At Thames Valley Church, we're more interested in seeing people thrive with God than trying to fill seats. Choosing a church isn't about finding the most impressive service; it's about finding a spiritual family where you can grow, serve and be formed into Christ's likeness. Whether you’re in Reading, Wokingham or beyond Berkshire, here's a short guide to finding the right church community that will help you find God, find your people and find your calling.
A healthy church keeps Jesus at the very centre. Listen carefully: is the life, death, and resurrection of Christ clearly taught? Is grace the heartbeat of the community? The right church will consistently point you toward Jesus—not moralism, self-help, or human personalities.At Thames Valley Church, we're more interested in seeing people thrive with God than trying to fill seats. Choosing a church isn't about finding the most impressive service; it's about finding a spiritual family where you can grow, serve and be formed into Christ's likeness. Whether you’re in Reading, Wokingham or beyond Berkshire, here's a short guide to finding the right church community that will help you find God, find your people and find your calling.
The church should be shaped by the Word of God, not trends or opinions. Look for faithful, Bible-rooted teaching that challenges you, feeds your soul, and leads toward obedience to Christ. A church committed to Scripture will help you grow in wisdom and maturity.
Church is not an event you attend; it’s a family you belong to. Healthy fellowship looks like encouragement, prayer, hospitality, shared burdens, celebration, and real relationships. Ask yourself: Is this a community where I can know others and be known?
Great churches don't just make converts—they make disciples. Look for small groups, mentoring, prayer gatherings, opportunities to learn, and a clear focus on becoming more like Christ. A good church helps you grow at every stage of faith.
Jesus said love would be the defining mark of His people. That means humility, patience, forgiveness, and kindness should be embedded in the culture. Healthy churches pursue unity—not uniformity—and deal with conflict in grace and truth.
You weren’t designed to sit in a row once a week. A healthy church empowers its members to see they're on a mission and to use their spiritual gifts—whether that’s serving, teaching, hospitality, leadership, prayer, creativity, or compassion. The right church helps you discover your calling and live it out.
Finding the right church is not about finding the perfect church. Is the coffee up to my standards, does the preacher dress on trend, do they sing the songs I like in worship! —it’s about finding a healthy, growing, Christ-centred community where you can bring your whole self, build real relationships, and pursue Jesus wholeheartedly. Let's not be judgmental in searching for a community, but rather be prayerful, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you to where he wants you to be! It's an exciting journey when we live by faith!
