Slim pickins for local church?
Q: I live in a small area, or there's only predominant cult "churches" here 😬, plus I work on Sunday. Is it okay to do church online in this case? I am a teen and really stuck right now.
1. Do a quick search with a solid church finder such as here.
2. Find out there is a Christian [conservative protestant] home school co-op in your area. If so the parents there will know if there are any home churches or church meeting in a different building due to small number of members, or a solid church nearby.
-Interesting fact. Most churches in USA actually average 70 people ...
- So it makes sense they wouldnt take on the high cost expenses of a church building until they have 200-400 members or more.
Try a reputable Christian Home School Co-op search page and inquire of those folk some recommendations.
-You can also do similarly as #4 below for further poking around based on recommendations.
3. Try using an online yellow pages.com type search to see if any are in your area.
-You can also do similarly as #4 below for further poking around based on recommendations.
The next option is a little bit tricky...
4. If there are any public colleges in your area [not associated with the cult], look at the school website and find out if they have a Christian club. * Find the Christian club on facebook.
> See who the admin's are.
-Poke around on their profile and see if they are a conservative Christian, who posts sermons, quotes and obviously actual Christian content.
- If so contact them and ask where a biblical Christians gather in this town and county. And go from there.
*Email and call the club contact listed on the school website.
This way you hear from 2 different people. And ask for help locating a couple solid protestant churches in the local or greater area.
If anything, if theyre predominantly conservative Christians there, you can at least ask to attend the club, & go to the club meetings.
Use discernment:
Stay away from the boys. Not everyone who attends clubs or churches are saved, and men prey on young women. Never be alone with males nor leaders there. Try to stick close to the club women there trustworthy and well respected, for added safety. Leave with the girls, and have someone escort you to your car or transportation.
My parents visited Utah for my sisters home school event in the 90s and they were surprised there were actually Christian churches in the area they went to. So there are some there you just need to poke around a bit to find out. Fortunately the digital era is here and you have multiple ways to find them 😀 now.
5. Since you work, you must have access to transportation, so you might not need to worry about how to get there and home, but on the topic of working on Sunday; prioritize God & reschedule your work. This has solid advice on that.
(*Come back to this page after you review it, to see the rest of the info below).
4. If there really are none and not within an hour (with you, parents driving you or someone at that church commuting also there) then you will need to
1. Look for a (qualified) church home nearby.
2. If you cant drive every Sunday or take transit 1-2 hrs away [to a solid Bible focused church]...Try to drive at least 1x a month to a church closest to you (even if a 1-2 hr drive). That way you are still purposely intentionally gathering w the Saints/Brethren.
Go for sure on Holy holidays, and to picnics and fellowships that you can.
It might not work in winter months, in some states. Nor super rainy days sometimes. Strive to get yourselves there.
Also, try to invite a group from the church, [with Bible study/Sunday School leaders approval], opening your home for a 1x a month fellowship and Bible study night. Led by an approved godly man from the church. This can help keep you connected and accountable to not become complacent.
Try to attend Conferences that church and its associated churches put on during the year. It also helps you meet new folk, and those of members at the church. Theres mens group, womens group, specialty conferences etc.
3. When you cant go, do as elderly, hospitalized & homebound do... use the internet, but
> do watch the "live stream" if possible because it includes the music portion (fuller worship service).
Other sermons as studies and etc during the week are good supplementally but a full worship service is best.
When your life season or situation changes, such as a move, you can begin going faithfully to a local church.
More resources for believers can be found here. Great stuff in there.
God bless!
