Seven Ways to Know if a Church Is Into You.

Visiting a church for the first time is daunting—especially if you’re not familiar with the perspectives, traditions, and trappings of the various faiths. To lighten your task, look for these seven signs that will help you know if a church is interested mostly in itself, or in you…

1.     Pew Poaching – Did someone ask you to move because “you’re in my seat”? If so, this is a congregation that’s totally locked into itself—like a box of puppies licking each other!

2.    Back Filling – Does everyone sit in the rear of the sanctuary or worship center? If so, they are probably more interested in getting out and going to lunch than having their faith nourished and challenged by a pointed message.

3.     Jargon Jabbering – Do the pastors and worship leaders use “church speak” in the place of common terms and phrases? Do they use religious words like “consecration,” “narthex,” and “Eucharist” instead of the everyday words, “commitment”, “lobby”, and “communion?” If so, they might not be talking to you.

4.    Helpful Hoarding – Do people have to come into the church to receive help from the “hands and feet” of Jesus? Does the building serve as the main distribution center for members’ time, talents, and spiritual gifts? If so, this congregation might have lost its ability to share God’s gifts and blessings without conditions.   

5.    “Me” Maintenance – Is the church openly asking for money to tend the building and grounds, fix the air conditioning, or buy a new piano? If so, they probably have limited resources and are far more interested in spending them on themselves than investing in you.

6.    Low Impact Stretching – Is the calendar heavy with church programs, meetings, activities, and events? If so, they probably don’t much energy left to reach people outside the church.

7.    Closed Circles – Do the people cluster in little circles and groups talking with each other? Do you notice pastors and staff participating in these friend fests? If so, they probably like their little club the way it is, and don’t have much room for newcomers.

And, here’s the bottom line: Look for pastors, worship leaders, and members who will offer to help you know what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Who will make you feel comfortable by talking about their own faith journeys? Who invite you to tell about yours?

These are good signs that a church wants to know you just as much they want you to know them.