If I had to name one thing I dislike most about moving it would have to be church hunting.  Only once in our various moves has the church hunt been a no-brainer...when we moved to my husband's hometown. 

For many people, church hunting means you only have to look in the yellow pages for your local denomination.  But for us--as homechurchers--it is not that easy.  There isn't a section in the yellow pages that says Home Churches.

The first Sunday we were here, we drove back to our hometown to go to church w/ my mother-in-law.  Driving this far every Sunday is not an option; however.   The next Sunday we attended the church of another MOMYS, but that drive was also 35 mins, and we still have our hearts hoping to find another home chruch.  The next Sunday we were on vacation in Colorado and attended the only church we felt was appropriate in the area.  We attended there last year as well. 

This Sunday, we attended a church located in a strip mall a few minutes from our home.  I had found it on the internet and liked what I read about the church.  It was a small congregation (we really liked that) made up mostly of younger people.  In fact, I would venture to guess that most were younger than us--and we aren't all that old.  No one had as many children as we do, but they were all in awe of us (and we were even missing our oldest!)  The people were all very friendly as well.

However, the one thing that bothered me was the fact that the pastor (who was listed as an elder on the website) was younger than us and had only 1 child who was a baby.   The Bible tell us that deacons and elders should have proved themselves as husbands and fathers b/f being able to care for a flock.  Correct me if I am wrong here, but this young man hasn't had time to prove himself.  I cannot look at his family and deduce what kind of leader he is b/c up to this point, he has had very little to lead.  The fact that he has been to seminary does not make him an appropriate shepherd b/c that is not the requirement God has laid forth.

So, we continue to search.  We have seen a promising possiblity from a sister site to Vision Forum Ministries found here: http://www.visionforumministries.org/projects/ncfic/ 

There is a family listed as 'searching' that we may end up contacting.  Please pray for us as we continue our search for a home church and a church to call home.

ps--Lest anyone think we are totally against a church w/ a building and a pastor, let me clarify the why behind our desire to find a homechurch...the fellowship we were a part of these past 2.5 yrs has been sweet and wonderful and unmatched.  We see so many problems that have arisen in the churches of America simply b/c people have lost sight of the original church laid out for us in Acts.  We desire the simplicity of worship that comes from getting together w/ other believers and exhorting one another, praying for one another, and fellowshipping w/ one another.  We have no need to be "entertained" nor do we have to have a multitude of "programs" to help facilitate worship.  This simplicity seems rarely to be found outside of home churches b/c once a building takes the place of the home, many new problems arise--how to pay the bills, the upkeep of the building, etc.  We also do not believe ONE man should have the burden and the responsibility of taking care of ALL the people in a congregation.  There is much too much stress on the pastors of today to perform or get out of town.  They are expected to be the ones who save souls through their wonderfully laid out and entertaining sermons.  It is time for the men of today's church to step up and lead TOGETHER.  So, that in a very lacking nutshell is WHY we desire to find a home church atmosphere once again.