A Pastor's Guide
Looking for a Church Near You?
A Pastor's Guide for the Curious in Matthews, Mint Hill, Indian Trail and surrounding areas.
Hey, I'm Clay Monkus, lead pastor at Next Level Church in Stallings.
If you landed here, there's a good chance you typed "church near me" into your phone and got back a map covered in pins. I've had coffee with a lot of people who started exactly there. Some grew up in church and drifted away years ago, and others never went at all and aren't even sure what they believe. Almost every one of them told me the hardest part was walking through the door the first time.
So I'm going to do two things on this page. First, I'll give you the advice I'd give a friend who asked me how to pick a church, even if that church ends up not being ours. Then I'll walk you through what happens if you visit Next Level, right down to where you park.
How I'd Pick a Church If I Were in Your Shoes
Start with whether you can realistically get there
Google Maps is a fine place to build a short list. It puts distance and reviews in one spot. Just know that listings get stale, so a service time on Google might be two years old. Check the church's own website before you go.
Then be practical with yourself. If the drive is 40 minutes or the service time fights your Sunday routine, you probably won't keep going no matter how much you like it. A good church fifteen minutes away will serve you better than a great one you can't get to.
Watch a message online before you visit
This is the best shortcut I know. Most churches put their messages online, and twenty minutes of watching will tell you more than any "About Us" page. While you watch, ask yourself whether the pastor sounds like a real person and whether someone with zero church background could follow along. Mostly, ask whether it connects to the life you're living on a Tuesday.
You can watch our recent messages here:
Pay close attention to how they handle kids
If you have children, this one might decide everything. A church that takes kids seriously will have a secure check-in system and background-checked volunteers, with separate spaces for different ages. They should be able to explain all of it the moment you ask. If they get vague, keep looking.
Notice whether questions are welcome
Plenty of churches say "come as you are." The real test is whether doubt is treated as normal. Listen for whether the pastor ever acknowledges that faith can be hard to figure out. Watch whether people are friendly to you without immediately steering you toward a sign-up form.
Read what they believe
Every church should have a statement of beliefs on its website. It takes five minutes to read, and it saves you from surprises later. Here's ours:
Read the reviews, but read the long ones
Skip the star average and read the detailed reviews from the last year or two. If the same words keep showing up from different people, like "welcoming" or "no pressure" (or their opposites), believe the pattern.
Four Questions Worth Asking Any Church
Before you visit anywhere, it's fair to call or email and ask some direct questions. Here are the ones I'd ask, along with how we'd answer them at Next Level.
"Is this a good place for someone with a lot of questions about faith?"
Yes. People like you are the reason we started this church. A lot of folks at Next Level had little or no church background when they first showed up. You're allowed to be unsure here, and you're allowed to say so. I would much rather talk with someone who's wrestling with real questions than someone who's just nodding along.
"What does a first visit look like? Will anyone pressure me?"
You'll walk into our Welcome Center, and someone from our Guest Services team will say hello and show you around. Ask them anything. We'd love to meet you and give you a small gift for coming.
We don't pass an offering plate during the service. We do have a connection card, but it's digital and completely optional. If you'd rather just sit and listen, you're welcome to do exactly that.
"How does drop-off work for first-time kids?"
One of our team members will personally walk your family from the Welcome Center over to the kids building. They'll help you check your children in and stay with you until your kids are comfortable and settled. Then you head to the service. You won't be left to figure it out on your own.
"Can I come for a while and take things at my own pace?"
Absolutely. Come a few Sundays and sit in the back if you want. When you're ready to get to know some people, we'll help you find a group. Until then, nobody's keeping score.
What a Sunday at Next Level Looks Like
Where we are
Next Level Church 4317 Stevens Mill Road Matthews, NC 28104
We're an easy drive from Matthews, Mint Hill, Indian Trail, Stallings, and south Charlotte.
Service time
Sundays at 10:00 AM. Plan to arrive around 9:45 so you can park and get your kids checked in without rushing.
Parking and finding the door
Parking is right in front of our buildings. The main building is the large one on the right side of the campus. Follow the sidewalk straight to the main lobby entrance.
When you walk in
You'll step right into our Welcome Center. Our Guest Services team will be there to help you find your way and get your kids checked in. If you stop by, we have a small gift for you.
Your kids
We have two environments for children:
Littles (Birth to Age 4): a safe, loving space where your youngest are cared for well
Elementary (K to 5th Grade): fun and engaging, built for their age
Every volunteer is background-checked and trained to create a safe, caring environment, and our check-in system is secure. That way you can relax and pay attention in the service instead of wondering how your kids are doing.
What to wear
Casual. Most people show up in jeans. Wear whatever you'd wear to grab lunch with a friend.
What People Say About Their First Sunday
"I found my forever home at this church! They truly prove you can come as you are! They stand behind their motto: your story is safe here!!! Down to earth Pastors and staff. No FAKERS or POSERS here folks!"
"I cannot say enough amazing things about this church and the people in it! This church is truly the hands and feet of Jesus and our family couldn't be happier. Our daughter loves the children's ministry and can actually regurgitate the information because it's easy to understand and fun!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Our service starts at 10:00 AM every Sunday.
Come Check It Out
If you're in Matthews or anywhere in the south Charlotte area and you've been thinking about giving church a try, I'd love for you to visit. You don't need to have anything figured out first. Bring whatever questions you've got.
If you want to let us know you're coming, you can plan your visit here, and our team will make sure someone is ready to meet you. If anything comes up before Sunday, just reach out. We're happy to help.
See you Sunday, Clay Monkus Lead Pastor, Next Level Church