Thinking of taking a step in the direction of the church...

[biblecurious]

Hi all,

OK, I have recently become increasingly curious about the bible and regular worship despite the fact that I would (previously) describe myself as entirely skeptical and even slightly uncomfortable with religion, particularly in trying to understand how it offers meaning to me as a woman in a very male world. But anyway, I have starting going to a parent/toddler group at a lovely Baptist and somehow it doesn't seem so strange and scary anymore and I'd like to know more.

However, I am slightly put off by my own ignorance - I mean, what are all these different 'versions' of church; baptist, methodist etc and how do you begin to decide which is for you when you have little experience of church-going?

Sorry, I know this is phrased clumsily but I hope someone out there understands my gist and I welcome all thoughts!

(I am a fairly regular poster on MN but have changed my name for this thread.)
Thanks in advance.

[biblecurious]

at a lovely Baptish church I mean.
And lovely in that the people have been very welcoming and thus far haven't tried to 'convert' me!

[Rhubarb]

I think the Alpha courses are still running aren't they? Could be worth finding out about those. Most churches have talks or discussion groups that you can attend to find out more about what they believe in and why. I'm sure if you had a word with the pastor, he/she would be more than happy to go through any questions with you. The Baptists are lovely and I don't think they'd try to push you into their religion.

[MrsBadger]

will post briefly now and see if I can do a longer one when dd-free

i suggest taking the plunge and going to a service at the baptist church as you have an 'in' there already

see what you think

if you like it that's a start, but if you don't, thinking about which bits you do / don't like might help you find the 'right' denomination for you

[potoroo]

Also you might need to try out a few churches to find a vicar/priest/pastor who 'clicks' with you, because they will vary from parish to parish

[Mistymoo]

Just a thought Mrs Badger - "help you find the 'right' denomination for you". Surely we should find out what worship God wants not what suits us.

[biblecurious]

Thank you so much for posting. I have only recently heard of the Alpha courses - the term would have meant nothing at all to me a month ago - and that is a sensible option. I am slightly nervous about going to a service as I don't know what to expect! But of course that is what I should do to find out more.

[biblecurious]

Mistymoo - but how?!

[Mistymoo]

A study of the Bible would find out what God wants and then compare the religions to that.

[MrsBadger]

ah, that depends, mistymoo
I believe God wants me to worship him where I feel welcomed and comfortable
not where I feel excluded, sidelined, wrongfooted, frustrated and/or unwanted
all of which I've encountered in various churches over the years

perhaps I should have said 'the denomination that you feel brings you closest to God'

[Rhubarb]

The Alpha course is a great place to start learning about the Bible. Once you figure out roughly what you believe, i.e. Christ as the Son of God? Then you can start narrowing down certain religions.

I'm a catholic based on what I believe in, not because of the church. As a matter of fact I particularly dislike the catholic Church atm, the Pope especially, but it will not change my fundamental beliefs.

Also, a children's Bible is great. I read a story every night to mine and I think I end up learning more than they do! It simplifies everything and makes it much more interesting. Of course you can go more indepth later on, but it helps to give you a "feel" for the different beliefs.

Basically your Old Testament folk believe in the God of the Old Testament who comes across as a jealous, testing, angry and impatient God. Your Christians believe that once Jesus came, he cancelled out many of the Old Testament beliefs and showed a very different God, a gentle, kind, merciful and wise God.

You can believe in Jesus without believing he was the Son of God, many religions accept him as a Prophet, but the Old Testament religions do tend to err on the side of tradition, ceremonies, superstitions and so on. That's kinda stuff in a nutshell really.

[biblecurious]

Of course you are right, but isn't it a circular situation - in order to understand the bible, one generally needs some guidance and this is generally sought from a church which in turn interprets the bible differently from another church...?

MrsBadger, I would be grateful if you had time to post further whenever dd-free and convenient for you, thank you!

[potoroo]

MrsBadger - I agree. And even within a denomination you will still get communities that are welcoming and some that aren't, so 'shopping around' seems pretty reasonable to me.

[biblecurious]

Thanks Rhubarb! And so which religions believe Jesus was a prophet?

[Rhubarb]

The Jews, who are still waiting for the First Coming of the Son of God, the Islamists, the Hindus. There may be more but those are the ones I know.

[Rhubarb]

Although if you wanted to worship at a Christian church without believing that Jesus was the real deal, you can do. They don't forget the Old Testament stuff, it's just that the service is based more or less around Jesus being Son of God.

I guess you can make your own mind up by reading what Jesus said in the New Testament.

[biblecurious]

Islamism and Hinduism - didn't realise Jesus featured at all??! Confused!
Thanks for all your posts.

[Rhubarb]

Yeah, he features in those, as a prophet on the sidelines. But then they do tend to have quite a lot of prophets. The Hindu religion also has a lot of gods.

Or you could go with Ron L Hubbard?

[TheDuchess]

biblecurious...I think perhaps we are experiencing the same thoughts right now. I've also attended a toddler group at a lovely Baptist Church which led me to the Alpha course.

My husband and I have attended a few services but not sure where to go from here. Your name is very apt: I suspect you feel as confused as I do!

We're going to a different church next week to a special Harvest service. Actually quite looking forward to it.

[TheDuchess]

wouldn't it be funny if it was the same toddler group?!

[DutchOma]

Crusade for World Revival do small books with a bible reading (or two) and a bit of an explanation for new Christians as a daily reading for a month.
If you hvave a local Christian bookshop you could have look in there. They are written by Selwyn Hughes, who died a few years ago but I think his booklets are still very up to date. If you can't get hold of it, CAT me and I will see if I can send you one.

I agree that he best way into the church is via one of the staff at the toddler group. Pick someone you particularly like and ask when she goes to church. Some churches have morning and evening services.
Then ask if you could come with her one Sunday.
She'll be delighted, find the hymns in the book for you, you stand up when she stands up and with a bit of luck she will introduce you to the minister at the end over a cup of coffee.
If you don't like the experience she will not be disappointed but feel that she has done what the Lord wants of her:- to show you that He, Jesus loves you and that He wants you to follow in His ways.
You can make up your mind about Alpha a bit later, but lots of churches will start them up again soon.

Best of luck, let us know how it goes.

[biblecurious]

(Rhubarb - was that a joke about Ron L Hubbard because I don't even really understand what Scientology is except that Tom Cruise is portrayed as a madman!)

TheDuchess - that would indeed be weird!!! Um, your Baptist church isn't opposite a library is it???? Or shouldn't I ask?!

[biblecurious]

Thanks, Dutch, for your sounds words. I will let you know how I get on.

This may sound really daft but here goes - I am totally rubbish at singing!

[Rhubarb]

'Twas a joke yes, sorry! They are all loons!

Go to a couple of services, do a bit of reading and see what you think.
I might try our local Baptist church too.

[Rhubarb]

This is what Baptists believe in, I think I'll stick to my own religion for now!

[biblecurious]

Thanks Rhu. Had a scan of your link, sounds relatively standard in my obviously limited understanding of Christianity! I guess I have a long way to go... But I will be back.