Introduction
Last week we talked about what the church is, now we’re moving toward how you can evaluate what a church is like by looking at a few practical and wise approaches.
Going on Sunday
It’s important to see what happens on Sundays. It’s an important rhythm and does reveal a lot about a church and its culture. It’s similar to going on a first date: you get a sense of their personality, and their tastes. You’ll obviously think about practical things like your personal experience of worship, the preaching to your heart and mind, and how the people of the church treat you as you visit. However, there are some more intentional things to observe as you think about the essentials of all churches (gospel, mission, community, leadership).
How is the Scripture read? How do they talk about Jesus? Sing about Jesus? Pray to Jesus? (gospel)
Look for grace and generosity in how people use their time and relational space (community)
Think about your neighbor or friend visiting the church (mission), do you think they’re considered in how the church is gathering? Or is the church expecting only people in it to be there?
Talk to Leaders
Sundays can only show you so much. You also want to get to know the leaders, hear their vision for the church, and get a sense of their heart for the church they serve. I want to encourage you to reach out to the leaders (an elder, deacon, or staff member) and see if you can take them to coffee to get to know them. Even better is to notice if they pursue meeting with you. When you meet ask them questions about the church but also share parts of your story and what you’re passionate about. As you do, try to notice these things:
Do they have joy in the church and in the people?
Do they listen to you well?
Do they pursue healthy rhythms? Are they cared for within the church?
A Church will not have everything…beware of the church/leader who says they do. Every church has weaknesses, limitations, etc. How will you accept and submit to it them with their weaknesses and limitations?
Talk to “Ordinary People”
Talking with non-leaders reveals the real ethic/values of a church. It also shows the fruit and work of God through the church. Are they growing? Are they being fed and challenged? Listen for how they talk about Jesus, is he the hero of the body? Listen to how they talk about the church, is it people? Lastly, listen to how they talk about those they don’t believe and aren’t in the church, what is their posture?
Join in
Ernest Hemingway wrote, “How do you know if you can trust a man? You trust them.” In the same way, you won’t really know what a church is like until you join in and that requires courage. After visiting churches and praying about the options you’ve attended, listen for which one God is calling you to step into and serve. Use your desires and dreams list from the previous post to help inform you. And then, take the leap.
Where to Get Started
These aren’t in any particular order, and it’s also important to remember you wont find a church like Soma, but you will see unity with Jesus’ church across the city. If you have specific questions about any of these, please ask.
Westside
Cornerstone West LA - A historic church that has planted churches in the city for decades. They are solid on the gospel and mission. Their pastor lives in Culver City and they have used Brad’s books on missional communities in the past.
Vintage - A Charismatic Anglican Church that is very good at reaching people and sharing the gospel with them, especially young professionals on the westside. They’re currently in a season of pressing into spiritual formation and revamping their community groups with the influence of John Mark Comer.
The Commons - A small A29 church near UCLA. Similar size and culture of our church that focuses on personal formation and social justice. Pastor leads “The & Campaign” in LA)
Bel Air Church - Historic Presbyterian church with a legacy of diversity and evangelism. Also, many people in Culver City go there.
First Lutheran Venice - Leaders went to Soma School in Phoenix in 2019, they hosted Soma Venice for a few weeks, and their leaders are former missionaries in Africa with a great heart for reaching the west side. Congregation is older and smaller but they are trying to do missional communities.
First Southern Baptist Church - Pastor is a business professor at Pepperdine and has lived in Culver City for over 30 years. Small and older congregation but have a patience and presence in the city for a long time. *Note: they do not do children’s ministry programs during Sundays.
Collective Church - Originally a church plant out of Reality LA, Collective is earnest about the gospel, discipleship, and the church living out the gospel in life.
South Bay
Oceanside Fellowship Church - Acts 29 church with strong shared leadership and focus on the gospel and using its recourses to bless others across the city. Very solid church.
Saddleback South Bay - An extension/campus of the Saddleback in Orange County. This is much smaller but made of same values for sharing the gospel and discipling people into maturity.
Lighthouse Torrance - Great children’s and youth ministry. They also have a robust gospel-centered counseling approach. Just a solid church.