What if I can't find a strong church that refuses to conform to secular society?
Introduction
The world often applies pressure on the Church to change its teachings on morality, sexuality, or sin to be more appealing or "tolerant." Many churches, seeking to be relevant, dilute their doctrine or compromise on biblical truth. For the Christian who desires to live a life of holiness, finding a church that remains faithful to Scripture is a serious and necessary pursuit.
This search requires not just looking, but knowing what truly defines a "strong" church from a biblical perspective.
Main: Three Steps to Define and Locate a Godly Church
If you are struggling to find a church that refuses to conform to secular society, you must redefine your expectations and apply rigorous biblical standards to your search.
1. Define "Strong" by Doctrine, Not by Culture
The strength of a church is not measured by its lights, music, or sermon delivery, but by the purity of its doctrine and its commitment to God's Word.
Unwavering Authority: The most important standard is the church's commitment to the Bible as the inspired, infallible, and ultimate authority on all matters of life and faith. A strong church will not edit or soften Scripture to avoid offense. Its leaders must preach the Word faithfully: “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).
The Gospel is Central: Ensure the church clearly and consistently preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ (salvation by grace through faith alone) without adding human works or political agendas as requirements for acceptance.
Willingness to Reprove: A non-conforming church must be willing to address sin, challenge cultural idols, and practice church discipline when necessary, showing it prioritizes holiness over popularity.
2. Prioritize Purity Over Perfection
No church on Earth is perfect; all churches are composed of sinful people. It is dangerous to search for a church without flaws, as this search will always end in disappointment and isolation.
Look for a Pure Preaching: Seek the purest church available, which means one that is committed to teaching the truth and demonstrating genuine love and community, even if it has shortcomings in its style or programs.
Be a Contributor, Not Just a Consumer: If the church you find is mostly strong but has areas of weakness (e.g., poor music or outdated methods), commit to joining it and being part of the solution. Your presence, dedication to truth, and service can help strengthen the congregation's non-conforming witness.
3. Commit to Discernment and Patient Prayer
If you live in an area where solid, non-conforming churches are genuinely rare, your focus must turn to diligent prayer and discerning action.
Pray for a Gathering: Pray that God would either raise up a faithful leader in your area or direct you to a small, hidden fellowship that is committed to truth. Pray that God would grant you the discernment to identify the genuine article amidst the conforming imposters.
Travel if Necessary: If feasible, you may need to commit to driving a greater distance to join a church that upholds the essential truths. Biblical community is not optional; it is the place where the Holy Spirit strengthens and disciples believers.
Be Patient and Trust God: Trust that God, who commands us not to forsake meeting together (Hebrews 10:25), knows your need and will either lead you to a faithful body or equip you to start one, should that be His call.
Conclusion
The core comfort is this: your loyalty is to Christ, the Head of the Church, not to a specific institution. While you must seek a community that obeys Him, remember that the true Church is the fellowship of those who refuse to conform their lives to the world.
Do your diligent, prayerful search. When you find a church that holds fast to the Word of God—even if it is small or struggling—commit to it and let your life of non-conformity encourage the faithfulness of the entire body.
