Square One

First steps for new Christians

Walking Through the
Word Together

Welcome! I hope you will find this site helpful as you begin your journey with Jesus. The content provided here is intended to be progressive in nature as it applies to a new Christian; therefore, it is recommended that new believers begin with the first post (“I’m New Here”) and work their way through the content for the most clear, linear path through basic biblical truths. However, if you are here to seek out content over a single, particular topic, each article is also independent from the others, making their content easily consumed on an “as needed” basis. In whatever way you choose to navigate…enjoy!

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The word “church” elicits a very wide variety of images, experiences, and expectations. The truth is that church looks very different for each of us. Some may have recently encountered church for the first time by visiting a small country chapel, while others may have grown up occupying the pews inside downtown stained-glass cathedrals. One person may expect church services to be solemn and structured, yet another will assume church should involve energetic displays of joyful worship throughout the entire service. These qualities are all somewhat aesthetic in nature, having little bearing on the health of a church, and are primarily affected by resources and preferences. Because personal preferences shape a portion of the church search and are mostly benign factors, we will focus only on the essential elements that must be present in any healthy church. Regardless of the many other elements that make a church unique, every Christian church should have these same uncompromising essentials that mark a church as “healthy.”

Essential Beliefs

First and foremost, a healthy church will acknowledge that Christ is the head of it. Colossians 1:18 (ESV) declares, “And [Christ] is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” Scripture instructs us that Christ is the most superior authority in any body of believers. This may sound like a bit of a “no-brainer” statement to some. Still, because pastors and elders have been commissioned by Scripture to help lead the church as the visible shepherds and decision-makers, it is quite easy for any of us to blur the lines on this matter, elevating the opinions and agendas of the visible, human leaders ahead of Christ. The most excellent church leaders will be the first to acknowledge – not only in speech, but in action – that Christ is the head of the church. If Christ is the head of the church, then He must also be the superior authority in the lives of its leaders, serving as the compass by which all their decisions, both personal and corporate, are made. 

Secondly, a healthy church will acknowledge the Bible as the ultimate authority over the church. The leaders and members of a church should uphold the Bible as the complete, infallible, and inspired Word of God. A healthy church community will seek the truths within God’s word to navigate all aspects of the Christian life, allowing it to guide and direct them. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, the Apostle Paul identifies, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Although some circumstances of life are not explicitly addressed within the pages of the Bible, general wisdom can be gleaned from it and applied to all of life; the Bible is fully sufficient. A healthy church will apply Scripture (not human logic or cultural/political ideology) to all situations. Noble church leaders will be committed to lovingly communicating such biblical truths to congregants, whether publicly (church service) or privately (discipling or counseling session), regardless of how uncomfortable the applied truth may be for the listener to receive. The Bible is the tangible tool God uses to shape us into Christ-likeness. The author of the book of Hebrews reminds us, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Good leaders will not shy away from difficult conversations where biblical truth needs to be applied in situations of accountability, but they should always communicate it with a heart position that is rooted in love and humility, applying it first to themselves.

Third, if a church is yielded to Christ as its head, and if its leaders uphold and apply the Bible as the timeless, ultimate authority, then many of the issues of sound doctrine will also be present. Still, it is a critical step in the church search to confirm their stated doctrinal beliefs. When searching a church’s website (a good practice before visiting in person), study their publicly stated beliefs and compare them to the truths listed here. These are fundamental beliefs that all healthy churches should uphold. A biblically sound church will acknowledge the following:

  1. Man falls short of the glory of God, possessing a sinful nature (Romans 3:23)
    • Although God first created man as innocent and in His image (Gen 1:27), that man – Adam – sinned and changed the status of every human being who came after (Romans 5:19a). Now, man is born inherently sinful and in need of a Savior.  *See the post “The Hard Truth” for more.
  2. A biblically accurate view of the Trinity (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19).
    • God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three distinct persons, with different functions, but they are one in essence. They function in harmony with one another and are united, being one God. *See the posts “Three in One” and “Roles within the Trinity” for more.
  3. Jesus as the only source of salvation (Romans 6:23; John 14:6)
    • Jesus’ death on the cross (the sacrifice that paid for our sins) and His resurrection from the dead (where He defeated death) is the sole source of power over our eternal separation from God. We must place our faith in Christ as our Redeemer, and we do not “add” to this with good behavior, acts of worship, or anything else we may be tempted to perceive as bonus material to what Jesus did on the cross. A healthy church will not diminish the sacrifice of Jesus by presenting a “Jesus plus ___” doctrine. *See the post “The Good News” for more.
  4. Eternal Security (John 10:27-30; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30)
    • Scripture states that once a person genuinely places their faith in Jesus, making Him the Lord of their life, the Holy Spirit enters that person and acts as a seal for eternity. No authentic Christian can be taken away from Christ.
  5. Baptism and Communion (Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:17-20).
    • Inclusion of the ordinances of Baptism and Communion should be identified as symbols only and reserved for those who have received salvation through Jesus. *See the upcoming post “Baptism and Communion” for further clarity on this subject.
  6. Jesus’ future return (Revelation 19:11-16)
    • A biblical church will acknowledge and teach that Jesus will one day return to establish His Kingdom on earth.

*If your prospective church’s website does not cover each of these topics, make an appointment to speak with someone in leadership at the church to verify their beliefs. A leader of a healthy, Christ-centered church will always welcome these thoughtful questions from prospective members.

Fourth, about the leaders, look for evidence of transparency and humility among them concerning their own spiritual health and the functions of the church. The Bible identifies specific criteria that church leaders should possess before being entrusted with leading other believers (1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9). A transparent church leader who is clearly submitted to the will of God should remain joyfully and humbly accountable to the body of the church for spiritual and financial integrity, having no reservations about making the church’s financial statements available to all members. They will embrace their biblical roles as shepherds of the flock with genuine care for the congregation, leading by example without being domineering (1 Peter 5:1-3).

Lastly, concerning the members of the church, seek out a congregation of people who are welcoming to newcomers, servant-minded, eager to grow spiritually, supportive of the leaders, and loving toward one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11, Ephesians 4:1-3, Romans 12:10). The spiritual health of the body of the church should be evident within a few visits, and is often a reflection of good leadership. It doesn’t take long to perceive the kindness, joy, peace, love, and intentionality that mark a “fruitful” body of believers who submit to the Holy Spirit.

Committing to a Church

I realize that some may have difficulty finding all desired markers in one church, particularly if you live in a rural area with few choices. Considering that reality, I would recommend that you compromise cautiously. Seek the Lord in prayer during the entire process, asking Him for wisdom and guidance. It is our responsibility to connect to a church that meets biblical criteria and will guide us well over the years. Our spiritual health is of paramount importance, and the leadership you willfully place yourself under will greatly impact your understanding and application of God’s Word.

Sadly, many people choose a church based on preferences before prioritizing core, essential beliefs. Doing so often results in dissatisfaction or even devastation over time because the healthy elements God prescribed for His Church aren’t there. The initial attraction to the worship style or charismatic preaching gets quenched by the trouble that ensues from unhealthy roots. Most of us are aware of the sobering number of media reports about failed church leaders who cause much grief for the whole church. Often, if the church had adhered to some of the criteria above (particularly accountability), much of the damage could have been avoided – both for the failed leader and the hurting congregation. Therefore, it is up to us congregants to exercise due diligence in vetting viable church options in our areas – only joining one that has sound beliefs and solid systems of accountability in place.

Finally, once you find a healthy church, commit to it wholeheartedly, accepting its inevitable flaws and contributing to its unity. The “perfect” church does not exist because all are sustained by imperfect leaders and congregants. Enter membership knowing that you will be disappointed at some point in time, and that you will also likely disappoint someone else, too. We are all flawed. It is a reality that should drive us to cooperate, communicate, and forgive – bringing so much glory to God in the process. Move forward in your choice with a heart of grace and love, serving the body as if you were serving Christ Himself. Always remember, church is where we humbly worship God together in community, serving one another in selfless love, not where we go to be personally accommodated or elevated. Enjoy the journey and pray through the entire process!

The Church Search

With so many churches, how do we choose the right one? Although some harmless style preferences may contribute to our decision, it is imperative that we choose a church that is biblically healthy. Discover which core beliefs are essential in our search.

Roles Within the Trinity

This article explores the concept of the Trinity, emphasizing that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are co-equal and eternal. It describes their distinct roles without implying hierarchy, showcasing biblical evidence of their unity.

Three-in-One

The many names for God in the Bible aren’t always mere synonyms, but identifiers for three distinct persons within the Godhead known as the Trinity. How do we explain this mysterious truth that three persons exist in one essence?

New Creation

At the moment of salvation, we not only receive the gift of eternal life, which changes our eternal address from hell to heaven. We also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is the agent for transformative change within us at salvation and throughout our lifelong Christian journey.

Repentance

The Bible calls believers to be repentant of their sin, but what does this word even mean? Is someone repentant if they outwardly stop doing a sinful action? Or, could it be something deeper? This post on repentance helps us align our thinking on the matter with the truth in God’s Word.

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