Ok, we are biased. That should come as no surprise, we love our Church community at Divergent Church Port Macquarie. However, at the same time it is our desire that all believers find a great place to live in community in Port Macquarie and the surrounding region, whatever local Church community that may be.
Finding a church is one of the most significant decisions you’ll make as a Christian. It’s a place where you seek to grow spiritually, connect with a community of believers, and serve the Lord. If you're new to Port Macquarie or seeking to find a church that aligns with your faith and values, it can be overwhelming. With so many great options in this vibrant city, how do you know which one is right for you?
This guide outlines 6 key principles to help you identify a great church in Port Macquarie, or any place for that matter, that will nurture your relationship with God and provide a space for spiritual growth and community.
Each point is rooted in scripture, so you can trust that the advice aligns with God’s heart for the church.
1. Look for a Church that values the word of God
Now a quick note, there is a difference between the style you lean toward and a value for the substance of scripture. Often, although we consider our preferences as objective, preference is often more based in culture, education, experience and personality. Do people love the word? Is the word given honour or simply just a by-line in a pithy message for lifestyle sake. Jesus Himself stressed the importance of truth in His ministry, and Paul urges Timothy to preach the Word in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2).
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
In a great church, the message of Christ is clear, relevant, and rooted in biblical truth.
Whether teaching through books of the Bible or addressing specific issues, you should feel that the Word of God is being honoured.
2. Seek out a Church that values community
One of the primary roles of the church is to gather believers together in community.
Hebrews 10:25 emphasizes the importance of meeting together, not neglecting this vital part of the Christian life.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
A great church in Port Macquarie will provide opportunities for community, where you can build meaningful relationships with other believers. Look for a church with small group community and events that encourage the building of community.
3. Look for a Church that emphasizes Discipleship
A thriving church is not just about gathering on Sundays but equipping believers for a life of discipleship.
Jesus commissioned His followers to go and make disciples, teaching them to obey all that He has commanded (Matthew 28:19-20).
Discipleship is about growing in Christ, learning to live out your faith, and helping others do the same.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
To understand more about Mission and Discipleship at Divergent Church Port Macquarie
When looking for a church, consider how they value discipleship.
4. Check for a Church with a heart for local and global mission
A great church is one that actively engages with the world around it, both locally and globally. Jesus modelled a life of service and compassion, and He instructed His followers to love their neighbours and spread the gospel to all nations.
“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15)“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Look for a church that is involved in local outreach, serving the poor, the marginalized, and the broken. A great church will also have a heart for global missions, sending people and resources to spread the gospel worldwide.
Check out Divergent Global.
5. Godly Leadership and community
The Bible places a high emphasis on godly leadership within the church. Leaders should be people of integrity, wisdom, and humility.
The Apostle Paul gives clear qualifications for church leaders in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Different churches may have slightly different structures and even different beliefs around gender however, godly character and biblical understanding sits at the centre of these matters.
These leaders should be devoted to prayer, the Word, and the well-being of the community.
“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.” (1 Timothy 3:1-2)
“For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered, or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain.” (Titus 1:7)
Look for a church where the leadership is transparent, accountable, and committed to living out the gospel. You should feel that the pastors and elders are trustworthy and lead with a heart for God’s people. Additionally, the Church should also hold the entire community to godly standards and thus should practice and value Church discipline. It is accountable discipline that maintains safer Church environments in all areas. Remember, James 1:27 says...
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world"
In community, we are called to BOTH have social concern for the downtrodden and marginalised and submission to God in matters of moral command and definition.
Under 'Why Divergent' you can read about everything from our Leadership, governance, structures and more.
6. Know the Churches beliefs and associations.
It’s essential to find a church whose doctrine aligns with both historic Christian creeds that hold us all together but also those matters, that may be broadly secondary but are significant for yourself.
What is the Churches beliefs regarding marriage? Gender? Leadership? The gifts of the Spirit?
When you do align, ensure that there is still a humility toward those in the wider body of Christ, rather than an immature arrogance.
“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.” (Romans 16:17)
Check out www.divergentchurch.com/whydivergent
7. A Church with a God, his glory and power
Church is a community but it is not a social club, we are not bound primarily by our social similarities but our desire to honour God and know his grace and power in every area of life.
A great church is one where the worship of God is a vital part of its life. Worship is not just about music; it’s about the collective adoration of God and the submission of our lives to Him. In the New Testament, believers gathered regularly for prayer and worship, seeking to honour God in all things.
There should be both a confidence in God to pursue everything he has called us to and a humility that knows it is only from him, through him and for him that we live. (Romans 11:36)
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1)
A church that places a strong emphasis on worship and prayer will encourage your heart to seek God’s presence and power.
8. A Church to serve with
If your pursuit of Church is like that of deciding which burger restaurant you will eat at then you have turned the Church into a consumer product rather than a community of believers seeking to honour God in all things. The Church does not in itself exist to 'serve you', if you are a believer, you are part of the Church and it is called to seek and save the lost as it's priority, like that of Christ. In is IN the serving and living in community you are discipled, and served.
The New Testament speaks frequently about the importance of using our spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10)
Serving is an essential part of spiritual growth and a key way to contribute to the life of the church.
Conclusion
We think you should consider Divergent Church Port Macquarie :) However, we also realise that Divergent Church Port Mac is not for everyone. Divergent Church Port Macquarie is part of the wider Church in Port Macquarie but it is not 'the Church'. There are many great Churches in the Mid North Coast region. You can find some of them here There may be some secondary elements that mean it is best for you to find community on mission elsewhere. We celebrate whenever anyone finds home in anyone of the great Churches in our region. Together, we make up "the Church" in Port Macquarie.
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