Finding a church where you can grow in your faith, serve God, and enjoy fellowship with other believers is a very good thing. Many great churches teach what the Bible says and hold solid, correct doctrine, but in organized religion today, there is also a morass of error, deception, and crazy stuff.

Look for a church that teaches directly from the Holy Bible. Those who teach verse by verse (expository), digging into the depths of the scriptures, are the best, in my opinion. A church that covers the foundation of the Gospel – the unrighteousness of mankind, that Jesus is God, that he atoned for our sins through crucifixion, and that faith in him alone brings salvation – is where you want to be.

Here are characteristics of places you might want to avoid. The following teachings are red flags that something is not right:

• Jesus is not God; he is a created being.
• You are good, and God loves you just the way you are.
• God wants you happy and wealthy.
• You must give the church your money.
• Your salvation is dependent on things you must do.
• There are other ways to Heaven other than faith in Jesus.
• There are revelations from God outside of the 66 books of the Holy Bible.

Some churches aim to entertain, offer emotional experiences, or are filled with repetitive, mechanical liturgy. Find a church that places preaching the truth from God’s Word above all else.