Part One: Questions 1-5
Based on Acts 20:17-35
(Editor’s note: Part two covers questions 6-10. Part three covers relevant FAQ’s)
Are you looking for a Christian church in Mississauga? Will you pick one from an estimated 250 churches in this city? Do you simply find a church service near you? Or, will you look for a church that teaches the Bible faithfully and believes in it literally? Read on…
Here are ten biblical criteria drawn from Acts 20:17–35. The passage that deals with Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesian elders can serve as a guide for choosing a church in Mississauga (or anywhere). Part 1 will cover the first five questions. Part 2 will cover the second set of questions.
- Leadership: Is The Church Led By Servant-Leaders Who Are Christlike? (Vv. 18b-19a)
“…You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials…”
Look for a church led by servant-hearted, godly leaders whose lives reflect humility and integrity. True shepherds live among the people, not above them. A healthy church is a church that is not led by the strength of the leaders’ charisma, but is known for the character of its leaders.
As the axiom goes, where the leadership is headed, the church is headed. Look for leaders who serve the Lord, not themselves. Come alongside those who persevere through hardship. True ministry is marked by humility and compassion, not pride or performance. These are the undershepherds who are willing to be held accountable for your souls (Hebrews 13:17).
It is also a place where future leadership is incubated through participation. There is a strategic invitation for members to participate in the church’s ministries. Be wary if power is centralized and controlled at the top. Anecdotal examples have proven why plurality of leadership is both biblical and pride-proofed. This is core to what is called Biblical leadership
- Teaching: Is The Teaching Committed To Declaring The Whole Counsel Of God? (vv.20, 27)
“…how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house…”
Seek a church that teaches all of Scripture faithfully. Not just the popular or easy parts. A teaching that proclaims repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. A teaching that spans the transforming truth of the Gospel from both the Old and New Testaments. A place where the gospel that holds the truth of the all-satisfying work of Christ is consistently upheld. A teaching that is not focused on behaviour modification but seeks Spirit-enabled heart transformation.
Look for a church that trains believers to discern truth from error and holds firmly to the doctrines of grace that is centred on Christ (Acts 2:42). Check out their sermons, usually uploaded on their website to assess the teaching.
- Spirit-Led: Is The Church Spirit-Led In Every Way? (vv.22-23)
“…constrained by the Spirit…except that the Holy Spirit testifies…”
Paul, as a church planter, modelled a deep dependence on the Holy Spirit’s leading. He conducted himself not by personal will but by divine direction. Seek a church that is likewise constrained and guided in every way by the Spirit’s wisdom and prompting.
This is best seen in the dependence of the church on prayer. Look for a place where conversation and practice of prayer, both in the lives of the individual and corporately, is common. Prayer is a good indicator of who is at the helm of affairs–The Holy Spirit or the leaders.
- Stewardship: Is There A Collective Willingness To Pay The Ultimate Cost For Faithfulness? (V.24)
“…But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God…”
Seek a church that is committed to faithfulness. A church that has understood that in this post-Christian culture, they’ve been called to be a pillar and buttress of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). Ask, “Is it a church that teaches faithfulness to the divine calling, even above one’s own life?”
Evidence of collective willingness to sacrifice everything to fulfill God’s mission remains the hallmark of a Christian church (2 Corinthians 8:5). A good indicator of what is a priority is the church’s budget – “Follow the money” remains true even for churches.
- Great Commission: Is The Church, Great Commission Compliant, Both In Language And Culture? (vv. 25-26)
“…among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom…”
Seek a church that is willing to reach the diverse peoples who live in the city or the community- a church that is not inward-focused but outward-reaching. Look for a church that communicates the gospel of Jesus Christ clearly and with passion, regardless of all barriers.
Ask about the church’s community outreach and global evangelism efforts. A church that is primarily arced to serve inward will soon wither. Churches are divinely appointed to be “outreaching” in service and salvation of others. Is the one you are considering rigorous in their appointment?
Questions 6-10 will be addressed in the next article. However, it is essential to note that we at New Life Bible Chapel in no way suggest that we have met these criteria. We certainly desire it. We work towards it. And by God’s grace, hope to be one.
What about you?
If you want to know the gospel of Jesus Christ and know Jesus more deeply, it is good to ask biblical questions and seek faithful answers. However, do take the first step to visit a local church.
If you wish to explore New Life Bible Chapel, Mississauga, come visit us on a Sunday. We begin every Sunday at 9:30 am with a devotion followed by an open time of worship before participating in the Lord’s Supper (Yes! We partake of the Communion every Sunday). Our Sermons follow a series and are mostly expository. We also have an Adult Bible Class and a Sunday School for kids each Sunday. Our desire as a community is to grow into Christlikeness (Ephesians 4:13).
New Life Bible Chapel is a local evangelical church. We serve families and individuals from across Mississauga and nearby cities. Whether you’re new to the area or not, but are searching for a Bible-teaching church, come visit. We’d love to have you join us.
Plan your visit here.
-Viji Roberts & Geo Philips
Call: 1-905-507-6891
