Episode 18: 6 Steps to Finding a Church
SUMMARY
Finding a church can be difficult. In this episode Milo and Olivia explore some church “shopping” mentalities to avoid and six steps to take in finding the church that will strengthen your faith and family.
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PODCAST NOTES
Title: 6 Steps to finding a church
Hosts: Milo Curtis and Olivia Curtis
Download the Companion Notes PDF
Finding a church can be difficult. In this episode Milo and Olivia explore some church “shopping” mentalities to avoid and six steps to take in finding the church that will strengthen your faith and family.
FOUR TYPES OF CHURCH-SHOPPING MENTALITIES TO AVOID
THE LOYALIST CHURCH SHOPPER MENTALITY is the person who has a very specific criteria that has to be in place in order for them to attend.
THE DISCOUNT CHURCH SHOPPER MENTALITY is looking for the most amount of church programs with the least amount of effort on their part.
THE FASHIONABLE CHURCH SHOPPER MENTALITY looks at how the church experience is packaged and what that says about them to the larger community.
THE NEUROTIC CHURCH SHOPPER MENTALITY is only interested in a community where they will be known and heard.
Step 1: Identify your non-negotiable. As a household, discuss these questions and capture your answers on paper. The answer to these questions will shape your list of non-negotiable.
What are your core theological beliefs?
What are the spiritual needs of your household?
What are the community needs of your household?
What is the corporate worship experience you are looking for?
How are you called to serve and how will this church facilitate that calling?
What are your expectations for accountability, church membership, and church discipline?
Step 2: Do some research by asking around and online searches
Visit the church website, listen to podcasts, watch their services online. Talk with those in your command who are plugged into church and attending on a regular basis.
Step 3: Intentionally plan your visit
On most church websites, there is information that articulates what you can expect when you visit. They will layout what is available for the kids, what the dress code is, and what the service times are. Also, many churches will have a welcome kiosk that could be a great first or last stop for you.
Step 4: Discuss and measure your experience against your non-negotiables . After your church experience, take time to walk through how your experience was measured against your non-negotiables.
Step 5: Don’t commit to a church to soon. Spend at least 3-4 months visiting a church before you commit to serving in a critical way. This is a community of people and building trust takes time. Eagerness to belong and connect can get in the way of assessing if this community of believers is a good fit for you.
Step 6: Commit to a church by attending consistently and serving . After month four you should be plugging into the church. Join a small group, financially contribute, and/or volunteer on a team. Many people take the time
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Theme Music: Love Poem by Soyb