If you’re looking for a church in Manchester, here are three things Jesus tells you to look for:

1) Look for a church in Manchester defined by the Word of Christ.

Jesus said:

where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. (Matthew 18:20)

A church is not defined by its building, its music, its atmosphere, its size, or its style. Be careful when people point you to look for things like this as marks of a “true” church or a “good” church.

Because Jesus says the church is defined by his name, which means his Word and promises.

The most important question is not, “Does this church feel impressive?” but, “Is this church gathered around the name, Word, and promises of Christ?”

A Christian church clearly explains what Jesus says. Everyone is gathered around Jesus’ Word, and everything the church does proclaims and teaches his Word.

A Christian church isn’t a place where Jesus’ Word is treated as an optional extra, or one feature among many, but as the centre of everything.

So, if you are looking for a church in Manchester, look for a church where Christ’s Word is taken seriously.

2) Look for a church in Manchester that gives the forgiveness of Christ

Jesus said:

¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19)

Jesus has given the keys of the kingdom to every Christian. That means hasn’t just given the church’s power to a Pope, a line of bishops, an inspiring teacher, a worship leader or a pastor.

The Pharisees were deeply offended when Jesus forgave a man’s sins, and said:

“Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:7)

This is the power Jesus has given to every single Christian.

The church is the place where we use the keys together to give each other the forgiveness of Christ. And it’s the place where we call a pastor to give this forgiveness publicly on behalf of the whole church.

That means the Church is not just a place for advice, encouragement, community, or religious activity. It is the place where Christ gives his forgiveness to sinners. Each of us is a crucial part of that.

The Church should tell the truth about sin. But it should also tell the greater truth about Jesus: that he died and rose again for sinners, and that forgiveness is given freely in his name.

Don’t look for a church that tells you to try harder, or promises things will be better if you perform better.

Look for a church that gives you the forgiveness of Christ.

3) Look for a church in Manchester where Christ gathers sinners around himself

Jesus said:

¹⁸ And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)

The Church does not finally belong to us. It belongs to Jesus.

He builds it. He gathers it. He protects it. He keeps it.

That is good news. Church isn’t a place for performers, or even primarily a place for people who are “getting better”. Church is a place for sinners. Pastors are sinners. Members are sinners. Visitors are sinners. No church on earth is perfect. We’re not here to be perfect, we’re here to receive Christ’s forgiveness.

Christ is faithful to his Church.

He gathers weak, guilty, anxious, confused, tired, and sinful people around himself. He speaks his Word to them. He forgives them. He feeds them. He strengthens them. He teaches them to love one another.

So, if you are looking for a church in Manchester, do not look for a perfect group of impressive people.

Look for a church gathered around a perfect Saviour.

You can join us in person in Manchester every Sunday. Check out this link for service details: https://manchesterlutheran.church/sundays/

Or, if you’re outside Manchester, join us online from anywhere every Wednesday for the Confessional Lutheran Church online service.

Come and receive Jesus’ forgiveness with us this week.