Osler's Razor

I've been in a church transition for several months after leaving a church I had attended for many years.

I look for (1) sound doctrine that is supported by the Bible, a (2) congregation that lives out their faith through love and service, (3) humble church leadership (a) that meets the requirements of 1 Timothy and Titus) and (b) has oversight from either a strong board of elders/deacons or a denominational structure and (4) sincere worship as opposed to going through the motions, and (5) a congregation focused on evangelism.

Though there are some denominations I usually prefer, I don't place that much emphasis on a congregation's stated denomination. This is because I've found that congregations within a given denomination can vary greatly.

The biggest thing I suppose is how a congregation and leadership live out their faith. 1st John tells us that we will know a Christian by their love, and Galatians indicates the fruit of the Spirit which should "grow" in the lives of every believer. Though there will always be some problems in a congregation (we are fallen human beings after all) I grow very concerned if I don't see Godly love and the fruit of the Spirit in increasing measure.

Sorry that was so long, but I hope it helps.
 

Good question! I like Cody's plan. I have found that it is very hard to find one church that has everything I want. I currently go to three churches. I like the preaching and community service focus of a Methodist church, the music at an outreach church, and the community at a Bible church. Where I go on Sunday depends on what I am looking for that morning. Today I feel like wearing jeans to church, so it will be the outreach church.
 

I (the non-church goer) would visit a variety of churches. I also remember from my youth that during the summer a lot of churches have visiting clergy, so it may not be the best time to make a decision. Plus the congregants are also vacationing.

I have no doubt you will find what you need in your new community. It won't be the same but that is ok.
 

I have no idea what to tell you except that if you were a Mormon, you wouldn't have this problem. You could talk to your local leader, give him your new address, and he'd be able to look up your new congregation. You could even find your new congregation on the internet. That's what I did when we moved to Waco.

So, I'm sorry. I don't have any insights or advise to give, unless you want to look up the Mormon congregation nearest to your new home.
 

Stay away from churches that deny that the Holy Spirit can call a woman to the pastorate. This is indicative of a LOT of other (sometimes hidden) problems.
Bob
 

If your looking for a Baptist church in the western burbs of the twin cities, this might work:

http://www.fourthbaptist.org/
 

I think you'll know when you find it. You try out a few, the ones who seem to have things that are important to you, and then you just know.

My starting criteria were:
--Accessible by Metro or bus--very important
--Great music, or very good music
--Commitment to projects that help the poor & disadvantaged in the community
--Varied Christian education program
--Little to no emphasis on pure evangelizing overseas

and I found the right place! What sealed the deal was hanging around the church on the Sunday afternoon after the new members class, long enough to see all the community groups who used the building: AA, a homeless group, and (the deal-sealer) a local group of gay African-American men who had no church home.
 

There are lots of congregations from which to choose in MSP and in its suburbs.

For UCC churches, the website www.ucc.org is a good plaece to start.

Macalester Plymouth (UCC/Presbyterian) might be a fun one to visit. Definitely a more progressive friendly church.

There are large (more than 750 in worship) congreations like Wayzata Community UCC and Colonial UCC in Edina (these two tend more to the conservative theological side).

I have heard many good things about Mayflower UCC in Minneapolis.

Plymouth Congregational Church (not UCC, but a part of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches) is the downtown cathedral from what I know. It was also the home church of Dr. and Mrs. Flair (parents of "Nature Boy" Rick Flair) so that would make it my first visit!

Also being in the land of Norwegian Lutherans, there are many fine progressive (and other) ELCA churches.

Happy visiting!
 

My parents got married in Plymouth Congregational, mentioned by Scott Davis, in 1958.
 

@Swissgirl

Question for you if you don't mind. I noticed that you listed "Little to no emphasis on pure evangelizing overseas" in your criteria.

Do you mean pure evangelizing as opposed to a combination of evangelism and service (relief work) or do you prefer a local church not support overseas evangelism at all?

Please know, I really am honestly curious. I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything.
 

Maybe Seventh and James can start offering a Skype option...