Who knew that finding a church would be so hard?
For the first time in three decades we found ourselves residing in a substantial metropolis, searching for a church to call home. Over the previous thirty years we've lived in four small communities in a sparsely populated county. In each place it was easy to find a church to call home.
Before we started our church search we put together a list of what we'd look for in a new church: uplifting worship, friendly people, Bible-based sermons and an outward focus.
This doesn't look like we've set the bar too high, does it? We've been around the block, so to speak, with church. We know what churches do well and what they can't do, so I think our expectations are reasonable.
This doesn't look like we've set the bar too high, does it? We've been around the block. We know what churches can and can't do, and so I think our expectations are reasonable.
Scarcely a way of exceeding a church visitor's expectations!
Most of the churches did a pretty good job with music and worship time. The talent varies from church to church, but we're not looking for professional production. We aren't there for the show.
The preaching hasn't impressed us so far. A couple of pastors we've heard were expositors, but their messages were drier than the deserts around Tucson. They didn't explain to the audience how we move from the "then and there" of the text to our daily lives. I left wondering, "So what?"
Each did a fine job of explaining what the text would have meant to the original audience. But both failed to explain how the underlying truths apply to me or my daily life. They simply skipped the bit about application, imagining they had done their job by making a commentary on the text.
How can a church that is blissfully unaware of strangers in their midst have any sort of outward focus? There's no conceivable way can they connect with people out in the community.
The search continues.Updates to follow as the hunt intensifies!
For the first time in three decades we found ourselves residing in a substantial metropolis, searching for a church to call home. Over the previous thirty years we've lived in four small communities in a sparsely populated county. In each place it was easy to find a church to call home.
Before we started our church search we put together a list of what we'd look for in a new church: uplifting worship, friendly people, Bible-based sermons and an outward focus.
This doesn't look like we've set the bar too high, does it? We've been around the block, so to speak, with church. We know what churches do well and what they can't do, so I think our expectations are reasonable.
This doesn't look like we've set the bar too high, does it? We've been around the block. We know what churches can and can't do, and so I think our expectations are reasonable.
Scarcely a way of exceeding a church visitor's expectations!
Most of the churches did a pretty good job with music and worship time. The talent varies from church to church, but we're not looking for professional production. We aren't there for the show.
The preaching hasn't impressed us so far. A couple of pastors we've heard were expositors, but their messages were drier than the deserts around Tucson. They didn't explain to the audience how we move from the "then and there" of the text to our daily lives. I left wondering, "So what?"
Each did a fine job of explaining what the text would have meant to the original audience. But both failed to explain how the underlying truths apply to me or my daily life. They simply skipped the bit about application, imagining they had done their job by making a commentary on the text.
How can a church that is blissfully unaware of strangers in their midst have any sort of outward focus? There's no conceivable way can they connect with people out in the community.
The search continues.Updates to follow as the hunt intensifies!
About the Author:
I know how difficult it is to find a church! My wife and I have recently experienced the travail endured by all church visitors. Before you start looking for a church be sure to check my articles.
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