On Church Shopping...

Eeeech. It's on my list of dreaded things to do. It can be partly exciting... but discouraging too, depending on how long the process takes. And I'm not an expert, by any means... but I have done it each time we've moved and so I've seen my share of churches over the past few years. We thought finding a church here in Charlotte would be easy -- and honestly, up until earlier this month, we thought we had landed at a church to stay. Then we discovered a slight difference in philosophy on the purpose of church. We're of the opinion that church should be culturally relevant WITHOUT compromising the truth of God's Word. I have to look at things from the viewpoint of someone who does not normally attend church. Imagine getting up early on a Sunday morning -- typically a family day -- and getting the family ready, driving up to church, putting your kids in a nursery where you know no one, sitting in the sanctuary, etc. There has to be something that connects. We want to be at a church that is attractive to non-believers, yet absolutely preaches the truth without exceptions. Not sure the church we were attending is - or cares to be - culturally relevant -- at least the main service.

So we decided to check out other options for church. We loved the Sunday School class we attend for young families at Church #1. It is a great source of teaching and fellowship. We're still attending this class and probably will continue to for a while. It meets at 11:15 a.m. so we have time to catch an early service at another church (Church #2).

I tried Church #2 out for the first time when Tony was out of town. They have a 8:30 a.m. service and since the kids woke up at the crack of dawn I had time to get us all out the door. The church is called Elevation Church and one of their campuses meets at a high school near our house. So I'm pulling up and being directed in by the parking volunteers. As I go past the first guy I see him walkie-talkie someone in my rearview mirror. Then my car is sent a different direction than all the other cars in front of me. I'm sent straight to the front row and then I realize -- I bet they saw the kids in my car. Wow! I'm alone w/ out a husband and I don't have to worry about getting the kids out and walking 12 miles to the entrance. :) Then, before I even have a chance to get out of my car, a volunteer is greeting me and asking if she can carry my bags for me so I can get the kids out. As we walk up to the doors, she asks me if it is my first time. Meanwhile, we're being greeted by 5-6 other people along the walkway. She helps me register the kids for their classes and gets us all where we need to go.

I turn in my first time attender card and get a free t-shirt - and it was actually a cool free t-shirt - so that was fun. Later that week I get a letter from both the kids ministry and the sr. pastor. Then... last night... I get a phone call from a volunteer at the church just to thank me for attending. She asked how I heard about the church and if I had any questions.

We enjoy the service at Elevation -- the worship music is more like a loud concert, than what you would typically experience for worship at church. Not knocking it -- just not exactly my thing. But the teaching is so good that it doesn't matter. If you have time, check out the website - and listen to the preacher. **Update - I think I just need to learn some of the songs - this past Sunday, worship was great (and... at least no one can hear me flubbing my words up) :)

What do you think of the culturally relevant thing when it comes to church?