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.
Been there, done that, so to speak. We have searched for new churches a number of times, mostly because of relocating with work and it was never fun. God was looking out for us though, we've always been able to find a church where it just 'feels right'. There is no such thing as a perfect church, well, because the church is the people and we are far from perfect :D, but you know you have found the right place when 1) they follow the Bible 2) they don't have 'one person' that people start putting their faith in, instead of God and 3) you feel like the members become your 2nd family - at least it's been that way for us. Glad to hear you have found a place to be a part of God's family there :) Oh, little caution about religious holidays, aside from the day's God set apart with the Israelites...all the rest are man-made. It's great that they help people to think about the reason...but can't find any examples of the early church being commanded to observe them. Just my 2 cents on that one :) Sometimes man likes to add things, just because, lol.
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