Church Shopping

After close to 10 years (I think about 8ish), we are looking to find a new church.  We LOVE FUMC, but now that we are in the burbs and with Zach, we were finding it increasingly difficult to make the 40 minute drive downtown for church on Sundays.  Especially since our church is on TV, it is very easy to sit in your pjs and drink coffee while we watch the service but we were beginning to miss out on the fellowship that comes with worshipping with others....and not in your pajamas and glasses!

So far we have visited 2 churches (3 if you count Christmas Eve) and have enjoyed them all.  Last week we went to Lakewood UMC which was really nice.  The senior pastors were on a mission exploration (for lack of a better word, they were scouting out a possible new mission opportunity) in Africa so we were not able to hear the regular preachers.  There were lots of young families and kiddos running around which we were glad to see.  Everyone was also very helpful and friendly (I guess they could tell we were visitors!) and by checking out their bulletin, there are tons of different fellowship and service opportunities for all ages.

Yesterday we went to Cypress UMC and had another good experience.  We really enjoyed their senior pastor, he was very easy and entertaining to listen to.  They are currently doing a sermon series on Love & Marriage so the topic was relevant and interesting as well.  They also had a bulletin chock full of activities!

Zach has done really well with going to both of their nurseries too and the ladies in both of them seemed very loving and caring which is a must!!  

The one thing we are having to get used to is simple but HUGE too...these churches are not FUMC.  FUMC has been in existence since 1839 an in its current location since 1910.  It is an old and beautiful church full of history and stained glass.  They have an amazing choir who often receive standing ovations for their performances.  It is a large congregation full of ALL kinds of diverse people from young families to seniors and from power executives to the homeless man on the street.  They have a heart for service and give so much back to our city.  Oh yeah, and they have Dr. Wende, who I think is one of the best preachers and speakers ever.  He was that way of capturing your interest every time and making you think he is talking to you.  We had the pleasure of doing several different bible studies with him and his wife and just think they are the greatest so of course its hard to leave that.  

So these new churches have a lot to live up to!  And we are also finding that "traditional" worship services aren't the main attraction out in the burbs either.  The churches we are visiting have large campuses so we know there are people there and we have seen them all before the services, but they are not in the traditional 11am service.  It seems "contemporary" worship is the thing out here.  Both churches when we have asked where we would find most people like us worshipping at (that being young marrieds with kiddos) we were told the contemporary services.  We went and peaked at both places after the services were over and they are quite the set ups with full bands and all. I guess we will be venturing out and trying these too.  I listen to a lot of contemporary Christian music so I am not opposed to that, I am just used to the good old hymns!  

Anyway, its been fun visiting so far and we are looking forward to finding our new home and a place for Zachary to grow up in the faith at!