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Finding a new church

agape1cor813agape1cor813
100 Comments
in Christian Weddings
Since my husband and I are getting settled in and trying to navigate the new area we moved to, we are going to start trying to find a new church. I'm apprehensive about it. I don't really like putting myself out there like that, and I'm nervous that I won't find anything up here that I like as much as my church in my own town. I'd like to get involved more (my job prevented me from getting involved in pretty much anything at my old church), but I hate the actual introductions and "getting-to-know-you" phase of it all.

What's the best way to get connected to a new church?
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Re: Finding a new church

  • KellyS01KellyS01 member
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    When FI and I switched churches a few years ago, we basically had to just jump in and get through the awkward stage.  Get involved in a class and/or small group Bible study.  I also found that volunteering at events was helpful to get to know more people, though not necessarily on a personal level but to at least learn names and recognize people as you walk down the hall. 

    My advice is to just jump in with both feet and trust in Him. 

    Prayers for you!
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  • kalizoombakalizoomba
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm in the middle of this myself. I just moved here (actually, 7 weeks ago now) and at first, I just went to google and searched for the closest churches to where I lived. I just started randomly attending a different on each week. I've went to the same wednesday night service for several weeks in a row now (but only because there aren't many wednesday night services here). I've about narrowed it down to 3, but after we get married and FI moves here, I'm going to take him to those 3 and have him help me pick. 

    I've also spent a lot of time in prayer asking God for guidance in finding the right place. I was so sad about moving because I loved my old church. It was the most perfect church!! All these new churches have a lot to live up to (and none of them are anything like what I went to) But I'm just trying to remember the first few weeks at my old church weren't that great. 
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  • AshNoel8AshNoel8
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree about jumping in. I remember when H and I first started becoming involved at our church... We went to an event and H kind of stood around and waited for someone to ask him to help... and no one did. I told him to just start doing things and the next time he just started moving things, carrying things, etc. and people love that! It creates a connection that we are all here to serve God and each other. Once you find one where you feel comfortable, take advantage of Bible studies, groups or events. People LOVE meeting new people in a church. And they will love meeting you. Trust that the Lord will bring you to the right place. 
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  • DramaGeekDramaGeek member
    2500 Comments 5 Love Its
    edited December 2011
    When H and I were looking for a church, back when we were still dating, we went someplace new each Sunday and then went out to breakfast after to talk about it and decide if we wanted to try it again or not.  Most of them were a no for one reason or another.  I'm a big "go with your gut" person and I knew that I would just *know.*  The day we found our (then) church, I was almost afraid to have that breakfast conversation because I knew it was where I wanted to be and I was afraid H wouldn't, but we were on the same page.

    As far as getting involved, usually there are things in the bulletin that say "if you want to be involved in X, contact so and so."  In my case, I contacted our pastor and told him I'd be available to help with the theatre ministry.  Next thing I knew, I was  the theatre ministry!
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  • LeahVB2011LeahVB2011
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    DH and I are in the middle of the same situation. Like the PPs said you really have to jump in and honestly,  every sunday has been awkward but you just have to work past it and know that you and DH wil be where God wants you in due time. I have your same worry of it not being as amazing as your last church. DH's church before we got married was amazing and we miss it dearly but we know we can't compare that to these churches because they will not be the same. It's hard but before you know it, you will be in a church greet first time guests :)
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  • iamjoesgurliamjoesgurl member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    I also hate the "getting to know you" part of attending a new church.  DH and I went to three churches long-term before finding our new church home.  At the first church, we didn't get to know anyone!  Then at the 2nd church, we talked to people casually who I already knew because they worked with me but we didn't really meet anyone new.  At the 3rd church, I asked DH if we could join a small group and found one that was "young couples".  We've really enjoyed small group and now when we go to church, we know people because of the small group.  We are still getting to know them and I wouldn't say we are friends yet, but definitely getting into a Sunday School class or small group will help a lot.  Also, if you volunteer to help with the children's ministry or youth ministry, you'll meet a lot of people through that.
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  • ochemjennochemjenn member
    500 Comments Second Anniversary 5 Love Its
    edited December 2011
    Also, remember that it can be harder in the summer because a lot of people are traveling.  It wasn't until our third Sunday at our new church that we actually saw another young couple!
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  • ElisabethJoanneElisabethJoanne member
    1000 Comments 5 Love Its
    edited December 2011
    What's the best way to get connected to a new church?

    Belong to a denomination. When you move, just commit to the nearest parish of your denomination in your new town. Think of it like an arranged marriage. Worked for Rebekah and Isaac!
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  • DramaGeekDramaGeek member
    2500 Comments 5 Love Its
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_finding-new-church?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:fd7cd871-c088-4383-9ea7-ec0b597fb466Post:86032c8b-cb52-4134-8173-dd7ec3699baa">Re: Finding a new church</a>:
    [QUOTE]What's the best way to get connected to a new church? Belong to a denomination. When you move, just commit to the nearest parish of your denomination in your new town. Think of it like an arranged marriage. Worked for Rebekah and Isaac!
    Posted by ElisabethJoanne[/QUOTE]

    <div>I think you might be somewhat tongue in cheek with that answer, but remember that it's not always so easy.  We have several churches of the same denomination within 10 miles of us and they're all very different.  It would definitely make narrowing it down easier, though!</div>
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  • kipnuskipnus member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I had this problem last fall, as I moved back to the city where I attended university, after 2 1/2 years overseas. My church in the Philippines was absolutely amazing, tons of friends, great worship and pastor, and fantastic small groups. When I got back to Edmonton, I didn't want to go back to either of the previous two churches I had attended as a student because they were both very much student oriented (transitory, all one age group), and I felt that I was past that stage. I went to a couple of different churches and was fortunate enough to be invited to a church by a coworker, who is now my fiance! It was cool, because I got to meet his parents before we even started dating. :)
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