Tips for Finding a Church That's Right for Your Family
Finding the right church is like finding a needle in a haystack. Even churches get in trouble and those that don’t might not have the kind of community you seek. Others might not be in your denomination, making it even more difficult.
If you’re finding a church that suits your needs, you’ll need to know the traits to look out for. It’s important to check these factors to ensure that the church environment is good for you and your family. In this post, you’ll learn some tips that will help in finding the best church for your faith and needs.
Are you ready to learn? Read on and find out more:
Why Get Picky?
It’s an accepted fact that Americans will always shop for anything, even churches. It isn’t a pleasant fact, but it’s more important to know which one fits perfectly for your family. Remember, there can be a lot of differences in the teachings between different Christian denominations.
What this means is that you need to satisfy a certain set of criteria to make a deeper connection within a faith community. Below are some tips that can help in finding a church that will make you feel right at home
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Gather Recommendations
When doing this, you need to make sure that you have a trustworthy source. Friends are always great since they can ask their friends about churches within your desired area. If you’re moving to a new area, make sure to do this first before moving day.
It’s always great to start connecting with the people before you go to a new city. A good method is to use social media websites like Facebook. If your friend recommends their friend, you can get different perspectives and prepare a list of churches you can try.
Remember, people who love their faith are the most vocal and helpful.
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Search for Church Websites
A church that doesn’t have its website often means they’re more traditional. But if it does, don’t judge them based on their website’s appearance since most tend to be simplistic. Look for information aside from the service times, as long as it’s anything interesting or useful to your family.
Always check the church’s mission as well as their list of special events. But always remember that this is the first step in your selection of the right church. You need to visit before you decide whether it’s the right one for you.
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Listen for Talks in the Church
Some people prefer anonymity when they go in and out of the church. But if you’re putting the community as part of your criteria, make sure to look for interactions. Check how people mingle before and after the actual church service.
If you see a hubbub in between services, it’s a good sign that members know one another. You can always feel this energy when a parish is vibrant and social. These relationships should help nourish your faith.
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Read Their Bulletin
After your first service, make sure to take home a copy of the church’s bulletin. Take note of their activities and the messages they share. A great parish can offer a lot of fun activities that help further your family’s faith, with activities that can pique any family member’s interests.
Always see bulletins as a newspaper containing things that the church cares about. If it’s the right church, you should find its contents relevant. Otherwise, you won’t have a lot of emotional investments while attending this parish.
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Get their Actual Figures
What this means is that you need to ask about the actual size of the parish. Don’t stop there and check their demographics at various times. For example, a 7:30 A.M. service might attract an older audience while a 10:00 A.M. one will have more children.
Another thing you need to consider is whether the parish has a school affiliation. In most cases, this means the congregation will have a higher number of younger people. If you get distracted easily, it’s better to find a church that has no school affiliations.
It’s also worth noting that a good mix of young and old people is a good trait. That way, your family can find someone to relate with, regardless of age.
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Find the Other Staff
Check whether other staff members exist other than the priest. Ask whether they have a deacon, a parish manager, and other support staff. A single minister can’t do all the duties on their own.
If they have other staff members, it’s more likely for the church to have more activities. That means their services will go beyond the regular sermons, baptisms, weddings, and funerals. The staff member titles will often tell you the things they prioritize on.
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Ask About Young Adult Activities
If they have none, check whether they’re interested in starting some. It’s always better to get a dynamic church since it will make things easier for your children to find new friends.
When their young adult events have a high turnout, you know you’re getting into a good church group. You can learn more here.
But it’s more important to join the events and the regular sermons. Register as a member of the church since you’ll get some benefits. First, it’s much easier for you to gain access to church services like baptisms and marriages.
Good Luck Finding a Church!
Finding a church can become a grueling task if you aren’t sure what you’re looking for. That’s why it’s important to follow these tips and get a better grasp of what the right church is for you. Don’t hesitate to ask for more recommendations if you’re not sure how to start.
That said, why stop here? If you want more useful guides, don’t hesitate to read our other articles. We offer a plethora of tips and tricks to help you out!
