Choosing which local church to make your "spiritual home" is a vitally important decision in any Christian's life. There are several key questions that should be considered when making this choice:

1. Is this where God wants me to be planted?

2. Do I concur with the values and vision here?

3. Will this church help me to grow?

4. Can I submit to the leadership here?

1. Is this where God wants me to be planted?

The primary issue in making a decision on which local church to commit to is the conviction that God wants you to put down roots there. There is no doubt God wants us to be committed to local church. Though salvation is a personal commitment we are called to be part of a body and the characteristics of Christ are demonstrated to the world by the relationships within that community. God's order for the outworking of accountability and authority is local church. We are called to exercise authority but we can only do so if we are submitted to authority. God does not want you to settle in a local church that is not committed to Biblical principles and otrthodox Christian doctrine. Other than that where you settle must be a matter of personal conviction that this is where God wants you.

2. Do I concur with the values and vision here?

While all local churches should be committed to Biblical principles the emphases of vision and values may differ. Leadership in local church is responsible before God for setting the emphasis of vision and values and will change these as they believe it to be right. However, it is not appropriate to join a local church where the congregation is pursuing particular values and vision and try to change them. Find a local church whose vision and values you can support and settle there.

3. Will this church help me to grow?

The primary responsibility of each Christian is to ensure their own personal growth and development. Our ability to minister to God and to others is in direct proportion to our spiritual strength. Local church is intended to encourage, challenge and equip Christians to be all that God has called them to be. Sometimes people commit to "dead" churches believing that they will help to re-invigorate them. However, if you are not the primary leader in such a situation you will find yourself sapped of energy and strength that would normally be replaced by your relationship with local church. Choose a church that will help you to grow.

4. Can I submit to the leadership here?

The Bible makes it clear that God allows leaders to hold a position of authority both in church and in government. God holds leaders accountable for the way in which they lead and he will remove them in his time. David was unwilling to attack Saul because he acknowledged that God had given him a position of leadership. This was at a time in Saul's life when the Spirit of God had left him and God was preparing another to take over. However, David had such a sense of God's appointment of a leader that he had the young man executed who finally took the life of Saul. If you cannot submit to those in leadeship do not join that local church. If you are already in a church where you cannot submit to the leadership - leave it anf find one where you can follow the leaders.