My family and I are moving in the next month, moving to Colorado. Or, as I call it, the land of bigger homes, for less money! Of course, when we move, we'll be church shopping. Between my 9-5 work consulting with churches and Val's (my wife) years of religious studies, youth ministry and reading dead languages (Koine Greek)... we have historically been pretty picky. In the past, Valerie would pick apart the sermon from a theological perspective, and I would look at the design of the worship folder, the layout of the Web site, the people in the pews and declare that this church has no clue who is in their community. "They are out of touch!" Thankfully, the Holy Spirit has taught us to listen... and leave the nit picking out of it.
So... with this move coming up soon, we have been talking a lot about what type of church we'd be looking for. Last month I told Val that I thought we should just commit to attending the first mainline Christian denomination church that knocked on our door and welcomed us to the neighborhood. She replied, "If we do that, we may never go to church again." Sad, but true.
But... I WANT A CHURCH TO FIND ME!! In the realm of church marketing tools, the best tools are the members. A Web site might be good, but someone has to be looking. The newsletter may be edgy and fresh, but someone has to go to church to get it. The preaching might be the best in the world... but if no one is there to hear it, does it matter. But, if members of the church actually talk about church to others during the week... that would be great! "You know, our pastor was talking about XYZ in church on Sunday, and it has still got me thinking."
Let's see where God leads.
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