How to Find a Church
Have you ever visited a church, only to feel totally out of place? Moving is hard enough without putting yourself through a series of spiritual mismatches. Well, there’s hope! With a short checklist and some good old-fashioned communication, your family can find a healthy and lifegiving church in no time!
Communication & Research
Before you visit any place of worship, ask some basic questions: What is the most important element to you in a church? Consider service times, drive distance, type of church, casual vs formal, type of music and size. Make a list of non-negotiables. Ask friends and neighbors, search online “church near me” and check out websites, but don’t get bogged down – it’s ok to have a long list at this point.
Beliefs
Talk about what beliefs and practices that are most important to you, and try to stack them up against what is most important to other family members. Are there denominations that can be ruled out on the front end, or that might be a preference? Do you want a church with a high view of Scripture, for example, or “life-tips” type of messages.. or a combination of both?
Culture
What style of music do they play? What is the general atmosphere and friendliness? What size is too big or too small? If you find formal churches too “stuffy,” or casual churches too disrespectful, then you should register those feelings alongside all the others. If you prefer a particular kind of worship music, then you should identify that preference, and stack it up against everything else in order of priority. For example, is the worship style more important to you than the fact that your kids or grandkids leave the children’s ministry with smiles on their faces?
Narrow the List
Check out sermons and services online, look at Facebook pages or YouTube channels to further experience a church before visiting. Figure out a short list of questions that touch on some of your family’s preferences and then get out there and start visiting various places of worship.
Criteria Ideas:
- Denomination
- Worship Style: Choir or Band
- Sermon: ‘How To’ or Scripture Focused
- Distance and Location
- Culture: Casual or Formal
- Size
- Kids & Youth Ministry: Essential or No
- Values: Prayer, Missions, Community Involvement
- Activities: Bible Studies, Service & Community Opportunities
Once your family has visited a few times and are beginning to feel ‘at home’ with your church selection, look for ways to get involved: community events, youth or children programs, join a team, attend a small group or bible study, or volunteer at a service. Seek out the pastor or leaders and further get to know the vision of the church. Before you know it, you will make new friends and begin to plant some roots in your new church.
Rev. Tom Masterson, Senior Pastor
Hope Church, San Antonio