- May 5, 2007
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Hi Aspzan,Hello,
As a few of you might know or have read I became a Christian on the 11th of July this year. I still have not attended church. I have decided this needs to change and will be attending soon.
I am looking into a Baptist church and I have found one I would like to attend. Since becoming a Christian my mother has also, so I hope she will also be attending with me.
Some back story is that I wasn't leaving the house much before becoming a Christian but a lot of my anxieties and such have gone away after I became a Christian. I had a psychotic episode (now gone completely) which made going outside scary. It's been strange getting back to normal, especially socialising. I also have aspergers which adds difficulty.
I am hoping to attend the above church this Sunday or next Sunday and then if it is suitable, for the rest of my life. I am a 25 year old single male, if that is important at this time.
So to hurry this up...
I am strangely nervous about going to church for the first time, is this normal?
What should I expect at an English Baptist church?
How soon after attending will I be baptized?
Should I attend both the morning and evening service? Both are on a Sunday.
I can't think of anything else at the moment besides asking for general advice. Please ask questions if you need to as I've probably forgot some information.
Great that both you and your mother have become Christians and welcome to the family of believers.
I was a Member of an English Baptist Church back in the 1980s. In those days they had stewards who would welcome new people (and they will almost certainly have something like that now). I don't think it matters where you sit, but you could ask them. It might be more comfortable sitting towards the back, for the first time, as it can feel a bit conspicuous if you are further forward. You could tell the person who meets and greets you if that is what you prefer.
We used to have hymnbooks, but I think most churches use screens for the words of worship songs nowadays. They may be more traditional or modern. Many churches have music groups, but some may still use an organ. There will be Bible readings (probably NIV), usually a section of the Service aimed at the children and later a sermon for the adults after the children have gone to Sunday School. The Services are quite 'low', so clergy don't usually wear robes and the congregation would probably dress in smart casual clothing although some might wear jeans.
The Church we attended was traditional, everything done 'from the front' - the Minister or a member of the congregation prayed, read the Bible etc. Some churches (in some denominations, I'm not sure about Baptists) have more open Services where members of the congregation pray out loud. If they are baptised in the Holy Spirit they may pray in tongues. Don't let this alarm you. No-one would expect you to do anything on your first visit. Just relax and worship the Lord. They know that you are new.
I wouldn't worry about baptism on the first visit. Talk to the Minister when you are a bit more familiar with the Church. Membership usually follows baptism (at least it did in my day).
You could look at the Baptist Union website, just to get a general idea at www.baptist.org.uk, although not all Baptist Churches are members. Does the one you are thinking of attending have a website? You could check it out if so.
I hope that helps a bit. I'm out of date because there was no Baptist Church in the town we moved to so it is years since I attended one. Enjoy it but don't feel committed to it straight away. It's not unusual for new people to look around at local churches to find the one where the Lord wants them to be. Just pray before you go and ask the Lord to smooth your path.
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