Looking for a new church:

Eric_L · 03-12-2004, 07:56 PM

About a year ago the church I have attended with my family had a big political blow out. The whole congregation fractured and divided. My wife and I chose not to participate in their silliness and just stopped attending. Now we find ourselves churchless and are looking for a new church-home.

In our community there are lots of churches. There are at least ten within one mile of my home! Trouble is, we have three children. If we spent a month looking over just the nearby churches, we'd be almost a year before selecting one. And thats assuming that one of them meets our needs. It could go on much longer! Our kids deserver better than that.

I've asked some of our very limited circle of friends who attend church (a limited circle in a limited circle!) and not found much guidance. Most have different wants/needs from a church.

I've looked online, but most have websites that are very generic and don't say much about the personality of the church.

So I figure I'd turn to the HTF group for suggestions. I'm not looking for suggestions of a church - it is unlikely any of you know the personality/services of any churches in my area. I'm looking for suggestions on how to 'church-shop', how to select a church, all in a relatively short amount of time.

Any good ideas?

ChrisMatson · 03-12-2004, 08:24 PM

I am sure this thread will be closed, but what are you looking for in a church? Are you looking for aspects of different faiths or personalities of different congregations of a particular faith? I don't think this is something you can or should do quickly, and I can't see a need why you would want to do it quickly. Attend service at a few churches. After a month or two of visiting 4+ churches, you can go back and see what they are like at another service. The preacher may have had an "off day" one time. Maybe the people are nice at one place but the preacher is a bit strange. Maybe you love the preacher but didn't find any people that you and your family connected with. My advice is to take your time and find a place that you will be happy with.

NickSo · 03-12-2004, 08:27 PM

The HTF after hours lounge is a place where almost anything can be answered... unfortunately for you, ANYTHING does not include Religous, or political discussion...

Scott Leopold · 03-13-2004, 12:40 AM

A lot of churches have "welcome to the church" type meetings. I'd recommend attending a few of those, and speaking to the priest/pastor/minister of the churches that interest you, as well as attending their services. After the services, try talking to some of the other members. A relative once tried to convince us to start attending her church, so we showed up a couple Sundays in a row. The priest seemed decent enough, but the parishoners we spoke with (a couple dozen over the course of two weeks), were as unfriendly, stuck-up and disagreeable a lot as I've ever met. Needless to say, we haven't been back.

Brian Harnish · 03-13-2004, 01:35 AM

Unfortunately, I see a lock on this thread in the near future.

**HTF Ads**

Jeff Pryor · 03-13-2004, 01:42 AM

Ever thought to PRAY about it, instead of asking us?

In before the lock...

Jim_F · 03-13-2004, 01:47 AM

My own approach to spirituality isn't exactly conventional, but I can't afford to become alienated from my "congregation", no matter how disagreeable some members may be at times. I find it neccessary to stay put, place principles before personalities, and refuse to take sides.
YMMV



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