Day: May 13, 2013

I Think I’ve Found It!

When I first moved to DC, I was comparing everything to Jacksonville-friends/acquiantances, churches, my sorority chapters, things to do, places to go, EVERYTHING!  But I was especially hard on churches.  My home in church in Jacksonville spoiled me.  Not only was I involved with the Step Ministry, the Youth Mininstry, and the Young Adult Ministry, I knew people.  We hung out.  They were my friends.  I even had close relationships with some of the parents of the youth.  I have to admit I was a little intimidated when I moved to DC.  With everything being spread out and having so many options, I didn’t know what to do.

When I decided to stop being a baby and comparing everything to Jacksonville, I began to really consider my options and my desires for the things I needed to make this place home.  I was very specific with my desires for a church home.  I wanted to attend a Baptist church, I wanted a church IN DC-not Virginia or Maryland, I wanted to attend a church that had a weekly Bible study, and I wanted a church that had a number of ministries with which I could get involved.  I thought I found a church.  I enjoyed the message.  The people seemed nice.  It honestly reminded me of my church in Jacksonville.  And I decided to join.  But something happened.  After being told certain people would contact me to schedule my new member classes, I heard nothing.  No one called me, no one e-mailed me. And I admit, I could have easily reached out, but I didn’t want to.  It also dawned on me that eventually, this church was going to move to its permanent location in Maryland.  And yes, while I admit it may be a STUPID reason to not want to go to a church, I feel justified in my decision.  I haven’t been back to that church since.

I found another church I absolutely LOVE.  The pastor is young, there a lot of young people that attend, and they have numerous activities geared towards the young, Christian professional.  Ding ding ding!!!  But, the church has some undesirables.  First, I felt like I was in the club.  Not by the way people dressed or behaved, but because everybody and their momma attends this church.  You had to get there early to get a seat in the sanctuary.  And the parking was ridiculous.  I always had to park a number of blocks from the church, and I jacked up two pairs of heels walking the sidewalk on Sunday mornings.

Since I couldn’t find what I wanted on my own, I decided to reach out to my friends on Facebook.  I was very specific with what I requested-a Baptist church located in DC that preferably had a parking lot.  While I am FOREVER grateful for their suggestions and recommendations, nothing really stuck out to me.  So I was back to my own devices.  I especially wanted a church in DC because I work so far from home, I want to be able to worship close to my house-which means I wont’ be driving 40+ minutes 6 days out of the week.  This weekend, I did my own “research” and found a church.  It was Baptist. It was located in DC.  They had a number of ministries.  And it wasn’t far from my house.  When I got there, I didn’t have to park far from the front doors, and when I walked in, everyone was super nice.  The older ladies talked to me like they knew me.  The message was great, I enjoyed service, and I even saw a face that I recognized.  All in all, it was a great Sunday morning.  The church isn’t super big, but I do get the feeling that most everyone knows everyone.  And it was slightly diverse. I noticed a few non-Blacks in the pews.

So, this may be a bit premature, but I think I’ve found a church home.  Of course I have to attend a few more services to be sure, but I will definitely be going back.  For those of you that pray, please say a prayer on my behalf.  Please pray that if this is the church for me, that God will show me in due time.  Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city!

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