Finding a Church-Part 1
The question of what church to belong to is a subject that many Christians think about. But for former Jehovah’s Witnesses, the complexity of this topic is on a whole other level. Even visiting another church may elicit feelings of fear, guilt, shame and memories of rejection. At least, that was my experience.
When my son was 2 years old, I felt an indescribable desire to find a church to raise him in. This was weird because I hadn’t been to a Kingdom Hall in years and I still believed that any other Christian denomination was “false religion”. Not to mention, the thought of starting over and meeting new people terrified me.
So why was I not able to shake the nagging feeling that said, “find a church”? Why was the compulsion impossible to ignore?
That was 11 years ago, and hindsight really is 20/20. That feeling was without a doubt my Heavenly Father, leading me back to him and his family. And the church he found for me, continues to be one of his greatest gifts.
I can also say with full conviction that I was wrong. Based on scripture and my own experience, I now know that The Body of Christ is much larger than I had once thought. Yes, there are other churches that follow the Bible and please God. You can go without guilt and even find joy in the process!
Of course, I don’t want to minimize the internal struggle here. Finding a new church is hard. Trusting again and starting over is even harder. And if this is where you are right now, my prayers are for you. I have been there. But with the help of God, finding a new church is not only possible but healing.
Here are a few points that helped me along the way.
First things first. The most vital question to ask is, what is “The Truth”?
Any former Jehovah’s Witness will be familiar with the title “The Truth.” This was the name we called the organization because we believed that it was the one and only true religion. Being in good standing with God meant that you had to be in good standing with the church. If someone left or was disfellowshipped, then the prospect of having a relationship with God was bleak.
But what does God’s Word say is the truth?
Jesus answers this in John 14:6 (NIV),
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Simply put, “The Truth” is Jesus. It is not an organization, place, person, or group of people.
Jesus is “The Truth”.
Furthermore, Romans 10:9 (NIV) says,
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
This is my favorite scripture. Over the last decade, I have had the privilege to meet amazing people who boldly declare that Jesus is their Lord. People who know to the core of their being that God raised him from the dead. People that I will live with for eternity.
It is not just those who go to my church. I have observed this faith in coworkers, books, movies, contemporary Christian music and beautiful old hymns. Their witness to having the Holy Spirit in them has been the greatest factor that has changed my mind. The more my eyes were opened to the faith of people around me, the more I believed that “God does not show favoritism,” (Romans 2:11 NIV).
Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV) drives this point home,
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
All who call Jesus, “Lord,” belong to the same family. We may have different opinions on some details, but we are still part of the same body. And God’s Word encourages us to live in unity with one another.
Here is another awesome truth from John 6:44 (NIV),
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
This scripture blows my mind. It means that if a person, or church, has faith in Jesus, then it was given to them by the Father. And since it is the Father who draws a person, then how can anyone disagree with their faith?
The apostle Peter had the same realization in Acts chapter 10, when the Jewish Christians were struggling to believe that God was extending his grace to include the Gentiles (non-Jews).
It says in Acts 10:34 ,35, 47-48 (NIV),
“’I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritismbut accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.’ While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message…The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles…Then Peter said, ‘Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.’ So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.”
Who can argue with the Holy Spirit?
Please allow me to reiterate because this is so important. If the Father draws you to him and if he pours his Holy Spirit on you, then there is no human on this earth who can say otherwise, regardless of what church you go to. It also means that many Christian denominations are included in God’s family, since he is the one who calls them.
Praise God!
Ok, let’s say you know this already or are at least willing to consider that God’s grace includes many denominations of Christians.
The next obvious question is why should you go to church?
Wouldn’t it be so much easier to worship God on your own? To sleep in on Sundays? To not socialize with others? Didn’t I just quote my favorite scripture which says it’s enough to declare Jesus is Lord to be saved?
Here is what I have learned over the last decade. Going to church is a privilege and a blessing. It is one way that God feeds and takes care of his people. It is community and friends. It is belonging and purpose. It is worship. It is encouragement for weary souls.
I think former Jehovah Witnesses get this part. We know the feeling of belonging, community and love for each other. I would even venture to say that is the part we miss the most when we leave or get disfellowshipped.
But there are other options. Places where we care for each other without judgement or guilt. Where we realize that no one is perfect and that we are all just trying to do our best. Everyone is welcome to stay or to leave, if they sense the Holy Spirit leading them somewhere else.
Your salvation is not dependent on your church attendance.
You can still be saved by the death of Jesus and never step foot inside of a church for the rest of your days. But, speaking for myself, if I would not have found a church, I would have missed some of the best things that God had for me on this side of life.
Now you may be thinking, that’s all well and good but exactly how do you find a new church?
And especially if you are a former Jehovah’s Witness, you may be wondering what this new worship will look like. What can you expect? Do you have to bring anything? Will it be weird? What should you wear?
Stay tuned. My next post will cover all the practical parts to consider as you journey towards the church God has waiting for you. A place, I am sure, you will love.
Peace to you. Thank you for reading.