As noted in a previous post, I never ask questions, never ask directions, and awkwardly flail about until I finally arrive at some solution. Or I give up. I do that too.
For this reason, joining a church, becoming part of a new community, was something I resisted. I didn't want a lot of new, church-y friends blessing me or making me feel welcome. I liked the Catholic church, where you came, went, and interacted only to sit, stand, kneel, and take communion. 'Offering one another a sign of peace', to me, was optional. "Fellowship", as they called it, was not something I wanted.
But Pastor Rick was clear - sharing one's faith with others was not only better for us, but a requirement of Jesus. I learned that the 'Body of Christ' was, in fact, the sum of His followers, acting in concert, to bring His Holy Spirit to the world. And to bring the Gospel, the 'Good News' to all people. The more who hear the Gospel, the more who accept it. And the more who accept it, the more who are saved and can spend eternity in Heaven.
So, the goal is to find a Biblically centered church. The definition of this may vary, since there are few Christian churches who would describe themselves as 'non-Biblically centered.' What I was looking for was a place that was warm and welcoming to both my wife and me, and that had a pastor or pastors who focused on Scripture and its interpretation and application for modern times.
Some observations I made that were different from the Catholic mass, which I had attended since childhood:
People brought and followed along in their Bibles—whether a physical book or an app on their phone or iPad, many participants followed along and took notes.
Churches actively seek new members—'I'm New Here' cards, new member classes, invitations to bring friends and family for Christmas, Easter, or other special services, and welcome events.
Small Group membership—in addition to services, many people join one or more 'small groups,' which are exactly what they sound like. These groups meet at church or in someone's home weekly or monthly. Some have themes to help people integrate more comfortably. They study scripture, may discuss messages from services, and often indulge in more food than necessary (or maybe that's just me). Joining small groups is not mandatory, but they can enhance your faith through additional teaching and provide a social aspect that most people really enjoy.
Plan Your Visit—most churches encourage potential members to plan their visit. There is usually a link on their website where you can enter your name and email or phone number and the day you'd like to attend. A friendly person will likely greet you, offer a small gift and/or brochure, and show you around. Many churches have coffee or snack bars where people mingle before or between services.
Worship Services—the format at all the churches we explored was similar. They started with music (referred to as worship), followed by the pastor's sermon/teaching/message. Our church then conducts The Lord's Supper, also known as Communion. There is a final song or two afterward.
Baptism - Your new church will likely discuss baptism. As a Catholic infant, I was baptized in the church at about one or two months old. Now, as I near my 64th birthday, I am preparing for baptism once more. Why? Because adult baptism is a public affirmation of your choice to follow Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Lord and Savior. This is a joyous occasion for the person being baptized, their family and friends, and their church community. The decision to be baptized should always be personal, without any pressure from your church. It is freely accessible to everyone.
Service Opportunities—these range from assisting during services, greeting people at the door, helping with childcare, aiding disabled individuals, working at the coffee bar, assisting in the church garden, helping with spring cleaning or at special events like fairs, cookouts, or summer camps for kids. Additionally, there are community outreach initiatives like helping elders get to appointments or services, aiding the homeless, preparing meals for the sick, visiting the lonely, or traveling to distant places to help people build a church or school or deliver food and supplies to those in need. These services are faith in action and embody being "Jesus to the world."
If you are used to coming and going from church relatively unnoticed, as I was, the overt kindness and friendliness of people may be uncomfortable at first. But in the right place (that is, a place that is a good fit for you), you will either quickly connect with someone like-minded or you'll be left alone to get a feel for the atmosphere, observe the people, experience the service and then join in when it feels right to you.
One advantage of becoming part of a church community is the chance to connect with and learn from individuals who possess greater knowledge or experience in the faith than you do. This interaction is reciprocal; you might also have insights or experiences to offer to others.
In my next post, I will talk about some of the mentors and guides who have influenced me.
As always, I would love to hear your thoughts, and if you find any of these helpful, please feel free to share it with someone who might benefit.
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