photo credit: michalispolakis
When I was a kid I was raised going to church each Sunday. My dad was a Christian singer and my mom played the keyboard. Having our entire Sunday busy with church actives was familiar and a part of our family life. Discussing dreams and hopes for our children, the main objective is for them to know God on a personal level.
When our first baby girl Addie was small, some close friends of ours asked us to come with them to church. They knew we had not been a member anywhere and really need a church family. From the first time that we went we knew it was the place for us. Though based in a school building and brought alive each Sunday by people lugging things from a trailer, it did not matter. We were called there. For 4 years we experienced joy, made friends, saw God’s works firsthand. I was even baptized a second time in front of our church family.
This past year a few things changed in the church. Nothing and no one that we had any problems with. The changes just made us reevaluate where God wanted us to be. After all we were driving almost 20 miles each way every Sunday and every other Wednesday for small groups. All of our friends were there so get togethers and gatherings are always that way. It never bothered us before and still doesn’t (much). But our 11 month old (if she could talk) might tell you otherwise. She has issues riding in the car at night. We are working on this and I’m sure it’s just a phase.
So we have been on a search for a church closer to home to which we can call our church home. It has been so much more difficult than I ever could have imagined. Considering that we had only ever been to the one church as a couple and as a family, we have never experienced the church search before. And I never realized how picky that we are about what we want in a church. This post is merely a confession. I feel like talking about it for once and we would really love your prayers.
Prayers for my mind to be opened to churches that might be out of my comfort zone. Prayers for God to show us where we are meant to be.
Have you ever had trouble finding a church? What lead to your final decision? I’d love to hear your stories!
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I can relate, with the unhappy child while driving at night and the finding a church home. We recently moved and finding a new church home is hard. We have tried and been disappointed again and again. My husband and I still refer to our old church as “our church”. It feels a bit unsettling, but then again we have had some timely messages at most every church we attended but none have become our new home. I feel like we are a bit picky because we came from a great spirit filled church before. So for now every Sunday we get up to worship and hear a word somewhere and I listen to podcasts of our old church and pray. And I always keep in mind God’s plan is bigger and better.
I know we love our church. We drive across Nashville to go to it, would definitely be much harder with kids and if we went more than every Sunday.
Brittany, thanks so much for sharing that! It really is tough isn’t it? We also refer to our old church as “our church” too. I know that there is something out there. It’s just hard with the kids to take them from church to church. All they see is the fun things and people. It’s hard to say that we’re just visiting and may never come back to that church. I’m definitely praying about it! And I will be sure to pray for you Brittany!
Yes, Aaron it’s definitely tough with kids. I know that it will get easier and that God has a place for us. Just being silent and patient and praying that He will lead us to it. 🙂 I’m glad that you have an awesome church in Nashville! I know there are a ton of them there. Many of which I’d love to check out, but it’s a good 20-25 mile drive there too.
Thanks for sharing your story, I think what you said is really it. You need to find what God wants you to do. I know when my wife and I moved we tried several churches before settling on one and it just felt right. Best of luck to you.