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Since Chad and I have recently moved, we are in search of a new church. This is a very important decision for us and today we made a list of things that are important to us to have in a church.

Our ideal church would:

1. Have intimate community.
2. Have accountability for the leadership that is both local and non-local and that is both through individuals and other leadership that is local and non-local.
3. Have church leadership that is financially supported by the local congregation
4. Value theological education and seminary education.
5. Have ministries that reach out to the poor and the lost.
6. Be missions focused, locally and worldwide.
7. Have solid teachings, preferably from someone who has gone to seminary.
8. Be culturally aware.
9. Have a “deep bench.” This means there is more than just one leader who makes all of the decisions. Void of “cult followings” of one particular leader.
10. Be rooted in the historical church and not trying to “reinvent the wheel.” They are reverential of the decisions our spiritual forefathers have made.
11. Welcome the Holy Spirit and anything that He might offer, even if it is spontaneous.
12. Have women’s and men’s ministries
13. Have engaging, alive musical worship.
14. Have racial and stage-of-life diversity.

The list proved to be very helpful in helping us decide which church we should join of the two we were considering. We made the decision right after we went through the list with both churches.

What would be on your list?

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. Now that I am part of the Anglican community–a community that observes this day–I, along with millions of other Christians around the world, went to worship God and prepare my heart for the liturgical season of Lent. Receiving the ashes on my forehead was an interesting experience for me. I was taken aback when, as the deacon used his thumb to make a cross of ashes, said, “From dust you came, and to dust you shall return.” It made me instantly uncomfortable to think about becoming dust. This discomfort I felt is related to the general dismay I feel towards death and my own struggle to overcome the fear of death. Ultimately though, this poignant reminder of my mortality was a humbling one. One that reminded me that I have been created miraculously; one that reminded me that despite my flesh one day dying, I belong to a God with the power to resurrect me.

Now that we are in the season of Lent, I feel contented to know that I have set apart these upcoming weeks to be purposefully meditative on the things of God and my relationship with Him.