Golden Nugget: Your spiritual growth is a community project. Be patient in your search for help.

Daily Message:

The Church is not simply a building, or a room full of people, or even a room full of true Christians. It is the indwelling presence of Jesus Christ operating in and through the lives of Christians everywhere. The Bible depicts the Church as a body of believers who function and live dependently on God’s indwelling presence. 

The physical body can be a helpful comparison. A body is not all eye or foot or hand, but one coordinated body whose parts function in dependence on one another. In the same way, the spiritual body of believers—the Church—functions as a coordinated whole, with individual “members” operating in the power of the Holy Spirit, using their gifts and unique perspectives for the good of the body.

The Bible says it best: “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. . . . If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:12, 16–27).

As a part of the Body of Christ, each of us cannot operate at full functionality without all the parts of the body—the Church.

Consider This:

• What are your biggest questions about attending a church?
• What are your criteria for determining the best place to start?

Take Action:

Attending church is a big step toward growing in your new faith. Knowing where to start looking can be a daunting task. Write down some of the benefits of attending church. Then write down the characteristics of the type of church you would like to find. Pray for God’s guidance, be patient, and try out a few churches that meet your  specific interests. Your search will be worth it when you find the right place.