Looking for a New Church-Part 1

So, as we (my husband and I)  had decided that for this stage of life we needed "the Palm Tree" (ie warmth and the Gulf of Mexico environment) for at least a few months of the year; we knew that a foundation for intentional living would be finding a church. We wanted to be part of a church where we could be actual members, not simply permanent visitors.
Let me back up a moment; whether or not you live overseas; if you are a Christian, I believe you need to be part of a church. To me, it is an observable part of a commitment- to belong. At birth, your parents may take you to the church they have decided is best for the family. From ages 20-40, you may discover whether or not your parent's church is the one for you; and wherever you live you are often looking for a faith community that will help you pass on your faith to the next generation.

From 40 to 60, you see what your children make of your previous church decisions. In the next twenty year stage of life (60- 80), I like to call it the "Sage Stage;" you can have an opportunity to gather what wise counsel you have about you and choose to do something with what you have learned.

Key questions I have when praying, concerning this stage of life (as a global nomad), is asking Father God just where He wants me/us to be in fellowship with other believers. Where does Father God want us to be, to worship, to share His wisdom, share what we have learned about Him; at this stage of our lives? Is the church our tribe?

If we grow up in the same place all our life, we might remain in the church of our forefathers. Those of us who have lived in several countries around the world, have often found no church that remotely resembled a family of origin fellowship. We have had to chose/not chose a new, and often very different place of worship.

When I was head of Childtrack Ltd, I often had clients who were moving into London and searching for what would be the family's new place of worship.

"In Hong Kong, we were Anglican. In California we were Vineyard. Maybe this time Methodist?" was a usual response to my asking if they had a faith base. All I knew was that families that moved from one country to another who found a church seemed to have a smoother move.

Though we still continue to learn, at the Sage Stage we need to check what wisdom we have gained by being a disciple of Jesus Christ all these years, and see where we might worship and serve and share.

Question: Have you ever made an unusual choice of church when living overseas?

Sage Stage Teaching: Hebrews 5: 12 ...................by this time you ought to be teachers..