Motor35 Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 As of late, I have decided to research religion. I am not sure how to begin church. Can I simply show up and follow along? Do I need to contact the church for more info? Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites
pureinheart Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 What type of church are you interested in? Link to post Share on other sites
lonelybird Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 If you mean christian church, there are many churches in USA. some of them maybe you will feel more comfortable than others. when I started to go to church, I just follow along and listen what they say on the service. or you can directly go to talk with pastors if you want to. I believe on right time right person will appear to you. there is a link, it is christian tv chanel, some of the program are pretty good www.tbn.org Never late:) Link to post Share on other sites
quankanne Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 lots of churches welcome visitors, so don't hesitate to sit in on a service – even if you don't end up going back a second time, the hospitality you'll receive will make you glad you stopped by their place. when you do find a place of worship that you feel comfortable with, ask the preacher, rabbi or priest for more information. Oftentimes, there are different groups who meet and who would be happy to invite you to join in fellowship with them to learn more about their community. Some churches even have classes for converts and newbies (or even old-timers who want to brush up) about their faith, just ask if and when such a group meets – I know that in our diocese, there's a year-round Christian initiation process for people who want to learn more about the Catholic Church, and it's pretty thorough. good luck in your search, and don't hesitate to ask around about the churches in your area. Link to post Share on other sites
Love Hurts Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 As of late, I have decided to research religion. I am not sure how to begin church. Can I simply show up and follow along? Do I need to contact the church for more info? Thanks! Find a church that teaches Salvation… or its all useless. CONSIDER THESE STEPS: 1) A confession or agreement with God that we are a *sinner. Romans 3:23 2) *A request asking God to forgive us our sins. Ephesians 2:4 3) *An acceptance of Jesus as our Savior and asking Him to be the Lord of our life. Acts 16:31 4) *An acknowledgement that God raised Jesus from the dead. Romans 10:9 5) *A request for help to live as Jesus wants us to live. Romans 7:18 6) A close *thanking God for the gift of His Wonderful Son and His merciful gift of salvation. Romans 6:17 Salvation is completely dependent upon faith in Christ and not at all dependent upon belonging to a man-made organization. A Model Sinner's Prayer "Dear God in heaven, I come before you in the name of Jesus. I confess that I am a sinner and ask you to forgive me and cleanse me from my sins. I receive Jesus as my Savior and ask Him to come into my heart. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and that You raised Him from the dead. I ask you to please help me to live as you want me to live. I thank you for the gift of your wonderful Son Jesus and Your merciful free gift of salvation. In Jesus' wonderful name. Amen." Link to post Share on other sites
bluechocolate Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Finding religion is easy. Finding God is the tricky part. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Motor35 Posted January 30, 2007 Author Share Posted January 30, 2007 Thank you for the information. I was interested in Roman Catholic Churches. But, I don't know much. I would also be interested in Christianity. Link to post Share on other sites
blind_otter Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Thank you for the information. I was interested in Roman Catholic Churches. But, I don't know much. I would also be interested in Christianity. You can call your local catholic churches and make appointments to see the priest. He will be able to sit down with you and make sure that the catholic faith is the right faith for you. Link to post Share on other sites
quankanne Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 also ask the priest if his parish offers RCIA classes, which is what I spoke about in my earlier post. The presenters (usually the priest or someone on his faith formation team) do a great job of teaching the historicity of the Catholic Church, its tenets and beliefs. If you do decide to join the Church, you'll be paired up with a sponsor who helps guide and prays for you on your journey. under the RCIA model, the class schedule follows the regular school year, beginning in September, then through the next several months until Easter, when you enter into full communion with the Church through the sacrament of the holy Eucharist (you'll receive other sacraments, like baptism and confirmation prior to that). FYI, the Catholic Church is a Christian church, historically speaking it is the original Christian church from which other Christian churches sprang as they broke away from the mother church. One phrase you'll hear in regards to the Catholic church is that she teaches "the fullness of faith," which covers everything under the sun .... Link to post Share on other sites
BabyPhoenix Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 As of late, I have decided to research religion. I am not sure how to begin church. Thanks! Going to church is not researching religion. Unless your goal is to research a particularly narrow view of particular religion of a particular denomination in a particular city in a particular suburban block. Link to post Share on other sites
taiko Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 As of late, I have decided to research religion. I am not sure how to begin church. Can I simply show up and follow along? Do I need to contact the church for more info? Thanks! For most Christian denominations, I'll stay out of JW, Morman etc debates yes you generally just show up and follow along. Some denominations are more ritual driven and expect you to atleast try to follow along with the congregation others won't say a word if you sit whilre everybodyelse stands. From the denominations that I know best the United Methodist, what is now called a mainline protestant denomination will give you a bulletin, in it you will cues, when to stand, when to recite in unison and when to speak in responce to the Pastor. And Foursquare, a pentacostal denomination all you will get is to be asked to stand at the beginning of the worship service If it is Islam or a few Christian denominations you will need a member to sponser you as you walk in and shepard yopu through the service Link to post Share on other sites
Green Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 just go to a church you like and go talk to the deacon or who ever is incharge about getting you involved or just call on the phone Link to post Share on other sites
Lezbean Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Easy enough to research them online as well. Here is a wonderful site: http://landoverbaptist.net/index.php Hope that helps, Lizzy Link to post Share on other sites
Topper Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 lezbean, That site is one of the most racist hate filled sites I have ever looked at. It really sickned me. Anti sematic rants, Calling Mulims "Sand N.....ers?" Wow those people are twisted sick sick people. Do you really think that hate filled place is wonderful? After being over there I feel like I need to take a shower. Oh the Horror The Horror! 2nd thought: Was this a joke did I fall in your trap? Please tell me your laughing because I fell for the bait hook line and sinker. Link to post Share on other sites
bluetuesday Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 good lord and sonny jesus. i've been to that site too and it's clearly a joke set up by some very bigoted pieces of work. i cannot believe it's real. if it is, it's a very good example of how to be completely blind to the spiritual path while preaching hatred and thinking you're 'saved'. i'm no prude, but name calling isn't on. so OP, don't believe what's written there, unless you've a hankering to become a warped, 'yid'-hating, moron too. Link to post Share on other sites
LaughMachine Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 Any church you go to would gladly except you in! The thing with religion is....there is alot of TYPES. You can't just say your ( for example) " christian" yet do everything that opposes christianity beliefs. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites
seven Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 As of late, I have decided to research religion. I am not sure how to begin church. Can I simply show up and follow along? Do I need to contact the church for more info? This reminded me of a paperback book I had that compared different religions (sacraments and such and gave a history/background of each religion, etc.). Was very informative and well-organized. Unfortunately, I lent it to a friend several years ago and never got it back, and now I can't recall the author. In any event, if you're interested in a book like that, I'm sure someone at a Borders or Barnes & Noble bookstore could help you find one. Every church has a different feel to it, depending on the people and church leaders. We just started going back to church (a non-denominational christian one) and it's like no other I've ever experienced. The music is phenomenal [could-be-on-the-radio good] and people sing along and clap and really get into it. They even have skits sometimes where a message is visually acted out [i was moved to tears during one of them]. And the pastor relates the messages in a real-life manner. He talks about finances, current issues, marital issues, finding one's passion in life, etc. I look forward to being there, it's like a weekly boost/reconnect. We had heard about this church from several people we knew and so just went one day. So you may want to ask friends and people you know what their church experiences are like. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 Also depends on which God you wanted to research/serve? If it was specifically a Biblical religion you where interested in, then you have a choice of the God of the Jews, a monolistic God leading the Jews to the Christ which they unfortunately rejected, or the Egyptian and Babylonian trinity gods that both the Hebrews and Christendom kept commiting Spiritual fornication with. A good book to research is "The Two Babylons" by Alexander Hislop, its available from Amazon. As pointed out though, religions are generally the tool of man to control others with, or the tool of Satan to deceive would be Christians into worshiping him. So, a good place to start is the Bible read in conjunction with a heartfelt prayer to the God whos purpose it reveals. Link to post Share on other sites
Topper Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 Guest did The Jews reject Jesus or did the Christians reject The The Jewish Jesus? In the first few year after the crucifixion There was a growing Chruch of Jews who were followers of Jesus. So what happened to that Chruch? Link to post Share on other sites
taiko Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 Guest did The Jews reject Jesus or did the Christians reject The The Jewish Jesus? In the first few year after the crucifixion There was a growing Chruch of Jews who were followers of Jesus. So what happened to that Chruch? While Rome because of its power is seen as the big spreader of the Church. It was those Jews who were the first Apostles and evangelist. Having accepted Christ while being called Jews by outside nations they were in fact Christians.. Some remained Christians, some unable to stand that actions of those like Saul renounced Christ and became Jews again. Others converted to Islam latter on. Link to post Share on other sites
Topper Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 The only thing I would ad is That from the 4th century on There wasa very active campaign by the Church in Rome to get rid of anyone they deemed a heretic. If you did not fall in line with Rome you risk Death. Many area in the middle east were Christian. Egypt was untill around the 14th Century a Christian Nation, Disgust with the Church in Rome and the Founding of Islam took Egypt away from being a predominantly christian nation. Most of the oldest Christian Writing was destroyed. We see writing that seem to be rebuttals to some earlier text yet we don't have the earlier text. We also see references to earlier text from other sources but not the original text. The early Chruch was so much more then Orthodox vs Gnostic. You seem to be well aware these things so why am I writing in hopes that some might read this and start their own investigation into the early Christian Chruch. Link to post Share on other sites
AnonymousX Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Anybody serious about studying the historical Church should avoiding the politically charged books because some political opinions tend to bleed through and obscure facts. Link to post Share on other sites
Topper Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 What books are you talking about? Link to post Share on other sites
Moai Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 For the pure, research based religion search, I would recommend taking Formation of Christian Doctrine I and II. The texts used in these courses are generally outstanding. If you don't want to take the class, just find out what the book list is and check them out of the library. Believe it or not, it is nowhere near as boring as it sounds. Once you have a good foundation, then branch into The Reformation. You'll get Luther, Calvin, etc. which will go a long way to explaining where a lot of modern Protestant churches are doctrinally. If you are looking in a spiritual sense, I would also recommend reading the Bible start to finish for yourself, without the "benefit" of anyone's interpretation or input, and once you are finished think about whether or not it makes any sense (that killed Christianity for me, BTW.) I have found that Eastern stuff has valuable lessons and is very interesting, but is not laden down with dogma, so you might enjoy that. I particularly like Zen stuff. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites
bluetuesday Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 I have found that Eastern stuff has valuable lessons and is very interesting, but is not laden down with dogma, so you might enjoy that. I particularly like Zen stuff. Good luck! i agree. personally the eastern philosophies suit me very well. they are usually simple to grasp, don't have weighty laws and dogmas attached and seem to me to cut right to the heart of what it means to be human. i would recommend a study of taoism and buddhism to anyone who feels a yearning to know more about eastern philosophies. but the best advice i have on finding a religion is this. what does your heart lead you to study? if you feel inspired by a particular scripture or idea, explore it. intuition is rarely wrong in leading you to what you need. different religions are just different ways of exploring the same thing, different ways of expressing the same desire for god and different ways of understanding yourself as part of a bigger whole. as long as you keep an open mind, you won't go wrong. Link to post Share on other sites
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