GlocalNet

Recently a new member sent me an email telling me how much they enjoyed being at NorthWood.  They then told the story of how they found the church and how they absolutely loved the vision, the ministry of discipleship and engagement - but there were a couple of things to them that were really important that had more to do with preferences - that we are not.  “The vision outweighed” the absence of something they preferred.  That’s good.

I got another email from a member telling me that God had called them to a new church plant - that being the culture of NorthWood, they were excited to serve in a setting like that - even though the new church didn’t have a lot of “services” they were used to or wanted. That’s good. 

How do you find the right church home for you? 

You don’t. You go where God leads you.  Instead of making a list of things you want in a church, ask God what church he wants you in, doing what?  Stop making a list of all you want a church to have - instead be a part of the body of Christ and help it be what he wants it to be.  How do you do that?

1.  Begin in prayer.  Ask God to open your heart - not be a religious consumer - but a servant of Jesus Christ to the body of Christ and the community.

2.  Get a passion for your community.  Ask God to give you a vision of what he wants to do on your street, your neighborhood, your city and what role you play in that as part of the body of Christ.

3.  Approach the potential church as a “giver” not just a “receiver”. What is it that you have to offer?  Be open to things that you may not have thought of that God can use in you, and through you, to bring something to the church that wasn’t there before you came. Knowing your gifts, calling, and passion for your area will help you on that.

4.  Make it a family decision.  Instead of - the kids ministry could have been a lot better - or youth - or the music - or whatever - the question with the family should be - “Forget all the externals, what was God saying to us today as we were there? Do we have something to offer and serve to see it get better?” 

5.  Obey God.  Faith spreads more through smaller groups, churches, and cells than it does through huge worship services.  Don’t be afraid or avoid smaller churches without all the “big” programs.  Some of the greatest memories that NIkki and I have are when our church was small, struggling, and we all had to work! 

I love NorthWood and am so grateful to be the pastor.  Soon, we’ll be 25 years old, having planted 150 churches representing literally 10’s of thousands of people who are in church and have found Christ.  I get excited about all 150 of those churches.  I get excited about all our ministries - and we still don’t have it all together!  I doubt we ever will - we will always have something to strive towards. 

So I say this for the benefit of not just people looking for a church - but for church planters and others that are down in the dirt working hard.  Church planter - pastor - have your vision and your dream and your call and move towards it, but don’t fail to enjoy what God is going to do today right where you are, right in the moment as you follow him.  It’s not about finding a church - it’s about being the body of Christ, serving together in a community, and that dream you can wake up to every single day!