— How Do I Know If I Chose the Right Denomination? —
Dear friend,
For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink.
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
If there’s one encouragement I consistently give when someone emails me asking for help or spiritual guidance, it’s this: Find a local church that teaches the Word. Podcasts, blogs, and books can supplement your walk with God, but they will never replace the purpose and power of the local church. Scripture is clear—believers are meant to live, grow, and serve within a community that is grounded in truth. But in an age where churches are easy to access and even easier to evaluate, how do we discern which ones are truly rooted in the Word of God?
The answer begins with your priorities. You are not just looking for a church that “feels good” or fits your preferences. You are looking for one that is faithful to the Bible. A church that opens the Scriptures, not just as a prop, but as the foundation of every sermon, decision, and discipleship effort. The most important question to ask is this: Does this church preach the Word clearly, consistently, and in context? Whether the pastor teaches topically or exposits verse by verse, the authority of Scripture must be central.
Denominations vary in style and emphasis, and that’s okay. I’ve attended Baptist, charismatic, Reformed, Anglican and nondenominational churches—each had strengths and weaknesses. But what marked a healthy church in every case was this: an unwavering commitment to biblical truth. Not just a few verses sprinkled into a motivational talk, but sermons shaped by Scripture itself. Be discerning. Test the teaching. A church that honors God’s Word will also train you to rightly divide it for yourself.
And when you find a church that’s faithful to the Word, commit. Not because it checks every box, but because you are called to be part of a body—serving, growing in Christ, and standing firm in truth together. Consumer Christianity asks, “What can this church do for me?” Disciple-minded faith asks, “How can I invest here for the glory of God?” Your presence and your gifts are needed. The Word doesn’t just change you—it equips you to build up others.
Another important thing to consider is the tiers of theological doctrine.The differences we see between churches are largely over secondary and tertiary issues; this doesn't mean the issues don't matter, but that churches arrive at biblical conclusions from different angles. All of us agree that baptism is an essential Christian practice. It's one of our ordinances, or sacraments. But HOW a church practices baptism will differ based on their unique approach and understanding of the topic (more on baptism in our sacraments booklet and conversation guide to baptism for parents and kids!). This goes for other topics, too: communion, women in ministry, principles of worship, spiritual gifts and more. If you want to learn more about the differing perspectives on these, be sure to check out our past episodes of Verity Podcast.
So if you’re searching for a church home, let the Bible be your guide. Look for truth over trend, faithfulness over flash. And pray for the discernment to see through noise and find what lasts. Because when you plant yourself in a church rooted in the Word, your faith will grow deep and your life will bear fruit that endures.
Join us for Verity Conference Online - October 3-4
Want to learn more about the theology denominations? That's my session topic for this year's Verity Conference 2025!
I'd love for you to join us online October 3–4 for Verity Conference—two days of focused, biblical teaching to equip you in theology and discernment. This is a great opportunity to grow in your faith right from home, and if you want to take it a step further, consider hosting a Verity Local gathering. Invite a few friends, open your Bible, and pursue truth together.
We are so grateful for your support—thank you for showing up for Every Woman a Theologian and for sharing our mission to make theology accessible. We’re working diligently to get all orders shipped, and I’m so grateful for your patience and grace as we do.
If you missed the Summer Shop launch, there’s still a bit of stock left. We still have the Cathedral Earrings I am loving for summer, the Spirit of the Lord Keychain that gives encouragement every time I grab my keys, Sabbath on the Go Set perfect for picnic days, and the Palm Leaf Tote that is going everywhere with me right now.
Due to being out of town for camping last week, I did Ask Anything Tuesday on Instagram instead of my usual Monday! If you miss anything on social media, note that I have a “This Week” highlight where I save the week's stories, updated on Mondays.
