Moving to a new town can be tough, particularly if you don’t already know anyone there. Getting acclimated to a new job and a new neighborhood brings enough challenges of its own. One would hope that finding a new church would be less difficult. With so many options to choose from, though, it can seem like a daunting task at first. However, there are simple steps that can be taken to make your search easier and more productive.
Getting Started
Before getting started with any church finding endeavor, there are two steps that you should take. First, pray about finding the church where God wants you to worship. It’s a pretty safe bet that God will make sure you land in the right place if you take the time to seek His guidance. Second, make a prioritized list of features that you are seeking in a new church. For example, you may be looking for a particular worship style, a string children’s ministry, or a location close to your home.
Ask for Recommendations
One of the best ways to find a new church is to ask for recommendations. This can be a good way to find both churches that you should explore and churches that you should avoid. Neighbors and co-workers can be good people to ask for recommendations. Even if they aren’t Christians, this could potentially be a good non-threatening way to start a dialog about faith.
Browse the Web
Another indispensable tool for finding a church in your new town is the Internet. Reading about a church on-line is a great way to find out what ministries the church has to offer, as well as get an idea of what a church believes. The web can also serve as a supplement to the traditional phone book. A phone book can serve as a good place to look up church names. Those names can then be searched for on the web to find out more information.
Drive Around
One additional aid in finding a church that can be easily over-looked is to simply drive around town. Many churches may not be easy to find on the web unless you know the church’s name. Cruising some of your town’s main thoroughfares can help you uncover some great options for places of worship that you may not have otherwise found.