“I’m looking for a church that’s just like me.”
Few people would say it quite so crassly, but the sentiment is common. I often hear people say they’re looking for a church that has “the right fit.” By which people mean, “I’m looking for a church that provides the ministries I am looking for, full of people I can identify with, and where the style reflects my personal preferences.”
There are good reasons for joining and leaving a church, and not so good reasons. There are sensible reasons and sinful reasons. But among the most common is what I often call a spiritualized version of natural selection.
I’ve given up trying to recall all the times’ someone has said to me, “Murray, there aren’t enough young families at your church.” Or, “There are too many children.” Or, “The youth group is too small.” Or, “Where are all the elderly people?” Or, “The church is too large.” Or, “The church is too small.” “The music is too new.” “The music is too traditional.”
No doubt, you’ve also heard all these reasons, and perhaps used them yourself. But here’s the problem: these categories don’t come from the Scriptures.
Why do we place
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