The hardest part of looking for a church is not finding one. There are churches on every corner. The hard part is walking into the wrong building alone, again, or getting calls from a welcome team you never asked for. If you moved for work and know nobody, or stepped away after something went wrong, that dread can keep you from starting at all.
We redesigned FaithHaven around that dread. Here is what changed, in the order you would meet it.
Look first, with no account
Type a ZIP code and see the churches near you. You do not need to sign up for anything to look around.
A short profile that asks for an account last
If you want a short list instead of a directory, answer about ten short questions, grouped one topic to a screen. They take about four minutes. The first practical one is where you want to look, a ZIP code or city, because we cannot suggest churches without it. Every other question can be skipped or answered "I would rather not say". You create an account at the very end.
Which questions you see depends on what you tell us. They cover things that decide a Sunday, such as a service in your language, a step-free entrance, and whether doubts are welcome. The children's ages are asked only if you say you are a family or that you need childcare. And one question a listing never asks, whether a church has hurt you before, is asked only if you say you are thinking of going back to church or that your church no longer fits. You do not have to say more than that, and no church ever sees your answer.
A shortlist that names its own gaps
You get a short list, usually three churches. Each one comes with why it fits you. Anything we have not confirmed is marked as not confirmed yet, so you know what to check before you go. If nothing clears the bar, the list says so. We would rather show you nothing than a guess.
What to expect on your first visit
A church's page can have a "What to expect on your first visit" section, written by the church. It is where a church can say what happens, how long it lasts, what people wear, and which door to use. Where a church has not written one, the page says so plainly instead of filling the space.
Introduce me, on your terms
No church learns who you are unless you press "Introduce me." You choose what the church receives, and only those lines are sent. You can withdraw the introduction afterwards.
Plan a visit, privately
When you are ready to try a church, you can plan a visit: pick the day and the service, and choose "Remind me the evening before." The reminder comes by email, with what to expect. Your visit is private, and the church will not know you are coming unless you introduce yourself.
Larger text, a dark background, and Spanish
In the text size settings you can choose larger or largest text, and a dark background, which is light text on a dark page for evening reading. FaithHaven is also available in Spanish as well as English.
FaithHaven is on the App Store
FaithHaven is on the App Store for iPhone. Search the churches near you from your phone.