Larry4Christ Church Review Metric... (this site is being updated)

Listed below is a loose and non-judgmental checklist I use to measure whether any church environment might be compatible for me and my family:

(A) Online Presentation - Website, social media, clarity, transparent, easy to find overall, easy to locate, easy to contact? Is the doctrine visible, clear, and legible on the website?
(B) Follow-up/Availability of Auxiliary - Customer service: How quickly does church Auxiliary call back - Phone, Email, Mail?
(C) Location - Parking
(D) Doctrine Preached - Clarity, transparency
(E) Est. Size of Congregation - Based on "snap-shot" visit - "Large church" vs "Small church"
(F) Hospitality - Before church, during service, after church
(G) Diversity - In leadership, membership, worship selection variety
(H) Culture - Does it look like they have a dress code, what are the cultural expectations of men and women as it relates to: church, family, relationships, parenting, community? Do the men, women, children in the culture of the church appear to be models of what you would like to see in yourself (how they dress, how they socialize... etc)?
(I) Nursery - Is there a place to safely place your child while you attend service?
(J) Sunday School - Quality Online Service, Consistency, Content, & Attendance
(K) Sunday Service - Quality Online Service, Consistency, Content, & Attendance
(L) Bible Study - Quality Online Service, Consistency, Content, & Attendance
(M) Children's Ministry - Consistency, Reliability
(N) Ministerial/Auxiliary Training - opportunities to grow in church
(O) Church Department Offerings - Consistency, Variety, & Attendance
(P) Community Outreach - Consistency, Variety, & Attendance
(Q) Observed Safety mechanism in place during service.
(R) Negative Press - Potentially concerning information about the church
(S) Politics - The foundation beliefs that reinforce a person's political disposition can easily be transferred implicitly into the church system.
(T) Anointing / Presence of God - do you think you feel the presence of God at church?
(U) Volunteer Opportunities - are there visible opportunities to volunteer in the church regardless if you are a member or not?
(V) Overall Theme or Message Promoted - "Be a part of church" vs "Be a part of God"
(W) Quality of Building Structure - Visuals, Auditory, Smells, temperature, seating... how safe or sanitary does the structure appear.
(X) Church Associations/Affiliations Nationwide - is the church connected with a larger nationwide association of churches? Is the pastor or church under national leadership? Who is the pastor's pastor? Who is holding the pastor accountable?... "Iron sharpens iron..." ~ Prov 27:17
(Y) Potential for Growth - Is the church always learning from God, members, community, its larger church associations/affiliations? Does the church look like its adapting to its community, membership, and environmental changes. Are there overall goals being expressed to reach over time? Is there a solid internal assessment of its perceived strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats?
(Z) Are they Judgmental? - Its one thing to compare doctrinal differences, but some churches go as far as speaking negatively, cynical, and sarcastic about other churches, beliefs, or lifestyles the do not align with them. You can see it even being ingrained in culture of the church. And when I see it, it curls my stomach. Its ungodly. I say "stick to the book".
(1) Social Atmosphere / Connection - Are there opportunities to socialize in and out of the church building? Do you feel you could successfully socialize with others outside the church? Are there barriers in the environment? Is the atmosphere friendly and open, or is it stiff and closed off?
(2) Do they believe in Baptism in Jesus Name? - Acts 2:38 - Full immersion baptism, and using the Name "Jesus" (not Father, Son, Holy Ghost), when they baptize a new believer.
(3) Do they believe in Holy Ghost Filling (baptism of the Holy Ghost) - Acts 2:38 - Do they practicing "tarrying for the Holy Ghost" with new believers?
(4) Do they have alter call and prayer services? - House of Prayer - Matt 21:12-14; Do they teach and help encourage people to pray? Do they create space during church and during the week for people to pray together at the church building or online?

Because churches grow and improve over time, the main thing I will "personally" ask myself is:

"Am I convinced this is the right doctrine being expressed, taught, preached?",
"Does the Pastor or Church structure/system appear to be Disciplined and Learned in the faith?"
"Can my kids learn, grow, socialize, and possibly find their future mating partner in this environment?",
"Can me and/or my partner find similar individuals, partners, and/or families with similar social and emotional value systems?" ` regarding building tribal support systems within the church (will expound upon later) - Act 2:41-47 - (as soon as the Holy Ghost falls, and Conviction and Baptism occurs, you see a Tribe or Community within a Community start to form, notice the nature of the community, they... "sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.")
"God is this where you want me?", "If so, how do you want me to serve?

Special Note: If God calls you to a church or location, trust he will provide you with what is lacking for yourself and your family... "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." ~ Phil 4:19

Other Notes: I am also mindful to "Comprehend with all saints" and also there is the continual practice that no matter where I go, I'm bringing church, praise, worship, the Spirit of God with me, because HE lives in me. I can praise, worship, appreciate the presences and components of God anywhere, if HE lives in me... we are the church, not the building.

Churches on a spectrum with a balance in the middle

The church is the "Spiritual Hospital" or "Spiritual University" (Health & Education)

Large Churches ($$$) <-----------|(balance)|-----------> Small Churches ($)

Large Churches ($$$)

Small Churches ($)

Balance (somewhere in the middle)

Soul Saving Gospel <-----------|(balance)|-----------> Inspiring Historical Story

Soul Saving Gospel

Inspiring Historical Story

Balance (somewhere in the middle)

Soul Saving Preacher <-----------|(balance)|-----------> Great Motivational Preacher

Soul Saving Preacher

Great Motivational Preacher

Balance (somewhere in the middle)

Soul Saving Church <-----------|(balance)|-----------> Great Community Programs

Soul Saving Church - (being a part of God)

What does it mean to be IN Christ? ~ 2 Cor 5:17

Great Community Programs - (being a part of the church)

Balance (somewhere in the middle)

Larry4Christ Church Recommendations...

I would like to provide a reference about churches that I have talked with or met with and feel they share similar mission, vision, and values. This is not an extensive list - there are other viable options for spiritual support in our community. My "personal" primary concern is do they baptize in Jesus name, do they practice helping people get filled with the Holy Ghost (as stated in Acts 2:38), AND do they appear to be upstanding people of good reputation in church and in the community.

Disclaimer - Not all churches I recommend have the exact same doctrinal set. They may be a church of a different denomination than my "personal standing", but have excellent forms of ministry and community outreach, which I think should be modeled after. I will make sure to identify these churches with "***" before their name.

I will provide my "Larry4Christ Church Review Metric", so you have some type of "subjective" review of each church. I will try to AVOID doing any specific personal reviews or commentary on any church. If I provide commentary it will only be to speak about the positive aspect and growth opportunities I see happening. Otherwise I will simply provide the metric from A to Z, 1,2,3,4 and reply with "yes - y", "no - n", "maybe - m", "sort of - s" or "don't know - ?". Please take all information as a "snap-shot" perspective.

Use the above metric as a possible "checks and balances" for what you Personally and Prayerfully believe God is telling you is needed for you and your family. This is my way of trying to help lost souls who are desperate to find the right place to experience God. Again, I encourage everyone to continually seek God in prayer for HIS path for you and your family.

I also encourage families to do google reviews on churches. I'm sorry, but people should tell other people about their experience with churches and even people in auxiliary, I think that should be public information. The bible tells us to 'sanctify the Lord God in our hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that ask a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear' ~ 1 Pet 3:15. Churches should take any review or commentary as an opportunity to give an answer to it, and also use it as a way to help them improve their offerings to the public.

You shouldn't say anything negative about a church...

Them - "You shouldn't say anything negative about a church"...

Me - When a church tells you not to say anything critical about them, that is a sign of an unhealthy, abusive church. We're NOT talking about saying slanderous or negative things, we're talking about providing healthy "constructive criticism"... "construct" meaning to "build up" not "tear down". Now if people, in their sinful nature, want to slander the church, it'll be obvious that it's just slander. I personally don't think anything will prevail against the truth.

My encouragement to the church...

My encouragement to the church is to stand firm on the foundation of God, be steadfast in your identity, consistency, and most importantly Growth in Christ. Nobody's perfect; we all know (or should know) that no church is perfect... as a matter of fact, the church building became "imperfect" as soon as we walked through the church doors. People in the church may always be imperfect... but we should all be "striving for perfection", knowing that we cant do it on our own, and God will have to add to us to help us reach that final state of perfection/holiness. ~ 1 Cor 10:13; ~ 2 Cor 12:8-10

Template Metrix (for admin use):

Denomination -

Church Name -

Location -

Website -

(A) - ; (B) - ; (C) - ; (D) - ; (E) - ; (F) - ; (G) - ; (H) - ; (I) - ; (J) - ; (K) - ; (L) - ; (M) - ; (N) - ; (O) - ; (P) - ; (Q) - ; (R) - ; (S) - ; (T) - ; (U) - ; (V) - ; (W) - ; (X) - ; (Y) - ; (Z) - ; (1) - ; (2) - ; (3) - ; (4) - ; Positive commentary -

(This page will continually be updated in 2023...)

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Larry4Christ Church Review Metric... (this site is being updated)

Churches on a spectrum with a balance in the middle

Larry4Christ Church Recommendations...

(This page will continually be updated in 2023...)

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