The Search for a Church: Finding Hope in Church Hopping

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.

Our summer cabin in Northern Minnesota has presented many unexpected challenges, most having to do with plumbing. But one challenge we didn’t foresee was finding a summer church home. Both my husband and I grew up in and have always attended a Christian Reformed Church and since there are none within a reasonable distance from our cabin, we’ve visited several other denominations.

When church-hopping, I’ve discovered my tendency to be judgy. Interrupting my worshipful thoughts, sharp criticisms cross my mind. This service is too showy. The sermon is shallow. Will this tiny, aging congregation even be around in a few years? The praise team is dragging the tempo. I’m in Minnesota, and the head pastor is preaching on video … from California??

Despite my critical nature, I’ve still discovered at least a few positive qualities in each church I’ve visited. I might even be a little envious of some of their strengths in areas where my home church might be lacking. What attracts us and keeps us coming back for more worship?

In a recent article, Philip Yancey addresses declining church membership and points to the book Next Sunday: An Honest Dialogue About the Future of the Church, by Nancy Beach and Samantha Beach Kelly. Yancey explores the three characteristics the authors found that help draw in and retain members, including attraction, community, and outreach. I think they’re onto something, since these are precisely the things I’ve rated and raved (or ranted) about in my search for a church.

Attraction: what draws us in.

Attraction is highly subjective. What attracts me to a place or worship style might push others away. Still, there are enough commonalities to draw conclusions about the attractiveness of the churches I’ve hopped into during my summer search.

The Lutheran church, with its warm and luminous sanctuary, drew me in. Its lovely architectural design, high wooden beams, colorful—yet modern—stained glass windows, and handmade quilts brightened the space. A feast for the eyes, the beauty drew my attention to the cross at the center. An attractive worship space can be quite welcoming.

Opposite, in many ways, but still attractive to me, was the non-denominational church I visited. As the doors to the sanctuary closed behind me, I walked into a large, dark room, reminiscent of a movie theater. With comfortable seats and stellar technology—audio and video—I settled in to worship. Though I know it’s good for us to slow down and take “tech breaks,” our modern reality is that technology attracts and bright shiny things hold our attention.

Back at the Lutheran church, their atypical church library also impressed me. In a prominent, well-lit space adjacent to gathering areas, it offered a mix of Christian and secular books and authors (with many recent bestsellers), conveying open-mindedness and a desire for learning.

Whether it’s liturgy and traditional hymns, free-flowing worship and hands-in-the-air praise songs, or a blend of both, worship style can also attract. At my home church, it’s often the liturgy, music, and sermons that attract our visitors. We mix hymns and contemporary songs that tie in to the liturgy and message, and use piano, drums, cello, bass, singers, and sometimes organ. (And our worship leader makes sure we don’t drag!) Pastor Chris’s sermons are thoughtful and deep, explaining Scripture with life applications that bring us closer to Jesus.

Community: what keeps us there.

My husband and I visited a small, aging Presbyterian church. In fact, if wisdom comes with age (I believe it does), then this church was very wise. The average age of attendees appeared to be nearing 80. They were smart, and the sermon—chock full of Greek translations—helped us understand the Scripture passage. This “older, wiser” church was also one of the friendliest during coffee time. Because they were such a small congregation, we were obvious visitors, but they generously welcomed us into what seemed a tight-knit community.

The nondenominational church invited newcomers by providing information they might need to feel at home. A friendly lady at the welcome center talked with me for 10 minutes after the service. I received a welcome gift of a travel mug with a coupon for a free meal at “The Grill,” an outdoor tent serving burgers, hot dogs, and breakfast sandwiches.

Our home church strives to be an authentic community, inclusive toward all who seek Jesus. Our female pastor and worship leader incorporate children, teens, and young adults into worship. Just as Jesus reached out to the sick, poor, and marginalized, we hope to be a beacon of his light in our community, welcoming folks from all walks of life.

We’ve attended our church in South Bend for over 35 years, during which countless members have come and gone. Our connections have grown deeper through involvement in small groups and Bible studies. This is where we can stay and talk until we’re the last ones out the door (we frequently do and are!). It’s become our little family within God’s BIG family.

Outreach: what brings out our best.

We often attend an Evangelical Free Church in Minnesota, and have been impressed with their global outreach. They have a vast wall dedicated to photos of their global missionaries, and even though I’ve only attended sporadically, I’ve experienced several missionary visits and reports. On one Sunday this summer, a young couple serving in the Middle East treated us to baklava and Arabic coffee samples after church.

The nondenominational church wowed me with their local community outreach. It was “summer service Sunday” when I attended. Community partners had set up tents on the lawn, with easy tasks for congregants to complete, such as taking a back-to-school supply list and a backpack to fill and return.

Our home church has explored several ways to reach out to our community and the world at large. Being in a college town, we often draw in an intellectual crowd with little effort. We’ve helped refugee families, volunteered at the homeless shelter, and collected many items—from diapers to school supplies. Though it seems we’re still searching for our outreach niche, our members have a strong desire to serve and spread the Good News.

No Perfect Church. One Perfect Foundation.

Yancey surmised in his article, “No church does everything right,” and I would agree. What strikes me even more in visiting various churches is how God’s people worship and glorify him in many diverse, beautiful, and meaningful ways. The variety means there is a church home for everyone who’s seeking one.

We might have differences of opinion on what makes a worship space or service attractive. We might experience varying degrees of welcome and a sense of belonging. And we might find countless creative ways to “do outreach.” No church does everything right. And no church can be all things to all people.

But if Christians can focus on the one thing we have in common—our mutual love for Christ and desire to live for him—perhaps we can see past our differences. He is our cornerstone, the rock on which the global church stands.

I might not have settled on a new summer church home, but hopping around has opened my eyes to the beauty of diversity. I have joined with strangers in prayer, communion, worship, and song. Knowing that Christians are gathered for worship across the country and throughout the world often moves me more than any song or sermon.

Our frail human attempts to attract, connect, and reach out will always fall short. But recognizing the power of Christ is present in our diversity—both our strengths and weaknesses—renews our hope for the church’s future.