1. Finding the Perfect Church
Graeme Sterne
July 2005

2. You were called to belong, not just believe
Called sons and daughters (family)
There are over 50 ‘one anothers’
Sin separates; grace brings together

3. Grace Bono U2 2000 Grace, she takes the blame She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her name.
What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings
Because grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things.

4. What does it mean to belong to a church?
Attending regularly
Baptized
Signed up member
Giving money
Serving
Loyal

5. What does it really mean to belong to a church?
Fellowship = ‘koinonia’ = community
=> ‘committed relationship’
= > ‘holding things in common’
e.g. What fellowship do you have with
darkness?

6. There are examples of believers who had to live alone …
Moses, David, Jacob (on the run)
Elijah, John the Baptist
Abraham
But these are exceptions rather the rule

7. When you’re on your own you develop some strange ideas…
Elijah – I am the only one left
Abraham – I have to lie or they will kill me and take my wife
Moses – I can’t speak very well
John the Baptist – fashion statement

8. So it’s not surprising that believers look for a church to belong to
But how do you choose?
What if the church you belong to doesn’t do much for you?
Which are the best churches?
Is ours ok?
Why do we come here?

9. There’s no perfect church
We are part of the Body
Churches are made up of imperfect people. That’s how we qualify!
Every church has its strengths and its failings
Even ‘good’ churches are changing

10. How should you choose a church? A place where …
We can relate to the believers there
The Lord is honoured and the Gospel is proclaimed
The Bible is honoured and preached
We can serve other believers
The members of our family are encouraged to walk with God

11. In regular contact with ordinary, imperfect believers we learn some important things
We learn to forgive
We learn to apply the one another’s e.g. love, pray for, accept, carry
We learn that it’s more about giving than receiving
We find a place to use our gifts
We find others of like mind
We are kept on the path

12. The difference between being an attender and a member is …
Spectator
Consumer
Member
Involved
Contributor
You become a member by committing to a specific group of believers

13. What does it mean to be a member at ACPC?
To forgive (as we have been forgiven)
To apply the one another’s e.g. love, pray for, accept, carry each other’s burdens
To look for ways to contribute to others (rather than receiving)
To use our gifts
To link up with others of like mind
To keep each other on the right path

14. Here are some ways to contribute
Start with a forgiving attitude
Look for a way to encourage someone e.g. pray with them; ask how they are doing; follow up something they told; have someone over for a meal …
Find a way to help out – music, food, cleaning, teaching the children, leading a group, share the Gospel with our team
Be open to challenge and be challenged