“Just Browsing”

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

My mother, a very good christian woman, went on to be with the Lord about a year ago.  This happening, I started attending her church.  The pastor there resigned.  He has been preaching at local churches.  I have been going to hear him.  He is truly a man of God.  My mother’s church doesn't currently have a preacher.  I am a new christian; I have prayed about this, and my question is: am I wrong to go to where he is preaching?  I don't feel wrong, but I have others who tell me that I have “preacher religion”, but I don’t know where to go.  Can you give me some insight?

Sincerely,
Visiting

Dear Visiting,

There is nothing wrong with going and visiting other faithful congregations to hear a preacher speak (you called this man a ‘pastor’; if all he is doing is preaching, he is a preacher – not a pastor).  Go right ahead and visit as long as you consider three principles:

1. He is a sound preacher that is faithfully preaching the truth and nothing else.  We recommend reading “Preacher Interrogation” and comparing his preaching to the simple questions we lay out in that article.
2. You are remaining a faithful and involved member of a congregation.  The Scriptures don’t ever give examples of “roving” christians.  Christians are supposed to be active and involved in helping a local congregation to grow, flourish, and serve God (Eph 4:16).  We are supposed to be servants in a local church (Rom 16:1).  If you are always visiting, you aren’t really involving yourself in the life of a local congregation.  There is a balance.
3. Make sure that the church you are attending is faithfully following God’s Word.  Not all churches are equal.  Jesus warned that there are many false teachers that are “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matt 7:15).  We recommend you read “Finding A Church” and compare the verses in that article to the behavior of any congregation you attend.

If you consider these principles found in the Scriptures, you will make a healthy decision.

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