Getting involved in a good church is vital, whether that’s at uni, at home, or in any new place you find yourself for more than a few days. Christians are, by nature, in partnership with God and other believers: that’s the ‘fellowship’ in 1 John 1:6-7. And part of that partnership means making a point of meeting together to encourage one another to be centred on the God of truth (Hebrews 10:25).

So how do you know which church family to become involved in? Does being at Platt make you an Anglican-for-life? Should you be looking for a church with a funky band that needs a good drummer, or cake-maker, or whatever is your thing? Is it all about what feels right?

Here are three mostly-objective ‘B’s, starting with the most important, that you can carry around in your head as you visit different churches and decide which one to go to: BIBLE, BELONG and BRING. And this is what we mean by them:

BIBLE

What is this church’s view of the Bible? Are the sermons or talks proclaiming and explaining what the Bible says, rather than giving opinions or nice thoughts with occasional reference to Scripture? Do the preachers show you how they get their arguments and conclusions from the Bible? Do people seem to love the God that is revealed in the Bible, in all of his holiness, love and justice? ‘The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul’ (Psalm 19:7) … choose a church where your soul will live!

BELONG

Can you get stuck in to this church? Are there opportunities for you to join a small group of people who you can get to know and study the Bible with? Are there ways you can use your God-given gifts to serve the church? Acts 2:46-47 shows this working really well in the early church … choose a church that you can belong to.

BRING

Is this the kind of church you could bring mates along to? So, is it local and is the way things are done reasonably accessible to non-Christians? Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6) … choose a church where your mates might get to know him!