Post by Emiko Cothran on Aug 11, 2017 22:12:20 GMT -5
I have been church hunting off and on for about 2 years. I am starting to realize I will never find a church like the one I had in California and I am being too picky... so I need to make some sacrifices. Which of the following would you choose if you were me?
Note: (please don't pick "Nazarene" just because it is Nazarene but take my feelings and opinions as valid.)
Church 1:
Pros:
Allows female leaders
Officially has a "big tent" philosophy
Has lots of activities like BBQs, pot lucks, soft ball (I moved here from another state leaving all my friends behind and am hungry for friendship and community)
Cons:
Preaching doesn't stretch, motivate, or move me (a few have, but usually not)
Some issues with the pastor that I don't want to get into because I don't want to put anyone down (It is more "personality and attitude" then theological... But it KEEPS coming up, and I would never go to this person for personal guidance and probably wouldn't take their advice if it went against what "felt" right to me)
2) Church 2:
Pros:
very good theology,
Female leaders allowed,
"Big tent" philosophy,
Compassionate and involved in helping others
Preaching is often motivating
Con:
Average age of congregation is about 87
No activities I can join because I am in my 30's and I work 9-5 instead of being retired
No other young families (adults under the age 70 with kids under the age of 25) who I can relate to and connect with
My daughter hates going because of the lack of kids and/or kid activities
I hate going because my daughter hates going... It is far easier to just not go and catch the sermon online because what is the point of going through all that when you can just listen to worship music and a sermon at home and there isn't a very big sense of community because I am in such a different life stage then literally everyone else in the entire congregation.
Church 3:
Pros:
The people and pastor seem nice and welcoming
They have a lot of outreach and do a lot of good- they have, like, a program to help teens get off drugs, to help pregnant women with food and diapers, to get new shoes and clothes for low income kids... Etc
Sermons haven't been "stretching" but they seem to be "in the right ball park" (we are called to love like Jesus, to represent Jesus to a fallen world, to be a family, to make decipals, to follow God... Like that)
They have a pretty good kids program
Cons:
Don't have a lot of Activities (softball, camping, pot lucks etc)
Don't allow woman pastors and leaders (this is the big one for me!!!! As a single mom with a DAUGHTER to look out for this seems like a HUGE deal, if I was a guy with a son then I could have the attitude I have with homosexuality which is mostly: since it doesn't effect me very much I don't have to be a stictler about if they disagree with me on this particular issue)
Church 4:
Pros:
Good kids programs
Lots of small groups and activities to plug into
The preaching is interesting and dynamic
Cons:
Don't allow woman pastors and leaders (this is the big one for me!!!! As a single mom with a DAUGHTER to look out for this seems like a HUGE deal)
Farthest from my house
(I don't know them as well because they are the furthest away and I haven't tried them as often... They are not SUPER far away... Like 15 mi vs 5 for the others, so I really don't know them as well...)
They tend to use their money on themselves (as in to make the church better or to start a new capmus or to hire better preachers or update technology... Rather then feed hungry kids or give on the job training to single moms or dig wells in Africa)
Note: (please don't pick "Nazarene" just because it is Nazarene but take my feelings and opinions as valid.)
Church 1:
Pros:
Allows female leaders
Officially has a "big tent" philosophy
Has lots of activities like BBQs, pot lucks, soft ball (I moved here from another state leaving all my friends behind and am hungry for friendship and community)
Cons:
Preaching doesn't stretch, motivate, or move me (a few have, but usually not)
Some issues with the pastor that I don't want to get into because I don't want to put anyone down (It is more "personality and attitude" then theological... But it KEEPS coming up, and I would never go to this person for personal guidance and probably wouldn't take their advice if it went against what "felt" right to me)
2) Church 2:
Pros:
very good theology,
Female leaders allowed,
"Big tent" philosophy,
Compassionate and involved in helping others
Preaching is often motivating
Con:
Average age of congregation is about 87
No activities I can join because I am in my 30's and I work 9-5 instead of being retired
No other young families (adults under the age 70 with kids under the age of 25) who I can relate to and connect with
My daughter hates going because of the lack of kids and/or kid activities
I hate going because my daughter hates going... It is far easier to just not go and catch the sermon online because what is the point of going through all that when you can just listen to worship music and a sermon at home and there isn't a very big sense of community because I am in such a different life stage then literally everyone else in the entire congregation.
Church 3:
Pros:
The people and pastor seem nice and welcoming
They have a lot of outreach and do a lot of good- they have, like, a program to help teens get off drugs, to help pregnant women with food and diapers, to get new shoes and clothes for low income kids... Etc
Sermons haven't been "stretching" but they seem to be "in the right ball park" (we are called to love like Jesus, to represent Jesus to a fallen world, to be a family, to make decipals, to follow God... Like that)
They have a pretty good kids program
Cons:
Don't have a lot of Activities (softball, camping, pot lucks etc)
Don't allow woman pastors and leaders (this is the big one for me!!!! As a single mom with a DAUGHTER to look out for this seems like a HUGE deal, if I was a guy with a son then I could have the attitude I have with homosexuality which is mostly: since it doesn't effect me very much I don't have to be a stictler about if they disagree with me on this particular issue)
Church 4:
Pros:
Good kids programs
Lots of small groups and activities to plug into
The preaching is interesting and dynamic
Cons:
Don't allow woman pastors and leaders (this is the big one for me!!!! As a single mom with a DAUGHTER to look out for this seems like a HUGE deal)
Farthest from my house
(I don't know them as well because they are the furthest away and I haven't tried them as often... They are not SUPER far away... Like 15 mi vs 5 for the others, so I really don't know them as well...)
They tend to use their money on themselves (as in to make the church better or to start a new capmus or to hire better preachers or update technology... Rather then feed hungry kids or give on the job training to single moms or dig wells in Africa)
