We spent recent months traveling through the eastern U.S., visiting various congregations along the way, which proved exhilarating and interesting.
In all, we worshiped God with 13 churches in 10 states.
Bottom line: It’s great to meet with our church family — but sometimes difficult or impossible to do so.
Typically, we search the web before arriving in an area. We look for nearby churches and examine their websites — if they have one. Some congregations have no internet presence or a website last updated years ago. Others have only a social media page, which may or may not be up to date. Some have excellent websites with photos, maps and plenty of information. But an astonishing number of churches hold their service times as an enduring mystery.
In four places, we reached out via email or phone for this information. Twice our inquiries went unacknowledged. Twice we received an email detailing service times. One was terse, along the lines of: “Hello, we meet for Bible study at 9:30 and worship at 10:30. [Sender’s name.]”
If possible, we go by the building before a scheduled service. Often a sign lists service times that are different from those on the church website. In one case, Sunday morning worship was listed at one time on the website, a different time on social media and yet another time on the sign.
Chris and Connie Stinnett
One Wednesday evening we arrived at the time on the sign and walked into the middle of a Bible class. They had changed the time from 7 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. but did not amend their sign. Another evening we entered the parking lot a few minutes before the designated time to find people pouring out of the building. One person unapologetically laughed and said, “Oh, we’ve just finished!”
Once we found a congregation on the internet and put the address into GPS. Eventually GPS advised us that we had passed the building. We turned around and looked for anything that looked like a church.
We finally saw a small sign that read “[Location] Church of Christ” with an arrow pointing up the road. The name was different than the one we had been seeking. But we traveled up the hill to find a lovely church building with the name of the congregation for which we first looked.
Members told us that the church’s name had been changed when they built the new building — six years earlier.
Related: Serving Jesus and soft drinks — at 38,000 feet
Some church buildings are easily found, but others seem almost deliberately hidden. Some groups meet in a different part of their building in the evening — and you’re expected to know that.
If people want to visit your congregation, will they be able to do so? Do you have a website with accurate information about service times, preferred entrances, correct location and directions? What about a phone number or email address — does anyone have the responsibility to check voicemail or email and respond?
In every congregation we’ve visited, we’ve felt warmly welcomed by our church family, one of our great blessings. Unfortunately, people who can’t find accurate information about when and where you gather may be missing out on that experience.
In every congregation we’ve visited, we’ve felt warmly welcomed by our church family, one of our great blessings. Unfortunately, people who can’t find accurate information about when and where you gather may be missing out on that experience.
We hope to see you Sunday!
CHRIS AND CONNIE STINNETT travel full time with the goal of encouraging small congregations. Chris retired from full-time ministry after last serving at the South College Church of Christ in Tahlequah, Okla. He now preaches and teaches for no charge. Contact Chris at [email protected] and Connie at [email protected].
