You may be new to the city or new to the church. I know there’s a lot of confusion trying to find out if a church is the one you want to call home. 

I had the same issue when my family and I moved to New Zealand in 2005. I was asked by someone “Why are you wanting to connect with the church you’ve been attending?” 

It was a good question and I didn’t have an answer. So for the first time in my life I went shopping for a church.

You see I had been a pastor for ten years and I told something to people who left my church because of moves or transitions. 

I told them the secret of how to be certain a church is for you. 

But I was in a new place and I completely forgot about that advice. 

And it took me a while to settle in on where I wanted to attend. 

If I had remembered this advice, instead of doing what everybody else does, my family and I would have been settled so much sooner we could have gotten on with the business of making friends and contributing to the church family. 

Instead, I was trying to decide if I could sit under some preacher or if the Sunday School was safe and good from kids, or if the music wouldn’t drive me nuts or if people where friendly enough. 

It was a struggle. Why didn’t I follow my own advice? 

Let me give you the secret on how to be certain a church is for you. 

Pray with the people.

Listen to how they pray.  Can you say “Amen” to their prayers?  Does their heart line up with yours (and God)? 

A lot happens when you pray with others. 

Now I don’t know what you’re going to listen for when you meet with churches to pray. I have certain checklists that I listen for. They may not be what you’re listening for. 

I want to know they pray for each other. I want to know they pray for people not in their church. I want to know they bless their civic leaders. I want to know they pray for their community. I want to know they pray with faith and not fear. I want to know they pray for healing and salvation and help and comfort. 

That’s my list. 

What’s yours? 

Listen, if you want to, come and pray with us, you’re more than welcome. We generally meet every second Monday night in the church building. You may need to check our calendar to make sure it’s on the Monday you want to come.

You don’t need to pray out loud if you don’t want to. You’re welcome to, but you won’t be forced to. Come and listen. 

See if our prayers align with the prayers of your heart. 

Even if they don’t, it would be great to join you in prayer for one night.  

I’m Trevor Lund. I’m a pastor at Kingdom Way Church. Join us for our next GAP prayer. 

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