>>6357
Agree with >>6363 that all four of these criteria are equally important. It's like a four legged table: Overemphasize, or underemphasize a leg or two, or even be missing one or two or more, and the table is effectively useless (unless you're s fan of Post-Modern "art", which is unfortunately an apt metaphor for your typical Liberal mainline church.) Overall, a good church should have a fairly good balance of all four aspects, rather than us overly compromising on some aspects for the sake of others.
>1. Doctrinal differences
Outside of blatant and flamboyant heresies, I'm still working through this myself. For example, I'm not a fan of Calvinist theology, and consider myself firmly in the free will/Armenian/Molinist leaning camp. Nevertheless, Calvinists have some great resources and scholarship, and many seem to have great faith in Jesus. For now, I stick with a congregation that is in favor of my aforementioned inclinations, and refuse to attend a church with a firm Calvinist stance.
>2. Sinfulness
Obviously, expecting perfection is not realistic. At the same time, there is a line where a congregation as a whole is clearly not even trying. Ultimately, in my experience, it's the little things that add up. Such as a casual acceptance of cussing, lack of friendliness, and a general vibe of worldliness that's hard for me to put into words. It's like what one individual once said about pornography (roughly paraphrased off the top of my head): "I don't know how to precisely define it, but I know it when I see it."
>3. Preaching
Absolutely important. Should be passionate, edifying, and informed. I like the church where I go to, in particular, because I get the best of both worlds: topical preaching on Sundays, and expository preaching, going through books of the Bible, on Wednesdays. If it's boring, flat, and lacking vigor; if it's obviously the product of Biblical ignorance or a poor education; or if it's just feel good self-help new agey platitudes, it's no good.
>4. Community
Critical, and should not be overlooked. Worship and learning are obviously important, but there is a reason why the Greek word used in the Bible for church (ekklésia) means "an assembly", and not "a building." Ultimately, the body of believers make a church. We are not only there to worship, sing hymns, and be educated. From the church, is where we should form our closest friendships, and relational bonds; a place for us to engage in fellowship; carrying each other's burdens; discussing the Christian life; praying for and encouraging one another; sometimes even gently correcting each other in accordance with Matthew 18:15-17; and also from where we should find our future spouses, and subsequently a healthy community that forms the village that helps us raise our children.