Why I Chose My Church

[Daniel Knight Sr.]

I am curious, can you give us a short list (maybe 3) of items as to why you chose to join your current church. Besides being curious I am putting together a little visitors package for my church and am trying to figure out what I should or should not include.
Thanks,
Dan Knight
United Church of Cohoes
Cohoes, NY

[Peggy Owens]

I didn't choose the congregation I attend, my daughter did. She was attracted to the youth program, particularly the choir and choir director. She knew a couple of the youth from high school and related well with the Associate Pastor (who directed the youth program).

[Pat Curtis]

Location, welcoming people, and presbyterian , but I have been here 29 years.

[Rob Bullock]

Great question - we've recently moved to a new city and have been visiting churches. The things we're looking for:
* Preaching that inspires us to grow in our faith
* A congregation that is warm, inviting, and also wants to grow
* A solid basis in Scripture and the reformed faith.
That we've found this close to our home is a bonus.

[Daniel Knight Sr.]

After leaving the church I used to go to, I sort of tried out many different churches of various denominations. While they all offered something I liked there was still something missing (possibly within myself).

I tend to be shy and not too outgoing so I needed a church that was very warm and friendly. Along the way I attended a church that had a coffee hour after the service and so I stayed thinking I would meet some of the congregation but as I stood there with my coffee cup not one person came over to say hi and welcome me - so I crossed that one off my list.

I decided to try a Presbyterian church in the next town over (Cohoes); since I had grown up in a Presbyterian church in Tampa FL I kind of missed that old tradional Presbyterian service. The first time I went there I was greeted very warmly by a number of the people there and it really made an impression on me. Plus the sermons was very thought provoking and they tend to be a very bible based belief system.

There are other reasons but I won't bore you with them right now.
Dan

[Nathan Sobers]

I first found my church when I attended a service as part of my decision process to apply for the organist position. As soon as I walked in the door, I was greeted like a long lost brother. That meant a great deal, but what sealed it for me, was the acceptance. My church is a multi-cultural, multi-generational, open and affirming congregation, with a passion for social justice. This often puts us at odds with the Presbytery and the national church, but these folks firmly believe that God calls them to show Christs love to all who enter, regardless of the things that tend to separate us as human beings. I've been there for 16 years and I couldn't imagine worshiping any where else.

[Naphtali Moore]

I truly feel God lead me to my current church. I grew up Catholic. From there I wondered into humanism, universalism then gnosticism. I was always trying to 'find God' on MY terms. My wife was not religious, nor was her family but they always went to Pastor Pettiechord at the local Presbyterian church when they needed someone to officiate. When we were married I was not saved myself, but I something in me knew that if my marriage was going to be successful we could not do it on our own. That God had to be a part of it. So we decided to be wed by Pastor Pettiechord. We lived over 54 miles away. I never thought I would see the church again. But when my wifes grand mother passed away we inherited her house... which is just a few blocks away from the church. I started talking to the Pastor, then attending service. I was saved by Jesus Christ 9/29/07 and Katy was baptized 1/25/09.

When I decided to become an official member I checked out the past history of the church, the national web page and of course I was already attending regularly. I knew the members were loving and the teaching was Biblically sound. The history was inline with and reflected the Bible as well. My one hesitation was the national organization. The first thing that threw me was the listing of abortion and homosexuality as 'social' issues which seemed to deminish the sin nature of these acts. I also come across phrases like, "what does the Bible say about this 'today'" which suggested a derogation from sola scriptura and a post modern or deconstructionist approach to the Bible. While this was a worry to me it also showed me a role I could play. So here I am, praying that God will use me as He sees fit for His Glory. Amen.

[Samuel Van Ram Mawi]

Dear Cohoes

I am Samuel Vanram and I am choosing to join your current for the purpose of the extension of God in Myanmar, and especially since I want to grow the Christs church in Myanmar and to help them developing spiritually and physically. If you allow me to be as your representative in Myanmar,I will be very glad.

[Laurel Posey]

The people were friendly
The Word of God was literally preached
We could be ourselves, (non-invasive fellowship)