How do you find a church that suits you?

[alwayssme]

I really want a church where I can feel comfortable and connected to God but I dont really go to church so I dont even know where to start looking for one. How do you find churches? Do you just walk in when you see one? I dont know, this question may sound weird. Just wonderin

[taiko]

If you just came to a belief in God I would say start with the church you were nominally raised in as a child. Then from there try the churches of friends and as you move further from your home try other churches. So if your background is mainline try a Catholic and Charismatic churches etc. Hopefully sooner before later you will find your place.

[Enema]

I assume you need to find one that matches your values, so you're not constantly getting sermon's about things you disagree with.

 

I'd weigh up the church's stance on:

 

- Premarital Sex

- Abortion

- Gay rights

- Religious tolerance

- Tithing

- Bible study

- Time commitment outside of church hours

 

and go from there, with a healthy smattering of making sure there is plenty of eye candy, parking space, air-conditioning, comfortable seats, audio equipment and the main preacher is easy to understand. (accents etc)

[quankanne]

I think the first thing people look at is the hospitality they're shown ... I've been told by several people that the bigger churches feel impersonal, while the smaller ones are more like family.

 

you can ask around for suggestions, or just do like you say and start visiting different ones til you find a good match, the congregations vary even within a faith: you'll find more liberal, more traditional, more middle of the road parish personalities under one roof!

 

 

whatever you do, don't let ANYONE rope you in or guilt you into being part of a congregation – you'll know your church home because you feel comfortable with the people and good about being part of that family.

[MN randomguy]

I think the first thing people look at is the hospitality they're shown ... I've been told by several people that the bigger churches feel impersonal, while the smaller ones are more like family.

 

you can ask around for suggestions, or just do like you say and start visiting different ones til you find a good match, the congregations vary even within a faith: you'll find more liberal, more traditional, more middle of the road parish personalities under one roof!

 

 

whatever you do, don't let ANYONE rope you in or guilt you into being part of a congregation – you'll know your church home because you feel comfortable with the people and good about being part of that family.

 

 

Good advice. Its really hard due to all of the variation within a denomination. One thing I've decided is that if you go to a church long enough you will become like the people who've been going there a long time. Go to a church where you look at the leadership and established members and can say to yourself, You know, that's the kind of person I want to become.

 

Christians are so varied so churches are really varied. The good ones understand this and understand that its a good thing. They'll be all about you sitting in on a few sermons and going to a few events. Be patient, it may take a while. word of mouth referrals are the best way to start. Go to a church that a friend likes. Many times when you talk to someone there ask them how long they've been going. Many times they'll say where they've been before. There may even be quite a few interlopers like yourself. If you're lucky you'll get this church is more this. That church is more that. Etc. It can take a while.

[chris250]

Well for starters I look for a church that does NOT pass the offering plate around.

[quankanne]

because supporting a church and its ministry is complete bull-hockey?

[taiko]

In my first home church tithing was taught but financial records were not asked for as some churches most consider to be cults do. In that church there were no collection plates we got out of our seats and walked forward to give an offering.

 

I'm sure if passing the plate around is objected to then the tradition of stepping up to give an offering whould also be objected to.

[chris250]

In my first home church tithing was taught but financial records were not asked for as some churches most consider to be cults do. In that church there were no collection plates we got out of our seats and walked forward to give an offering.

 

I'm sure if passing the plate around is objected to then the tradition of stepping up to give an offering whould also be objected to.

 

I don't know about you but I prefer to do my good deeds in secret because that's what Jesus taught in Mathew chapter 6. So if I ever do give money I would make it a point to be secretive about it.

 

So yeah I disagree with walking forward to the front of a church to give when there are people present.

[taiko]

I don't know about you but I prefer to do my good deeds in secret because that's what Jesus taught in Mathew chapter 6. So if I ever do give money I would make it a point to be secretive about it.

 

So yeah I disagree with walking forward to the front of a church to give when there are people present.

 

Its 2008 you bring a piece of paper inside of a sealed envelope not your best livestock. The envelope is the secrecy part. In most churches it is only the council representatives who count the money who know what you gave, not the pastoral staff. And they only know because they prepare the tax documents so the IRS will know what you claim is true.