5 Non-Negotiable Things to Look for in a Healthy Church 

Whether you’re a new believer seeking connection within a faith community, a devout Christian leaving a harmful church behind, or an individual relocating and searching for a church in your new town, it is essential to find a church that promotes a healthy environment for spiritual growth. The stakes are high: the Christian community that you make your home within will inevitably impact your spiritual formation. But with so many churches out there, the search can easily become overwhelming. While some aspects of finding a new church are a matter of preference, other things are non-negotiable for Christians. This article will cover five essential things that you can look for as you search for a new church.

5 Things to Look for in a Healthy Church 

I hope that this list of things to look for in a healthy church can make the search easier for you. You may need to take into account more than this list but I believe that these characteristics are non-negotiable in a healthy church.

1. Look for a church that is committed to orthodoxy 

The word orthodox comes from two Greek words orthos and doxa. It has come to refer to the correct teaching or doctrine that a church (and believers) should hold. The word orthodox was first used in the fourth century by the Church fathers, and it separates right Christian teaching from heresy, or false teaching. A healthy church should be committed to right teaching. 

As you are searching for a new church, determine if they uphold the essential doctrines of the faith. This includes the belief in one triune God; the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; salvation through Christ alone as a gift of God’s grace; the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit; and the second coming of Christ. Thankfully, the Nicene Creed and the Apostle’s Creed, two of the oldest formal confessions of the Christian faith, contain summaries of the essential doctrines of Christianity. If you are unsure of the essentials of the faith, be sure to print out these creeds and keep them somewhere you can easily see them. 

Finding a Church that Aligns with Second and Third-Tier Doctrines

You may also want to find a church that you align with on second-tier doctrines. These include how the church observes communion, their views on baptism, women in ministry, spiritual gifts, etc. You do not necessarily have to agree with your church on all the second-tier doctrines but if one or some of them are of particular importance to you, definitely take time to discover what your prospective church believes about these issues. 

Statement of Faith

You can learn what a church believes by going to their website if they have one and searching for their statement of faith. As you read their statement of faith, look carefully for the core teachings of Christianity. Also look for secondary issues that are important to you. If the church does not have a statement of faith online, be sure to reach out and ask about their beliefs. Take notes and ask clarifying questions as necessary. 

Note: a church that cannot articulate its beliefs is a red-flag.

Ultimately, orthodoxy is important because the church is about Jesus. Even if everything else about a church checks all your boxes, it does not prioritize correct teaching, then it is not a good place to be. 

Related: How to Come Back to God After Backsliding

2. Look for a church that values orthopraxy

Orthopraxy is another word that comes from Greek. It refers to right practice. Orthopraxy is just as essential as orthodoxy. In fact, right teaching should lead to right practice. Of course, there are many groups that are so committed to correct doctrine that they ignore the importance of living out that doctrine correctly. In Matthew 23:27-28, Jesus calls out the teachers of the law and the Pharisees for being hypocrites. He says this: 

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

Matthew 23:27-28 (NIV)

It is not enough to know and believe the right things. Living according to the truth is more important than merely knowing the truth. James notes that even demons believe in orthodox teaching – they believe in one God. However, faith without works is useless (James 2:18-20 NIV). 

Discovering whether or not a church is orthodox is not too difficult because you can either directly ask about their beliefs, visit their website, or listen to their sermons to find out. However, determining if a church values orthopraxy may be a bit more challenging. With that in mind, here are some questions you can ask yourself as you observe the church and its leaders:

• Do they love others? How do they demonstrate that love? 
• Do they care for their community? In what ways are they involved in their local community? 
• What are their prayers like? Are they praying for the needs of those in their community? Praying for the global church? 
• How are the members of the congregation? 
• Do their pastors lead with humility and grace? Are the leaders Christ-like in their actions? 
• Has there been any scandals lately? If so, how were they handled? 
• Is there a system of accountability set up for the leaders? 
• Is the church centered around the teachings of the pastor? Or is it centered around the teachings of Christ?

No one is perfect, and no church leader or congregation is going to get everything right. However, their hearts should be Christlike and there should be a demonstration of the love of Christ in the church. 

Related: What Is the Cost of Following Jesus?

3. Look for a church that prioritize diversity

It is crucial to be a part of a church that prioritizes diversity. Why? The Church as a whole is diverse. The New Testament is very much concerned with the spread of the gospel to the nations. In Revelation 7:9-10, John sees a vision of a “great multitude” of people from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue worshiping Jesus. When Christ returns, he is coming back for a diverse group of people. Therefore, our churches today should reflect this diversity. 

Of course, there are many different types of diversity. There is racial, socioeconomic, age, disability, gender, and cultural diversity. Your church might not be perfect in all aspects of diversity but they should have some type of diversity. If a church is made up of all the same kinds of people with the same exact mindset and experiences, it will be lacking. As Christians, we are all united in Christ and we value the core doctrines of our faith but we have many differences. These differences do not have to threaten or divide us; in fact, they can draw us closer to one another.

4. Look for a church that has community

The church is like an ecosystem. It is one big family of all different kinds of people from different backgrounds united under Christ. We are a community, and we need each other. In Ephesians 4, Paul describes the Church as a body. He says that the body is joined and held together by supporting “ligaments” which grow and build itself up in love. We are those ligaments and we each have a contribution to the health of the Church. 

That being said, consider seeking out a church that creates space for community. For example, I attend a large church in Virginia but we have many small groups that meet regularly and are deeply connected. We talk about the scriptures together, share prayer requests, and often eat together. 

Even if the church you are visiting does not have formal communities like small groups in place, there should be an openness among the congregation for community building. Ultimately, a church is not just about the sermons and main services, it is also about getting in community with other people on a deeper level. 

Related: Why A Biblical Understanding of ‘The Image of God’ Helps Us to Love Others Well

5. Look for a church that fosters spiritual growth

Last but not least, spiritual growth is necessary for believers. Look for a church where you can grow and be challenged in your faith. Of course, your spiritual growth also happens outside of the church but church is a big part of it. Are the sermons reflective and do they help you to recognize areas in which you need to grow? Does the church include opportunities to grow by serving others? Does the church create space for community? Do they value spiritual disciplines and encourage congregants to pray deeply and value scripture? Whether you are new in your faith or a mature Christian, we all have room for growth and our church community can help us in this area.

Some Final Advice

Finding a church can take time. I shared five things that I consider to be most important but there are other things to consider. If you are a parent to young kids, you may need to find a church that has a thriving children’s ministry. Or if you are single, you may need a church that has a strong community for singles. Perhaps, if you are interested in going into ministry, you’ll want to find a church that has room for ministry opportunities. As you search for a healthy church, take time to visit multiple churches, be sure to observe and ask questions, and then make your decision. Remember that no church is perfect and it is very rare to find a church that checks all of your boxes. However, keep your non-negotiables in mind and think about secondary or tertiary areas in which you are willing to compromise.