Church Reviews: Going To Church For The Wrong Reason (Part 2)

Last week I discussed online church reviews and five reasons reviewers gave for attending those churches. The reasons weren’t bad things to like about a church, but they shouldn’t be the main reasons anyone chooses to attend. Today I have more evidence from online church reviews that churchgoers might be going to church for the wrong reason. Let’s jump right in.

More Evidence Churchgoers Might Be Going To Church For The Wrong Reason

Church For The Wrong Reason #1: Facilities

If you go to a small church, then you might understand where I’m coming from when I say the temptation to be dissatisfied with one’s church building can be strong. Very strong. I have regularly attended six churches since my salvation. I would say that one of them has an impressive facility. The others aren’t bad, but there are obvious deficiencies. Topping the list is usually space. Either there isn’t much of which to speak, or the space is a little odd because it was converted from some other non-church purpose (i.e., school, office building, etc.). Sometimes, these buildings can be a little old, too…

Does the building make the church, though? When we let pride get in the way or mistakenly prioritize the world’s preferences, then the answer is “yes.” The truth, on the other hand, is quite the opposite. How many beautiful and impressive church buildings only serve to house the spiritually dead and cater to the world? (Answer: a lot)

Having a church filled with attractive spaces, coordinating décor, ample space for hosting events, and more than enough classrooms is wonderful. Consider it a blessing if you have that. But a quirky building that a congregation has learned to make do with is also a blessing. We should be content with wherever we gather to worship.

As with most things, we can’t accurately judge a church facility by its appearance alone. We have to consider the people, preaching, and mission of the church in question. Ultimately, I’d rather attend church services in an open field if my only other choice was a beautiful building filled with false doctrine, ungodly people, and/or a focus on things of this world.

Who cares if the building needs work or lacks some of what others have? Jesus didn’t call you to a building, friend. He called you to Himself.

Church For The Wrong Reason #2: Relevant Messages

I’m honestly disturbed at the number of times I saw “relevant” mentioned in church reviews. The implied criticism is that other churches are preaching on topics and issues that are irrelevant to our modern-day lives. I wonder what those may be.

When churchgoers talk about relevant sermons, they often mean topics such as elections/politics, self-empowerment themes, pop culture, mental health, sex -of course-, and never-before-heard lessons from the Bible. In general, they’re looking for sermons about their own topics of interest and that might be a little taboo or controversial.

I take issue with this search for relevant messages, however, because the Bible is still relevant today. Nothing could hope to be more relevant and meaningful to us than God’s Word. All of us have to figure out what we’re going to do with God, and everyone grapples with the meaning of life and where we come from. The Bible deals with these topics head-on.

Moreover, the human condition is the same as it always has been. We deal with the same things that men and women dealt with thousands of years ago.

“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” (emphasis mine)

Ecclesiastes 1:9

If you want to deal with current human struggles, then look no further than the Bible. It has everything! Jealousy, revenge, murder, sexual perversion, unhealthy family dynamics, friendship, love, war, scheming, infertility, forgiveness, and the meaning of life… It’s all in there. There’s no need for an update for relevance because God’s Word will always apply to us.

Rather than look for a “relevant” church, we ought to seek out a church that shows us how to see the Bible as a the true and relevant Word of God.

Church For The Wrong Reason #3: “Authenticity”

It’s really important to people that those around them be authentic. I can understand that. Who wants to spend time with people who are constantly pretending?

Authenticity applies to churches, too. Visitors can feel when a church is putting on a show or trying to impress new people. We want church to feel natural and organic to the people there. However, the trouble comes in when “authentic” starts to mean something else.

Authentic Christianity has morphed into Christians who are living as their true selves. “How does that manifest?” you might wonder. Well, it looks like professing Christians who embrace sin as a part of who they are. According to these “authentic” Christians, God made them that way, and they don’t need to change.

If your idea of a desirable authentic church is one with little accountability and continuous encouragement to stay the same, then you’re at that church for the wrong reason. Keep looking. Truly authentic Christian churches will preach the Word with no apologies or censorship, call sin what it is, minister to those in need, and make sharing the gospel a top priority.

Church For The Wrong Reason #4: Pastor’s Personality

A church with a pastor who struggles to speak in an engaging manner can be difficult to attend. I’ve gone to my fair share of snooze fests over the years, and I admit that the pastor’s ability to hold the listeners’ attention while also conveying his message well is necessary. On the other hand, how much of our church attendance should be based on the pastor? Is church about him or God?

Liking your pastor and enjoying his preaching is a positive thing, but that isn’t always where it stops. In reading online church reviews, I stumbled upon a theme. “Come to my church because Pastor So-And-So is amazing!” Some adjectives for pastors in these reviews included funny, smart, gifted, relevant, authentic, and entertaining. So, it seems like the answer to the question, “Why should I come to your church?” was because the pastor is likeable.

If church were a club or a show that is played every Sunday, I’d understand going to church for the “main speaker.” After all, I have paid to see many musical acts, plays, and comedians over the years. Each time I was there to see the main event.

When I go to church, however, the pastor is the main speaker, but he is not the event. Worshiping the Creator of all things is what I’m there for, and the pastor is going to help me understand my God even better through his sermon. But that pastor is, as my husband often says, just a beggar showing another beggar how to get bread. Pastors are just men. They each have their strengths and weaknesses, but no man should be the reason anyone goes to church.

Where do you put your faith? Man or God?

Final Thought

In the end, I’m happy when someone attends church for any reason. At least the church will have the gospel and believers to touch that person’s life. But going to church for the wrong reason suggests a possible heart issue.

An impressive building, ear-tickling and controversial messages, “authenticity,” and a cool pastor aren’t signs of a healthy spiritual life. Where’s the hunger for the Word? What about ministry opportunities and missions? Are the reasons you go to church pointing toward a person who lives for the Lord all week or someone who is looking for a way to “do church” on Sunday and move on with the day?

Why do you go to church? Are there any other wrong reasons to go to church you think I missed?

Image courtesy of Brooke Cagle via Unsplash.