Q: Recently we moved into a new neighborhood, and I suppose we ought to get involved in a local church, but I’m not sure it’s worth the effort. After all, what difference does it make what church you join—or if you join one at all? Our previous ones didn’t do much for us.

A: I’m sorry you haven’t had a positive church experience—but I hope this won’t keep you from seeking one in the future. Churches (like people) differ from each other, and I strongly encourage you to seek out the one that God has for you.

Have you ever asked yourself what your ideal church would be? In other words, what should you be looking for in a church? I don’t know how you’d answer this; perhaps you want one that’s friendly, or has an enjoyable worship service, or has activities for your children. Or perhaps you’ll be looking for a church that’s involved in service projects in your community.

These certainly may have their place—but the most important question you need to ask is this: Will my family and I grow spiritually in this church? Will we learn from the Bible about God and His will for our lives? Will we draw closer to God, and will we discover what it means to be united with other believers? The Bible says, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16).

Perhaps your real problem, however, is that you’ve been content to leave God on the sidelines of your life. Don’t leave Him there any longer, but ask Jesus Christ to come into your life today—and He will. The Bible says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:8).

Q: I know you often tell people they need to go to church, but I had a bad experience with the church I grew up in, and I just can’t face trying to find another one. Do I have to go to church in order to be a Christian?

A: Only one thing is necessary in God’s eyes for us to become a Christian—and that is our personal faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. The Bible says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

Don’t misunderstand me, however; God doesn’t want us to stand still in our faith. Instead, God’s will is for us to grow stronger in our faith—and one of the most important ways this happens is through our fellowship with other believers. If we remain isolated, we’ll never hear God’s Word preached and taught, and we’ll never have opportunities to serve others in the name of Christ. No wonder the Bible tells us to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together … but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

No church is perfect, of course, and I’m sorry you had a bad experience in your childhood church. But don’t assume all churches are like this—for they aren’t! Begin by making sure of your personal commitment to Jesus Christ; if you have never given yourself to Him, invite Him to come into your life today.

Then ask Him to give you a desire to grow in your faith, and then to lead you to a church that’s right for you. Remember: God is even more concerned about your spiritual growth than you are