When we move to a new community, many of us spend a considerable amount of time researching neighborhoods, schools, crime data, shopping venues and social opportunities. While all of those aspects of our community are important, where we choose to worship is of great importance as well.

Are you searching for a church home? Choosing the right church is critical to our spiritual growth and development. As you prayerfully contemplate your next church home, please consider the following:

• Find a Bible-based church which understands that the Scriptures were divinely inspired, are a perfect treasure of Heavenly instruction, have God as its author, salvation as its end, and truth without any mixture of error as its matter.
• The center of church ministry should be the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. God's Word can change lives!
• The pastor or leader should be a gentle shepherd and not a cowboy riding herd. A pastor should be an encourager, an example. Is the pastor open to questions or does he demand blind obedience?
• Are you encouraged to discover God's will for your life? After all, God has a plan and a purpose for everyone.
• Does the church offer Bible-based childcare, Sunday school or other youth activities that focuses upon the Word of God rather than entertainment?
• Is the church open about church finance? Does it openly share how God's money is spent and provide a written accounting of income and expenditures?

Most of all, continue to pray that God will lead you to the right church, open your eyes to His will for your life, give you discernment, and fill you with His widsom. God bless you always and may He keep you in perfect peace!

Rev. C. P. Carter