Looking for a Church Home? The AFA Magazine

Saturday, 13 April 2024 @ 09:09 AM

Joy Lucius The Stand Writer MORE A majority (56%) of Americans no longer attend church on a frequent basis, according to results from the 2023 American Worldview Inventory, an annual survey conducted by the Cultural Research Center of Arizona Christian University. Similarly, ChurchTrac, an online database for churches and Christian ministries, issued its 2023 trends and statistics report on the state of church attendance, revealing that one-third of Americans never attend church at all. The reported explanations for lack of attendance varied, but one reason was the inability to find a church.

Providing a connection

The Eleven Six Institute (ESI) addresses this issue through a new ministry called MyChurchFinder.org (MCF). Based on Hebrews 11:6 and its charge to faithfully seek God, ESI strives to make sure the Christ-centered church is America’s faithful, moral guide and standard for government.

“Every month,” said Roger Elswick, president of ESI, “over 1.7 million Christians go online searching for a new church. Through MCF, we desire to connect those seekers with a church that believes the Bible is the inspired Word of God and the ultimate authority in all matters of faith, life, and morality.”

According to Elswick, some online searches are conducted by people new to an area, while others are done by people looking to change churches. Another demographic of seekers is new believers with no idea how to find a church family.

Whatever the case, MCF offers a user-friendly online resource for anyone seeking a church to genuinely fill the biblical and spiritual needs of faith, family, and community.

At mychurchfinder.org, visitors can quickly search for a potential church by city, state, or zip code. Then, they can view the MCF rating of participating churches, share information with others, or email local pastors to encourage them to consider registering with MCF’s online church directory.

“By providing these online tools,” Elswick explained, “we hope to help shepherd Christians to a sound church while also encouraging the church to once again become the social conscience of our government.”

Setting a standard

With those goals in mind, MCF uses a simple rating system to identify churches aligned with the gospel.

To be listed within the MCF church directory, a pastor must first answer a series of questions designed to determine three standards: Is the church a biblically sound church? Is it a culturally aware church with a biblical worldview? And is it a nonsocialist, legislatively active church?

Accordingly, churches receive one of four possible grades. Any church achieving all three standards will receive an A rating. Meeting two objectives earns a B rating, with a C given to churches declaring the minimal characteristic of being Biblically Sound. Failing the Biblically Sound standard, a church receives a WNR, meaning MCF “would not recommend” that church.

Finally, if a reviewed church does not teach what it claims or begins to veer from its original biblical, cultural, and legislative stances, attendees are encouraged to notify MCF at reporting@mychurchfinder.org.

“Believers are looking for pastors who are true shepherds and godly leaders, not followers,” concluded Elswick. “My Church Finder wants to help pastors become more influential in guiding their churches, cities, states – and this nation.”