Clyde and I continue our search for a church in Jackson where we can be both completely ourselves and completely welcome. This past Sunday, we attended Galloway United Methodist Church, and enjoyed the services. (Clyde didn’t even doze off during the sermon … and that’s saying something!)
Our extended search for a spiritual home has given me one of those million-dollar ideas that I always have first, but rarely have time to follow up on. What if there were a web-based review site … for churches?
I mean, think about it:
– You could search the database using all kinds of handy criteria: distance from your home, denomination, service times, number of services, congregation size, etc.
– Each church in the database would get its own mini-profile, containing the names of the ministers, contact information, service schedules, mission statements, etc.
– You could supply cool tools — like a “traditional/conservative vs. progressive/liberal” slider that filters out congregations that lean too far left or right.
– You could note whether a congregation offered nursery facilities, youth programs, a family life center, a drama ministry, a choir, missionary efforts, handbell choirs, etc.
– You could score churches on friendliness, formality, cliquishness, gay-friendliness, multi-culturalism, etc.
– You could post your own mini-reviews, detailing your experience there, or respond to the reviews of others.
– You’d make money from Google Adwords related to Bibles, bible study, religious bookstores, etc.
Ah, if only I had unlimited time and energy! I would get some seed money, hire a coder or two, and make RateMyChurch.com a reality. 🙂
There is a database being developed: http://www.welcomingchurches.com that is trying to compile a list of at least gay-friendly churches.
David
Hey, I own ratemychurch.com. Contact me if you would like to join the project. Still in the idea stage, but I am looking for some people to help me implement.
As I noted in the entry … I could only participate in this if I had access to unlimited time and energy. 🙂
Currently, I’m forced to work on a limited number of projects of my own.
That said: good luck with the site! When you get something going, drop me a line.