I had no idea finding a church would be so hard! For the first time in almost thirty years we found ourselves living in a large city, looking for a church where we fit in. When we relocated to the city - the job offer that was too good to refuse - we expected to find a church near our new home. We looked forward to making new friends, getting involved in community outreach and worshiping with like minded believers.
For the first time in 28 years we find ourselves living in a large city, looking for a church where we fit in. The intervening 28 years we've lived in four small communities in rural counties. In each place we found a church to call home. Two were small churches (fewer than 100), one was mid-sized (between 300 and 400) and one was quite large (over 2800).
Before we started our church search we put together a list of what we'd look for in a new church: uplifting worship, friendly people, Bible-based sermons and an outward focus.
Before we started our church search we put together a list of what we'd look for: friendly folks, enjoyable worship, expository preaching, and a community focus.
I think most church visitors - like us - want a friendly church. I did some Internet research and discovered that some churches work hard at visitor retention. But the churches we've visited have missed the mark in this regard. There was no genuine greeting before the service in any of them. Also, in every one of them there was no greeting at all after the service.
I think most church visitors - like us - feel strongly about a friendly church. I discovered on the Internet that some churches work hard to hang on to visitors. But the churches we've visited all failed on the friendliness score. In most of the churches there was no authentic introduction prior to the service and in every one of them there was no greeting whatsoever after the service.
Hardly a way of impressing church visitors by meeting or exceeding their modest expectations!
Most of the churches do a pretty good job with music and praise. The talent differs from church to church, but we're not looking for professional performers. If we find a church with that sort of talent that would be fine - as long as it doesn't turn out to be all about the show.
Each did a fine job of explaining what the text would have meant to the original audience. But both failed to explain how the underlying truths apply to me or my daily life. They simply skipped the bit about application, imagining they had done their job by making a commentary on the text.
I have my doubts about the outward focus on a church that does a poor job of receiving and welcoming guests who wander into their services. If they are so unaware of church visitors who come with some sort of motivation, how will they connect with people out in the community?
The search for a church continues.
For the first time in 28 years we find ourselves living in a large city, looking for a church where we fit in. The intervening 28 years we've lived in four small communities in rural counties. In each place we found a church to call home. Two were small churches (fewer than 100), one was mid-sized (between 300 and 400) and one was quite large (over 2800).
Before we started our church search we put together a list of what we'd look for in a new church: uplifting worship, friendly people, Bible-based sermons and an outward focus.
Before we started our church search we put together a list of what we'd look for: friendly folks, enjoyable worship, expository preaching, and a community focus.
I think most church visitors - like us - want a friendly church. I did some Internet research and discovered that some churches work hard at visitor retention. But the churches we've visited have missed the mark in this regard. There was no genuine greeting before the service in any of them. Also, in every one of them there was no greeting at all after the service.
I think most church visitors - like us - feel strongly about a friendly church. I discovered on the Internet that some churches work hard to hang on to visitors. But the churches we've visited all failed on the friendliness score. In most of the churches there was no authentic introduction prior to the service and in every one of them there was no greeting whatsoever after the service.
Hardly a way of impressing church visitors by meeting or exceeding their modest expectations!
Most of the churches do a pretty good job with music and praise. The talent differs from church to church, but we're not looking for professional performers. If we find a church with that sort of talent that would be fine - as long as it doesn't turn out to be all about the show.
Each did a fine job of explaining what the text would have meant to the original audience. But both failed to explain how the underlying truths apply to me or my daily life. They simply skipped the bit about application, imagining they had done their job by making a commentary on the text.
I have my doubts about the outward focus on a church that does a poor job of receiving and welcoming guests who wander into their services. If they are so unaware of church visitors who come with some sort of motivation, how will they connect with people out in the community?
The search for a church continues.
About the Author:
I know how difficult it can be to find a church! My wife and I have recently endured the travail shared by all church visitors. Before you start looking for a church be sure to check my articles.