How To: Find a Church

Sponsored by Trial and Error

1.  Take a recommendation from someone at your home-church. The second day in your new city, check the website and excitedly show up for the evening service. Find out the website is wrong so take some time - an hour - to sit outside and talk to the (overly) friendly homeless man with a vivid imagination and fabulous style. Excuse yourself to the loo to avoid having a panic attack in public once the doors do open. 

2. Google international megachurch names to see if any are in your city. Bus 40 minutes and attend service in a gorgeous theatre. Love the music (yes, it's THAT church) but scratch your head through the sermon as the pastor keeps saying "I think you get what I mean." No? 

3. Decide to go for a run. Only in your new city there are these formations called hills.  Notice that the lady looking at you with sympathy as you go panting by is standing on the stoop of a church. In your neighborhood! Sleep in and miss the service that week but drag yourself out of bed the following. Make the unfortunate realization that it might just be Bilbo Baggins preaching the sermon and try to shake it the whole rest of the hour. 

In upcoming episodes...

4. Try Anglicanism 

5. Visit a church in the same network as your university church

6. Take recommendations from your uni bible study 

Jokes aside, I've been pleasantly surprised at how welcoming everyone has been at the different churches. I hope the church has finally realized what it's like to be a guest! Still on the hunt though so if you know of a modern, evangelical church in the heart of London, I'd appreciate the lead! You might even get to be included in the next installment.