The Perfect Church
Story★★★★A man reportedly came to the British pastor Charles H. Spurgeon looking for the perfect church. The famous preacher told him he had many saintly people in his congregation, but a Judas could also be among them.
After all, even Jesus had a traitor in the company of His apostles. He went on to say that some might be walking disobediently, as had been the case among the believers at Rome, Corinth, Galatia, and Sardis. “My church is not the one you’re looking for,” said Spurgeon. “But if you should happen to find such a church, I beg you not to join it, for you would spoil the whole thing.”2 A survey by the Barna Research Group has pinpointed the top five reasons why Americans choose a church.
A nationwide sampling of Americans were asked to respond to the following statement: “For most people there are a few key factors that determine whether or not they will return to a church they have visited. For each factor I mention please tell me if that factor would be extremely important, pretty important, somewhat important, not too important or not at all important in your decision of whether or not to return to a church you had visited!’ Of the 22 factors named, including worship styles and community outreaches, the top eight reasons for selecting a church, in order of importance, were: • Theological beliefs • How much people care 1 Clipped from my files.
2 From an Our Daily Bread clipping in my files.
The point
A man seeks the perfect church; Spurgeon replies that his congregation has saintly people but also a Judas, and that Christians disobey as believers at Rome, Corinth, Galatia, and Sardis did. No perfect church exists; if you find one and join, you will spoil it.