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Faith

‘FaithStreet’ Lets You Search 10,000+ Christian Churches by Music Type, Political Tone & ‘Vibe’

Dec. 23, 2012 9:30am Billy Hallowell

If you’re a believer who regularly attends church — or if you are someone looking to find the perfect place of worship — pause and ask yourself: What attributes attract you to specific churches? Is it music, political tone, programs or location that spark your interests? Of course, these are only some of the elements that generally lead people toward (or away) from specific houses of worship, as most individuals seek out communities that fit their wants and needs.

In today’s world, there are so many denominations and church types that making a decision can be daunting — a process that some might even find discouraging. This is where FaithStreet comes in, an interactive web site that allows users to search for churches using a plethora of indicators.

FaithStreet Connects Christians to Churches Across America | Sean Coughlin

Photo Credit: FaithStreet.com

After looking by location, users can narrow down their options by searching for houses of worship that are tailored to their likes and needs. Also, the site helps churches by providing them with an online presence and helping them harness the power of the web — something that many faith communities have not yet mastered. The nifty web site concisely describes its mission:

FaithStreet is a digital outreach platform for churches. Before FaithStreet, churches struggled to reach people looking for a new church online. Now, FaithStreet gives churches a beautiful web presence, where people will find and connect with them every day!

As of Dec. 23, FaithStreet currently lists nearly 10,400 churches located in 3,352 cities across America — paving the way to easily helping millions of Americans easily find a Christian house of worship.

A screen shot from FaithStreet.com

TheBlaze previously described the effort as ”Yelp meets Match.com meets the Yellow Pages” — an assessment that combines all of its useful features. In September 2011, when we first featured the start-up, founder Sean Coughlin (he co-founded the site along with Ryan Melogy) noted that the platform was exclusively for New York City’s church community, however it has expanded nationally over the past few months and is quickly gaining steam.

The concept — a novel one — is relatively simple, which makes it all the more applicable and useful.

“If you’re a church leader, you can create a basic profile of your church – pictures, member testimonials, service times and information — characteristics about your church [and] what it believes,” he told TheBlaze.

On the flip side, if you’re looking for a place to worship, think of FaithStreet as the ultimate search engine for finding the perfect fit for your sensibilities. After all, the web site’s founders believe wholeheartedly that there is a specific church available for everyone — it’s just a matter of finding it.

“We connect people to churches based on the kind of network they’re a part of,” Coughlin said. “A lot of people are looking for a church that’s more conservative or progressive. Our goal is to build out search to better match peoples’ personalities.”

The FaithStreet co-founder shared with TheBlaze some of the top reasons, based on his research thus far, that Americans choose houses of worship. Among them: the type of music that is offered, language, the vibe (i.e. the look and feel of the church and congregation) and programs. All of this information — and more — can be found on FaithStreet’s individual church profiles (here’s an example).

Screen shots of testimonials on the FaithStreet.com web site

Not long ago, Coughlin left a career in law to launch FaithStreet and has been working fervently since its inception to spread the word about the useful tool. Discussing the challenges and benefits of running such a unique start-up, he said at first his parents were skeptical (after all, leaving a secure law career for something that might not be so lucrative and stable was a challenge) but now are immensely supportive.

“I think they were a little skeptical when I left a job making six figures [to create] a tech start-up that focuses on churches — which is a little bit hard for them to understand,” Coughlin said. “But now they’re thrilled. They are faithful people themselves, so I think they understand the impact of what we’re doing.”

And thrilled they should be. FaithStreet is rapidly growing, as the site connects Americans with churches across the country. Looking for a place to attend church on Christmas Eve? Considering using the tool to locate a worship location in your area.

–

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Comments (60)

dangmc
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 10:38pm
I went to the website for this organization, and after checking for a fundamental gospel oriented church in my area and not finding one, I read some of the church reviews. I found while reading the ‘example review’ the words ‘social justice’ struck me; I then noticed they have a partnership with an Episcopal church in NY. I think rather than using a progressive oriented website I would rather do my own research with the help of Google. Most churches have their own website which will explain their theology and style of worship. “Mr. Hallowell, did you get past the ‘homepage’ when researching for this article?”

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- Sweetvabrz
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 1:46pm
  looks like they also have many non-denominational, AG, Calvary type churches and list churches as “Conservative” and “Traditional” …seems like a pretty moderate site, as it should be
  
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- smv803
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 2:22pm
  @ Dang…good advice. I looked for a Bible based, scriptures only church and searched until I found one which I did. We haven’t looked back; we are very happy we found a church with a mix of people from all walks of life. We have found our brothers and sisters in Christ.
  
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- smv803
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 3:26pm
  There are no churches that are conservative/liberal! Either you believe in the Bible and scripture or you don’t. If you do, Then you know the Ten Commandments…the law. The only true law is: who ever believes in Him shall have eternal life. Our goal is to follow and be more like Jesus….what would Jesus do?
  Religion is man searching for God
  Christianity is God seeking out man
  Religion says do
  Christianity says done
  He came for sinners…..He died on the cross for our sins. He was the sacrificial lamb……our God is an awesome God. Thank you Jesus.
  
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GuruMeditation
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 6:17pm
My church is at home.

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universalphilos
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 4:18pm
“This organization is designed, not as a religion; each of you here belong to you own religions, and this is as it should be. This is a philosophy.” http://webspace.webring.com/people/oa/aup/aup-prophecies http://www.angelfire.com/in4/aup_messiah

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NeoFan
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 2:11pm
How about starting your search by getting on your knees and asking your father in heaven to lead you to a church full of truth and love? Just an idea.

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- saranda
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 3:03pm
  Yah, because that has worked so well so far that we have dozens/hundreds of churches all claiming to be the true church. Most are inspired by uninspired men who profit financially or in other ways. I prefer to find a church that is transparent and doesn’t have a business arm.
  
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- Max jones
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 3:45pm
  How about: get down with the books in silent study and contemplation. Do the work, it pays off. Be a monk, not a priest…. learn baby, learn. Keep your first estate. Trust no-one. Read the book of Jude.
  Christ is our Sabbath. Don’t let anybody judge your worship.
  
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- Jezreel
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 3:56pm
  Part of the merchandising for the apostate church. How grieving and lost that is.
  
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- NeoFan
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 4:02pm
  @SARANDA Well just look at the comments. Not a one about exercising some faith and asking God about which church to go to. How can it work for people that have no faith. Or should I say that have no faith in God when it comes to finding a church. I think that is because people dont want a church to commune with God they want a church that allows for them to be fully in the world but lets them fool themselves into thinking that they are following Gods will. Wouldn’t it make sense that you would ask God what church he wants you to go to?
  
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Mojoron
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 1:42pm
Pop culture+religion=shopping for a church. My, how far we have gone.

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HOOT_OWL
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 12:56pm
Moronic comment, very consistent of you.

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sta
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 12:18pm
I have to say, I think this is a valuable service.
Not to find a church but to weed out those I would not attend. If a pastor is preaching Social Justice instead of The Word of God, I prefer to avoid it.
If they are singing John Lennon music, that is the LAST place I want to be.

Both of those example are leading me to the near occasion of sin!

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Sapient
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 12:10pm
The problem today is NOT that Christians do not know where “churches” are.

The problem today is that they have been weighed and found wanting–no longer fulfilling its function of being the “ground and pillar of the truth”…holding fast the faithful word,” “contending earnestly for the faith once and for all delivered to the saints” rather than one geared toward the tickling of the ears, some near heretical.

So, show me a site that filters by a “church’s” faithfulness to the Bible as the solo Scriptura.

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hi
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 12:07pm
The bible church goes through the Bible and explains the history, meaning, setting, apologetics , and love rather than having catchy sermons without much meat. God says we are to believe with our minds and faith. Our church has the hymns in one building and rock band in other. It is awesome for everyone.
Also if you study the science that backs up everything the Bible says, it will lift your faith to a higher level. You don’t have to check your brain at the door.

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- Max jones
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 4:00pm
  The social atmosphere in Christian churches, removes most of the truth from the disciplines we need so much. Too many holidays and not enough “holy” days. Not much learning, and too much ‘jammin’.
  We don’t need opinions on meanings of scripture, we need good translation from the manuscripts, so we can know the meaning ourselves….first hand. This “feel good” stuff, swaying back and forth with palms up to the ceiling, looks like trancing, and that is what it is. It is not getting it….just sayin’.
  
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toomuchgovt
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 12:00pm
I’ve gone to many churches in my area. The problem is they start pushing a liberal agenda, I just don’t think that is what Jesus was saying. I miss church. But I can’t in good faith sit in a house of the lord while they push laws they know nothing about (or at least I pray they don’t). I now sit and read my bible.

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toomuchgovt
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 11:52am
I miss church so much. Gosh I pray they can help me find a church in my area. At this point I don’t care what religion it is.

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- Max jones
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 8:04pm
  I accept invitations to play music at various churches. Invariably some of my songs don’t go over too well. Like”No rapture- no capture”, or “Sunday is for fishin’, Saturday’s for church.”, or “I Baptized my mama”. So far no fist fights, but it won’t be long…..I have a new song called “Does the preacher know your wife too well?”…Its kinda funny…..
  
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- GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 1:11am
  Max, I bet the list is narrowing down : )
  
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Displacedsoutherner
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 11:38am
I disagree, if one is a conservative and wants a traditional church atmosphere vs left wing loons and electric guitars or droning folk music, such information can be valuable. With one being new to an area, such a service, if fully implemented, could save a lot of Sundays spent at churches that bear little resemblance to Christian experience one is seeking.

Anyone who believes that one church is the same as another is ignorant of the variety of approaches out there to what is, allegedly, the same goal. Often the denomination tells little about what goes on at the services, so some insight and reading between the lines could be a plus.

Time will tell if this service proves to be of any value, but in principle it could be a good thing.

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michelep
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 11:01am
Check out an independent fundamental Baptist church.

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- The_Jerk
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 11:17am
  “Is it music, political tone, programs or location that spark your interests? ”
  
  The business of selling God and cashing in on Christ. And, you think that you are different.
  
  Report this comment
- proliance
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 12:04pm
  I checked out Westboro. They seem a little extreme.
  
  Report this comment
Gregb
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 10:33am
This may be the way to sort the wheat from the chaff. Those that want God’s word and those that want to be entertained

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- sta
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 12:19pm
  Where is that “Like” button?
  
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macpappy
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 10:28am
And the Muslims grin wickedly, and give a secret thumbs up to each other.

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todd147
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 10:20am
If your looking to attend the perfect church, please, don’t go! You’ll ruin it. Don’t look for a Church that is relevant or that is politically motivated. If your Church has a lighting system and smoke machines, run. Look for a Church that teaches Christ Crucified. That is not afraid to talk about the blood sacrifices instructed in Leviticus. Which was a picture of Christ on the Cross. Look for a Church that is not trying to be savvy or relevant, but teaches the New Birth. Everyone ever born has a Christ Shaped void in there lives that can only be filled by God. If you looking for music, it’s easy to find, but that’s all you will get out of it. When Whitfield preached in Philadelphia all the bars closed down. Not because he preached against alcohol, but because he preached about the Blood of Christ and the New Birth.

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JQCitizen
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 10:13am
II Timothy 4:2-4
“2 – Preach the word, be instand tin season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. 3 – For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts whall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; 4 – And they shall turn away their ear from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

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zorro
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 9:59am
This is another terrible example of the decay of Christianity. What kind of a fool goes to church for the music or political message? How very sad it’s come to this.

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- JQCitizen
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 10:37am
  The NATION is in the state it is in, because Christ’s Church is in the state IT IS IN. We, the Church have much repenting and repair to allow God to do in US before we are fit vessels to affect change in our world. The change that is needed in The Church, and the Nation is Repentance!
  
  You are SO RIGHT!
  
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- HumbleMan
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 10:56am
  I agree. I’ve tried to find a church for a few years now since relocating. It’s impossible to find simple down-to-earth folks to join in prayer and communion.
  
  If I wanted to sing, I’d join a glee-club.
  
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- smv803
  Posted on December 25, 2012 at 12:21am
  Psalm 100:1-2 ESV / 129 helpful votes
  
  A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
  
  Colossians 3:16 ESV / 117 helpful votes
  
  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
  
  Psalm 95:1-2 ESV / 92 helpful votes
  
  Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
  
  Ephesians 5:19 ESV / 85 helpful votes
  
  Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
  
  James 5:13 ESV / 83 helpful votes
  
  Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
  
  Psalm 150:1-6 ESV / 67 helpful votes
  
  Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! …
  
  Psalm 147:1 ESV / 58 helpful votes
  
  Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is
  
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TheEndIsComing
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 9:57am
Another example of how spoiled Americans are. Pick a church like choosing if we’re going to the Olive Garden or Macaroni Grill. Americans have TOTALLY lost track of the TRUTHS that once made us the greatest country ever on this planet – the truth of God’s Holy Bible and the truth of our Constitution. As a country we’ve abandoned both and we are paying the price.

Civil war is just around the corner. It’s inevitable. A huge portion of spoiled Americans aren’t going to even know what hit them and are going to starve to death or be killed. This is the time to prepare.

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jungle J
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 9:53am
many of you are too self righteous to allow these people to sit in the same pew with you. They see the word of God through your actions and run away in fear and loathing. Like many men that will never marry because they are afraid they may get someone like their mother.

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- TheEndIsComing
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 10:04am
  Jungle, you speak truth. The American Christian church has a lot of changing to do. First of all the church has to REALLY start living up to what it preaches. Secondly, it needs to show much more compassion for the sinners within and without – not overlooking the sin, but helping people solve their problems so they can then focus on the truths of the Bible.
  
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TheEndIsComing
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 9:47am
How about picking a church because it teaches the unadulterated truth of the Holy Bible?

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- freeberty
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 10:01am
  Right, like anyone pays any attention to that.
  
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- Gregb
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 10:54am
  too many people will take a preacher’s word and not read for themselves. The Bible is Truth – from Genesis to Revelations. And, God’s Holy day is still the Sabbath!
  
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- proliance
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 12:11pm
  Not just the Bible, but the entire Bible. If you’re looking for a church, do some research and ask if there is a policy that states the entire Bible will be covered in a certain time frame.
  
  If the answer is no, then you have a leadership that picks and chooses certain passages to further an agenda.
  
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- BrutalTruth
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 1:03pm
  That’s really the crux of the problem. Most do not want the truth. They want peace, love and fantasy land. They will never choose to discern what “Righteous” really means. They skip over Matthew 10 as it is nonsense and they can’t be expected to understand.
  
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- PurrPurr
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 10:49pm
  Bible truth? The reason there ARE so many different kinds of church is that each person is under the impression that he/she is qualified to interpret the bible. But with whose authority? There is only one Truth, and Jesus did give His Apostles the authority to declare His Truth, which they then passed down to their successors. It wonderful to read the bible, but when it comes to interpretation, you will find that there are as many Truths about the exact same topic as there are denominations. But since Truth is not relative, there can only be ONE Truth. Do some research, serious research, and you will find that God did not abandon His children, making them wonder and guess what His Truth is. From the day of Jesus’ ascension, the Truth has been proclaimed. It’s your job to find out exactly WHICH church is the one that was founded by our Lord:
  “And I say to you, that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.”
  Once you find it, you will feel a sense of gratitude to our Lord that you have never felt before. And you will also see that the Truth is virtually the opposite of the beliefs, actions and desires of this increasingly God-less world in which we live. Truth = freedom.
  
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TheEndIsComing
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 9:45am
How about looking for a church because it teaches the unadulterated truth of God’s Holy Bible?

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- Sapient
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 12:15pm
  Amen:
  
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SpankDaMonkey
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 9:41am
.
Does it help you find a church with God as the main theme?………………

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- freeberty
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 10:03am
  Boring, here’s 1 whose doctrine may be more interesting.
  
  http://christian-naturists.com/
  
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RIGHTHOOK
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 9:40am
No…..
Prefer one focused on Christianity.

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RJJinGadsden
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 9:40am
I believe that I will pass.

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