Steve Scott is looking for a Church

Steve is a blog friend of mine. I enjoy his posts. We have even talked on the phone.

He recently left the church he had been attending. He is now in a church shopping mode.

Here are some of his desireds and absolutes. They are interesting. I have a church for him except for the membership and the contributions from the congregation thing.

It needs to be a Christian church. It should hold to the Apostle's Creed. It should hold to the true gospel, and yeah, general conformity to those "three marks of a true church" I have heard a lot about over time. One, preaching of the true gospel, administration of the sacraments (baptism and Lord's Supper) and church discipline. Love for one another in the church, although not a mark of a true church in Reformed theology (huh?), should be there. Do these people actually love one another on a regular basis? These are absolute essentials.

Now for strong preferences. All members of all families are in the Sunday meeting regardless of age. Extreme cases of screaming infants or toddlers can make use of a crying room, etc., but families should feel free and unhindered - and actually encouraged! - in training their children in the church meeting. When everybody's kids are there, the background noise is easily ignored and preaching and praying can be heard. When no other kids are there, one child that makes even a peep is the target of wrath of others. I would also like a church of 50-75 people, maybe growing up to 100 before splitting into smaller groups. Pastors/elders should be leaders who lead by example, not by making rules or overlording the sheep. Every baptized Christian who assembles there is counted as a formal member just because they assemble there. Children should also be welcome.

Other preferences. Real bread and real wine in communion. A fellowship meal should be included every week, with the Lord's Supper being part of that meal. I also would prefer a participatory meeting, where everybody uses their gifts (or at least has the opportunity) for the edification of others, and not just a spectator church where the professional types do all the work. I would prefer the church not be a non-profit corporation nor registered with the state as a 501(c)(3). At least some hymns should be sung a capella. Allowing or serving of alcoholic beverages at church meetings or meals should not be shunned or discouraged.