Choosing a Church

We shop for fitness programs, tax consultants, daycares, you name it - so why not shop for the right church home?  Maybe you're a person who needs to visit several churches many times.  Or perhaps you can settle into a comfortable church home in only a visit or two.

Before you decide, you might ask yourself how you feel when you sit down in the pew.  Is the church itself a comfortable setting for your particular spiritual journey?  If you plan to be a regular church attendee, is the church a manageable distance from your home?

If music is important to you, find out about the music program and whether the parish offers the opportunities you need.  You may also want to find out about the Sunday School program and adult education opportunites.

Every church has its own flavour and each pastor her or his own unique communication style.  Each time you attend a service you are, in a way, inviting others into your life for that hour or so.

Is the sermon message accessible?  Do you carry away a few thoughts to mull over during the week?  It's impossible to deliver a great sermon every week, but it's not unreasonable to expect to receive a meaningful message from the sermon on a regular basis.

Church shopping is a good time to reflect on your own spiritual journey.  If St. Mark's is your choice, you'll enter an open Christian community that welcomes people from all walks of life.