Church Search for Moving Families
Tips for When You Move to a New Location
Moving has many stresses involved with it. This article will give you tips for finding a new church when you move somewhere new.
Moving can be an exciting and wonderful experience. Yet, the idea of living in another town or city, in a new home, surrounded by new and different faces, can sometimes seem frightening. While the stress that comes along with moving can feel overwhelming at times, keep in mind that it takes time to get used to new surroundings, as well as to develop new relationships with people.
The Church Family
For many Christian families one of the hardest parts of moving is leaving their current church. Many families feel unsure about where or how to find another church. They worry that they will not be able to find one that is as strong or united as the one they are leaving behind. They may have formed close relationships with other members of their church, and leaving often creates feelings of anxiety, and brings a sense of loss.
It is important that you try to find a church in the area you are moving to as soon as you possibly can. Just as your former church family was a source of support and encouragement to you in your previous home, so your new church family can be a great source of comfort and help as you adjust to your new environment.
Finding a New Church
If you are moving to an area where you already have family or friends, these people can be a great source of information when it comes to looking for a new church. Ask the people that you know where they attend church. Also ask if they know of a good church in the area.
If you have the opportunity to visit the area before the actual move, this is a good time to try attending a few church services. You don’t have to select a church at this time. In fact, it’s best if you can attend services at several different area churches before deciding on one. Getting a preview of how each different service is run, and having the opportunity to meet members from different churches before your move, can be a great help to you when you are actually in the moving process.
If you don’t have the opportunity to preview any churches before the move, then be sure to start attending services at various churches as soon as you can.
Helpful Tips
- It’s not always best to select a church based on a few details, like size of membership, or proximity to your home. Sometimes you can find that the closest church, or the church that has the most members, just isn’t the church that you were hoping to find.
- It’s a good idea to commit yourself to attending services at at-least 3 different churches, before you settle on one.
- Make a list describing all of the things that you want to find in a church. Friendly people, shared faith, programs for children, women’s Bible studies etc…
- Ask questions. Find out what’s going on in the churches you attend. Are there special programs or services that you think you would enjoy? Is the congregation excited, motivated, and spiritually alive? Are there members of the church with similar interests and hobbies? Are there other families with children?
- Pray. Remember that God always leads us to the right place, at the right time. Trust Him to lead you to the church that will help build you and your family spiritually, as well as the one that will welcome you with open arms and hearts.
