CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

I've concluded that I need to change churches. I don't belong at my old church anymore, and it's not working for me. I've never really picked out a church for myself before. I need to consider not just what church looks like it might be good, but where God would actually have me attend.

I'm looking for prayer. I would also be interested if you had advice regarding what to look for in a church and how to recognize if that is where I should go. Personal annecdotes are also welcome in answering this.

I had this same issue when I started college. I wanted to find a Bible-teaching church in the community. I visited different churches in the area --attended their college groups and their main services. Then I made my decision based on what I felt God was telling me to do. That is how I found my current church by the university. I would recommend you do that --just visit around --a different church every Sunday or two --until you feel God telling you that you should be involved at this church.
Keep us updated on your search. You'll be amazed at how God opens doors and helps you find a great body of Christ.

Just keep in mind, you aren't really "finding a new church", just a new branch office of the same one church you've belonged to since your baptism.

Many people call a congregation their "church family". We may all be part of the same community, children of the same father, but those of your congregation are like your immediate family in this context. Keep visiting churches, at least a couple Sundays for each, until you find the one where you feel "at home".

Between Sundays, I suggest you take a look at church web sites and other resources that give you a sense of what the congregation and denomination in question is like. Not just whether it is a good match for your beliefs, but whether the pastor and community seem to be right for you.

One thing that might help in your search is to make sure you've got a good understanding of what God is leading you to do in the church you'll end up at. It'll be easier to see where God is leading you if you have an idea what He's going to do with you once you're there.