Finding a New Church

(4 min read)

Did you know that there are over 350,000 religious congregations in the United States? According to the Hartford Institute for Religious Research, of those 350,000 congregations, about 314,000 are Protestant Churches, while about 24,000 are Catholic Churches. To say that there are a lot of options for churches out there may be a bit of an understatement.

There are many reasons people find themselves searching for a new church. Sometimes they’re moving to a new area and looking for a church similar to the one they attended near their previous home. Other times, folks aren’t affiliated with any church at the moment, but considering checking it out for the first time - or perhaps the first time in a long time. Sometimes, people are leaving a previous church for personal reasons. Whatever the reason, finding a new church with so many options can be an overwhelming prospect. 

So with all those options out there, how do you choose the right church for you? In 2020, my wife and I went through the painful process of leaving our previous church and subsequently spent about six months searching for the right church for us. Ultimately we ended up at Grace Chapel and have made Grace our new church family. Grace Chapel may not be the church for you, but here are some of the lessons we learned from that process.

How to start your search for a new church…

The first step of your church search should be to figure out what you’re looking for in your new church. Some questions to ask yourself:

• Are strong kids programs important to your family? 
• Do you have teenagers looking for an engaged Youth Group?
• Are you looking for a vibrant young adult ministry? 
• Is a strong care & support ministry vital to your church experience?
• Are you looking for a large community of believers, or a smaller, more intimate congregation?
• Do you want to participate in active mens/womens ministries?
• Are you interested in joining a long-term small group?

There are many factors that will go into your decision for which church to attend. If you simply choose the closest church to your home but there are no options that appeal to you to get you plugged in and involved, you’ll miss out on the life-changing connections and community your church should offer for you.

What does the church believe?

The same study from the Hartford Institute found that as of 2006 there were at least 215 different denominational groups in the United States. And that doesn’t count the large number of non-denominational churches across the country.

If you’re already part of a denomination and planning to stay within that denomination, it certainly narrows the search for you. But if you’re exploring different denominations or exploring church for the first time (or first time in a long time!) it will be important to figure out and understand what beliefs and practices the churches you are checking out hold to. 

Most churches will have a statement of beliefs on their website, or direct you to a denominational resource that outlines their beliefs and practices. Practices such as baptism, communion, worship habits and liturgy, and much more will be outlined within these resources. This will be a valuable resource as you evaluate churches.

Green Flags and Red Flags

In my previous post about leaving a church, I discussed some of the red flags we saw in our previous church. You can read that post here, and see some of the signs to avoid in a new church.

But what are some of the green flags you should look for in a church? Here are some of the key signs you’re looking at a healthy, supportive church.

• Diversity of all kinds is a strength for churches. Diversity in leadership brings perspective and creative thinking to the direction and teaching of the church. Diversity in the congregation exposes us to the wide range of life experience fellow Christians walk through every day. Diversity is not simply race or ethnicity or gender, but also generational diversity, occupational diversity, diversity of thought and opinion. 
• Transparency and communication cannot be undervalued. When it comes to church policy, governance, finances, and so much more, churches that are forthcoming and transparent avoid the scandals that plague so many churches that eschew these values.
• Strong leadership structure ensures continued health of a church. Are there structures of accountability in the church? Are there checks and balances on the leadership? Churches with consolidated leadership are prone to a number of issues. If the church is led single handedly by one charismatic preacher, what happens if and when that preacher leaves? What happens to that church? Churches with a strong supporting staff and leadership team are equipped to be the best church they can be for years to come.
• Remember that diversity we talked about? Generational diversity is a HUGE plus. Yes, it can cause some friction when worship music is up for debate, but multi-generational churches have so much to offer. Older generations provide limitless wisdom and life experience to help mentor and disciple younger generations. Middle-aged adults are at their peak earning (and hopefully giving!) stage professionally. They have large professional and social networks to connect with, and encompass many leaders in the corporate world. Young families are a key demographic for any church, often being the most involved participants of church events. Young adults bring fresh perspective and cutting edge knowledge to the table. And everyone who considers themselves a young adult, student, or kid are all part of the next generation that will lead the church into the future. All of them are vital members of the church community now.
• Churches that don’t shy away from hard conversations will lead the way in a culture drenched in conflict. People want their church to speak into their lives and provide guidance and context for the world around them. Churches that refuse to speak about current events or the culture at large fail to connect meaningfully to people’s everyday life.

What are you looking for in a church?

These are just some of the factors that played into my wife and my search for a new church. What are some of the factors that are most important to you in finding a new church?

If you’re interested in learning more about Grace Chapel or coming to visit us, feel free to reach out to our Connections Pastor, Dom Bronico, at . 

This post is part of a two part series. Click here for the other post - "Leaving a Church"

ChurchCulture& Christianity