Looking for a New Church - Here Are Some Important Tips

Church is a community, a social center and place to connect and be accepted. It is a place to learn and to practice our faith. Attending church is a foundational activity for many Americans. Faith and beliefs are very important. Church is a way to express this faith, these beliefs, and to learn how to live them out in everyday life.

In our mobile society, families often find themselves relocating and searching for a new church body to which they can connect. Other times, as children grow, parents search for a church body that meets the needs of their growing family. There are many reasons to look for a new church and a new community of believers. But finding just the right "fit" can be difficult.

Finding a church community isn't as easy as simply checking out the listings in a phone book or online. However checking out listings is one part of the journey to finding the right community of believers, the right church "fit" for you and/or your family.

How to find the right church "fit?" for your faith and family.

Sit down and write down what you are looking for in a church home. If you are married, this is something you and your spouse should do together. If you have young family, consider not only the needs of your children at this stage, but what you hope a church home offers your children as they grow. If your children are elementary or older, they can be part of this discussion and search for that new church home.

After all, often life-long friendships begin and are sustained in a church community. Small churches tend to be very close-knit, which can be both positive (always supporting one another) or negative (they know everyone's business).

What are your fundamental faith beliefs? What church or churches in the area subscribe to similar beliefs, faith and values? Do you prefer a particular denomination? Are there other churches of other denominations with similar foundational faith beliefs? Is community and socializing more important than a set of traditions or rules?

Do you prefer a formal or informal worship setting. (Some churches offer both.) Do you prefer simple worship styles or something more rigid and formal? Do you prefer a large or small church?

Does the church offer groups for singles, for couples, for families? Is there a staffed nursery, Sunday School, mid-week activities, youth group activities? What about camps and choirs and other possible involvement? Are you looking for a church community with a good outreach and mission's programs?

Are you looking to be entertained or prefer a church that seeks to help the unreached, the poor in the community?

What areas would you like to be involved with?

Once you have your lists, prioritize what you absolutely must have, what is important and what you can do without, if needed.

Once you have a list, you can go back to the churches in your area and see which ones most closely match your requirements. No, not every church will offer everything. Each has strengths and weaknesses. From the list in a phone book or online, you can winnow the list down to several possibilities.

Most church communities have an online presence and a web site will yield a world of information. Checking web sites will highlight some churches and eliminate others. Once you have the list winnowed down to a few real probabilities, attend services.

Is the building conducive to worship, to getting in and out-especially if you have young children ? Are you made to feel welcome? Is the sermon uplifting, challenging and based on Scripture? Is the Pastor inspiring? Check out classes for children (if you have them) and for adults.

If there is nursery care, is the nursery clean, well staffed and secure? What about Sunday School? Are there factors in place to protect your children from abuse?

After checking out services and activities, talk to the pastor and other church leaders. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Finding a church home, becoming a part of a community of believers is an important step for you and your family. A church is place of connection and friendships as well as a place to grow in your walk of faith.

Once you've chosen a church, don't sit on the sidelines. Get involved. Become part of the new church community, reach out to others in the congregation, bridge that awkwardness of a new setting. You will probably not find a perfect church, because people aren't perfect. But you can probably find a community of believers that will make you feel you have something to gain as well as something to offer.

With a bit of planning, foresight and diligence, you can find a church home that, even though not perfect, is the right "fit" for yourself, your spouse and your whole family.