We lived in Graceville, Florida, while I was attending Florida Baptist Theological College (now the Baptist University of Florida). Graceville is a predominantly farming community that boasts a Baptist college. After moving into our apartment and settling in, we started looking for a church home. Since I was a college student in a small town with a Baptist college, I figured finding a church to belong to would be easy. I was wrong. We visited four or five different churches. We were new somewhere every Sunday. It was tiring and sometimes frustrating. We finally joined Holmes Creek Baptist Church in Chipley and enjoyed our time there.

I think back to that time in our family’s life and am thankful. I am grateful we found a church home to serve in and grow as a young family. I also appreciate what I learned during that search process. If you have ever been through the process of finding a church to call home, you know how tiring and stressful it can be. As a pastor, I am sympathetic to those seeking a church home. I understand their plight. When I see guests at church declare on a communication card they are actively seeking a church home, I know what they are going through.

Think about the process for a minute. You wake up on Sunday morning, get your family dressed, and get ready to attend a worship service at an unfamiliar church. You may have found a campus map on their website. Perhaps not. There may be signs directing you where to find restrooms, the nursery, and the information desk. Maybe not. Likely, you won’t know anyone. Introductions are made, and you tell the story of what brought you to the community. You answer questions about your family, job, and past churches. You feel like you’re in a Senate confirmation hearing.

Once the service begins, you are officially welcomed from the pulpit. Something is likely said about first-time guests. Hopefully, you will not be asked to stand awkwardly so everyone can ensure you know you’re the new person. You’re likely told what’s happening at the church through some announcement system, likely a printed bulletin. You quickly discern what is important to this church and whether you will fit in. During the worship service and sermon, you ask the Lord for a sense of peace about whether you should return. As you leave, you likely meet new people who may ask you the same questions you were asked about an hour or so ago. You leave thinking one of two things: “That wasn’t so bad” or “Thank God that’s over.” As you drive home or during lunch somewhere, several critical questions run through your mind.

1.  Is this the place the Lord would have me, or is this the place I want to be?
2. Does this church share my biblical beliefs and theological convictions?
3. Can the spiritual walk of my family be deepened by attending here?
4. Will this church provide me with the opportunity to utilize my spiritual gifts?
5. Can I positively impact this church to fulfill its mission and purpose?

Stress enters when the above process is repeated multiple times in multiple churches. It can be very tiring being “new” in church every week. Investing time and energy, doing homework, and seeing no immediate result can be tiring. For these reasons, searching for a church home can be one of the most challenging and critical jobs a believer will do.

For many, this process is foreign because they have never had to work this process. Some people have been members of the same church their entire lives. As our society changes and becomes more transient, this process or something similar will become common. Pray for those who are looking for a church home. As members of the body of Christ, we are responsible for making this process a little easier for them. Be intentional in making this process a little less daunting and stressful for those families looking to connect.