Going to church and belonging to a faith community is a vital part of many of our lives. But the path to get there, to the physical service, can often be overwhelming and a bit confusing at times. There are so many opinions, pieces of information, and churches available out there—it’s difficult to know what to pay attention to, where to look, and how to proceed once you’ve found a church to try.
While we can’t tell you exactly which church to go to, we do still want to support you along your journey. So, we’ve put together this post to help make your decision simpler and less stressful.
What to Pay Attention To: 4 Factors to Consider for the “Right” Church
There is No “Right”
This is a pretty important truth that needs to be said before the process begins. As we mentioned at the beginning, there’s a lot of differing information and opinions out there—whether it’s from the internet, social media, friends, family, or neighbors. But at the end of the day, what matters most is what’s best for you, not them. Of course, we aren’t saying you can’t ask for their advice or get suggestions of churches to try if that’s something you want. However, a lot of times people get caught up in the “right” vs “wrong” choice and will make a decision based on that and other people’s influence over that belief. There is no right or wrong, there’s only right for you.
It’s important that when you’re looking at the rest of these factors or making your decision, you take others’ suggestions into account, but that you ultimately choose what’s best for you (and/or others you’re making this decision for like your family).
Denomination
Depending on your beliefs, this could be a big factor in helping you decide what church to attend. And if you’re not sure what denomination you prefer, that’s okay too. There are a lot of different Christian church denominations—in fact, there are over 200 in the U.S. alone!
If you’re unfamiliar with what we are talking about, a denomination is a branch or sub-group within Christianity that has a distinct name, organizational structure, and set of core doctrines. Denominations may differ in their interpretation of minor issues or on how churches should be run, but for the most part, they agree on essential matters of doctrine about Christ and salvation.1
Some of the most popular denominations include:
- Catholic
- Baptist
- Non-denominational
- Presbyterian
- Lutheran
- Methodist
- Pentecostal
- Anglican and Episcopalian
If you’re unsure which denomination you align with, we recommend doing some research and reading up on what specific ones believe. It’s also important to note that even within denominations, two churches can vary greatly. So, just because you didn’t align with one Methodist church, for example, doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t align with all Methodist churches.Try a few denominations and churches out, and remember, there’s no rush in finding what’s right for you.
What Are You Looking For?
As we mentioned earlier, finding the “right” church is all about finding what’s right for you; therefore, knowing what you’re looking for can help you decide which church(es) to try. While you can certainly find a place you belong in any church community, there may be some churches that better suit your wants and/or needs. For example, if you have kids, maybe you need a church that has a strong kids ministry. Or, if you travel a lot for work, you might want a church that also has a strong online community so you can still engage while away.
Before you start your church search, consider taking some time to think through what things you might want or need in a church. Consider things such as service times, what ministries are offered (kids, marriage, recovery, young adult), the group situation (small groups, bible studies, women's only vs coed), location, etc. While it is likely that no one church will hit every single one of your boxes, knowing what’s most important to you can help you narrow your search down to find the right church for you.
How Do You Feel When You’re There?
Last, but certainly not least, how you feel when you’re in the church building and among the people, is just as important. Because the truth is, a church could check all your boxes and seem “right” on paper, but your experience attending is vastly different. If you’re looking for a church, it likely means you’re ready and wanting to be invested in a local congregation, but that can be difficult to do if you don’t feel comfortable.
One of the reasons there are so many different churches and denominations is because every single person is different and every single faith journey is different. It’s important that you find the one that feels right for you. Here are a few things to consider when attending a new church to see if it’s a good fit for you:
- Are the people friendly?
- Do you feel welcomed?
- Are the people accepting and nonjudgmental of everyone?
- Are there opportunities for you to grow?
- Does the church align with your beliefs and values?
- Are you able to ask questions and voice your opinion?
While this list isn’t exhaustive, it does give you a good foundation to assess your experiences when looking for the right church for you.
Where to Look to Find the Right Church
Okay, so we’ve gone over 4 factors to consider when looking for a church….but where do you even begin searching? Here are 3 suggestions we have for you.
Ask Around
Because choosing a church is an important decision, it can be a good idea to go to the people you trust for help. Not only does this provide various options for you to look into and try, it also allows you to hear firsthand what a church is about, what someone does or doesn't like, etc. Getting a personal review like this is often a lot more valuable than simply reading something online. Ask friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, or even your Facebook community what church they go to or if they have recommendations. While what works for someone may not be the right church for you, it can be a great place to start.
This one may seem obvious, but with as much information as there is out there, Google can be a huge help. When you search “church near me” or “churches in X area”, Google's algorithm tends to give you the best options right there in front of you. The map feature can also be super helpful to find locations closest to you. Using Google is likely your best bet if you feel comfortable and confident doing your own research and looking at various churches' websites but just need help finding churches to look into.
Let Us Help
We understand that it can be overwhelming with how much information and options there are available to you. More options don’t always mean better. If you’re doubting your ability to find a church to try, or simply feeling overwhelmed by your options, let us help. At Churches Care, we connect you with someone at a local church who is ready and waiting to welcome you with open arms.
Whether you’re looking for a new church to call home or wanting to find a community or group where you belong, there’s a place for you. Click below to get connected!
How to Proceed Once You’ve Found Churches
Once you’ve found what could be the right church for you, it’s time for you to try it out—how exciting! The hard part is over and now you get to experience it. So, we want to end this post with a few tips we have for this next phase of your church journey.
Check the Church’s Website Before You Go
You’ve likely already been on a church’s website before you try it out, but in case you haven’t, we’re suggesting you do. A church’s website is often the best place to find out all kinds of information about service times, ministry or group opportunities, beliefs, and more. It can help you better understand what you’re walking into before you do so. Many churches also have a page specifically for people who are new with information about where to park, where to meet, who to contact, etc. which helps you feel more comfortable and confident about attending. You could also check out a church’s Facebook or Instagram pages for more information!
Try a Few Out
This tip really depends on what works for you—if you know you want to stick to one church at a time, there’s nothing wrong with that. Our suggestion would still be to give a few a try before committing to one. You never know what you’ll find and it’s easier to find the right church for you when you have a few to compare. And remember, you don’t have to stick to the first church you go to simply because it was the first.
Give It Time
While it’s good to try a few churches, it’s also important that you aren’t too hasty in making a decision. It’ll take time to see how you fit in and like the church and its people, so give it the time it needs! Don’t jump ship after one service unless it truly was a horrible experience (and if it was, we’re sorry).
There are also different topics or even different speakers each week so it can be difficult to get a full picture of the church in one weekend, one message, or one speaker. The more you experience a church, the easier it will be to tell if it’s the right choice for you.
Get Involved
One of the best ways to see if a church is a good fit for you is to dive in and get your feet wet. After all, you can only learn so much standing on the sidelines watching. Get involved by volunteering, joining a small group, doing a Bible study, or grabbing coffee with a new friend you meet. It’s often the quickest way to find the right fit!
Whether you’re new to the area, looking to find a different community, or wanting to attend church for the first time, we celebrate your desire to find a church for you. We hope this information helps you know what to look for, where to find a church, and how to proceed after your search. This is an exciting decision you’re making—you’ve got this!
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