5 Things to Consider When Joining a Non-Denominational Church
As someone who has been part of many different types of churches, I’m passionate about helping others create a sense of found family. When it comes to finding the right church for you, it can feel overwhelming—especially when considering non-denominational churches, which vary widely in beliefs and practices. To help, I’ve put together five things to look for when thinking about attending a non-denominational church. (And honestly, this advice applies to most churches!)
1. Clarity in Communication: Do They Clearly Express What They Believe?
One of the most important things to evaluate is how clear or vague the church is about its beliefs. In some non-denominational churches, the marketing might be polished. You might hear a lot of spin or vague statements without much clarity. When you’re checking out a church, make sure they’re being transparent and direct about their values and beliefs, not just putting on a good face.
2. Check Out the Website: What Does the Language Tell You?
Take some time to explore the church’s website. Its language can reveal a lot about who the church is and what kind of community it is building. Who is the church for? How inclusive is its messaging? Are they speaking to a particular demographic or trying to reach a broader, more diverse group? A website’s tone and content can be a helpful window into the church’s culture.
3. Leadership Demographics: Who’s Leading the Church?
For me, this is a major consideration. A church can claim to be anti-racist or egalitarian, but its leadership often tells the real story. If the entire leadership team consists of straight, married, white men, that’s something to think about—especially if they say they value diversity. It’s essential to examine not just the pastoral team but also elders and other leaders to see if the leadership reflects the values they claim to uphold.
4. Leadership Structure: Is There Accountability?
Some churches have a single senior pastor who holds most of the power, which can be concerning if there aren’t proper checks and balances in place. Accountability is essential for healthy leadership. A church where one person is elevated without any oversight can create an unhealthy power dynamic. Make sure there’s a system that keeps leaders accountable and fosters shared leadership.
5. Is This Church a Good Fit for You, As Is?
Looking for a new church is a lot like dating. You can’t assume that a church is going to change its ways or its theology to fit your needs or beliefs. It’s important to accept the church for what it is right now, and ask yourself: If the things that bother me never change, can I live with that? Don’t try to mold a church into something it’s not. Be honest about whether it’s the right fit for you as it currently stands.
Conclusion:
Finding a church community can be a rewarding journey, but it’s important to approach it thoughtfully. Hopefully, these five points give you a helpful framework for evaluating a non-denominational church before committing. If you have any additional tips or personal experiences to share, leave a comment below! And feel free to share this with a friend who’s currently church shopping.
P.S. This text was repurposed from a video script. It was reformatted with the help of Chat GPT for ease of consumption. Everything in this blog post comes from my actual words, and I, an actual human, edited and posted them. I take full responsibility for these words. If you’d like words by me that are untouched by a robot, check out my Substack!
