SpOL

SpOL-077 CHOOSING A CHURCH

On a rerun of Seinfeld, George Costanza decides he needs to change religions. He's met a girl who is Latvian Orthodox, but she won't date outside her faith.

Jerry cautions George that he's taking a serious step. "You know, it's not like changing toothpaste," he says.

But George doesn't think it's any big deal. "How hard could it be? You make a little contribution, have a ceremony, and you're in!"

So George goes to a Latvian Orthodox priest who loads him down with books on theology that he must study. Jerry helps George study for the test, but he's shocked to discover that George has some of the answers written on the inside of his hand. "What??" Jerry exclaims, "You're cheating on your conversion test??"

In the end, George's efforts are useless. His girlfriend decides to go to Latvia, and the relationship falls apart.

It was a funny plot, but it points up an important real-life issue. Choosing a church is not as easy as it might seem.

You might be looking for a church right now.

I hope you’ll find one that is a healthy and well-balanced church, a church that not only nurtures and serves you, but one that offers opportunities for you to help others.

I hope you’ll find a church that is devoted to the good news of Jesus Christ, just as he is to his bride. A healthy church is one that teaches the Bible, that values worship and prayer, and a church that keeps grace at the center of its life and teaching.

Just as a husband is joined to his wife, with a mutual interdependence so intimate that they become one, so Christ and his church become one body. As a man’s genuine love for his wife intends her wholeness, so Christ’s love for the church intends her completeness.

Being in a good fellowship can make an immense positive difference in your life.

I’m Joseph Tkach, speaking of LIFE.