With so Many Churches, How can I Choose?

With so many different churches to choose from these days it makes it kind of tough when you’re trying to find a church. In the past I have encountered many people in this dilemma, (been there myself). In my day it was often frowned upon when someone went from church to church- a church hopper they say, but to me there is nothing wrong with it, to find a good Church, you need to check them out.
We need good solid spiritual ground to stand on, and church can get boring if you’re not being fed spiritually, however, by joining Bible Study Groups and Sunday School classes, we might get some gravy with our spiritual feast. In small groups we are able to share our own experiences as well as learn from others, and that adds much to the over-all experience of going to church- I look forward to it as a matter of fact, we can learn a lot from our peers, and God does tell us not to avoid gathering together with other believers, (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Carefully examine each Church you want to check out, read their laws and bylaws, their membership codes, and attend a few services before making your decision, it would help to get in on some of their potlucks or special nights of worship as well, then you can really get a feel of how strong the church body is, (1 John 4:1-3).
Ask other believers in the area what they think of this Church; see what kind of reputation they have in the community. If all this falls into place and you feel you could fit into their ministry, then it’s a pretty sure sign that that’s where God wants you to be. If you feel you could easily become a part of that body of believers, then confer with your significant other (if there is one), or your spouse and family and see how they feel about it.
The Scriptures are a good place to start when searching for a church to call home. One place I find interesting is in the first part of Revelations, where Jesus Himself explains what He likes and dislikes about the seven churches that were in Asia at the time.
To the church at Ephesus He says: “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary” (Revelation 2:2-3). However, Jesus goes on to say: “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love” (Revelation 2:4).
For the church in Smyrna, Jesus had these words: “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer… be thou faithful unto death”, (Revelation 2:9-10).
To the church in Pergamum, again Christ mentions their positive attributes: “I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me… Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight…with the sword of my mouth”, (Revelation 2:12-16).
In Thyatira, Christ said: “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols…But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come”, (Revelation 2:18-25).
Jesus quickly condemns the lifeless state of the church at Sardis: “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God”, (Revelation 3:1-4).
To Philadelphia, Christ says: “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name”, (Revelation 3:7-11).
In Laodicea, Christ says: “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth”, (Revelation 3:14-18).

How can we find a church that’s a good fit spiritually?

For further reading about the seven churches check out the web site at
http://www.gotquestions.org/seven-churches-Revelation.html