What Do You Look for in a Place of Worship or Church?

You need one that is BIBLE focused and NOT PREACHER focused. All churches have wolves in sheep's clothing, but you need a church that is spiritual and not carnal - In other words, people who care about your SOUL, not your pocket book, your social status, your looks, etc. If you go to a church and the focus is any of this (not that you should wear a mini skirt, not give financially or involve yourself in church), but if the priorities are on these things, RUN...It is just a social club where you have to fit in and you will feel uncomfortable if you don't. Christ centered churches welcome you as you are, except that your soul must be saved. After your soul is saved, Christ does the "cleaning" up of the other stuff in your life (drinking, addictions, selfishness, pride, all the things of the flesh)...Good luck finding one.

www.lds.org can answer most of your questions about what Mormons believe. We strongly believe in the family, that we can be together forever. We believe that Christ lives and is the head of His Church today, leading through his prophets and apostles, just as He always has. Heavenly Father has a beautiful Plan of Happiness for His children here on earth, and I have found so much joy and peace in my life through my faith in the LDS church. Even when life gives us trials or hard times we don't understand, having faith in a loving Savior can bring an assurance that He knows our hearts. I would invite you to try it one Sunday and see how you feel there. Good luck!

This might sound really simple, but ifind a place where I stay awake for the whole service. I know that sounds bad, but I was always so bored growing up in church and along with my four siblings we misbehaved. My parents found us a GREAT church when I was in 8th grade, but we moved 3 years later (military). So when we finally settled in Maryland, we found another church. I always look for churches that are willing to grow. I don't want only typical church music, and I want AMAZING kid programs. The first church here was really bad in the long run. So I stopped going when my oldest (7) was about 3. She was kicked out of Sunday School because she was technically 3 months too young and they had too many kids. Who kicks someone out of Sunday School? Also, my pastor was WAY too judgemental. He was not supportive at all of my pregnancies, my marriage, etc. When we needed him when my daughter was very sick, he showed up, but moaned the whole time. I started going to a new church about this time last year and LOVE it. The sermon's feel like they were written specifically for me every single week. My kids are active in the kids programs and my parents are going there as well :o). The pastor is a normal guy. I don't feel like I have to not be myself around him. He is VERY helpful in times of need. I just look for a good church family and one where the message is good for me and my kids. You'll know when you go if it's right or not. Give it a couple of weeks though. And my husband goes to a different church. He is Baptist and I am Lutheran. We tried each others churches and have just found it's best if we go to the ones that work best for us. The kids go with me because I am more adimant in my faith, but they know daddy's church is good too. And when they get older, they can pick which path they'd like to follow :o). Good Luck!

We have found a home in Kensington Community Church! They have multiple locations, relevant messages and GREAT programs for kids of all ages!!!

As far as meeting people and feeling like they are not "good". Go for you and your family and let God worry about them. Or, grace and compassion in your heart for them. Don't let it be a stopping point for you getting what you need.

The most important thing in choosing a church is that you agree with it's teachings. It isn't just a "feel good" thing.

I'd suggest checking out the various churches. If it really doesn't feel right the first time, you can move on. If you're not sure, attend a few more times. No, there really isn't a lightening bolt experience that says 'this is it.'
Please remember, the people going to church aren't perfect. That's way too high an expectation to place on anyone. God uses imperfect souls to do his perfect will. If you look in the Bible some of the greatest Biblical figures were pretty darn flawed. King David, whom God said 'is a man after my own heart' had sex with a woman, getting her pregnant. He then had her husband placed at the front lines of a war to get killed off. It goes on and on.
I hope you find the church that meets your needs soon. S.

Finding a church is a difficult thing. I would ask friends and neighbors what church they recommend. I would look for a church family that is welcoming and for a pastor that you like. I have been going to the same church since I was born and actually my mom and grandmother also attended the same church. I would look for stability. Since you have children look at their kids activities as well. Do they have special times for kids on Sundays or Wednesdays? Our church does Wednesday nights and it's basically to just play at church with a little hidden lesson each week. The youth group helps out around town in the parks and with elderly people who need help keeping up with their homes. I would suggest start a list and go to a different church every Sunday, I think you will know in your heart when you find the perfect one.

We go to Kensington in Troy. It is on Square Lake at John R. It is an amazing place and has great programs for kids too. Go to kensingtonchurch.org or call them at ###-###-#### OR just come give it a try.
Saturday service 5:30 pm
Sunday 9:00, 10:30 and !2 noon
They have places for the kids to go, so come a bit early so you can get them checked in. You will love this church!

If you go to a "weight watcher's" meeting, do you see thin people? Usually not! You see a room full of people who usually over-eat and are there because they want guidance and direction. Why would you expect any different from a church?

In many areas of life people underestimate the power of their own behavior. Just as you see friends contradicting themselves in worshiping versus behavior; your children may see the same condradiction in you - promoting church but not making it the center focus of your family. You already know this - which is why you are making a change!

Church is about core beliefs. Try to put judgement of other people's behavior on hold - look for core beliefs. One decision is which "faith". Maybe put together some bullet points of what different religions believe. Then, find a church that has strong family or youth programs, since this seems like a main reason you are exploring options.

It may take a few Sundays to 'church shop' until you find one that speaks to your heart. I would look for something NOT so easily found. I.e., there are plenty of conventional churches around of course, but are they really preaching the Word or are they watering it down and compromising? You also have to think about what YOU want out of church. Comfortability? How it fits into YOUR comfort zone? Are you looking for salvation? Are you aiming to set an example for your kids and show them that having faith is another aspect of life and sometimes a lifesavcer?
Realize also that if you aren't sure what you're looking for, for yourself, how can you judge your co-workers as not being 'good people'? According to scripture, we all fall short of that. We don't get to Heaven by being "good" or by works. And perhaps these people are also attending churches that 'fit their lifestyle' too instead of having a deep, meaningful conviction and belief. So we can't be too judgemental. But 'recognizing' that people don't always measure up to what you feel they should as a "Christian" is what many churches and Christians are up against. Living one's faith, instead of just saying "I'm a Christian" as opposed to being a Muslim, or Bhuddist, or whatever else. We often fall short of living our faith. So one has to be careful what one says or does or behaves, because someone else may see us and judge us accordingly.
If you want an evangelical church, they're out there. I would be wary of conventional churches just because they tend to get watered down and often the leader of that place doesn't really believe everything in the Bible. It's just a job.
Good luck. It's not easy. But there's much to be gained.

1) Their values fit mine.
2) Welcoming congregation
3) Strong Religious Ed. program
4) Good music

Sadly, I have yet to find a church without at least one bad egg - usually more than one. I just try to remember that we're all a work in progress (and some of us need more work than others). Just keep your distance if you find someone you don't consider a good person attending your church, unless they are in a position of leadership or someone you will have to interact with regularly. Good luck!

It was important to me that wherever we went, I wasn't going to be yelled at, shamed, ridiculed, or taught to believe all other religions are Wrong. I wanted a healthy inclusive faith, one that didn't shun people who left, one that didn't insist on a dogmatic way of believing in God. I wanted my children to be taught how god reveals itself in nature, and wasn't misogynistic or patriarchal.
I found it. It's not perfect, but it fits who we are and we feel loved and supported. It's the UU church.

I think church is a tough thing because it's run by people and people are never going to be perfect. So I try to find one that reflects the focus in the sermons and the activities. The first service I attended at my old church happened to be discussing that very thing. I remember the pastor talking about tv channels and how everyone had started putting a watermark of their logo in the bottom corner, and if there were an icon for that church it would be a Bible because everything he preached referenced it. And I found that to be true. I had been to churches where the ministers used the pulpit to further their agendas, not necessarily to expound on the word of God, and was happy to find this was not the case there. It also was small enough to feel like I had found a home and family, but not so small that it felt suffocating. There was a great small group program so I was connected to those people immediately and found close friends there. There were lots of volunteer opportunities so I felt they were practicing what they preached.

We moved so I am now wanting to find another church home, but also have not had a chance to do so yet. Partly because I kind of don't want to. I loved my old church and it will be hard to find another like it. But that's the thing - it's not about where you go, it's about worshipping. Good luck in your search!

There is a great website, www.churchrater.com, that has reviews of churches from all over the country. It's an interesting website with a lot of great information.

You need to ask yourself "Why am I going to church?". Churches are hospitals for sinners, so we're going to run into hypocrites. However if they're up preaching the sermon, teaching the lesson, etc... that does not go over well. We all need to be there right? :)

I choose to find a church that teaches what the Bible says, not what man wants to hear. If the message is right, then that's what's important. Ask for someone to study with you so you know if you agree with what they're teaching. There are a lot of different doctrines out there and many contradict the Bible.

Yes I do think its not good for your kids to only go to church with family/friends. They need to see that its important to you. Children look to their parents as if they're God. You are teaching them what God is about, even if you don't know it. If they love you, they'll want to love your God, because he gives you strength to be a good parent to them. If your life is being transformed by the truth of scripture, you're surrendering to Christ daily and he's changing you to be more like him, then that will be appealing to them. If you tell them its something they should do, but don't do it yourself, that is hypocrisy and they'll want NOTHING to do with it.

Best wishes! I'd be happy to recommend my church to you!