w
o
H o Choose
T
a Church
WITH
Selecting a church can be an
overwhelming and often daunting task.
If you are looking for a new church, visit
several congregations. Attend services and
fi nd the ones that most suit your spiritual
needs. Go with a positive attitude, do some
research and ask questions of the members.
A church is a group of like-minded
individuals who share a set of religious
beliefs. The members of a church are often
a community within a community, offering
support, encouragement and assistance to
each other.
The church community worships
together at set times but also learns
together. Growing in your faith should be
one of your main goals in attending church
services. A church “home” can aid your
spiritual life.
When searching for a church, pray to
God for guidance. Then determine what
kind of church you are looking for. Is a
formal setting important to you? Or are you
looking for a less-formal, more modern
church with energetic sermons? Will you
be comfortable in a mega-church, or do
you want a smaller, more intimate setting?
Are you of a particular faith? If
you’re Pentecostal, Baptist, Methodist,
or Lutheran, fi nding a church that is in
line with your beliefs and values will be
important. Would you, instead, prefer
a non-denominational, experimental
church?
Once you’ve decided what you want in
a church, do some research. Look in your
local newspaper, the Yellow Pages, online
or drive around your city and see what’s out
there. Most local newspapers have listings
of services that can help you decide where
to attend.
Ask friends, relatives and co-workers
what church they attend. Many people are
happy to bring along a friend, and churches
welcome guests. This is a particular benefi t
if you are shy or uncomfortable in new
situations; having a friend along can put
you at ease.
When you visit a church for the fi rst
time, gather as much information as you
Sunday Bible Study 9:00am – Sunday Worship 10:30am
Wednesday 7pm - Midweek Family Connection
Corner of 10th & Maple, Florence • 541-997-3533
www.fl orencecrossroad.org • email: offi ce@fl orencecrossroad.org
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C ROSS R OAD A SESEMBLY OF G OD
can. Speak to people sitting next to you,
and speak to the pastor after the service.
Take home any literature offered.
Refl ect deeply after your church visits.
Does the church’s statement of belief fall
in line with your own beliefs?
If volunteer work is important to you,
you will want to fi nd a church that plays an
active role in the community -- whether it
is through soup kitchens, homeless shelters
or even the local parks.
Was the church you visited comfortable?
Did you feel at ease when you were there,
or were you itching to leave? Did the
pastor hold your attention or did you fi nd
your mind wandering?
Knowing what is important to you and
your family will help you choose the right
church. Because worship and spirituality
can be deeply personal, don’t feel like
different members of the family can’t
attend different churches.
If you feel that God is worshiped and
present in the church you’ve chosen, you
know that you’ve made the right decision.