Whether you’ve moved to a new town or need a fresh start, these six tips can help you find a new church home.
Ask Others
A great first place to start in finding a new church home is by asking others for recommendations. If you are not moving towns, you may know other believers in your community, and that’s a wonderful place to start asking. These could be friends, co-workers, or even the local coffee shop barista. Ask them where they go to church and what they love about it.
If you are moving, you may not know who to turn to for help. Guidance from a church leader is especially valuable. These people have many connections with Christians from different churches and can help connect you to a church in the area you are moving to as a place for you to start.
Of course, you can also ask God! God loves you and wants you to come to Him and ask for direction. His word promises us that He will show us the way.
Do Your Research
If you are a new Christian, you might feel a bit apprehensive and unsure of where to turn for help. But the trusty internet has made finding a church much easier. So, use the internet to your advantage and do your research.
Look online to learn about a church before you visit. “Churches near me” is always a safe place to start your search. Just be sure you take your time while browsing each church’s website. Most of them will share what they believe, their service times, and how to connect with them, so read and take notes.
Consider Your Priorities
Before you decide which churches to visit, it’s vital to know what you are looking for. So list out your priorities now, and don’t forget to consider how you will also evolve over the next few years. Besides what they believe, some other things to consider may be:
- How is the church run?
- What time is service, and what types of service do they have?
- Does the church have opportunities for you to serve and get involved?
- Is the church outreach focused?
- Where is the church located, and how far are you willing to travel?
- If you’re single, is having a singles ministry important to you?
- If you have a family/want a family, do they have a children’s program, or are family-friendly?
Remember: every church will do things differently, and no church will be perfect. You might not be able to find everything on your list, so make sure you know which items are needs and which are wants.
Be Thorough
Finding a new church home can be a lot of work. But don’t be too quick to throw down your roots just because you’re tired of this process. It might be tempting to say you’ve found the one before you’re really confident that the church was where God wanted you to be. God will let you know when you’ve found the right place. So be patient, and don’t rush the process.
Go for a Visit…and then Go Again
When you do go visit a church, be sure to plan to arrive a little early. It can be hard to connect with people during the service, so it’s nice to be a little early so you can interact with others before the service begins.
During that first visit is your initial impression of the church. It may be accurate, but it might not. This is why it’s crucial to plan another visit for the churches you’re considering. When you revisit, your first experience often differs from your second. Sometimes it’s better, and sometimes it won’t be. The big takeaway from this: one visit likely isn’t enough to decide on your new home church.
Pray & Praise God Along the Way
Of course, one of the most important tips: pray and praise God! God wants us to be in fellowship together and will help guide you to where He wants you to be. “For where two or three gather in my name, there I am in the midst of them” Matthew 18:20.
So whether you’re thinking of changing churches or you’re moving to a new area – cover it all in prayer. And keep in mind that the joy is in the journey when finding your new church home. As you visit different churches and interact with others, you’ll learn a lot about yourself, your calling, and your relationship with God. Thank Him for all the small surprises and discoveries throughout the process!
Come Visit Us at Christ Lutheran Church
If you’re looking for a new church home in the Montrose, Colorado area, we’d love to be considered! We warmly welcome you to plan a visit with us. We teach the Bible as God’s unchanging Word. Jesus’ salvation is the focus. His love and care for us guide our prayer lives. We pray for one another. We would love to have you plan a visit or connect with us. God bless you as you pray to Him and praise Him!
