The first few months of our search for a church went according to plan. Each week we visited a new congregation until we had visited all 10 that were on our short list of prospects (check out First Five Visits and Five More Visits).
Next Steps
After these ten experiences, we narrowed the possibilities down to three congregations. Our plan was to visit each of these again multiple times, and to begin to connect in ways beyond worship in each of these communities of faith. Ideally, by the end of the summer or early fall we would be ready to commit to one.
Detour
As soon as I published this plan I was encouraged by some people who know me well to add a few congregations to the original 10. Since the original search for a church took 70 weeks and included visits to 36 congregations, expanding this search from 10 to 12 seemed reasonable.
Another Detour
Today, I was reminded of the importance of flexibility as I detoured from my detour. Instead of attending worship, I participated in Creekwood Church’s serve day. This congregation sent out over 700 volunteers throughout Mansfield to serve and give back to their community. I had the privilege of facilitating more than 30 of these folks for projects with the Mansfield Mission Center.
So What?
Instead of saying that we will finish this search by late summer or early fall, I’ve begun to say we will finish our search this year. And, I’ve doubled down on valuing the journey as much as the destination.
- Share one piece of advice you have for me as my family continues our search for a church.
- How many visits does it take for you to begin to really feel connected with and to understand the life and ministry of a congregation?