For most Christians - students, professionals and families alike - settling into a new church can be the most challenging aspect of moving. It might be difficult to find a church that’s easy to reach – or perhaps the opposite, and it feels there are too many to choose from; will you join a church in the city centre, or one based in a suburb? Whatever your situation, the church you choose to call home will have greater ramifications for your life than your job, university – even your home.
It’s not always possible, but finding church community should to be part of the decision making process for moving when possible. If our identity is truly in Jesus, then the church we serve and belong to will become more important than our suburb, house or commute length. Looking at churches God might be calling to sooner will give you more time to pray, get to know the congregation and leaders, and even visit before you move.
If you’re single, it could be the church with more families. Maybe there’s a church reaching a group of people you’re not familiar with but can clearly see the need. Be ready to step into something new – the familiar is not always the faithful place for you to be.
Several people at Cornerstone have said that if they moved
again, they would prioritise finding a church over their
house. When you find Christian community you are truly part of, moving house is infinitely easier than uprooting from the church that has become your spiritual home. So when the time comes, treat finding your
church home even more important than you the home you will eat and sleep in.
Start looking early
There are many evangelical churches in Newcastle upon Tyne,
each with a unique character that allows them to worship God and make disciples
in distinctive ways. The same is true of many cities and towns throughout the
UK - so start searching soon. Even googling ‘Churches near me’ or ‘list of
churches in Newcastle’ is a start, but hopefully you won’t stop there.
It’s not always possible, but finding church community should to be part of the decision making process for moving when possible. If our identity is truly in Jesus, then the church we serve and belong to will become more important than our suburb, house or commute length. Looking at churches God might be calling to sooner will give you more time to pray, get to know the congregation and leaders, and even visit before you move.
Look for churches connected with your current congregation
Joining a new church can be an opportunity for you and both your churches
to appreciate the sense of church family we see in the New Testament.
Rather feel you’re moving because of circumstances outside of your control, like a job change or family need, you may see God at work in your life in new ways.
‘Sending’ people was a key way God built up churches when the church was young (Eph 6:22) (Col 4:8) (Philemon 1:12) and the tradition still works today. Your current church can ‘send’ you onto your new church with prayers, encouragement and vision for all involved.
‘Sending’ people was a key way God built up churches when the church was young (Eph 6:22) (Col 4:8) (Philemon 1:12) and the tradition still works today. Your current church can ‘send’ you onto your new church with prayers, encouragement and vision for all involved.
Finding a church connected to your current congregation,
through network, friendships or other affiliations, can help you and both
churches feel the unity and connection God designed churches to have. The
connection doesn’t have to be formal – it could be a church you’ve partnered
with in mission in the past, or just know through close friendships. Ask your
church leaders and other members if they know any churches in the area you’re
thinking of moving too.
Prioritise churches you can serve, over churches you feel comfortable in
All of us find it easy to choose the path of least
resistance. When it comes to choosing a church, that
could mean choosing the congregation with the most people your age, or who offer the style of corporate worship
you prefer. But choosing a church and following Jesus’ example means seeking a congregation we can serve and build up first - just as
Jesus did for the whole church (Matt 20:28).
For Christians today, Paul’s exhortation for Timothy to
fulfil his ministry (2 Tim 4:5) shows our priority should be finding
fulfilment first through serving - and not by feeling at our most comfortable
or best served ourselves. Many at Cornerstone settled here because they soon found
places to serve and felt valuable to the church family.
This doesn’t mean finding the church you feel you have the least in common with – just that the style of worship, leadership structure or preaching experience of leaders might not be as important as it may feel.
This doesn’t mean finding the church you feel you have the least in common with – just that the style of worship, leadership structure or preaching experience of leaders might not be as important as it may feel.
Look for churches you can attend consistently
Although it is possible and some do manage, it’s hard
to attend a church farther away or more difficult to reach. The same goes for meeting times – if you have
commitments that regularly clash with Sunday and midweek meetings, you can feel
disconnected from your church family when there are more demands on your time.
Where possible, look for churches you can serve and attend
consistently. That could mean forgoing a preferred job or dream home – but in
the long run you will be happy you made the sacrifice (2 Cor 4:18).
You may find belonging in places you don’t expect
We already discussed the value of prioritising churches
to serve over those you feel comfortable in; but it’s worth saying that
the church you’re seeking, that God is sending you to, might not
look the way you expect. If you’ve come from an established church, it could be the
fledgling church plant.
If you’re single, it could be the church with more families. Maybe there’s a church reaching a group of people you’re not familiar with but can clearly see the need. Be ready to step into something new – the familiar is not always the faithful place for you to be.
Get in touch with churches before you visit
Drop churches a message or call before you visit. It can give you a bit more confidence if you’re nervous, give you
more time to ask questions about what God’s vision is for that church, and what life outside of Sundays is like. Other members might be free to meet you
and get to know you too.
Most importantly, it means the church you’re considering can pray for you too, and the more people praying on your behalf for such an important choice the better (2 Cor 1:11).
Most importantly, it means the church you’re considering can pray for you too, and the more people praying on your behalf for such an important choice the better (2 Cor 1:11).