Finding a Church Home

I was raised in the church. My Pre-K classes were actually at our church and throughout junior high and high school I attended the same one. Knowing the same congregation for years, it was easy to walk in to the sanctuary with confidence.

​During my years at college, because I'm in a new city, it has been a struggle to find a church home. A lot of churches now a days are what we like to call "mega-churches" i.e. churches that use ATMs to tithe or ones that have name brand coffee chains built into them. The music is usually amazing at these churches, but that isn't the most important thing. Being fed by the word and leaving Sunday service feeling like I've learned something is the most important.

My recommendations to make this process more comfortable is to invite a friend with you for the first visit! That is always more comforting.

Also, if you are settled into a church don't be afraid to be the person to walk across the room and introduce yourself to the person who is standing by themselves during the "welcome." (And don't force the conversation!!! I had an experience one time where I went by myself to a service and during the welcome part, the guy standing next to me introduced himself and then looked pained as he was trying to come up with talking points... I was doing my best as well but it just wasn't flowing. I ended the conversation by saying "Nice to meet you" and then stood next to him in silence for the remaining 5 minutes) LOL that was an example of what NOT to do 😂 If you can't think of anything to say, some of my go to questions would be to ask how they heard of the church, what they do for a living or where had they previously been attending (if they say they haven't been to church in a while don't get the typical judgy look in your eyes but instead tell them you hope they enjoy the service enough to come back!)

Rambling aside, walking into a new church can be a little intimidating when instead it should feel like you're walking into the safest place on Earth. It is the Lords bride. I've had to learn to enjoy that and get past the awkward conversations and when I did, I finally found my new church home!

Have a wonderful Sunday!!
xoxo A Nerd in Pearls