“Is that Rilo Kiley playing in the background?” I asked my husband. I was overwhelmed by the radical hospitality (and fantastic intro tunes) of this church.
It was a Sunday morning, and our family had wandered into a brand-new local church. The boxes were still freshly stacked in the entryway of our house and we were desperate to find a faith community. We had barely taken a breath and opened a suitcase before the Google search began.
We were looking for a church that would be welcoming to a military family, but also one that was dedicated to the things we valued. We had spent years in a church that we belonged in, but never really felt plugged into and we were determined to find a place to worship that could meet our ever-changing needs as an active duty family.
This church was unlike any church we had been a part of before. It was a mobile church, a church that would set up and take down every week. This body of believers met inside of a skating rink. The pulpit was constructed out of a makeshift stage with PVC pipes holing up bolts of white fabric. It was a no-muss, no-fuss type of gathering. There was no finery and it seemed like everything had been stripped all the way down. All that was left was the invitation into authentic relationship.
The pastor was sporting ripped jeans and button-down flannel. The worship music featured hymns, set to contemporary tunes. The children’s ministry was stocked with workers in bright t-shirts and we were greeted with a hot cup of coffee. It was awesome.
Moments later, when the pastor began to preach, he unpacked large passages of Scripture, verse by verse. I had never heard scholarly teaching of The Word made so accessible. It unlocked the door to biblical understanding for me, pressed me to lean in, and challenged me to rise to the occasion. In the three years we attended this Acts 29 church, we thrived as a family. We plugged in and served, they shepherded our family, and I began to step out to lead in ministry.
The DNA of this church would be deeply embedded in another church that we would help plant on the Gulf Coast. In my time as a church-goer and church planter, I want to share a list of what we look for in a church as a military family, outside of the normal expected ministries- like amazing children’s ministries or youth gatherings.
Expository Preaching
We look for churches that are dedicated to walking through books of the Bible, verse by verse. I’m not necessarily against a good sermon series, but teaching this way allows those listening and learning to hear the meaning of the text within its original meaning and modern application. When churches teach this way, it allows the Scripture to drive the sermon. Scriptures are less likely taken out of context or misused to push opinion or agenda.
Worship
When we study the truth of God’s Word, we begin to see how Holy He is and we are ushered into worship. We search for churches that are intentional about fostering genuine and authentic worship. We prefer more contemporary tunes, but it’s not really the style of music that matters.
Community
Community is the lifeblood of any church. When people are committed to truth and worship together, deep bonds can form. Life’s struggles can be overwhelming, and through community, we can face them from a place of unity. This connected group of people is how we experience God’s grace and His love- through the people around us.
Missions
When truth is the focus, worship is intentional, and community is built, missions is driven outward. Look for a church that is less of a landing place and more of a launching pad. The church- specifically the Sunday service- is a place where people come together to be equipped to be sent out. Missions- sharing the gospel to the four corners- is the mission and purpose of the church. We look for one that rises to the occasion.
We believe that the church is a cornerstone in the life of a believing family. But, so many times, it is hard to find exactly what you’re looking for or where to even begin. Finding a church that values biblical truth, worship, community, and missions can feel impossible. But, take heart. Keep looking. These four things are transformational. Understanding the Bible is key to knowing how to handle some of the challenging circumstances that we face. Worship brings us into God’s presence. Community allows us to walk out our faith together. Lastly, living on mission spurs God’s story and His Kingdom further.
