This is a strange season. I feel spiritually homeless without a church home. Every week David and I look at each other and say, Where are we going to church this weekend? I've never had to ask that question in my whole life. Bethel Church has been home to me since I was born.
We've been talking - David & I - about what we will be looking for in a church when we move south. I know there's no perfect church - no perfect pastor. I'm not looking for perfection. And, we probably won't be able to find everything on our list. (partly because we have some - eh hem - differing opinions on this subject...) Here are the characteristics - the qualities we're looking for in our new church.
1. Multi-generational. I love old people, but a church full of old people speaks of people who only care about themselves, who are not willing to make changes and adjustments to include younger families. It speaks of a church full of people who have not taken their responsibility to speak of God's faithfulness to the succeeding generations. On the other hand - I don't want a church that is comprise of ONLY young people - as refreshing as that may be for a time. David & I attended Mars Hill a couple of weeks ago. I looked around and thought, Where's the wisdom in this church? Who mentors all these young families? A church full of only young people speaks of the same inflexibility that a church of only old people does. It's all about me - my preferences, my likes and dislikes. I want to attend a church where there is respect and value for all the generations because that's what the body of Christ is supposed to look like.
2. Music of all genres is valued. This is David's #1. Music has always been important to us. I think we're both past the desire to do big musical productions like the Singing Christmas Tree (well I am anyway), but both of us love a worship service that incorporates "psalms, hymns and spiritual songs." A place where there is quiet reflection and joyous celebration; where a classical piece can be played or sung alongside a guitar-driven newly composed song; a place where the people on stage reflect the multi-generational value of the body of Christ.
3. Biblical preaching. There is nothing wrong with sermon series based on current topics. But I would love to sit under a preacher who simply opens the Word of God and talks straight about what God says. My concern for many churches is that we have created a "just add Jesus" gospel - where adding Jesus to your life makes things better, more convenient. Just add Jesus and you get into heaven - you don't have to do anything - change anything. You just add Jesus to your existing set of values and principles. The Jesus I see in the New Testament says that we trade our old life for His - we don't just add him to ours. He says we die to ourselves and take on a new life in Christ. I'm afraid we've missed that part.
4. Financially responsible. I don't want to go to a church that spends a disproportionate amount of money on it's building - and (dare I say it?) staff. Coming from someone who has taken a good paycheck from the church for over 20 years, this is a big revelation to me. I'm not opposed to paying pastors and I would love to serve on a church staff again at some point. I don't want to go to a church that borrows money to build buildings. I'd love to see a church that places value on caring for it's people - not the building or staff. A simple place where needs are met.
I have the feeling this church will not be a "mega" church. But that remains to be seen.
It feels strange to be "shopping" for a church. It would be simpler if we just went to the AG church in town. *sigh*
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