Where can I find the Perfect Church?

First thoughts... Here is a description of "The Perfect Church" - the Church where the minister never says or preaches hurtful things, the organist is a graduate of Juilliard, the choir sings like Angels, the music is just right... not too modern, not too old, not too fast, not too slow, not too loud, not too soft; the seats are just right... not too hard, not too soft, the lighting and sound is "spot on", the temperature is always perfect, the air fresheners are always the exact kind we like, the teachings are always fantastic... not too complicated, not too simplistic, challenging but not TOO challenging... everyone is always kind, considerate and loving... everyone always agrees on everything --- as Spock from Startrek would say... what you are suggesting is "illogical"!!!
 
Trying to find the "Perfect Church" is not going to happen... you would have better luck finding the Lock Ness Monster!  There is no such thing as a "Perfect Church"!  Billy Graham once said "no Church is perfect because every Church on Earth is made up of imperfect people" (only God and Jesus are perfect). --- So... what is the answer?... The answer is simple... if you are the kind, considerate, loving person that every Christian must be, you can "put up" with a bad organist, poor singing, seats that may be too hard, lighting and sound that is not perfect, etc., etc., etc. --- what you cannot put up with is the situation when the teaching of your Church does not mesh with the teachings that differ from your faith and beliefs... the beliefs that you have determined from bible study (if you find this happening, you should discuss this conflict with your pastor, other members, and maybe other clergy, to see if your bible study is accurate).  If your beliefs are determined to be biblically accurate then you should find a Church that meshes with your own personal beliefs (do this through prayer... ask God to guide you to the Church he has for you... it will not be a "perfect Church" but it will be the "right Church" for you)!  One serious situation currently developing in the Methodist Church, which appears will create a split into two separate congregations, is the issue of acceptance of "same sex marriage".  The problem is that some clergy are "selling" that "same sex marriage" is OK by calling it "reconciling" and suggesting that those marriages should be "welcomed" into the Church.  My personal view on the problem is that the "same sex marriage" people should be "welcomed" to attend services... where better can they learn what is biblically correct!  But...my personal view is that same sex marriages are improper according to scriptures (we will have an in-depth study on this at a later date).
 

OK.. so much for "thoughts", lets look at some scriptures and see how scriptures describe the "Church" and what scriptures say is the mission of the "Church".
 

First consider dictionary definitions...
Perfect - being entirely without fault or defect.
Church - a building for public and especially Christian worship.
 

Biblical references...
Acts 2:42-47... "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.  And all the believers were together and had all things in common;  and they would sell their property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need.  Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people.  And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Psalm 25:4-5... "Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.  Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
2nd Peter 3:18... "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be  the glory, both now and to the day of eternity.  Amen."
Ephesians 2:8-10... "To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to enlighten all people as to what the plan of the mystery is which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; so that the multifaceted wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places."
1 Corinthians 12:23-25... "Therefore if the whole church gathers together and all the people speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are insane?  But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.
Matthew 18:20... "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
1 Corinthians 11:18-19... "For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it.  For there also have to be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.
1 Corinthians 11:20-22... "Therefore when you come together it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper, for when you eat, each one takes his own supper first; and one goes hungry while another gets drunk.  What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink?  Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What am I to say to you?  Shall I praise you?  In this I do not praise you."
Ephesians 5:19... "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord;"
1 Corinthians 14:26... "What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters?   When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation.  All things are to be done for edification."
Matthew 16:18... "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it." 
Ephesians 5:25-27... "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
 
Discussion thoughts... the Acts 2:42-47 scripture describes the Church of that day immediately after the day of Pentecost (does not sound all that different from the Church of today)... the Apostles were teaching, there was fellowship, donation of possessions, breaking of bread and meals together, prayer, praising God and people of one mind.  Psalm 25:4-5 was a prayer from David to God (this prayer could have been in private or in a Church or group setting).  2 Peter 3:18 is a message from the Apostle Simon Peter to his followers... telling them to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord (through Church is where we grow).  In Ephesians 2:8-10 Apostle Paul is explaining to the Church at Ephesus that Gentiles are now eligible for the salvation of God. In 1 Corinthians 12:23-25 Paul's letter to the Church at Corinth explains that prophesy in the Church is a good thing.  Matthew 18:20 explains that a Church does not need to be a large building or congregation of people, it can be as few as two people who believe in Jesus! 1st Corinthians 11:18-19 explains that there will be different beliefs in the Church and that God approves those who are right!  1 Corinthians 11:20-22 is interesting... read the entire chapter so you understand the context of Apostle Paul letter to the Church in Corinth... Paul tells them many things they should do in Church and things they should not do in Church... this scripture is telling them they should not do communion to "eat" but to praise God!  Ephesians 5:18–19 is explaining what to do in Church... speak to one another in hymns!  1 Corinthians 14:26 explains that when assembling in Church you are there for many reasons... reading, teaching, speaking, interpreting, all for edification!  Matthew 16:18 is the first time in the entire bible that the word Church is used... in the old testament the meeting places were usually called Temples, synagogues, chapels, tabernacles, or buildings... in the New Testament, the word "Church" is confined strictly to refer to the congregation of believers in Jesus Christ... the term always referred to a Christian assembly... it was used for both the local community of believers and the overall collection of Christians.  Ephesians 5:25-27 is a bit difficult to understand... my understanding is that since Jesus is Holy and Blameless he died on the cross to show that the Church is also Holy and Blameless!
 
My Beliefs... "Church" is important... the word "Church" (depending on which version is studied) appears from 58 to 115 times in the New Testament.  As discussed above in "First Thoughts" finding the "Perfect Church" is an impossibility... my desire and concern is to worship in the "Right Church"... a Church that meshes with my own personal beliefs!  As evidenced by the many bible scriptures concerning Churches, it is very important to God that we worship in Church with other people (as explained in Matthew that could be a few as 2 people, so it does not need to be a "large" Church); and that we "get involved" with the Church in every way we can!   My suggestion to everyone is to find that "Right Church" and get involved (every Church has many, many, many ways to "get involved")!
 
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