My Journey to Finding a Church Home

This writing is in response to one a friend of mine wrote about looking for a church home.  It got me thinking about what went in to my journey that led me to where I’m a member of, which I want to share with you.  In doing so, I hope you take away that it isn’t always an easy decision, and one that takes the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Due to work, laziness, and probably mainly freedom, I went about two years without regularly attending church for the first time in my life.  That ended with the summer one year when I rededicated my life to God.  I had the desire to go to church again, and began looking for a place to call home.  I knew what I wanted in a style of worship, but had little clue that a church as cool as that week at summer camp or weekly college ministry meeting really existed.  I also wanted to discover my life’s purpose.  A friend began praying I would find what I was looking for.  I decided to check out this church another friend of mine was going to at the time, and it was exactly what I had in mind. They were even beginning a series and study based on a book by some famous pastor who a non-churchgoer for two years like me had never heard of.  I went there regularly for two months, in which time I attended their membership class and had my first opportunity to join… but I didn’t.

I still had questions, and I still wasn’t sure if it was where I belonged.  Confirming the night of the membership class was not the time for me to join was the statement on the covenant I would have signed that stated I felt led by the Holy Spirit to make this decision.  I don’t know about you, but that’s not something I take half-heartedly.

So my search continued, and I began checking out a church that another friend of mine’s father is the pastor of on a regular basis.  For many months, I was going to the early service at the church I didn’t join and this other church immediately afterwards. 

Somewhere along the way, I met someone at school who told me about where he went in North Augusta as well.  I remember one driving up to the building one, sitting in the parking lot, and praying that if this is where God wanted me to be to let me know.  The same prayer went for the two places I was attending regularly as well. Even though I didn’t make it back to this church, it was a prayer that needed to happen.

At one point, it seemed like my decision was becoming clearer.  I began exclusively attending my friend’s father’s church, as well as giving my offering there.  I was still going to the first church’s small group Bible study during the week through all of this, as I had formed real community there.  Then, one Sunday, I decided to check out their service again.  Somewhere along the way, I started going there exclusively. 

I remember one night during the Bible study that I felt God tell me this was my family.  I knew this went deeper than the people in the room, but was a confirmation to where my home should be.  I continued to pray about this and followed up that confirmation by filling out the membership covenant that I held on to for nine months and turning it in one Sunday morning.  I was finally home, and it felt wonderful.  I have been there ever since, and that was over two years ago.

It’s true what they say, and the perfect church does not exist.  When searching for a church home, God may lead you to membership right away, but it may also take some time.  Always pray and follow His guidance.  There is no rush when it is a journey you are on with God.  Don’t just go somewhere because it’s cool; a church is not a new store at the mall.  It’s a community in which God has a place for you.  I believe any of the three churches I mentioned have seen God do great things.  I also believe they are all full of humans, and don’t always get everything right, but are all led by the Holy Spirit.  God let my membership rest in the one that had the worship style I desired, but could have easily placed me in any of them. 

I hope that if you are finding yourself looking for a church home, you are listening to God.  If He is not saying anything, I hope you are being still and knowing He is God, He knows your heart’s desires, and will answer you in His time. In the Body of Christ, you will always find  people who are truly being His hands and feet.  You will also find there are more than enough people willing to be His… well… digestive system to say the least.  Don’t let people get in your way.  Instead, let Him lead you.

Originally written October 22, 2008.