Finding a Church
I am a christian.... but I haven't been to church regularly for over five years... and it's been over twelve years since I've had a church where I felt loved, needed, and a part of.
I used to help on buses, be a nursery worker, do bulletin boards, decorate the church, help with Ladies meetings and loved singing special music.
The reason is NOT for a lack of wanting or trying to find a good church.
On the contrary... we have visited a lot of churches over the years always hoping we'd find what we were looking for, but always coming up short.
My biggest issue with finding a church after what it believes and preaches, is that there are people there that want the same as me in life.
Some of my needs in no particular order:
(This may be a good time to point out I am conservative and like things rather old fashion.)
- Independent, Fundamental, KJV Baptist Church
- Home-schoolers - wanting to raise their kids for the Lord
- People dress up for church - dressing their best for the Lord
- Singing that glorifies God and everyone happy to participate in it.
- Sound bible preaching with excitement
- Youth and kids groups
- People using their bibles and living out Gods word in their daily life.
- A welcoming spirit
- An old fashion culture
Ok, so - I know there's not a thing as a perfect church, but hubby met a guy a few weeks ago who seemed so genuine and real in everyday life that when he invited us to visit his church, we couldn't stop thinking about it.
We put it off for a couple Sundays... not sure about the forty-five minute drive and dreading trying yet again another church that "probably" would be just like all the rest....
But, two weeks ago on a Sunday evening, we got up the courage to go and was very pleasantly surprised...
We got there 15 min. early, but the parking lot was full of cars. People greeted us nonstop. When the choir started singing - hubby and I both said "that's what a choir should sound like..." Everyone had their bibles open, taking notes and giving their undivided attention to the preaching.... Kids sitting quietly listening - no noise, toys, or candy wrappers. No one on their cell phone or tablets. No one eating or drinking in the auditorium. Good gospel music and everyone singing with gusto. Brothers and sisters lifting each other up - happy to be in God's house together - each working towards a common goal of seeing people saved and living a joyful life for the Lord....
It felt so good to be with good people worshiping a great God!
We went back again last sunday for both the morning and evening service and loved it! We were invited out for lunch with two families and really feel God's spirit living in the people.
I'm not sure if this is the church for us, but we will definitely be going back and praying that God will show us if this is where he wants us to serve and grow in Him.
And I'm looking forward to the Christmas Eve candlelight service, getting to know more people, and being involved with activities.
Good, Bible Believing, Conservative, Fundamental, KJV Churches still exist.... sometimes it takes a complete stranger sharing God's love to find it.
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Update: While it was a long drive, we attended for over a year and absolutely loved the spirit of the church. However, during that year the church changed Pastors and the spirit changed with it.... so we are once again with out a church. But I still have hope.
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