There are fine churches of liturgical style, traditional style, and various contemporary styles. Often, choosing a church is as much a cultural question as it is a theological one. We tend to settle in places, and with people to whom we can relate. A church, like any organization, tends to flounder without a knowledge and communicated awareness of its purpose. Vision has to do with the future and the direction of the church.
Churches have various styles and structures of leadership.
Some are congregational rule, some are governed by elected or appointed boards, while others are led by one person. Knowing the kind of style and structure of leadership, how decisions are made, and personally respecting and valuing that style are important issues to work through before finalizing your choice of a church home. Like all organizations, churches also reflect the values and personalities of their leaders. In choosing a church, one should ask if these leaders are people they can respect, trust, follow, and to which they can relate. First impressions, while they can sometimes be misleading, can and do reveal certain feelings and reactions to general impressions, particularly for new people looking for a church home.