While the church that you will likely find, join and get involved in will probably not be like your church on the mission field, it will still be one of the greatest sources of spiritual influence and social encouragement in your life during this transition.  One cannot underestimate the importance of choosing a good church during this phase of life.  This section will remind you of both the practical and biblical considerations that you must work through while looking for a church.

Important Points When Choosing a Church:

• Why is church involvement so important?    
• What should I expect from my future church?
• What should I look for in a church?
• How can I prepare for culture differences in my new church?
• What does the Word of God teach me about church membership?
• I found a good church, what now?

Church will not look the same as it was on the mission field.

Service structure will be different.

• Services may be longer or shorter than you are used to.
• Music will likely be different from what you are used to.

Church members will be different.

• People will be new, and therefore it will take time to establish new relationships.
• People will likely be different in their behaviors, preferences, and such.
• Resist the temptation to change churches frequently.  TCKs are often restless and feel they need to constantly change something.  Relationships and connections take time to develop but will allow you to reap great rewards by doing so.

Church Culture will be different.

• Friendliness and Physical Contact – American church members often greet one another differently than they do in other countries.  Remember, differently is not necessarily better or worse.
• Traditions – perhaps you are accustomed to being in church services and fellowship for an extended period of time on Sunday.  Often, you will not find that in America.  Instead, consider gathering with friends afterward to develop those relationships.

You will very likely not be the “superstar” missionary anymore.

• For years you have gone into churches and have had all eyes on you. While some may have enjoyed that, others may have been less thrilled about it. When you join a church in America, that same level of attention may or may not exist in the beginning, but even if it does, it will be short lived because you look American.

Important things to remember as you consider a new church:

• Pray about the location of your church membership
• Be open to preferential differences
  • Do not compromise on any fundamental truths according to the Word of God.
  • Do be willing to compromise on preferences in regard to church ministry.
• Ask your parents and Christian leaders for advice on choosing a church.
• Withhold judgement as you consider churches.
• No church is perfect, every church is filled with sinners, and therefore we must show some level of grace as we consider different churches.