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Church is extremely important when it comes to our walk with God. Being involved in a church can help you find community and it allows you to dedicate a specific amount of time to God each week. If you do not currently attend a church that’s okay, there are other ways to grow your faith, but I encourage you to into finding one. There is just something that being involved in a church brings to your faith that you cannot find anywhere else. Personally, I have been trying to find a new church too. There are many reasons behind this but the main one being my current church is not helping me grow in the ways I need to.
My experience
First, I started going to church as a child on and off to different churches depending on where we lived. Eventually, I began to go to church with my boyfriend, now husband, because he wanted me to watch him play in the church band. Later in my life, once I moved to Wisconsin I began to get involved in his church and this helped me to grow deeper in my faith.
After being involved in the church for a couple of years we both got baptized and married in it. Then we took membership classes, and both became even more involved in the church. After a few years sadly my pastor left, and I didn’t feel as though I was being fed spiritually by the church. Now I am still involved at this church, but I have been taking steps to look into other churches in my area.
Tips for those looking for a new church
Pray about your visit and ask God to lead you to a new church. Keep praying and reaching out to God because He will help get you to where you need to be. Research the churches in your area and see if they align with your values. Watch some of the church’s sermons and see which ones are the most engaging and fulfilling when it comes to your walk with God.
How to have a successful visit
Grab a Favorite Beverage of Yours
Leave early and grab one of your favorite beverages. When I went to visit a new church, this fall, I stopped at Starbucks to grab my favorite fall drink. My two favorites are an apple crisp chia latte or a pumpkin cream chia latte. Get up early and do that little thing that makes this trip exciting for you!
Arrive Early
Make sure that you have time to check out the church and find a good spot to sit. Also, this gives you time to talk with some of the staff or to figure out where you are going and not be rushed. With your extra time pray and get yourself in the right headspace to receive what God wants you to from this service.
Engage in Service
What is the point of going to the service if you won’t engage? Make sure that you are singing the worship songs. Fill out the connection cards or any handout you are provided with. Listen actively so that you know if this is the right place for you. Take notes on the sermon and anything that stand out to you that might help you decide if this is the right church for you.
Connect with Staff
After the service find someone that is on staff with the church and tell them you are new. Ask the questions that you have so that you are not leaving confused or concerned. Start building a community there to see if it’s somewhere you think you belong.
Reflect on your Visit
Do you want to visit again? What did you like? What are you confused about? Write down everything that you feel and think about this church. This will help you gauge if you should attend again. If you have some thoughts or concerns attend the church again to get these cleared up. Remember one church is not going to be the perfect spot but find somewhere that you feel comfortable and can see yourself growing at.
Attending a new church can be difficult especially if you are shy in new situations, but I encourage you to do so! You never know the ways that the Lord will grow your faith through church. You might have fears when it comes to attending a new church but do not let the enemy win! Fight those fears with prayers and bible verses. The enemy will not want you to find community in Christ, but God does. Also, make sure that you are looking to God when it comes to this new church. He should be the one leading and guiding you. Pray and seek Him out and He will make it known where you should go.
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