Looking for a church?

I’ve been wanting to write a post on some things to look out for when looking for a church. It can be difficult and I know a lot of people in transition (getting married/moving/etc.) and it’s hard to know what to look for and easy to keep bouncing from church to church. I think Shai Linne makes it real clear what the 1^st mark of a healthy church is in his song “Expositional preaching.” So click play and follow along with the lyrics below!

(There’s a lot of confusion about what makes up a healthy church. So we’ll look at the 1^st mark. Because without this one, you’re in bad shape)

With our raps we adore our Master and Lord/

Jesus Christ who deserves all our claps and applause/

For the wrath that he bore, at the cross for our blasts, acts of a whore/

He gave up his life with a passionate roar/

Was raised up to heights where he sat at before/

After this all, he gave pastors the call/

To ministry found in second Timothy chapter four/

Verse 1 and 2, what I first wanna’ do is come to you/

The church, to reverse a funny view/

So let me ask a question: “What’s most essential?/

What is that gives the local church it’s credential?”/

Some would say music, some would say deacons/

Others say preaching the lost and soul-seekin’/

But if  we wanna’ give God the glory in our meetin’s/

The most important things is Expository Preachin’/

Where are the Whitfields? Where are the the Spurgeons?/

Preach the Word, preach the Word/

We need sound theology to deal with reality/

Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/

We got enough rappers, we need more pastors/

Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/

We need  and deep application/

Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/

(This verse is for the congregation, this is what you need to be listening for:)

Let me explain what I mean, it’s not too complex/

It’s preaching God’s word in its proper context/

As you listen, be discerning /

What you have to determine:/

Was the point of the passage, the point of the sermon?/

If not, then this problem must be confronted today/

Because he just used the Bible to say what he wanted to say/

And even if it’s delivered with fire and intelligence/

That’s basically making what God has inspired irrelevant/

Instead of applying the Word’s realities/

A lot of pastors relying on personality/

But give self-communication could never be a true replacement/

For the Holy Spirit’s illumination/

Without exposition you’ll lack major profit/

All you’ll get is tradition and your pastor’s favorite topics/

And that can be a slippery slope/

The word should be givin’ you hope/

This dude is just givin’ you jokes/

That won’t help you love Christ. It won’t help your obedience/

We need more expositors not more comedians/

Labor in the text, then faithfully connect/

You to the Savior, then wait for it’s effects/

God gives the increase; holiness, love, unity/

The Word faithfully preached builds up the whole community/

If not, your Sunday meal will not last/

And you’ll have to supplement it with a podcast/

No entertainers! That won’t sustain us/

Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/

Careful instruction-not a big production/

Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/

We don’t need theatrics and man-centered tactics/

Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/

We’re on the brink of eternity, please speak earnestly/

Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/

(This verse is for the Pastors):

Ya ‘all should be mindful of this devout thesis:/

All of the Bible is about Jesus!/

The Old Testament? Jesus Christ concealed/

The New Testament? Jesus Christ revealed/

This truth of the Lord, Christ boldly conveyed this/

In Luke 24 on the Road to Emmaus/

The lot of prophets and the teaching of apostles/

All of these point back to Jesus and the gospel/

So if the work of Christ is what the Word is about/

Ultimately that should be what the sermons about/

Forget applause, ya gotta let the cross rock ya/

All roads in the bible lead to Golgotha/

Whatever the text, faithfulness demands/

That we should hear the echoes of nails hittin’ his hands/

Don’t try to be original, save the old story/

And watch your people change, as they behold glory/

The Glory of Jesus, we need to see this/

Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/

Make Christ the center, so new life could enter/

Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/

Give us the whole counsel along with the gospel/

Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/

This is your duty, to show us God’s beauty/

Preach the Word! Preach the Word!

Note from Heather: Don’t think that because you are a woman the resources about preaching (that Shai Linne mentioned) are only for men. As women, they help us too. They help us to be discerning about the churches we attend. I read “He is Not Silent” by Albert Mohler. It’s about preaching. I will never be a pastor but that doesn’t mean it’s irrelevant for me.