Is there an etiquette to 'church finding'?

[malkin]

I feel like I need to begin finding a particular church, but I am worried that I will not know what to do both in the church (I have never been to an 'adult service' before, anywhere) and when just 'trying out' different churches to see how they are and if I feel right in them.

[BlessedVegan]

Well I don't have alot of advice but I just went to my first service as a Christian last Sunday. I just found a Church nearby with a service at the right time and went. I know very little about the different denominations so I didn't really use that as a choice. I went to a Baptist Church and had a great time. I found everyone to be very nice and especially when they found out I was a new Christian everyone was very excited. I wasn't sure what to do all the time but I never felt singled out because of it. So just go! And be brave, I felt very nervous walking into a strange church by myself but it was VERY worth it!
God Bless, CARMEN

[Jedi christian]

Well, I guess I'm not the absolute athority on this, because I have gone to the church my dad pastors all my life. But if I were trying out churchs, I believe I would go to the church that I felt most comfortable in, and that I had the most common beliefs with the people around me. Church isn't really just a place you go to meet christians, though sometimes it is that, but it is also a place for your Pastor to nurture you and help you grow in christ. This makes it wise if you choose a church with a pastor that has close to or exactly the same beliefs as you.

Hope this helps!
Jedi_Christian

[inHisgrip]

A church should be somewhere you can feel "at home".

It can be hard to find the right one and I have always had to go more than once to be sure.

Just start trying different ones, I have always found that you will know when your in the right one. Best luck.

In Him

[bliz]

Assuming that alll of the churches you are considering preach the Word of God...

Always try and sit about 3/4 of the way toward the back of the sanctuary. That way you can follow what everyone else does through the order of worship.

Look for literature about the church in the vestibule - annual report, newsletter, upcoming activities etc. This gives you a good feel for what the church does - entertain themselves? serve others? study the Word? support missions? If, for examp[le, you are really into international missions, and you find a church that supports no international missionaries, it probably is not going to be a great match.

Let others initiate. Do people say hello to you if you don't speak first?

Don't be put off by a worship style that you are unfamiliar with. What may strike you as unusual at first may feel very homey and focus your attention of others aspects of God you have not paid a lot of attention to in the past.

Are there issues that really matter to you? what kind of baptisism? Armenian or Reformed? role of women in the church? Church stru ture - elder led or pastor led?

Visit around and then go back and spend several sundays further exploring a particular church. One Sunday may be enought to rule one out, but it seldom enough time to rule one is.

Above all, be in prayer.

[issa]

will u pls specify? is it manners or how-to?

usually i would go to the church where a friend of mine is. if you are attending a small group bible study it would make sense to go to church there too. when you finally find a church that helps you to grow and you like to help out in, then you commit to it. it is hard to grow if you keep changing churches.

i would recommend a church that is doing a purpose driven life spiritual campaign and even better if you get to be there at the start because it takes up the basics in an orderly manner. also it is helping a lot of people all over the world grow in their faith. you can be more or less sure they will not be teaching any false doctrine in that church coz they would be in conflict with the principles in the campaign. it is based on a book by pastor rick warren which he wrote based on what i agree are the two most important verses in the bible: matthew 22:36-40 (love God with your all, love others as yourself- 2 most impt commandments) and matthew 28:19-20 (go and make disciples of all nations).

my personal experience is i went to the church of the one who shared the gospel with me. they were the ones who helped me grow and i helped in my own little way and as long as God doesnt bring me to a different city, i will not leave it for a bigger, more efficient, richer or nearer church. they are my family. and i love them, warts and all.

may you find your church family soon!

[malkin]

both how-to and manners, I guess. Aren't they fairly closely linked?

[issa]

they are...but i want to make sure it is more specific, like are you concerned with certain actions?

did what i share help or did i completely miss? would like to be of more help to you if i didnt get your question right the first time :)

[malkin]

Yes, it's been a big help all of you. :) Are there any broad types of churches, rather than denominations? Ones that worship in certain ways, or anything?

[Jedi christian]

Are there any broad types of churches, rather than denominations?

By this do you mean non-denominational churches? Yes there are a lot. Most of them aren't affiliated to any organization though, so to find one in your area just look it up in the phone book.

[issa]

well, there are the baptists and pentecostals...but then things are changing real fast that there are bapticostals, heehee.

baptists generally sing only hymns, no contemporary worship. and they do not speak in tongues in church (privately, not encouraged but not prohibited, exercise caution). strength: the word. pentecostals are more lively in worship, have drum instruments, speak in tongues. they are kinda like conservative and liberal.

but my church is progressive baptist, we have contemporary worship but do not speak in tongues. i have many friends from other churches who do tho :)

there are also interdenominational churches. and there are independent churches. not affiliated with any denom in particular.

this is all im sure about. if someone thinks i got something wrong, im open to other ideas :)

[Jedi christian]

baptists generally sing only hymns, no contemporary worship. and they do not speak in tongues in church (privately, not encouraged but not prohibited, exercise caution). strength: the word. pentecostals are more lively in worship, have drum instruments, speak in tongues. they are kinda like conservative and liberal.

I'm afraid pentecostals are a whole lot more than just speaking in tounges and more lively songs. I don't know about AoG and trinity churches, but UPC and ALJC believe that repentance, baptism in Jesus name and receiving the Holy Ghost by the evidence of speaking in tounges are all necessary to salvation. We also believe that people should dress modestly, and not go overboard with hair coloring or makeup.
I don't know about all baptist churches but the one in my town is pretty boring. They sing very old, slow hymns. Most UPC and ALJC churchs believe in lively worship, like that when David was praising God. Yes we have been called "Pew Jumpers" and "Holy Rollers" and "Tounge Talkers" so just BRACE YOURSELF if you visit a UPC or ALJC church!
About the conservative and liberal, that's not entirely true. Most people think pentecost is entirely new, but its worship has it's roots in the old testament and some parts of it have its roots in the apostles after jesus' death (acts chapter 2).
Jedi_Christian

[malkin]

Not exactly, Jedi Christian, more like worship styles, focusses, strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats..

Also I'm willing to go to any kind of church within reach, which will only make things difficult to leave without commitment and hurt feelings if I find one I'm not interested in (I don't think I'm that interested in my brother's church)

[issa]

u know what? i think it would be a good idea to talk to the pastors or an active member in the churches at your area and ask them about these factors and how that particular church is similar or different from the others.

it will be good to meet the people coz u get a feel of what it will be like to fellowship with them. and it would be interesting to hear what they have to say about the other nearby churches, lol!

but i think the most important thing in deciding which church to commit to is the statement of faith (and if their teachings follow this statement). it will be hard for you to go to a church who believes/teaches differently than what you believe.

in objective contrast to Jedi Christian's church, mine teaches that salvation is by grace (of God, undeserved on our part) through faith, and not by works so that no one can boast. ephesians 2:8-9. we dont believe that you need to be baptized or to speak in tongues to be saved.

pls note, i am not trying to start a debate here. nor do i wish to offend him. just showing a practical example of how beliefs differ. and how it will be hard if you have beliefs different from a church.

tell us what happens to your search ok malkin? do not delay your search coz it is very hard for an orphan christian to grow...

take care!

[AJ]

I feel like I need to begin finding a particular church, but I am worried that I will not know what to do both in the church (I have never been to an 'adult service' before, anywhere) and when just 'trying out' different churches to see how they are and if I feel right in them.
Good morning Malkin!

Exciting times! Church hunting can be a very long process... But the fact that you are out there looking is VERY exciting! I would recommend that you spend time in several different denomonations... Get a feel for what you like about each. If you like contemporary praise and worship music, there are quite a few church out there that are catching on. :)

There isn't any manners to maintain really... Just go in to each church with an open mind and see what you think. When you find the right church, God will make it clear... I honestly believe that.

Spend time in prayer asking God to lead you to the place that He wants you to be...

You're in my prayers! God Bless!