Choosing a Church Is Choosing a Lens

In our consumer-driven culture, it has become normal for Christians to choose local churches based on preferences—music style, programs, and atmosphere. While these elements have a place, they are not of first importance. What we often fail to realize is that choosing a local church is not just a matter of taste; it is a hermeneutical decision.

Every church teaches the Bible within a particular theological framework. This framework isn't confined to the pulpit; it shapes the entire church culture. Over time, it will influence how you understand the love of God, salvation, the sacraments, gender roles, mission, suffering, sanctification—indeed, everything that matters. In this sense, church membership is not merely a social or spiritual affiliation; it's a formative act. It shapes how you see the world, how you live in it, and how you read the Word of God.

Think about the family you grew up in: how deeply it has formed your way of thinking, feeling, and reacting, even long after you've left home. Church culture works the same way. It leaves an imprint on your theological instincts.

So the real question isn't, "Do I like this church?" but "Does this church help me rightly divide the Word of truth?" Because over time, the church you attend will become the lens through which you see God, yourself, and everything else. Choosing a church is not a trivial matter. Unlike your birth family, you have a say in this. And with that freedom comes responsibility. God has given you a mind, wisdom, and discernment, so use them carefully.

It's within this context that things like music, programs, and atmosphere enter the conversation. We must ask: how do these elements, and others within the church's culture, shape the way we read and understand Scripture? We can't be naive; just because they are secondary doesn't mean they are insignificant. These features often serve as the visible expressions of deeper, and sometimes hidden, theological commitments within that church.

So choose wisely. Choose prayerfully. And if you are a husband and a father, remember: your choice shapes not just your soul but the spiritual formation of your family.

May God give us grace.

Nino Marques