Evaluating Churches: Insights from Revelation 2 and 3

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Revelation 2 and 3.

When I look at a church, whether my own or another, I tend to notice different things than God does.

• I look at it’s size. How many gather for worship? I think most of us assume that bigger is better. They must be doing something right, right?

• I evaluate the style. What kind of music do they have? What’s the quality of the music? What message does the music communicate?

• I pay attention to the demographics. Is it just a bunch of old people? I like to see a multi-generational gathering, with lots of families with children.

• What about their programming? Do they have a lot of things going on? How full is the weekly calendar of events? Is the congregation reaching out to the local community as well as supporting mission efforts around the globe?

As John writes to the seven churches, we learn that God looks at the church in an entirely different way.

• Is that church’s activity fueled by love (Ephesus)?

• How does the church respond to difficulties and challenges (Smyrna)?

• What false teaching does the church tolerate (Pergamum)?

• What false teachers does the church tolerate (Thyatira)?

• What programs have stalled out (Sardis)?

• Is the church pursuing opportunities for ministries in the immediate area (Philadelphia)?

• Does the church care about people, the community, and the world? Or are they indifferent, isolated in a bubble (Laodicea)?

How can anyone not be convicted when they read these chapters of Revelation? No church is perfect. No church checks all these boxes. Every church has something to work on.

Every church needs to repent.

Any church can dig in and declare, “We’re right and they’re wrong!” How many churches will admit, “We have a lot to work on”? How many will commit to being the kind of church that the Lord wants us to be?