I hate the phrase “church shopping” because it sounds so consumeristic. Like it or not, corporate America and North American Christianity have more in common than I care for but that’s not the purpose of this blog. Since June of ’08, church shopping is exactly what my family and I have been doing.
I started close-to-home by hitting most worship services in Francesville. I went to at least one church in the towns north, south, east, and west of us. Every church was extremely friendly and hospitable; however, we simply sensed our search needed to extend beyond Francesville and surrounding towns. We ventured to Monticello, a 25 mile drive, where I visited two churches on more than one occasion. Both places showed promise but the family vibe told me to keep looking. Besides, the thing I liked most about attending a church in Monticello was making our weekly trip to Wal-Mart on our way home from church. (No one is at Wal-Mart around 10:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning.) Not a very good reason to attend church there.
Now from time to time I jump on Johnson Bible College’s web site to see the job postings for area churches. I first hit the youth ministry positions, then the associates, then the preaching (not that I am all that interested in such a position) and finally the music ministries. There I saw a brand new church plant in Lafayette looking for a part time worship leader. I went on their website where I found enough information to know this place could be a place I would to like to be (either on a volunteer basis or part-time staff.) Lafayette, however, is 40 miles away from my home. That’s 80 miles round trip just to attend church! I really didn’t like that idea but I drive that twice a week to attend school…why not make one more trip to attend church. So I sent a resume and a few emails.
Nothing really happened until I showed up to a worship service. That Sunday happened to be their Grand Opening into their newly remodeled downtown rental space which was once an Italian eatery. Two weeks later I was asked to play along with the worship band. Two weeks after that I was asked if I would like to officially start a partnership with the church as their worship leader. I gladly agreed.
The church is called Connexion Christian Ministries. Go HERE if you would like to learn more. I’ll be writing more about this unique church in upcoming entries.
2 comments:
Chad, I did not know I was a church shopper with you. I'm so glad you have found and church and looking foward to attending with you some Sunday. Mike Tiede
Post a Comment