I'm Trying "It" Again...

After months of seeking God for a new church home for our family, I’m pleased to announce that I’m trying it again!

What is “it” you may ask? Formal church membership. Doing life with a new set of believers. Trusting pastoral leadership.

This is my third time trying “it” as an adult.

The first time I was a freshman in college living in a new city. Although it felt daunting, it became an experience that shaped my life in ways I could not have anticipated. Much of what you experience in my teaching ministry today is rooted in what I learned from Bishop during that season—when I began discovering what the Bible actually says, versus what I’d been taught. And I wholeheartedly believe that my prayer life began maturing the day Bishop spoke in my ear and prayed for the healing of my clogged ears.

The second time, I was a new mother of two, navigating postpartum during COVID. That season represented a shift for me. I was no longer simply the “church girl” I’d always been—I was becoming a woman of God actively stepping into ministry. It was also the place I publicly acknowledged my ministry and was ordained as a Minister.

Now, I find myself trying it for a third time—fully convinced of God’s purpose for my life and deeply committed to discovering and possessing all that He has for me.

Still, I would be remiss if I didn’t admit that trying “it” again has not been easy.

Leaving one church and beginning again at another can feel like a bad breakup. The process can mirror many of the symptoms of heartache—grief, sadness, disappointment, even anger. And after walking through some of that emotional pain, I found myself hesitant to try again. It felt almost foolish to willingly place myself in a position that could potentially produce the same outcome.

But this is the tension of being a Bible teacher—I know too much Scripture to allow my decisions to be led by feelings alone.

As much as I tried to convince myself that church membership would not significantly impact my spiritual maturity, I could not ignore Hebrews 10:25: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another—and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

With that conviction, my husband and I made the decision to try “it” again. This time, however, we were intentional about anchoring our decision in the Word of God, not simply in emotion or preference.

At the end of 2025, after visiting several churches and still feeling uncertain, the Holy Spirit brought something back to my remembrance—a resource I created for The Religious Detox.

I used the very evaluation form I designed to help others to now assess our own decision. It allowed us to objectively evaluate how each prospective church aligned with the mission and vision of the invisible Church as described in Scripture. At the same time, it gave us language to consider how a local, visible church would meet our practical needs, expectations, and desires. We evaluated each church based on:

• The biblical purposes of the Church

• The biblical principles of the Church

• The strategic balance of the Church

• The ministries of the Church

• Weekly services and ministry offerings

And because the form was designed to evaluate the ministry—not the people carrying it out—we also leaned into wisdom and sought counsel. We spoke with those familiar with the churches we were considering, asking thoughtful questions about pastoral leadership, family dynamics, and local reputation.

This process was not rooted in pride or personal preference. It was born out of a sincere desire to get it right—to not miss God in such a significant decision, and to follow His leading with both clarity and confidence.

We understood that as much as we were expecting to receive from a church home, we were equally called to sow, serve, and pour into it.

And so, after much prayer, intentional evaluation, conversations with leadership, and confirmation—

I am grateful to share that my family and I have become members of Truth in Love Ministries, under the leadership of Pastors Cobie and Camilla Nesbitt.

Here comes the church.

———

If you find yourself in a season of searching for a church home—or healing from the pain of a previous one—I want to gently encourage you: don’t give up on what God designed to help you grow.

Church hurt is real. It cuts deep, especially when it comes from a place where you expected to be spiritually nurtured and protected. And while it may be easier to withdraw, to build walls, or to convince yourself that you can do this journey alone—Scripture lovingly calls us back into community.

Not because people are perfect, but because God’s design is.

Take your time. Heal well. Invite the Holy Spirit into your process. Ask questions. Use wisdom. Set healthy expectations. And most importantly, allow God—not your past experiences—to shape your perspective moving forward.

Trying “it” again may feel risky, but it is also an act of faith.

And if you let Him, God will meet you there—with clarity, confirmation, and the kind of community your soul truly needs. I’m a witness.