join? This is a big decision that everyone in our church family is going through together. Emma and I are trying to decide for our family… Praise God, they’re all good options!
We’re approaching this decision by asking three questions.
Principle 01
What’s good for the lost?
I always want to start by thinking about the people I love who need Jesus. My neighbours. My friends and family. Which campus and congregation are they most likely to go to? I want to bend over backwards for the lost person now, while there’s still time.
So if all your lost friends are up bight and early before the crack of dawn, the 8:30 service might be a good one for you to go to and invite them to join you? If they need as much time to get started in the morning as possible, maybe it’s a good idea to make 10:30 your service. If they’re always away or doing things on a Sunday morning, it might be worth re-thinking your day and making the 4pm service a thing.
Principle 02
What’s good for others?
Jesus gave us the beautiful model of looking not to our own interests but to the interests of others. This will affect our decision about which campus to join.
You might prefer one service time over another but know that a person, family or group of people will be more loved if you’re at their service. You might also choose your congregation because you can serve more helpfully there. There is the chance that we’ll “tap you on the shoulder” and ask you to join a particular congregation because your gifts and experience are really needed there.
Principle 03
What’s good for you?
It’s not wrong to ask this question! It’s great to have your own hopes and preferences. Some of us will naturally lean towards 8:30am and others to 10:30am.
It’s good to think about what will meet yours and your family’s needs. It’s good to ask your friends where they are planning to go. It will be great if we can all look forward to having some of our friends at our new congregation. Start those conversations as soon as you can!