how to find a church: kevin-and-anna style

How to find and join a church in twenty steps or less!

Saturday

Step one: Search online for churches in your area.

Step two: Find a church that publishes all of their doctrinal stances in their “Our Beliefs” section. Note: these stances include inspiration of Scripture, an exhaustive support for a biblical view of the Triunity of God, the Lord’s Supper, Baptism, and Eternal Security. Things to love: (besides all of the truth!) “In the essential beliefs, we have unity… In the non-essential beliefs, we have liberty.”

Sunday

Step three: Visit selected church; park in the visitor space right out front.

Step four: Find yourself greeted by an elder and his wife, introduced to a young man who will be attending school in the state you just left, and seated near the front of the sanctuary.

Step five: Enjoy the worship band’s reprise of their VBS music from the past week. Entertaining, funny, and watch them own it.

Step six: Fill out visitor’s card to place in the offering plate as it passes by.

Step seven: Watch and listen as the pastor preaches from a balance beam, making the connection from the training and obedience of an Olympic gymnast to our training and obedience as Christians following the coaching of the Holy Spirit and Scripture.

Step eight: Meet and greet both Lead Pastor and Associate Pastor and their wives and children after the service.

Step nine: Delight yourself in the refreshments provided downstairs in the foyer while meeting other members of the church and finding out more opportunities to get involved with the church and surrounding community.

Monday

Step ten: Receive a phone call from an elder, asking whether or not he can answer any questions about the church. Ask questions about church leadership and the community.

Tuesday

Step eleven: Go out for coffee with the pastor. Get a tour of the church and grounds, and discuss any number of important theological issues facing the American Church today. Leave encouraged.

Step twelve: Fill out your information for the church’s pictorial directory. Email said information, and attach a current picture!

Step thirteen: Walk the prayer walk behind the church. Be amazed at the beauty of the terrain, and the grace of the Lord you serve, who is faithful to hear His children!

Step fourteen: Attend worship team practice. Play drums, piano, sing… whatever you’re good at.

Step fifteen: Go out for ice cream with the pastor and his wife. See the sites of the small town in which they live. Talk about bear and elk sightings, and mountain lion attacks.

Step sixteen: Borrow two mattress pads from the pastor and his wife, because your air mattress requires to be pumped up twice a night.

Step seventeen: Consider yourself part of the body, and begin planning small groups, summer activities, and more worship team practices.