How To Find A Local Church & Stay Committed There
By Olanrewaju Alonge.

The local church refers to a gathering of believers in a particular location and is a part of the universal church, the body of Christ which consist of believers in every part of the world (Romans 12:5, 1 Corinthians 12:12, Eph 2:12).

Finding a local church, as simple as it may sound requires the wisdom of God’s word and so does getting and staying committed there.
The issue will not be to locate the venue of one especially since there’s almost one or two on every street nowadays.
Deciding on which local church to identify with is a serious matter and should be done PRAYERFULLY AND PURPOSEFULLY.

Its closeness to your place of residence, a common consideration with many people today would be unwise, because many travel sometimes all the way abroad to study or to get medical attention, which is an indication of a desire for the best available, therefore the same attitude should be employed for something as important and eternal as locating a church to attend.

If you take your Christian life seriously, you should choose to attend the best local church around you.
While it’s easy to get carried away by GOOD MUSIC, SHORT MESSAGE & SERVICE (SMS) AND NICE LOOKING USHERS and FIRST TIMER GIFTS AND FOOD PACKS.

Some are even carried away by activities, they are not learning the word of God or growing up spiritually in the church they play the keyboard, play the drums, are in drama group etc.

They would rather be involved in activities than grow up spiritually. Others yet still are in a particular church because “It’s our family church”,” my friends are in the church” or “I have connections there”.
All these considerations though may make sense to the carnal man, have no spiritual benefit.
Before you choose a local church, ask yourself these questions:

1. DO I WANT TO GROW SPIRITUALLY?
If yes, then you must choose to attend a local church where the teaching of God’s word is given first place and every member is closely mentored and monitored to understand every bible doctrine.
WHY? Because spiritual growth will only come with growth in the knowledge of God’s Word - Jesus Christ (John 1:1-5, 9-16, 1Peter 2:2, Acts 20:20).
Spiritual growth will come by the revelation of who Jesus is, all he has done for us and all we can do because we are in Him (Col. 1:9, Eph 1:19, 3:16-19, Philemon 6).

2. DO YOU WANT TO CONSISTENTLY SEE GOD’S DIVINE HAND IN ALL YOUR AFFAIRS IN LIFE?
If yes!
Then you must attend a local church where a lot of time is devoted to prayer and particularly praying in the spirit (in tongues)
WHY?
Because prayer is a demonstration of our trust in and our dependence upon God.
By prayer, great power; God’s power is made available for everyone in life situations and circumstances, thus the bible teaches us to pray fervently (James 5:16) and to pray always in the spirit (Eph 6:18) praying in the spirit is praying in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:2, 4, 15, 18, Jude 20).

3. DO YOU WANT TO WALK IN THE WILL OF GOD FOR YOUR LIFE?
If yes again!
Then you must choose a local church that Is in the will of God.
And how can you tell?
It must be a local church where EVANGELISM and reaching the lost is not treated with levity or taken as a pastime but, is approached with a deep sense of purpose and responsibility and is receive, as a commission of JESUS CHRIST, the head of the church (Matthew 28:18, Mark 16:15-20).
WHY?
Staying in the will of God for your life starts with obeying God in general instructions and paying attention to light in His word with which comes more specific instructions (Romans 12:2).

4. DO YOU WANT TO LIVE FAR ABOVE THE FORCES OF DARKNESS OF THE WORLD?
Again if Yes!
Excitedly so! Then you must attend a local church where there’s an atmosphere of LOVE, JOY AND FAITH IN GOD’S WORD.
WHY?
Because the system of this world is ruled by the god of this world, the devil (2 Cor. 4:4, Eph 2:2).
The believer will only win in life all the time by putting on the whole armor of GOD (Eph 6:10-18)
How is that Possible?
1John 5:4
a faith filled life.

5. DO YOU WANT TO BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS AND FLOW WITH THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT?
Sure Yes!
Then you must attend a local church where room is given to each one to express things of and things pertaining to the spirit, tongues, interpretations of tongues, prophecies, among other (1Cor. 14:12-15).
WHY!
Because things of the spirit will only improve with practice (1Cor.12:31, 14:39, Hebrews 5:14).
Staying committed to this local church must be with the understanding that the local church is God’s plan for the believer, a place where he has a pastor who teaches and trains him spiritually, who is responsible to bring to him correction, reproof, and instructions in righteousness
(2 Timothy 3:16).

The local church therefore has spiritual leaders who have Christ’s authority to lead you (Heb 13:7) and your response to them must thus be submission in love and obedience as unto God (Heb 13:17).
Have a great weekend , We Win!

(Lanre Alonge is the Pastor of Saints Community Church Igando, Lagos Nigeria)

Source : http://www.thebelievershub.com/2018/04/how-to-find-local-church-stay-committed.html?m=1

Even when they might not be teaching sound doctrine

Majority of Christians dis days use a whole different criteria... 1. Do dey have musical instruments ? 2. How modern is d church and its environment.. 3. Will I b allowed to slay in any outfit I want on Sundays... 4. How cute are d guys/gals.. 5. What are my chances of getting connected..

The talking Donkey. I am tired of people problems, I need a donkey i can talk to.

China is currently the world's leading economic power, in China there is Zero Church! Finland has the most stable economy in the world today. There are less than twenty churches in Finland! Switzerland has the second most stable economy in the world. Switzerland has fewer than thirty churches! Denmark is the third most stable economy in the world, there are about 23 churches in Denmark. These countries are considered to have the highest number of atheists, but they are blessed! Come to Nigeria, there are more than 70,000 churches. +25 000 churches in Lagos. +2 500 churches in Oyo +30000 churches in the south east In Africa, we have more churches than schools and hospitals combined! More pastors than doctors. Everyone is born again!o Everyone is covered with the blood of Jesus! Jesus even became the husband of all single women (according to them) in revival churches! Everyone is filled with the Holy Spirit! However, none of these claims reflect the moral elevation that is hoped for in a society. We are among the laziest, the most deceiving, the most corrupt, the most hypocritical, the most hateful on the planet today, with all our Jesus and the Holy Spirit! Our people need to distinguish between religion and stupidity or between spirituality and tradition!. Wake up!!! religion is the modern day slavery holding Africans down...

Idrismusty97:
The talking Donkey. I am tired of people problems, I need a donkey i can talk to.

I prefer talking snakes though as it'll not only be my friend I can talk to but also my bodyguard with his venom

Religion

This days you see people fully devote their time doing the work of God...

You still find same people commiting evil korokoro in your face..
Telling you "God will understand"..
......

Those days when i still attending church service, I sleep alot in the church during service...
Now I rather sleep comfortably in my house than waste my time and Gods time..

Don't judge me....you no better pass me

hopefulLandlord:


I prefer talking snakes though as it'll not only be my friend I can talk to but also my bodyguard with his venom

Have you watched Shrek? A talking Donkey is much cooler, funnier and friendly.
[img]https://intelliquiz.files./2015/10/shrek_iq_donkey.jpg?w=427[/img]

It's not even that serious sef. The next chop after my house is a church on Sunday

Christians can be likened to grasshoppers. Hopping from one scam to another.

Idrismusty97:
Have you watched Shrek? A talking Donkey is much cooler.

Wait! why not both? Talking donkey for my transportation needs, talking snake for protection needs. Both can talk to me

Kingsley10000:
China is currently the world's leading economic power, in
China there is Zero Church!
Finland has the most stable economy in the world today.
There are less than twenty churches in Finland!
Switzerland has the second most stable economy in the
world. Switzerland has fewer than thirty churches!
Denmark is the third most stable economy in the world,
there are about 23 churches in Denmark.
These countries are considered to have the highest number
of atheists, but they are blessed!
Come to Nigeria, there are more than 70,000 churches.
+25 000 churches in Lagos.
+2 500 churches in Oyo
+30000 churches in the south east
In Africa, we have more churches than schools and
hospitals combined!
More pastors than doctors.
Everyone is born again!o
Everyone is covered with the blood of Jesus!
Jesus even became the husband of all single women
(according to them) in revival churches!
Everyone is filled with the Holy Spirit!
However, none of these claims reflect the moral elevation
that is hoped for in a society.
We are among the laziest, the most deceiving, the most
corrupt, the most hypocritical, the most hateful on the planet
today, with all our Jesus and the Holy Spirit!
Our people need to distinguish between religion and
stupidity or between spirituality and tradition!.
Wake up!!!
religion is the modern day slavery holding Africans down...

U think u are doing me, Abi?? Ok

ok

Kingsley10000:
China is currently the world's leading economic power, in
China there is Zero Church!
Finland has the most stable economy in the world today.
There are less than twenty churches in Finland!
Switzerland has the second most stable economy in the
world. Switzerland has fewer than thirty churches!
Denmark is the third most stable economy in the world,
there are about 23 churches in Denmark.
These countries are considered to have the highest number
of atheists, but they are blessed!
Come to Nigeria, there are more than 70,000 churches.
+25 000 churches in Lagos.
+2 500 churches in Oyo
+30000 churches in the south east
In Africa, we have more churches than schools and
hospitals combined!
More pastors than doctors.
Everyone is born again!o
Everyone is covered with the blood of Jesus!
Jesus even became the husband of all single women
(according to them) in revival churches!
Everyone is filled with the Holy Spirit!
However, none of these claims reflect the moral elevation
that is hoped for in a society.
We are among the laziest, the most deceiving, the most
corrupt, the most hypocritical, the most hateful on the planet
today, with all our Jesus and the Holy Spirit!
Our people need to distinguish between religion and
stupidity or between spirituality and tradition!.
Wake up!!!
religion is the modern day slavery holding Africans down...

What has economic stability got to do with spirituality? We are talking about things with eternal value and you are here talking about chewing gum and biscuits. If only in this life you have hope I'm Christ, you are amongst men most miserable' according to the Bible (1 Cor. 15:19)

Rapsowdee01:
https://twitter.com/TrendMasterNGR/status/984837834824716288?s=19



please i need 500 rts guys

08179556063

Kingsley10000:
China is currently the world's leading economic power, in
China there is Zero Church!
Finland has the most stable economy in the world today.
There are less than twenty churches in Finland!
Switzerland has the second most stable economy in the
world. Switzerland has fewer than thirty churches!
Denmark is the third most stable economy in the world,
there are about 23 churches in Denmark.
These countries are considered to have the highest number
of atheists, but they are blessed!
Come to Nigeria, there are more than 70,000 churches.
+25 000 churches in Lagos.
+2 500 churches in Oyo
+30000 churches in the south east
In Africa, we have more churches than schools and
hospitals combined!
More pastors than doctors.
Everyone is born again!o
Everyone is covered with the blood of Jesus!
Jesus even became the husband of all single women
(according to them) in revival churches!
Everyone is filled with the Holy Spirit!
However, none of these claims reflect the moral elevation
that is hoped for in a society.
We are among the laziest, the most deceiving, the most
corrupt, the most hypocritical, the most hateful on the planet
today, with all our Jesus and the Holy Spirit!
Our people need to distinguish between religion and
stupidity or between spirituality and tradition!.
Wake up!!!
religion is the modern day slavery holding Africans down...

I hope that this your act will not hunt you someday.

Kingsley10000:
China is currently the world's leading economic power, in
China there is Zero Church!
Finland has the most stable economy in the world today.
There are less than twenty churches in Finland!
Switzerland has the second most stable economy in the
world. Switzerland has fewer than thirty churches!
Denmark is the third most stable economy in the world,
there are about 23 churches in Denmark.
These countries are considered to have the highest number
of atheists, but they are blessed!
Come to Nigeria, there are more than 70,000 churches.
+25 000 churches in Lagos.
+2 500 churches in Oyo
+30000 churches in the south east
In Africa, we have more churches than schools and
hospitals combined!
More pastors than doctors.
Everyone is born again!o
Everyone is covered with the blood of Jesus!
Jesus even became the husband of all single women
(according to them) in revival churches!
Everyone is filled with the Holy Spirit!
However, none of these claims reflect the moral elevation
that is hoped for in a society.
We are among the laziest, the most deceiving, the most
corrupt, the most hypocritical, the most hateful on the planet
today, with all our Jesus and the Holy Spirit!
Our people need to distinguish between religion and
stupidity or between spirituality and tradition!.
Wake up!!!
religion is the modern day slavery holding Africans down...

you have spoken well my son

God help Nigeria...

eTECTIVe:
Majority of Christians dis days use a whole different criteria...
1. Do dey have musical instruments ?
2. How modern is d church and its environment..
3. Will I b allowed to slay in any outfit I want on Sundays...
4. How cute are d guys/gals..
5. What are my chances of getting connected..

* How popular is the church?
* How do I get contracts there?

Note

Never ever attend a church too close to your house

Never go to a church where more than 50% of the girls are wearing tight fitted clothes and open hair

If the pastor changes car every year, don't go there, it's not a sign of big testimony, it's a sure sign that you will be joining the list of compulsory contributions

If Mama is becoming more powerful than papa, flee

If the church is selling customized items, necklace, handkerchief, even customized Bible, don't bother going

eTECTIVe:
Majority of Christians dis days use a whole different criteria...
1. Do dey have musical instruments ?
2. How modern is d church and its environment..
3. Will I b allowed to slay in any outfit I want on Sundays...
4. How cute are d guys/gals..
5. What are my chances of getting connected..

And you feel these criteria are wrong ba?

great points..God bless us all

I'm not a Christian but I'll offer a word for any man willing to listen.

Find an established Church with a great preacher you resonate with, also take a look at the quality of his followers. Attend that Church and be very active. Be compassionate and show care. See what happens from there.

Lastly, don't go hide yourself in Church, be active!

WHY THE TERM 'LOCAL CHURCH'?

only on sundays

olowobaba10:
WHY THE TERM 'LOCAL CHURCH'?

Because it has to do with your immediate environment.
The world is tagged a global village, is the world a village per say?

E Get Wi-Fi