New Church on the Peoria.com Forums

I am contemplating finding a new church home. I feel it is time to leave the church I have been at since I was a child. I am looking for the following qualities in a church:

1. Diverse (racially, economically, gender)
2. I have no preference in denomination, but prefer a Christian based church
3. Not too large, but not too small
4. Safe--I'm not too concerned about driving to certain parts of town, but I need to feel safe once I'm inside the church.
5. A church that is not a rock concert, but not so boring that paint drying is more exciting.

I've never changed churches in my life and feel pretty uncomfortable, but appreciate any guidance anyone can give.

Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs witness any one of them would be glad to have you.

Riverside. Non denominational, for one, but very much based on the Bible and Following Jesus.
Definitely multi-cultural.
Located in the city, downtown, but VERY safe.

A huge part of the community, being owners of The Dream Center and involved in many aspects of working with the people in the city

Active with a lot of get together's through out the summer, and many community based ministries such as the Weekly discipleship class called The Journey, a singles ministry, a recovery ministry, and has ministries all over the world, etc.

Semi large, with a typical turnout of maybe 100+ people.

Diverse, with not only a somewhat of a legendary pastor, in John King, but has guest speakers often. (Yesterday was Devereaux Hubbard - awesome!)

Yes, they have a band that plays but the music is very spiritually based and usually covers bands like Third Day, Desperation Band, etc.

The best part, the people were warm and welcoming from day 1

HIp--While researching on the internet I saw the 4 church series that Riverside is doing with Northwoods, St. Paul, and I can't remember the last church. What did you think of this approach? Did any of those pastors intrigue you enough to leave Riverside or at least visit their church? Why did you choose Riverside to begin with?

Sorry for all the questions, but finding a new church is a big life change.

No prob. The series is excellent. So far, Devereaux Hubbard is the first to come to Riverside in the series, yesterday, and yeah, he was so good, I definitely have considered visiting his church.

The other church is Richwoods

Westminster Presbyterian on Moss

For reasons I cannot say out loud, I would not recommend Northwoods Community church.

Westminster is a great church but its a pretty large.

I go to Dayspring Native American Christian Fellowship in East Peoria. Its definitely diverse - and open to everyone (including gays). Its a small community but growing. The music incorporates native american drum songs.

Typical song heard at my church:



* This message has been revised.

I'm not a fan of Northwoods, either, but I guess Cal is supposed to be a great pastor. I'll find out next week when he comes to Riverside, but the one time I visited Northwoods, while it's a beautiful church, the people were not so welcoming, like I was used to at Riverside

My parents go to Northwoods. They are some of Its "original members" as it was a spin off of sorts of Grace Evangelical Mennonite Church in Morton which they had attended from the late 50s. One of their biggest reasons is Cal. I've gone with them a few times and I can see why. He does a very good job of bringing across a heart felt, inspirational message with a little wit and humor. Not really recommending the church because I don't know it that well, but they got a pretty good pastor.

My brother and his family go to this church and he recently got married there. The building and grounds are beautiful. It wasn't my cup of tea but I can see why people like it.


@joepyeweed:

@HipKat:

I went to Northwoods numerous times and thoght the Pastor was great and the kids area is awesome but my problem is that it is so big. Part of what I want in a church is a connection with other church goers and I didn't get that at Northwoods.

Redeemer Lutheran

@leslie110:
I heard there was a wedding there recently. I had no idea that was your brother. kewl.

The pastor just retired and they got a new one, so it will be another interesting transition for the small church.

I am considering Northwoods, but the size is a major concern. I don't know if I would do well with a church that has over 400+ people at a service. I've heard good and bad, so I will probably have to experience Northwoods for myself.


@Pock Is Redeemer Lutheran the church on Allen next to the Union Hall and Huck's?

There's never that many. It only holds 250 for one
Normally less than 100

I also like the Universalist Unitarian church on Richwoods. Several of my friends go there and if I lived on that side of the river that is probably where I would go too.