Church Shopping
There was a time when a person’s church home was often chosen for them. If you were born into a Methodist family, you attended a Methodist church. If you were raised Baptist, you attended a Baptist church. Presbyterians attended Presbyterian churches, while Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians typically remained within their respective traditions.
Over the past fifty years, however, that pattern has changed. People today are more likely to visit several congregations before deciding where to worship. As a result, the term church shopper has become common. A church shopper is someone who visits multiple churches in search of a congregation that meets his or her spiritual needs, values, and preferences before making a commitment. At one time, many people were uncomfortable admitting that they were church shopping. Today, they speak about it quite openly. During my years in full-time ministry, I tried to be sensitive to church shoppers. Any pastor who is interested in church growth must answer the question:
What are church shoppers looking for in a church? To answer that question, we turn to Acts 2:42-47.
According to the text, the great Day of Pentecost had passed, and the church had been established. This early church was a body of believers who devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. They met together daily, shared life closely with one another, and gave generously to anyone in need. The Holy Spirit rested upon these believers, and miracles were common among them. The church enjoyed the favor of the people, and God added to their number daily those who were being saved. Throughout my years in ministry, I used the early church as a model, because church shoppers are looking for a church like the early church. In this blog, we will look at four priorities of church shoppers.
Church Shoppers are looking for a church that emphasizes Bible. Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teachings.” We do not have the benefit of living apostles. But we have the next best thing, the Bible! The Bible tells us how to live and what to believe. Without the Bible we are lost.
History tells us that the famed scientist Albert Einstein (1879-1955) was sometimes so absorbed in thought that he would become forgetful about everyday matters. One evening, while riding the train home, the conductor came by to collect tickets. Einstein searched his pockets but could not find his ticket. “That’s all right, Dr. Einstein,” the conductor said. “I know who you are. You ride this train every day. You can show me your ticket tomorrow.” Einstein replied, “Young man, the problem is not my ticket. The problem is that I don’t know where I’m going.” In much the same way, without the Bible we do not know where we are going. God’s Word gives direction for life. It reveals His will, His purposes, and His plan for His people. Church shoppers are looking for a church that emphasizes the Bible.
Church shoppers are looking for a church with strong fellowship. Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship.” People are simply not looking for a place to attend on Sunday. They are looking for a place to belong. They want meaningful relationships, genuine acceptance, and a community that cares for them. In a world where loneliness is increasingly common, the church can provide what many people are desperately seeking: a spiritual family where they are known, loved, and encouraged in their walk with Christ.
John Wilkes Booth (1838-1865) shot Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) on April 14, 1865, at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Lincoln had five items in his possession that evening: a handkerchief embroidered with “A. Lincoln,” a boy’s penknife, a pair of spectacles, a five-dollar Confederate note, and a newspaper article written by John Bright. The article described Lincoln as one of the greatest men of all time. Those closest to Lincoln said that he read that article countless times because he could hardly believe those words. Lincoln struggled to see his own value. It is widely known today that he suffered from depression, and loneliness was a recurring part of his life. How many lonely people are there in our community today? How many are searching for a place where they can be loved, accepted, and supported? Church shoppers are looking for a church with strong fellowship.
Church shoppers are looking for a church that is passionate about Jesus! The text says, “They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teachings and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread.” The author is not just talking about a meal. The author is talking about communion.” The early church had communion every time they gathered because they wanted to remember Jesus. They had a passion for Jesus.
Augustine of Hippo (354-430) once said, “Our hearts are restless until we find our rest in God.” John Wesley (1703-1791) called it prevenient grace – the kind of grace that calls us home. It all begins and ends with Jesus. German Lutheran theologian Rudolph Bultmann (1884-1976) once said, “There is a faint recollection of Eden in all of us calling us home.” Each one is saying the same thing – our lives are incomplete with Jesus. Without Jesus, our souls are incomplete. Church shoppers are looking for a church that is passionate about Jesus.
Church shoppers are looking for a church that places a high priority on prayer. The text says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). Prayer was not an occasional activity for the early church. It was one of the foundations upon which the church was built. The importance of prayer remains evident today. According to Pew Research, 44% of Americans pray daily, while another 23% pray at least weekly. These numbers remind us that people continue to have a deep desire to connect with God.
True prayer is opening our hearts to God and aligning our lives with His will. It is a time of fellowship with Him, listening as well as speaking, trusting as well as asking. Church shoppers are looking for a church that places a high priority on prayer.
In retirement, I became a church shopper. I quickly discovered that finding a good church is not easy. After visiting and considering the churches in my community, I found a church an hour from our home. My soul is worth the drive. At this stage of life, I need a church that emphasizes the Bible, fosters strong fellowship, is passionate about Jesus, and places a high priority on prayer. I believe it is where God wants me to be. American author and church leader Thom S. Rainer may have said it best: “The church is not a store to be shopped; it is a community to be shared.”
Russ Adams 