How do I find a Church?

[silent water]

I have been looking online, and I have it narrowed down to a few Churches I am interested in. I want to look further, but how? Should I call the Pastor? Should I sit down with him first, or should I just show up some Sunday? What do I do?

thanks.

 

[admtaylor]

I think all of the above. First attend the service, see what you think about the atmosphere and wether or not they teach from the Bible and are actually using the verses that they use from the Bible in context.

Then if you're interested set up a meeting with the pastor. Talk with him about what he finds to be important as a leader of the church. Find out what he has to say about any concerns you might have about the church. Be open to listening to defense of the concerns you might have. But always expect a Biblical explanation.

My wife and I spent about a year and a half looking for a church and finally found one that fit. Sometimes you'll just know that the church isn't right, but don't mistake fear of new things for God saying that this isn't the church for you.

Lastly, pray, pray, pray, pray. The Lord will lead you in the right direction.

I hope your search is successful!

 

[Blessed-one]

show up. Try different churches and see which one you like. I think you'll have to try it out and ultimately decide on experience.

but then, if you were looking for a youth group, it wouldn't be too bad to obtain some general information and see whether the time and place suits you.

 

[admtaylor]

By the way what part of the country do you live? If it's the same area as mine I might be able to help some.

 

[WesleyJohn]

As a pastor, I would certainly welcome a phone call from someone interested in attending my church. I would probably take them out to a lunch just to get to know them a bit, and so they could get to know me.

Also, let me add this...don't choose a church solely because you like their music or style of worship. It is far more important that you are in agreement with their theology and doctrine. It always frustrates me when people choose a church simply because they like the music or liturgy, and then discover years down the road that they have major disagreements with doctrine. It's no fun to try to decide if you will leave a church once you have strong friendships within the fellowship.

Peace,

WJ

 

[Kelly]

I've been trying to word this correctly,oh well, here goes: remember, we do not go to church to please ourselves, we go to give glory to God. Make sure your reasons for selecting a church keep that in mind.

 

[cyberwing]

Hello Silent Water,
My family and I have the same problem and I have been a born-again Christian for a long while. We have gone to many churches in the area but between sin and pride in the pulpit; to the pastor demanding 'control' over our ministry, we have not found a home yet.
Sometimes though, God will use this 'searching time' to teach both you and others. Trust HIM. HE knows what HE is doing. Visit churches and don't let them bully you into committing to them. Remember, you belong to Jesus NOT a man, not a building, not a denomination. If the pastor doesn't understand this, I am always cautious and unfortunately that is all I have found for a long time. So I keep my eyes on Jesus and play lots of worship music and wait upon HIM. That's why this forum is such a tremendous blessing for me! Be blessed precious lamb!
~DJ

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

I agree with WJ, talk to the pastor, to see if their theology agrees with yours.

It doesn't sound like your Catholic, but if so, you can check out this website and find a parish close to you:

www.masstimes.org

 

[Peter]

First attend the service, see what you think about the atmosphere and wether or not they teach from the Bible and are actually using the verses that they use from the Bible in context.

And how does one know if the church is teaching the Bible in context? Saying this to a new christian makes no sense. It's like telling someone who has never had a steak to make sure they order the best and make sure it's cooked the right way. How will they know if it's the best and been cooked the right way?

Every group that carries a christian label believes they are teaching what the Bible says. If they didnt they wouldnt exist.

Is there another way?

Peace.

Peter

 

[Reader Nilus]

You have to visit them, talk with the folk there, get a feel of the place. A church can be teaching truth yet be cold as ice, which defeats the teaching. Another solution is go to more than one.
Jeff the Finn

 

[catch22]

I'm somewhat in the same situation. I haven't yet started actively looking for a church, but I have been reading the Bible and narrowing down what it is that I'm looking for. One of the key factors for me is fellowship with people around my own age [20]. I really want to worship with other christians who can relate to the kinds of problems that I might go through. I'm also looking at possibly joining a non-denominational church as I don't know a great deal about the differences in theological beliefs within other denominations.

 

[silent water]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

As a pastor, I would certainly welcome a phone call from someone interested in attending my church.

This is what I was thinking anyway. I would feel much more comfortable making contact with the pastor first. I am not an outgoing person, and it would be easier if I made contact first, I think.

By the way what part of the country do you live? If it's the same area as mine I might be able to help some.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

It doesn't sound like your Catholic

I am more or less looking for a non-charismatic Bible teaching church, but I am not sure of denomination, because the whole denomination thing kind of bugs me. If I find a Church, I would hope it would regard Catholics as much as part of Jesus' Church as themselves. I want to feel a feeling of unity in Christ, not division.

 

[SqueakyGerbil]

I know this is a bit of an old topic but I just want to say my two cents.
How I decided upon a church was
(1) I went online and learned more about what different local churches believed. I did it online because I am very shy and when I approach someone on a specific topic I like to be as familiar as possible with the topic of choice. I found out this way that there are many churches in my town that believe things very different then I do.
(2) I got in touch with the different churches to find out what time they have service.
(3) I went to the different churches for a service (or two) and talked to people that went to the church and to the pastor (or made plans to talk to him at a later date). I think that you do need to like the atmosphere of the church you go to or else you may have a troubling time getting yourself to go. I also think that you need to feel comfortable with the pastor, I have met some amazing pastors in my search that I respect but I don't feel comfortable with.

From there I found the church that was right for me at this time.

A story about my search.
I had met the pastor of the church I now attend a good 4-5 times when I was still searching. I couldn't stand the man and it bugged me because that church's beliefs were the most right in my eyes. After a few months I decided to just try going once because I couldn't shake this feeling that I got when I read about this church.
Well I found out that once I had seen this Pastor give a sermon and got a feel for the church and the people who attend it that it was the right one for me.
It is not what I was expecting when I started out (we are a small group that meets in the downstairs of the Local Legion building, and I can wear jeans and a shirt if I wish and no one judges another in their walk with God).