Just-A-Tho't On Finding A New Church

Have you ever tried to find a new church?  Moving to a new community can make things a little stressful, and the US Army makes that a frequent event in the lives of those who serve.  Finding a church like the "one back home" is often impossible.  The congregation isn't of the same makeup, the preacher is too loud, long, boring, or just not the same as the one before.  The whole thing doesn't feel the same - and so many here in Hinesville simply do not attend church at all.  And it doesn't matter, anyway they say, because it won't be long before they are shipped out somewhere else. 

 

I remember my early days in the Army.  I had an experience similar, but it cured me of that line of reasoning real quick - and my wife helped me through it.

 

Jane and I were moving from Ft. Stewart (where we fell in love with our church in Savannah - that is the people) to San Antonio, TX.  Our first Sunday there we went looking for a church.  There was a particular "denomination" we were looking for, and so that narrowed our choices considerably as there were only two or three in the whole city.  We'd scouted around on Saturday, and come Sunday morning decided to try this particular one out, even though it was in a run-down neighborhood.

 

That particular Sunday morning, as we drove up, we saw a black family on the porch of the church building, and several large vehicles (Cadillacs, etc.) much like the ones the blacks of the neighborhoods were driving at the time.  While I'm not one to be prejudiced, I wasn't interested in being the only white person in a black church.  It was bad enough being new, but I would stick out even more that way, and I wanted nothing of the sort.  You see, not only was I white, I was a "redneck," wearing a big belt buckle, cowboy hat, and boots!  The only thing I had going at the time was that I wasn't chewing a wad of tobacco (I'd quit that a few months earlier).  I looked across my pickup truck to Jane and shook my head "No!"  and drove on back toward the interstate to head toward the next church on our list.

 

Since the next church was across town, we would be late getting there, and that would make us stick out, too, Jane convinced me to give this church a try.  Her reasoning was impeccable for a person who is trusting Jesus Christ with his life:  Since Jesus brought us here, who are we to say "No" to Him?  My heart was stung with the sudden realization that I was simply being selfish, not faithful.  Besides, if Jesus can be rejected by a crowd, I could, too!  So I turned around just before getting on the interstate and we went back.

 

But when we got back, you'll never guess what I saw!  A large Suburban that looked like it just came off the ranch!  I thought, "There might be hope that someone inside is like me.  Maybe this isn't so bad."  We went in, and sure enough, I easily spotted the driver of that Suburban for his belt buckle, bolo tie, and cowboy boots.  His plaid shirt with Mother of Pearl snaps only made me certain of it!  I was in hog-heaven being in church with "My Kinda' Folks!" 

 

We sat down in the back and observed.  There were people from Jamaica, Mexico, Texas Ranchers, even school teachers and city-slicker accountants.  There were blacks, whites, Hispanics, islanders, and Asians.  The racial mix was far from what appeared at first.  Jane and I grew to love those folks, and though my San Antonio hitch was only five months long, we still communicate with those dear saints.  They encouraged me, helped me to grow in Christ, and were an important part of my spiritual development.  I truly believe the Lord sent us there.

 

What would have happened if we had simply stayed out of church?  We had every excuse - short stay, not like home, etc.  And the Lord blessed Jane and I as she was pregnant with Lisa at the time.  The saints were and still are wonderful folks.  I wouldn't want to think that I would have forfeited a real Divine blessing just because I was too selfish and fearful to trust the Lord with the church He wanted me to be part of while I was in San Antonio.

 

To all you looking for a church, I lovingly say, give up on the idea that you'll find one just like back home.  But don't give up on the idea that the Lord wants you therefore to stay out of church.  He is probably putting you in that situation to help you become closer to Him and to grow up in your faith.  You'll miss the blessing if you don't trust Him and put Him first - over yourself and your fears.