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A first time church visit can feel a lot like a Sunday
morning root canal.
Predictably,
most people find the "church experience" irrelevant,
uncomfortable and intimidating. There's a reason for
that.
Traditional
churches target their regular attenders and the "already
convinced". That environment
the music, the message, the tradition, even the people
is not conducive to getting answers. That's why
you feel so out of place. It's difficult to relate to
a church with an inward focus.
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Fortunately, there's an alternative.
There's
a church model that's sensitive to people outside the church:
people investigating spiritual truth and seeking answers.
These churches honor the "seeking" process and intentionally
provide a user friendliness and relevance that make you feel
accepted and comfortable.
Where
do you find such a church? The best place to start is
by asking friends. A referral could save time and provide
a friend to accompany you on those first tentative visits.
How
do you know when you've found the right church?
You are on a spiritual journey Think of a church as
the place that will facilitate that process through relationships,
teaching and worship.
For that to work, you need a church that will honor your questions
on a basic level, yet also challenge you and provide opportunity
to take you to the next level.
A
church is a lot about community You need relationships.
Your church should offer ways to get you connected in small
group and ministry.
Most
important, find out what your church stands for. What do they
believe? What do they base their teaching on? Ask to see their
statement of faith every church should have one.

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Five
Reasons to
give Church a try... |
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Quality
churches do exist shop around! |
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Church
will make you accessible to God and He will move in your
life |
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You
will discover incredible, life long relationships |
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Your
marriage will grow stronger |
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Church
will expose you to life changing worship, teaching, and
ministry |
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| Church
Search Tools |
Willow
Creek Association. Search for like-minded
churches nationwide, from all denominations, that
subscribe to a seeker sensitivity model.
ForMinistry
is all about helping folks find their first church,
a new church, a ministry-specific church, a vacation
church, or a church in a new community. |
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| Resources |
What
Kind of Church Should We be Going to?
Why
Men Hate Church David Murrow
"What is it about modern Christianity that
is driving men away?" Just 35% of American men say
they attend church weekly...
Building
a Contagious Church Mark Mittelburg
This book will give vision for turning every church
new or oldinto a contagious church that
is a powerful magnet for attracting and influencing
unchurched people.
The
Connecting Church Randy Frazee The
book is vision inspiring, faith challenging and
"real life" practical. Highly recommend to all pastors
and church members wanting to grow a healthy and
effective church. Check
out our interview with Randy Frazee
The
Emotionally Healthy Church Peter Scazzero
Discipleship that really transforms a
church must integrate emotional health with spiritual
maturity. The Emotionally Healthy Church offers
a strategy for discipleship that does this and actually
changes lives. |
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