Considering going to church for the first time in..... well, a really long time

[KevinH78]

There is a really big church that I've heard people talk about before and I was thinking of going this Sunday to check it out. Should I just roll up in there and pick a seat or what? It's probably a stupid question but I haven't been to church in years and I feel like I need to do something better for myself. :o

[White trash wagon]

Just roll in and grab a seat.

That said, I'm not a "christian" but am married to one. I go with her regularly, and even participate in some church activities. So I can give the the "outsider's" point of view.

Try the big church for a couple of weeks, then try a small church. The megachurch's seem to have a corporate america feel to them, but smaller ones seem more genuine.

Be wary of church's that wants to put you in a "family group", that is part of a sector, that is in turn is part of a region . Also watch for churches that say "we are the ONLY church that follows Jesus's teachings!"

So find a small to medium size church that is modest in it's approach, it's a better way to spend your free time than drinking or watching football.

Scott

[KevinH78]

Just roll in and grab a seat.

That said, I'm not a "christian" but am married to one. I go with her regularly, and even participate in some church activities. So I can give the the "outsider's" point of view.

Try the big church for a couple of weeks, then try a small church. The megachurch's seem to have a corporate america feel to them, but smaller ones seem more genuine.

Be wary of church's that wants to put you in a "family group", that is part of a sector, that is in turn is part of a region . Also watch for churches that say "we are the ONLY church that follows Jesus's teachings!"

So find a small to medium size church that is modest in it's approach, it's a better way to spend your free time than drinking or watching football.

Scott

Thanks for the info. ;) The church I'm talking about doesn't seem to be the "corporate" type so hopefully they don't try to trap me. :p I actually know a few people who go there but I would rather check it out on my own and see what it's like than go sit with them and their family the first time. If I don't like the atmosphere and decide to not go back, I'm scared that may be offensive to them. :o

[SVT93Style]

There is a really big church that I've heard people talk about before and I was thinking of going this Sunday to check it out. Should I just roll up in there and pick a seat or what? It's probably a stupid question but I haven't been to church in years and I feel like I need to do something better for myself. :o

I encourage you just to go in and grab a seat and talk with people. If it's anything like my church they will probably play a song, do an introduction, and then the meet and greet before they get started. I must tell you, when I started to go, the meet and greet (when you turn and introduce yourself to the people around you) always made me uncomfortable in the begining stages....in fact I use to go to the bathroom right before that then comeback.

I hope all works out, go in with a open mind and open heart...I encourage a little prayer before you go that goes..."God, if there is any validity to this, if there is any truth to this it all, lay it on my heart and allow me to see you." Then take a seat and listen.

[mikeb]

Just go and check it out. All legitimate churches want you to find your place to serve and if it's not with their church then they SHOULD encourage you to keep looking at other churches.

The meet and greet thing can be uncomfortable I know but really the people that come over just want to say hello. Take it for what it's worth.

I know that many people go to church, slip in the back row right before everything starts, and slip out when the sermon ends without really making contact with anyone. This is really a great loss; one of the best things about attending church is meeting and getting to know people and making new friends. If you do find a church that you like then I would suggest that you also get to know some people there too. Adult sunday school is a great way to get to meet some people; something for you to think about.

[KevinH78]

I wasn't able to make it this last Sunday (due to wrecking my truck the night before) but I got a little preview of the church on Monday afternoon. A friend of mine passed away and the funeral was held at this church because it is where his family goes. I got to see inside of the place and the atmosphere seems to be pretty comfortable so I am going to pop in tonight and see what it's all about. :)

[regaltip]

Hey just do what your heart tells you to do... Grab a seat and have an open mind to it... That's what I've done in the past... Good luck with your search.

[Snake007]

I wasn't able to make it this last Sunday (due to wrecking my truck the night before) but I got a little preview of the church on Monday afternoon. A friend of mine passed away and the funeral was held at this church because it is where his family goes. I got to see inside of the place and the atmosphere seems to be pretty comfortable so I am going to pop in tonight and see what it's all about. :)

what's this church called?

[mikeb]

That's another idea Kevin. A lot of churches have a casual type service on saturday night that many people like. Dress and atmosphere is usually casual; many people there in jeans and sneakers. Also some churches will have a "contemporary" service that's geared more toward younger people and a more traditional service geared for those that like it that way. Some more options for ya to check into.

[TexasDevilDog]

That's another idea Kevin. A lot of churches have a casual type service on saturday night that many people like. Dress and atmosphere is usually casual; many people there in jeans and sneakers. Also some churches will have a "contemporary" service that's geared more toward younger people and a more traditional service geared for those that like it that way. Some more options for ya to check into.

The church I go to has several services:

8:30 A.M. Traditional with Choir (early bird people)
9:45 A.M. Acoustic Worship Team (jeans people and hippies)
11:15 A.M. Traditional with Choir and Orchestra (stuck up people)
5:00 P.M. Acoustic Worship Team (saturday night party crowd)

:D

[KevinH78]

what's this church called?

It's the Church On The Rock out by the interstate on FM 2011.

I had intended on going Wed. night but as I was on the way home to change clothes, I got a phone call reminding me that last weekend I volunteered to move some furniture for someone that night. :mad: :rolleyes: I guess I will shoot for Sunday again. :o

[DarkWolf]

Or maybe someone's trying to tell you it's not the right church for you :)

[KevinH78]

Or maybe someone's trying to tell you it's not the right church for you :)


lol.... That is quite a possibility. :o

[KevinH78]

I finally made it this morning. :) It was a pretty good service and lots of nice people.

[SVT93Style]

Awesome hope it works out for you.

[Casper]

Lots of good trim? heels and fishnets, major cleavage and all? I like those kind of churches. The best part is, they pass around a tray full of ones so you can tip the gals for free! But they only have wine, no beer, and those little paper things aren't worth eating. :(

[KevinH78]

Lots of good trim? heels and fishnets, major cleavage and all? I like those kind of churches. The best part is, they pass around a tray full of ones so you can tip the gals for free! But they only have wine, no beer, and those little paper things aren't worth eating. :(

lol.... I will have to admit, I caught myself looking at things I shouldn't have been while sitting in church. :o

[Casper]

At least you can admit it, LOL!

I used to go for that very reason. Something about a chic dressed to the 9s that makes her look really hot.

[KevinH78]

At least you can admit it, LOL!

Is it bad that I do admit it? :confused:

[Casper]

You're asking the wrong person. I think it is good that you are A) human, B) heterosexual, C) alive and D) honest.

Of course if you think you need to do pennance or something then maybe ask someone here who shares that sentiment with you.

[Snake007]

[QUOTE=KevinH78]It's the Church On The Rock out by the interstate on FM 2011.

I have heard that is a pretty good church. Being Catholic and my wife being Southern Baptist makes it difficult to find a place to "fit in". We had people from Mobberly coming by like every week trying to get me to go there, get saved, etc..they were very pressing on the issue...so we went once and that was it. I felt as if they just wanted money money money. I guess I'll just have to watch Green Acres or something on TV Sunday mornings lol..

[KevinH78]

Of course if you think you need to do pennance or something then maybe ask someone here who shares that sentiment with you.

What's that mean? :confused:

Oh, and they have a singles group that meets on Sundays at 11:00 during the regular service so I may check that out this weekend. Someone described it to me saying the pastor describes whatever section of the bible he is preaching in terms that makes it like it happened right now. I could see myself getting boored really quick at the regular service so maybe this would keep my attention a little more and not let my mind wander so much. :)

[Casper]

I just meant that if your conscience bothers you over it, then maybe talk with someone who would feel the same way. I don't feel guilty at all for checking out females, regardless the setting. When I was single I would have hit on widows at funerals.

[KevinH78]

I just meant that if your conscience bothers you over it, then maybe talk with someone who would feel the same way. I don't feel guilty at all for checking out females, regardless the setting. When I was single I would have hit on widows at funerals.

Well, you just soothed my mind a bit. :p As long as I'm not the only person who would check out women while in church, I don't feel bad. :o

[KevinH78]

Made a second appearance last night. This time I met a large number of people who were really nice and invited me to all kinds of events coming up for the holidays. The meet & greet was extremely welcoming but what happened during the service disturbed me a bit. I've been to a few different churches before and never saw 70% of the people crying (yes, tears coming from their eyes) while throwing their hands in the air. :eek: The small handful of churches I've been to in the past never had anything like this going on. Is this normal for some of you or does it seem strange? :confused:

[Snake007]

Did they start speaking in tongues too? Must be one of those over-emotional churches...guess I'll stick to Sunday morning service on TV :)

[Casper]

That is par for the course in an extra-evengelical or pentacostal church. Which I think you said church on the rock, if so that would be normal. The raising of the hands is kind of like a silent "amen".

On a good night you will hear them blabbering incoherently (talking in tongues) and sometimes rolling in the aisles (overcome with spirit). I doubt if they will get into snake handling, but you may hear about it addressed in a favorable way.

They have some of the baddest @## traveling gospel groups though. If you like blues guitar, you will love it. And pentacostal girls are generally downright nasty in bed :D

[KevinH78]

That is par for the course in an extra-evengelical or pentacostal church. Which I think you said church on the rock, if so that would be normal. The raising of the hands is kind of like a silent "amen".

On a good night you will hear them blabbering incoherently (talking in tongues) and sometimes rolling in the aisles (overcome with spirit). I doubt if they will get into snake handling, but you may hear about it addressed in a favorable way.

They have some of the baddest @## traveling gospel groups though. If you like blues guitar, you will love it. And pentacostal girls are generally downright nasty in bed :D

As far as I know, it is non-denominational but I may be wrong. If they had started speaking in tongues while rolling in the floor, I would have got up and left. :o They have a "singles" group that has a seperate service from the regular church so I am going to check that out this Sunday. If they are doing the same weird stuff, I probably will not go back.

[Casper]

Just because it is non-denominational doesn't mean the attendees don't fit mostly into one group. I believe church on the rock started in Lubbock, and was mostly "progressive" pentacostals who were displeased with assembly of god dogma and liturgy. Many former assembly of god people have gone to other evangelical churches and brought some of the customs with them; especially the raising of hands. Look at some of the TV ministries, they do the same things there (in most at least). I don't think you are going to be pressured into anything there, if you like it and it gives you something, go with it for awhile.

[mikeb]

but what happened during the service disturbed me a bit. I've been to a few different churches before and never saw 70% of the people crying (yes, tears coming from their eyes) while throwing their hands in the air. :eek: The small handful of churches I've been to in the past never had anything like this going on. Is this normal for some of you or does it seem strange? :confused:

People worship in different ways and at some churches this happens all of the time. If it makes you uncomfortable then try another church. You want to find a place that you feel like you fit into, like, and agree with their doctrine.

[ceyko]

The church I participate in is pretty cool. Band and all. Nice folks and not very pushy. The biggest for me is a fairly laid back, straight up and funny pastor. I go only for his talking and to learn some more. I'm not a bible thumper, but I do enjoy what he talks about and trying to implement in life.

[KevinH78]

I made it to the singles meeting this sunday and it was a bit more enjoyable than the regular service. The pastor was a pretty funny guy and he would explain things in a way that relates it to our every day life so it kept my attention a little better than the other. It was their "sandwich sunday" and had all kinds of really good food so I got to have lunch while talking to a bunch of people I sat with. :)


BTW, there wasn't a bunch of people crying their eyes out this time. ;)

[Casper]

That's because they aren't married :D

[KevinH78]

That's because they aren't married :D

lol... Yeah, being married could give lots of people a reason to cry. :p