Please tell me about Baptist Churches

[probablyveryunreasonable]

I atended a C of E primary school but since leaving I haven't really been to church - apart from to have my children christened

For a long time i've been thinking about attending a church and I would also really like my children to attend - they don't go to a church school and although their school is lovely I feel they are missing out going to church as I always really enjoyed going with my school.

I'm actually quite nervous of going and tbh feel a little intimidated. I've looked at going back to the church I used to attend with my school but it all seems quite formal (we used to go to a special service for the schoolchildren)

A very good friend of mine attends the baptist church in the next town. She tried to get me to go for years but I think has now given up! I'm thinking of asking if we can go along with her as I know i'll feel more comfortable if we know someone. But I don't want to go, really not like it and then offend her, so what i'm asking is what is a Baptist Church like?

I know it's a lot more informal than a Cof E church but I know i've seen documentaries or something with people fainting all over the place when they feel the holy spirit and I know I would feel very out of place if that is what it is like. I also know the music is a lot different, but i'm not sure how 'involved' you're meant to get and i'm quite a shy person.

I'm probably coming across a bit mad but I don't want us to go and feel uncomfortable then never go back to a church. I'm trying to pluck up the courage as it is and want to make sure I make the right decision.

Thank you for reading and I hope I haven't offended anybody

I think the best thing would be to go with a friend for the first time, all Churches are different, certainly the Baptist churches I have been to have all been quite informal compared to most CoE churches but some are much more modern than others, I've tried a couple of Baptist Churches - I haven't seen anyone fainting but lots of happy people, loud music and a relaxed atmosphere. In another Baptist church I go to it is much quieter ....... but be prepared for fairly long sermons .

I have recently moved and have been to quite a few different Churches to find the 'right' sort of worship that suits me, I am very honest about it when meeting new people in Church and everyone understands that you have to find what's right for you .

Baptist churches vary enormously - some are very traditional, some more relaxed. I would start by going with your friend, and make it clear to her and anyone who asks you that you are 'just looking', and will be checking out a few churches. They should understand!

I also think that everyone feel uncomfortable for their first few times in a new church, so unless you are completely turned off by what you see, you may want to give it a week or two (or three!) to confirm your first impressions. The people who lead the service or preach might be different each week, so to get a real flavour you might want to make sure that one of your visits has the person in charge (minister/pastor if it's a baptist church) doing something, or that you get a chance to meet that person.

In terms of the whole 'people fainting' thing, that is more to do with whether the church is charismatic or pentecostal than the particular denomination - you can have very formal Baptist churches and very charismatic anglican churches. You could ask your friend what services are like in her church and what you could expect - I'm sure she would be happy to tell you.

Finally, any church worth its name will be very concerned to make sure that anyone new feels at home and makes it clear what is going to happen. In our church we welcome everyone at the door, try to strike up a conversation if it looks like they are interested (and leave them alone if they're not!), give them a news sheet that explains exactly what is going to happen in the service, tell them where the loos are and where the children's activities are going to be, and invite them to stay for coffee afterwards. We know that most visitors are going to feel a bit awkward, and we want to put them at ease as best we can.

I used to occasionally darken the doors of whichever Baptist church was nearest my various student flats when I was at Uni. The churches were all very welcoming. In general, the services in the morning tended to be more traditional and the ones in the evening more likely to have a loud worship band. As a result, you may find that you recognise some of the hymns at the morning service, which may help you feel more at home. I'd have a chat with your friend about it. She'll more than likely understand that people like to try out a number of churches and not be offended if you don't want to go back again.

Thank you!

Yes I have noticed that mornings are worship and evenings are celebration so that fits in with what jaffacakes says.

I'll speak to my friend!

the beliefs are a bit different to C o E, so you might want to look into that first. I have never seen anyone fainting in a Baptist church but it depends I suppose on the particular congregation. The Baptist churches I have been in (just two) strike me as very informal, from the way people dress, the songs they sing and the manner in which the sermons are given. They seem to place a lot of emphasis on bible study groups and will no doubt invite you to join one of those. I think you can only really go and see for yourself but I don't see how your friend would be offended if you went once and then didn't want to return. I would just tell her the truth, for instance, I found it welcoming and they seem a nice, friendly crowd but it didn't feel right for me.

I have belonged to a Baptist church for a number of years and find that it varies with the person who leads the church in the same way as a heasmaster determines to a large extent what the school is like. And that varies enormously. In our church the morning services are 'rowdier' than the evening services. There are services for young people, services for older people. They tend to attach a great deal of value to what the Bible says. And a Baptist baptism has to be seen to be believed. i still remember the very first one I attended, but the excitement never wears off.
The only way to find out is to go along with your friend.
The one thing I would say is that, if the church is in 'the next town' you will not get the full value from any kind of midweek fellowship you might get from attending a church nearer home.