CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 15 faith FoR tHE Shopping Right Church By Michael W. Safley T here are no magical answers in choosing the correct church for you. Although, there are some practical ideals in which one should consider in this process. Choosing a church to meet you and your families spiritual needs is a critically important aspect to think about. Finding a church where you feel that you belong will help you find true meaning and pur- pose in this world. ere are two things that are of utmost importance that you should focus on when looking for a church. For one, the church should follow the church should follow the scripture and teach- ings of Jesus Christ. Secondly, you should feel truly welcomed into the church community you choose. A church should focus on acceptance rather than condemnation. e church should show love and care to all its members, just like Jesus Christ did, no matter where you are from, what you wear and how you look or any other aspects that set us apart from one another. Another important aspect to consider is whether or not the church has a program for children and youth that is staffed by highly skilled and trained professionals who are all grounded in the faith. e church you choose should be an inspirational and passionate one where the voices of the clergy are prophetic in word and mind. Person- ally, I would recommend you to attend a church that is diverse. at is what life consists of – all of us are different in our own special ways. Ultimately, I believe this will help people value the true meaning of life, for everyone will be able to look and feel the way they want as well as be able to look at things from all different perspectives. Going a step further, I believe that a progressive church is ra- cially and culturally di- verse as well. is will give us an opportunity and a faith experience like what is prevalent in the real world today. If I were choosing a church, I would choose one where the music faypwc.com Start with Safety Haul out the holiday boxes … pick the perfect tree… PWC reminds you to make "safety first" part of your decorating tradition. • Make sure lights and decorations have the UL seal – and electrical decorations outdoors are labeled for outdoor use • Don't handle lights while they're plugged in • Don't string too many lights together or overload sockets • Never use frayed or damaged cords • Keep trees watered • Keep ladders away from power lines • Always unplug lights when you leave home or go to bed • Miniature lights are safer – and, they use less power For more safety tips, visit PWC's website.

• Cover