Church Shopping

Here's an update on the church shopping. Maybe you guys can give some insight.

Church #1: Southwest church http://www.southwestchurch.org/

The church is about 10 yrs old, meets in the YMCA near our home, and has a lot of stuff
for kids. They have small groups, women's studies, and studies about growing closer in Christ
toward spiritual maturity. I was wondering why they had not started their building yet until
I happened by their building model and discovered the cost of their projected building plan
was over $2 million. They have a youth minister, worship minister, and praise team. First
impression concerns I have are: Caleb's class seemed to play more than anything, John
looked like he was out of his element, and although all the people came and welcomed us, it
seemed proper, more like a business luncheon. (Laid-back, but upper class) We have only
been there once, and VBS is this coming week, so I plan to take the kids to see more about
them. Things that interest me are the fact that they are constantly doing new things to teach
and feed their flock. They seem to support and encourage a deeper relationship with Christ.
Fundamentally sound, they believe in baptism, communion every week, and stuff like that.

Church #2: Springboro Christian Church (no website)

We went on the last Sunday of the month, and the kids were with the parents in main church
service, so Caleb and Brett didn't get to see what their church service would be like. Caleb said he was "bored to tears". They had a praise team, power point, and a very nice facility with lots of room. From what I could tell, their fundamentals are sound and they encourage fellowship with other christian churches nearby. They were having a concert that afternoon. The minister had a very deep voice and it was wonderful to hear him sing. I think John felt at home more here, but since the youngest person I saw in worship that day was in their late 40's early 50's other than a few kids...it screamed old-fashioned to me. People greeted us afterward, but it seemed like the senior citizen hang out to me, so John felt right at home.

Church #3: South Dayton Church of Christ www.sdchurchofchrist.org

By far, the most friendly. Everyone tried to welcome us and make us feel at home. That part
felt like New Life. They were having a pot luck after church to fellowship with each other. They do that the first Sunday of every month. Their missions team had just gotten back from a mission trip and were sharing about all their experiences. The have a minister and children's church. Caleb liked it, but still liked the first church better. Brett said he liked this one the best. John seemed to talk and share with the people that came up to him. The minister had a good sermon. I don't know whether they have small groups or anything like that, but I know they commented on Communion every week and baptism for the remission of sins. Here's the catch...it was a non-instrumental Church of Christ. I have only seen one of them one other time, when I was a little girl and we went to one while on vacation. The singing was beautiful though, the women all sang parts. Which that is funny to me...if you are non-instrumental, why does your power point of the songs include notes? Do they listen to music on the radio? Why don't they believe in piano or instruments? Do they judge those that do? It kind of screams legalism to me. I need to know more before I can really say.

So any thoughts or inputs? John says we should visit them all again, and then go from there and I think that is a good idea. Pray that the Lord leads us to where we can grow and serve the best for his glory.