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Besides being a place of worship, church plays a large part in the lives of members of the congregation. When moving to a new neighborhood, some families feel overwhelmed at the prospect of finding a new church. With a little planning and research, though, the process can be quick and efficient.
Some steps can be taken before the actual move. Ask the pastor of your present church if your denomination maintains a listing of member churches. There may be one or more to try out in your new neighborhood. If such a directory is not available, you might be able to obtain a list of churches from the real estate agent who handled the sale of your new home. And if all else fails, check the yellow pages under Churches. These listings are often broken down by denomination. If you cannot obtain a phone book for the new area, one might be available from your local library.
Next, call each of the churches that fit your denominational preference. The church secretary should be able to provide information on congregation size, time of services, groups that are active within the church, and educational opportunities. It may be helpful to compose a list of questions to make sure you ask about all your interests. You may be able to narrow down your possibilities on the basis of these conversations.
If the neighborhood you’re moving to is within driving distance, you can start visiting churches there before the actual move. Attend a service to determine whether you like the format, the music (for example, traditional versus contemporary), the pastor’s preaching style, and the congregation.
Stay for a cup of coffee if a fellowship hour follows the service, and get to know some of the members. This is a good time to find out if this is a group in which you will feel comfortable. It’s also an ideal opportunity to ask about some of the groups and activities you’re interested in joining. Phrase your questions so as to elicit a detailed response rather than a yes or no answer. Asking, “Do you like Pastor’s sermons?” might invite explanations from some people, but you will probably receive much more information by being more specific. For instance, ask, “What do you find most challenging about the Bible studies here?” or “Why do you think your youth groups are so popular?” Be sure to take notes, too. If you’re evaluating several churches over the course of a month or more, you are very likely to forget details or confuse information from one church to the next. Save all your notes for later comparison.
You will probably be able to eliminate a few more churches from your list on the basis of your visits. As you compare the remaining possibilities, it might be helpful to gather material from each church. Ask for a copy of the church newsletter and any visitor material that might be available. Also, many congregations today provide pictorial directories that include photos and contact information of member families, as well as photo pages highlighting important events in the life of the church. Peruse the information to round out your opinion of each site.
Finally, when you have narrowed down your list to just a few congregations, make an appointment to visit the senior pastor at each church. Again, if there are particular points that will sway your decision, be sure to write down your questions and arrive prepared for the meeting. Otherwise, just use this time to get to know the church leader. This individual directs the life of the congregation and will influence your spiritual growth, so it is important that you feel comfortable with his or her style and perspective.
If none of the congregations meet all your criteria for a new church home, you will have to decide which factors are most important to you. Some people require a particular theological perspective in the pastor’s sermons; some need a strong music program; still others look for a congregation that is active in the community. It may be helpful to evaluate the church you are leaving, deciding what you most enjoyed about your membership there. You might feel most at home by choosing a new church based on those factors.
Finally, make a stress-free decision. Become active in the church that offers the best fit for you and your family, but know that the decision does not have to be final. Feel free to try another church if the first one you choose is not what you had hoped.
Moving is a time of many transitions, and it might take awhile to fine-tune your new life. Keep working at it until you find the right church for you. After all, it just won’t feel like home until you do.
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