Finding a Worship Service when you are Away from Home
03-16-2016
Author: in RV Tips & Education
Many people find themselves looking for a church while they are on the road. I have been receiving a ton of mail and messages on social media asking for some tips so here you go. Whether you just want to go for that one service or you want to be able to attend church each week regardless of where you are, I have some tips that will help.
Use a Church Locator
Many organizations or denominations have church locators. These can be great if you are a member of a particular denomination. If you don’t know what the locator is for your particular denomination, google “church locator [denomination/organization].” Then you just plug in your location and find a church to attend.
Ask Your Pastor
If you have a home church, ask your pastor if he can recommend a church in the area where you’ll be staying. Of course, if you are a full timer and move around a lot you may not have a brick and mortar home church, but there are other ways!
Ask Your Social Media Friends
Facebook has tons of Christian groups; I belong to a couple. Many times I have seen people come into the group, say they are traveling somewhere, and ask for church recommendations. Usually the others are more than happy to help out and many will even include links to church websites. I belong to an Apostolic ladies group and have recommended churches to other ladies as well as invited ladies to the church where I am at the time. What makes this so good is that often you are not walking into a church where you don’t know anyone – your friend who invited you will be there. It just makes it a little nicer.
Google It
This can be a very tedious method, but it works. Google’s last few updates have really made it more intuitive and user friendly, offering semantic search which totally rocks. All you have to do is type in “[denomination/organization] churches near me.” This works great on your smartphone too. Google sees where you are and sends you a list of churches in that area with links to Google Maps so you can see exactly where they are on the map.
Ask Around
When you get to an area just ask the locals. Being Apostolic, we tend to look a certain way and will recognize each other as being part of the organization (UPCI). We ladies tend to just strike up conversations anyway when we see each other – even if we’ve never met. We talk, I tell them I am visiting the area and ask them about their church. Then when we go I have a friend! Most church people, regardless of denomination, are very eager to invite you to worship with them. All you have to do is open the door and give them the opportunity.
Attend Church Conferences and Rallies
When you hear of any conferences or rallies that are near you, attend them. It will help keep you connected with a body, recharge your batteries, and allow you to network with others of like faith. Usually they are focused on a particular region or district, but you can ask around while you are there and get information on several churches in the area and even other area that you will be visiting.
Truck Stop Ministries
This is actually a collection of independent chaplains who minister to truck drivers. Some move around and others are stationary. The Truck Stop Ministries website is full of information, not just regarding church services but information for people who spend their lives on the road.
Attend a Church that Broadcasts its Services
If attending different churches is too much for you or just not your thing you can always find a church online that broadcasts its services. My husband and I enjoy Pastor Chester Wright from Maryland; he is a phenomenal man of God. That is likely going to be our home church now. I had some friends who traveled for a while.
They moved from Virginia to Georgia and did not have a home church so they chose one in Alexandria, Louisiana. Every Sunday they would “attend” church right there on their computer, praise and worship, sing, pray, everything. That is where they paid their tithes and even got to know the pastor. They did a family Bible study for their midweek service and daily prayer and devotions.
Attending church while you are on the road is definitely doable. It may take a little planning and research, but you can definitely do it.
My Personal Tips for Visiting a Church for the First Time
I’ve visited a lot of churches and these are some things that you may want to keep in mind when you visit a church for the first time.
Use a Church Locator
Many organizations or denominations have church locators. These can be great if you are a member of a particular denomination. If you don’t know what the locator is for your particular denomination, google “church locator [denomination/organization].” Then you just plug in your location and find a church to attend.
Ask Your Pastor
If you have a home church, ask your pastor if he can recommend a church in the area where you’ll be staying. Of course, if you are a full timer and move around a lot you may not have a brick and mortar home church, but there are other ways!
Ask Your Social Media Friends
Facebook has tons of Christian groups; I belong to a couple. Many times I have seen people come into the group, say they are traveling somewhere, and ask for church recommendations. Usually the others are more than happy to help out and many will even include links to church websites. I belong to an Apostolic ladies group and have recommended churches to other ladies as well as invited ladies to the church where I am at the time. What makes this so good is that often you are not walking into a church where you don’t know anyone – your friend who invited you will be there. It just makes it a little nicer.
Google It
This can be a very tedious method, but it works. Google’s last few updates have really made it more intuitive and user friendly, offering semantic search which totally rocks. All you have to do is type in “[denomination/organization] churches near me.” This works great on your smartphone too. Google sees where you are and sends you a list of churches in that area with links to Google Maps so you can see exactly where they are on the map.
Ask Around
When you get to an area just ask the locals. Being Apostolic, we tend to look a certain way and will recognize each other as being part of the organization (UPCI). We ladies tend to just strike up conversations anyway when we see each other – even if we’ve never met. We talk, I tell them I am visiting the area and ask them about their church. Then when we go I have a friend! Most church people, regardless of denomination, are very eager to invite you to worship with them. All you have to do is open the door and give them the opportunity.
Attend Church Conferences and Rallies
When you hear of any conferences or rallies that are near you, attend them. It will help keep you connected with a body, recharge your batteries, and allow you to network with others of like faith. Usually they are focused on a particular region or district, but you can ask around while you are there and get information on several churches in the area and even other area that you will be visiting.
Truck Stop Ministries
This is actually a collection of independent chaplains who minister to truck drivers. Some move around and others are stationary. The Truck Stop Ministries website is full of information, not just regarding church services but information for people who spend their lives on the road.
Attend a Church that Broadcasts its Services
If attending different churches is too much for you or just not your thing you can always find a church online that broadcasts its services. My husband and I enjoy Pastor Chester Wright from Maryland; he is a phenomenal man of God. That is likely going to be our home church now. I had some friends who traveled for a while.
They moved from Virginia to Georgia and did not have a home church so they chose one in Alexandria, Louisiana. Every Sunday they would “attend” church right there on their computer, praise and worship, sing, pray, everything. That is where they paid their tithes and even got to know the pastor. They did a family Bible study for their midweek service and daily prayer and devotions.
Attending church while you are on the road is definitely doable. It may take a little planning and research, but you can definitely do it.
My Personal Tips for Visiting a Church for the First Time
I’ve visited a lot of churches and these are some things that you may want to keep in mind when you visit a church for the first time.
- Check out the Website – I hate to say it, but there are some churches out there that are a little off. Just because it names a particular organization or denomination doesn’t necessarily mean that it is pulled together. The website can be a wonderful help. The first thing I do is look at the website, check their statement of faith to make sure it lines up with what I believe, and poke around a bit to get a feel for it. If something seems off, trust your instincts and find another one.
- Talk to the Pastor or Someone in the Ministry – Call or email the pastor or a member of the ministry to let them know you will be visiting. This is a courtesy and it give you a chance to ask any questions or for them to alert you about any special services they are having or if they will be doing anything out of the norm that day.
- Fill out the Visitor Card – Now you may think “what’s the point?” but it gives you a chance to have a connection in that area so if you return you already know someone there. Write somewhere on the card that you are visiting the area or something to that effect. You will still probably get a call or a card in the mail, but, like I said, that’s a connection.
- Don’t Worry about the Looky Loos – A beautiful component of my faith is our very demonstrative worship. When I am in a church, even for the first time, I put the people out of my mind (there will be curious stares – you’re new) and worship my little heart out. Sing as loud as you want, raise your hands, shout Amen! when the pastor makes a good point – don’t let the newness of the place hinder your involvement and enjoyment of the very reason you are there.
- As a Visitor you aren’t Expected to Tithe – Tithes typically go to the home church. As a visitor you can give an offering, but you are not bound by scripture to tithe at a church where you are visiting. If you feel convicted, by all means give, but don’t feel pressured – that’s not how it works.
- Don’t try to be an Evangelist – Unless you were Invited – This has to be said, so bear with me. There are people who walk into a church for the first time and want to immediately start preaching and counseling the congregation. This is inappropriate – VERY inappropriate. It is rude to the pastor and to the congregation. You are a visitor – just visit. If they invite you to preach then you can rattle the walls.
- Thank the Pastor when you Leave – Shake his hand and thank him for the message. If you spoke with someone else when you initially called, seek them out and thank the once again.
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Author: Stephanie A. Mayberry
