Finding a new church

I think the first thing to do is pray and ask God to help you see where you should attend. As you are open to His guidance, begin to look through the phone book, internet, and local papers. Make a list of the churches you think may fit your particular beliefs. The next step is to visit church websites or call and find out the statement of beliefs. While no church is perfect and it is hard to lock into a new group of people, you may find that this will be a wonderful new experience for you and your family. I pray that you will find where you fit and be able to bless your new community.

I guess that it's easy for me because I'm Catholic so if I move to a new area, I simply attend the closest Catholic church. Are you a particular denomination? I would start ther and attend the churches that are nearby. If that isn't a particular concern to you, I would just start attending churches that are nearby until I found one that I liked. Have you made any new friends yet or met any of your neighbors? They can be a great source to tap into as well. Best of luck to you.

I have collected 26 (all starts in C) criteria people use to choose a church, Companionship, Convenience, Charismatic Clergy, Colossal Congregation, Culinary Cooking, Color Constituents, Communication, Creed, Class, Crystal Cathedrals, Courtship Commitment, Commercial Contribution, Celebrity, Career..., details in www.geocities.com/timothy_ah/26church.html If you have just moved to New York, here is one, www.thechurchinrochester.org Here's a hymn on "There's a church in New York City", www.hymnal.net/hymn.php?t=h&n=1263 If you have moved somewhere else, www.localchurches.org May the good Samaritan guide you to the inn (His church).

Protestant churches which have bigger membership usually have a "branch" in other places. Usually when members of these church transfer or are transient in one place then they go find their church. Catholic churches have theirs too. I know friends just go whatever church they find in the area.

Do you have any neighbors or friends in the area who share the same religious beliefs? If so, ask them what church they go to & "shadow" them if you can to a mass. Otherwise..I think I've heard of people literally going to ONE mass - sitting in the back row, and deciding whether or not they "feel it", and go to a new one every week until you find one you like. It's weird, but I would imagine that church go-ers are open to meeting new friends of similar beliefs, so it's not like they'll shun you or something because you're not a regular. . Good luck, though, girl!

Don't be afraid to call churches and ask questions. Find out what they believe and if you agree with them. Also, by calling, you will form opinions based on your interactions with the person you are talking to. Somewhere along the way you will feel comfortable with visiting a new church.