I officially moved to Winston-Salem, NC in October of 2012. We are now in March and I feel as if I am just now trying to start my life here. One of the biggest challenges I have faced since moving here is finding the "right" church for me. I grew up in a Methodist church but during my younger teenage years, I started feeling as though denominations did nothing but separate us as christians. I started seeing things in the Methodist church that I did not fully agree with as well as the stigma attached to certain churches.
So during my college years, I made the decision to attend a non-denominational church. I was involved with a college ministry for a little over a year which I considered my weekly worship. I soon begin to crave something a little more so I started attending another church which I fell in love with. I loved how they did things and I loved the preaching. I felt as though I was getting fully spiritually fed for the first time in my life.
An opportunity became available at the Methodist church I grew up in where a Program Ministry Director position became available. At that time in my life, I felt I was being called into youth ministry and that position focusing on youth, I quickly jumped on the opportunity. During that short time of me being back at my home church, slowly but shirley I began falling. I wasn't getting the spiritual feeding that is necessary for a christian life. Part of that was due to me trying to keep up with my job (if I am going to be honest, I bit off way more than I could chew), part of that was my Godly friends were 2.5 hours away from me, and part of that was not feeling as though I was apart of a church. I almost felt as though I was a slave to the church because I wasn't getting what I needed in return from it.
With all that being said, because of my previous involvement with the church, it made it that much harder to find a church here in Winston. I am super cautious...not wanting to get caught up in a church that I feel is focusing more on the numbers in the church rather than the spirituality of the church. I didn't want to be a part of a church where I feel as though they put God in a box and is scared of the Holy Spirit being present in the church. I didn't want to be a part of a church that holds tradition higher than what direction God wants the church to go. On the flip side of that, I didn't want to go to a church where I felt as if I needed ear-plugs and rocking out at a rock concert. I didn't want to be at a church where they put so much focus on the whole production of the show rather than the Holy worship setting. I wanted to see a cross up front rather than "cool" graphic designs. I wanted to be a part of a church who recognizes ALL major Christian holidays...from Palm Sunday to Pentecost Sunday. Not just Christmas and Easter. Finding a church is a big deal for me but I knew it wouldn't be easy.
After many months of going to every church in town as well a lot of prayer...I feel like my parents and I found a church. I am honestly shocked we all three feel as though this is the right church for us. My parents are used to a little more traditional where as I want something a little more laid back but not a rock concert. To my surprise, it is a Methodist church. You would never know it was a United Methodist Church unless you looked it up. They took the Methodist emblem off their sign. They are contemporary, the preacher is one of the best I have heard, and they are truly about making disciples of Christ without focusing on the number of members they have. I am so happy we came across Hillsdale United Methodist Church. Not having a church home has been missing from my life for quite sometime. I am excited to learn about this church, see what they are doing in ministry, and hopefully meet people my age. It might take a few frustrating months...but God will answer prayers.
So during my college years, I made the decision to attend a non-denominational church. I was involved with a college ministry for a little over a year which I considered my weekly worship. I soon begin to crave something a little more so I started attending another church which I fell in love with. I loved how they did things and I loved the preaching. I felt as though I was getting fully spiritually fed for the first time in my life.
An opportunity became available at the Methodist church I grew up in where a Program Ministry Director position became available. At that time in my life, I felt I was being called into youth ministry and that position focusing on youth, I quickly jumped on the opportunity. During that short time of me being back at my home church, slowly but shirley I began falling. I wasn't getting the spiritual feeding that is necessary for a christian life. Part of that was due to me trying to keep up with my job (if I am going to be honest, I bit off way more than I could chew), part of that was my Godly friends were 2.5 hours away from me, and part of that was not feeling as though I was apart of a church. I almost felt as though I was a slave to the church because I wasn't getting what I needed in return from it.
With all that being said, because of my previous involvement with the church, it made it that much harder to find a church here in Winston. I am super cautious...not wanting to get caught up in a church that I feel is focusing more on the numbers in the church rather than the spirituality of the church. I didn't want to be a part of a church where I feel as though they put God in a box and is scared of the Holy Spirit being present in the church. I didn't want to be a part of a church that holds tradition higher than what direction God wants the church to go. On the flip side of that, I didn't want to go to a church where I felt as if I needed ear-plugs and rocking out at a rock concert. I didn't want to be at a church where they put so much focus on the whole production of the show rather than the Holy worship setting. I wanted to see a cross up front rather than "cool" graphic designs. I wanted to be a part of a church who recognizes ALL major Christian holidays...from Palm Sunday to Pentecost Sunday. Not just Christmas and Easter. Finding a church is a big deal for me but I knew it wouldn't be easy.
After many months of going to every church in town as well a lot of prayer...I feel like my parents and I found a church. I am honestly shocked we all three feel as though this is the right church for us. My parents are used to a little more traditional where as I want something a little more laid back but not a rock concert. To my surprise, it is a Methodist church. You would never know it was a United Methodist Church unless you looked it up. They took the Methodist emblem off their sign. They are contemporary, the preacher is one of the best I have heard, and they are truly about making disciples of Christ without focusing on the number of members they have. I am so happy we came across Hillsdale United Methodist Church. Not having a church home has been missing from my life for quite sometime. I am excited to learn about this church, see what they are doing in ministry, and hopefully meet people my age. It might take a few frustrating months...but God will answer prayers.
