Donald S. Whitney
If you are looking for a church home, the answers you receive to
questions like these may help you determine whether a particular church
is the one where God wants you.
Tips for using these questions:
Ask wisely. Talk to the pastor, if at all possible. If not, then ask
another staff member of the church.
Ask personally. Visit or call him. Do not mail or fax these and ask
for a written reply.
Ask courteously. Do not “grill” the pastor or ask aggressively.
Ask selectively. Do not ask all these questions at one time. The more
serious you become about membership, the more appropriate it becomes to
ask additional questions later.
These questions are not necessarily listed in the order of
significance. Some of them may not be important to you. You may want to
add others.
Realize that you may not be able to find a church near you which can
answer all your questions satisfactorily. However, the Lord does want
you to find a church home where you can be involved.
- How is a person made right with God?
- What is your position on the inerrancy of Scripture?
- Do you believe Genesis 1-11 is factual or symbolic?
- Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven?
- What is your position on the Lordship Salvation issue, i.e., can a
person take Jesus as Savior without taking him as Lord?
- Do you believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin?
- Do you believe in the bodily return of Jesus Christ?
- Do you believe in a literal Hell?
- What is your position on the ordination of women for positions of
church leadership?
- How do you deal with a young child who says he or she wants to be
saved?
- How do you combat easy-believism?
- What are your views regarding divorce and remarriage?
- What is your position on the charismatic movement?
- How would you/the church handle a case of scandal or immorality by
a church member?
- What is your position on church debt and is the church in debt?
- Have there been any splits in the church and have any pastors been
asked to leave?
- What have been the high points (or the “best thing") in this
church in the last five years? In the last six months?
- What are the greatest strengths of this church? Weaknesses?
- How do you foster the spiritual growth of individuals in your
church?
- What are your goals for the church?
- Would you mind telling me about your devotional life?
- Who are your favorite authors?
- What is the doctrinal statement of the church, and may I have a
copy? (Note: Be cautious if the church has no doctrinal statement or
cannot find a copy.)
