New Ames church

**stateofmind** · 03-04-2013, 09:01 PM

Not sure how many people on here are looking for a new church in Ames, but the demographic data suggested that 80% of the Ames community didn't have a church they called home. Our church, ridgelife.org, was part of planting this new church, renewames.org. Our church and a few others in the metro were planted by Meredith Drive church in Urbandale.

Some of our congregation left our church to help them get going. The pastor is young and seems to love what he does. I think our church is the best, but this group will do good things I'm sure. They worship at the Ames middle school on Sundays at 10 AM. You can watch his sermons online if you would rather not go to church in a gym, or would like to see what they are like before attending. I know it wasn't something I would've done, but so glad I did 7 years ago in Ankeny.

As a Cyclone fan we all need something to calm us down

**CyCrazy** · 03-04-2013, 09:12 PM

The wife and I with our new addition have been attending Bethesda Lutheran regularly now and plan on joining there. I really like the pastor there.

**BooneCy** · 03-04-2013, 09:49 PM

We drive down to Lutheran Church of Hope from Boone every Sunday. We love the church, but the drive is tiring. I had no idea this church was there. I don't know if I am interested in leaving Hope, I love that church. But, it is nice to have a closer option at times. I'll have to check out the online services.

**mtowncyclone13** · 03-05-2013, 10:46 AM

As a Catholic I was unaware people sought out new churches based on pastors. I thought there was a church in your denomination and you just went. When they get a new priest so be it. Interesting.

**smbhawk** · 03-05-2013, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by stateofmind

Not sure how many people on here are looking for a new church in Ames, but the demographic data suggested that 80% of the Ames community didn't have a church they called home. Our church, ridgelife.org, was part of planting this new church, renewames.org. Our church and a few others in the metro were planted by Meredith Drive church in Urbandale.

Some of our congregation left our church to help them get going. The pastor is young and seems to love what he does. I think our church is the best, but this group will do good things I'm sure. They worship at the Ames middle school on Sundays at 10 AM. You can watch his sermons online if you would rather not go to church in a gym, or would like to see what they are like before attending. I know it wasn't something I would've done, but so glad I did 7 years ago in Ankeny.

As a Cyclone fan we all need something to calm us down

I am actually a member of Meredith Drive Reformed Church. Our pastor of 30 years just retired this year. Renew's pastor is his son. (A Johnston grad) Should be a great addition to the Ames Community and I wish Renew the best. Please check it out and support this new ministry.

**Cyclonin** · 03-05-2013, 11:56 AM

I grew up going to Meredith Drive Reformed my whole life (moved to Texas recently and searching for something similar). I absolutely loved it. As the post above states, Tony Vis retired, but he literally changed MDRC for the better and with all the "branches" lately, it seems to be touching a lot of people. Its a great service, and if you can be uncomfortable trying a new church, I have never felt more comfortable going into a church the first time.

Great for kids, young adults, and the old folks too.

**CtownCyclone** · 03-05-2013, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by mtowncyclone13

As a Catholic I was unaware people sought out new churches based on pastors. I thought there was a church in your denomination and you just went. When they get a new priest so be it. Interesting.

Same here. Although I now live in a location with a multitude of parishes from which to choose. What a new experience!

**cyrevkah** · 03-05-2013, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by mtowncyclone13

As a Catholic I was unaware people sought out new churches based on pastors. I thought there was a church in your denomination and you just went. When they get a new priest so be it. Interesting.

It is nice to see what other people think about it. When we were looking for a church we were told to look for certain things:
1. Do you believe what that church teaches
2. Do you see the members living it out
3. Are their ministry options/classes/activities that you desire such as kids things/teens/adult...

There are also side issues like do you care what style of music or preaching they use. Do you care how they outreach to others.

But I think the most important factor for anyone is the question if the members greet you and genuinely try to get to know you. Do they care about you? I think it takes several visits to really know.

**CycloneErik** · 03-05-2013, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by mtowncyclone13

As a Catholic I was unaware people sought out new churches based on pastors. I thought there was a church in your denomination and you just went. When they get a new priest so be it. Interesting.

To paraphrase my Catholic brother, it's all different over here on the Proddy side.

**mtowncyclone13** · 03-05-2013, 12:14 PM

Yeah, that concept of "fellowship" is not as active in Catholic parishes. Many parishioners get involved but many more just show up at mass once a week without talking to anyone and leave it at that.

**CycloneErik** · 03-05-2013, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by mtowncyclone13

Yeah, that concept of "fellowship" is not as active in Catholic parishes. Many parishioners get involved but many more just show up at mass once a week without talking to anyone and leave it at that.

You should read Philippians. Or, more likely, they should

**mtowncyclone13** · 03-05-2013, 12:24 PM

I went to a few SALT worship services when I was in college and the music and preaching was wonderful but I felt, based on conversations with the people there, that there was a lot of judging going on. Not to say all "proddy" churches are like that, I've been to Lutheran churches before with no problem but those experience with SALT kind of soured me a bit. As has been mentioned in other threads, Catholics don't really get "preachy" with others; they kind of do their own thing. Catholic fellowship is like that as well.

I like being Catholic - a constant guilt trip makes a man live holy :o)

**3TrueFans** · 03-05-2013, 12:24 PM

Pick the one that uses the best wine.

**mitten1975** · 03-05-2013, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by CycloneErik

To paraphrase my Catholic brother, it's all different over here on the Proddy side.

Not with all proddies. I detest free market religion. Christianity should be about getting along with people whether you like them or not. That means joining a church that will connect you with people and issues you do not agree with. Therefore, I would join a Catholic church, before joining an independent church. I hope someday, all those churches that believe in connecting, will overcome ideological differences and join together. That happens to be what the early church tried to do. That is the Catholic spirit.

**NickTheGreat** · 03-05-2013, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by mtowncyclone13

I went to a few SALT worship services when I was in college and the music and preaching was wonderful but I felt, based on conversations with the people there, that there was a lot of judging going on. Not to say all "proddy" churches are like that, I've been to Lutheran churches before with no problem but those experience with SALT kind of soured me a bit. As has been mentioned in other threads, Catholics don't really get "preachy" with others; they kind of do their own thing. Catholic fellowship is like that as well.

I like being Catholic - a constant guilt trip makes a man live holy :o)

Not to start a Holy War, but are you saying Catholics aren't judgmental?

Oh wait . . . I should have said