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.

[gall]

Hello Biblecurious, I often have the same thoughts about the different churces. But here is the way I look at it. I attend a Catholic Church but mainly because I was brought up as a Catholic and attended an RC School etc. But I have no problems atending any other church because at the end of the day we all belive in the same God and we all want to be good people. In the past I have followed the Alpha Course and attended other Churches and to be honest they were probably more welcoming that the one I go to normally. Why not give it a go, my guess is you will feel better after you've been I always do.

[procrastinatingparent]

Our church sounds the same, AMS; we would only expect those who are committed members to be giving, certainly not those who are exploring what church is all about, or who are just visiting.

Our regulars 'tithe' tax efficiently - that is, they give by direct debit a proportion of their income. How much that actually is is between them and God! So some people would give 10%, others more, or less, and some people have a larger or smaller income to give from, obviously. So no set rules, other than that our generous God expects us to give generously as we become more like him in character.

I know for some people at our church even a small amount is a big sacrifice, while others give tens of thousands, and yet hardly miss it!

As regards the Big Bang, I know Christians for whom I have a huge amount of respect on both sides of the literal/figurative debate - and in fact, my closest Christian friend and I take quite different views, without it compromising our friendship. For some people, the whole creation thing is a dealbreaker, though. IMHO, once you've settled in your mind what you think of Jesus, other questions like that tend to fall into place.

[DingdongMaryBonhigh]

In our church its up to individuals what they want to put in

[AMerryScot]

Re collection:

In my church, we do not pass the plate in normal services. We expect regular church family to give via our partnership scheme (basically tax efficient direct debit). We do have collection box, but we really don't expect visitors to contribute to our ministries.

The only times we have a plate is when we have guest services (eg Remembrance) when there is a specific beneficiary - the money collected does not go into our church funds.

The one thing that I would say about collections, is don't think it is a place for your coppers. Think about putting a fiver in.

[DutchOma]

We have done it quite 'religiously' for a number of years and can quite honestly say that God has blessed us financially beyond all expectation. Never, ever have we been without the resources necessary in all our life.
As Harrisey says, it is quite liberating and quite an amazing thing to realise that God's resources are endless.
It's never made any difference to know what other people do, we've done it and it makes us happy. God is very generous.

[harrisey]

In some churches people tithe, in others they dont.

Most places it is left up the the individual.

Also these days people who do tithe might do it by giving to Oxfam, or CHristian Aid or whatever, rather than to the local church.

I think tithing is probably quite rare these days, but I dont think that lets you off with it - we do our best to do it. Its remarkably free-ing, realising that your money isnt yours, but a gift from God and something you can give back to Him.

[harrisey]

I imagine that God said

"let there be light"

and that was the Big Bang!

LIGHT!

[biblecurious]

Thanks so much you 3 - that all makes perfect sense and helps me move on in my exploration.

And for my next question... I'll keep the question simple although realise the answer might be varied: what is the custom regarding the collection plate? Is it still the 'tithe' in this modern day?

[DutchOma]

To me the Big Bang has never explained anything. If you think of the BB as a balloon that pops into tiny fragments that is a chaotic, not an orderly, creative event. The idea of a Creator actually making something out of nothing is so much more logical and in line with the way the universe actually is than anything else. I think it is helpful to realise that time was not created (in the Bible story) until the fourth day and so there was a huge lot done before time even began. And even then I don't think you can think of 24 hour days, although God, by His very nature, can do what He wants to do.
Also I think, as Mary said that the creation story is a story rather than historical fact or exact science. That was never the intention and does not negate the truth that God created heaven and earth out of nothing and that we have the most beautifully organised universe anybody could ever imagine.

[AMerryScot]

bc, you can pretty much match up the events of Big Bang and the subsequent development of the Earth and its atmosphere with what it says in the bible. The key thing is to not think of literal 24-hour days.

[AMerryScot]

bc, you can pretty much match up the events of Big Bang and the subsequent development of the Earth and its atmosphere with what it says in the bible. The key thing is to not think of literal 24-hour days.

[MaryBS]

Not sure how much info you want on this, but I believe the Creation story is just that, a story. I believe that God created the universe, probably via a "big bang". I don't have too much of a problem with Evolution either, with God's influence involved of course, although I think it could do with revisiting. For example, I don't believe Evolution is the whole answer, I believe that paradigm shifts also happen.

[biblecurious]

I can't hang around right now (bedtime and all) but if anyone drops by - can you just clarify what a Christian makes of the Big Bang...? Thanks in advance.

[biblecurious]

A blessing indeed, PP. I went to the parent/toddler group (run by the church, open to all) a few months ago and a woman who is very involved with all church activities introduced me to several people including this friend. Since then she has been - well - a Godsend I suppose. Truly lovely. With a very full life herself, she has continually offered lifts (I am currently without car in daytime), opened up social occasions, activities with children, links to the many friends/contacts she has herself... and all very naturally without interfering or acting as though she is doing a 'good deed', IYSWIM. She is a Christian and very involved with the church and has been open to discussing this without ever forcing the subject.

So, thank you for your suggestions, I will mull them over - no. (3) a great idea. And, yes , a card too.

[procrastinatingparent]

That's a lovely idea, BC - I'm sure that although she wasn't being kind with the idea of any reward, she would love to know that you have appreciated what she has done.

Having said that, I'm not sure what I'd get in your situation. I can tell you what I would like though!

1)Anything foodie and homemade (although if she happened to be a fabulous cook I might feel a bit too intimidated to cook for her!). 2)Something she could use to decorate her house for Christmas (I always end up trying to create some table centrepiece at 6pm on Christmas Eve) - or gorgeous flowers (a bit trite I know, but I can never have enough flowers, and it's lovely to have flowers at Christmas).
3)A voucher for a restaurant with an offer to babysit so she could go out one evening.

And I'd write a card saying just what you have said to us here, which would probably mean more to her than anything you gave her!

Sorry to be so personal but without knowing her it's hard to give ideas.

How did you meet her? She sounds lovely - what a blessing to have made such a friend.

[biblecurious]

Right, I'll check first. Thanks

[DutchOma]

You will need to check that you get the one specifically for new Christians, there are other ones by him that are published every two months in spite of the fact that Selwyn died nearly 2 years ago. They are just compiled from previous publications.
But there is also a booklet with, I think, a month's worth of thoughts specifically geared to people with lots of questions because they are new.

[biblecurious]

Hi DO: "God is never too busy with the cooking to listen to us." - yes!

I have a feeling that the Selwyn Hughes booklet is the one they make available for order at the church I have been going to ... I will check.

This is slightly off topic, but I might as well post here: there is a woman here who - in the last 3 months - has been instrumental in helping me (and us) settle in (we moved here this year) and unfailingly generous with her time, contacts and hospitality. To be honest, she is superwoman - and very nice, funny and sociable with it. Anyway, I feel like I will never be able to repay her for her kindness... but maybe time will provide me with an option to do so. In the meantime, I would love to get her a gift for Christmas that shows I appreciate her efforts. I know it's not about spending money / receiving gifts, but at this stage I don't know how else to thank her. Any ideas/thoughts?

[DutchOma]

Sorry Biblecurious for not answering, I've been away for a few days and hadn't seen the post.
The Selwyn Hughes booklet is just called Every Day with Jesus for New Christians, I think and deals with the real basic questions.
It's not expensive and I think you'll probably find it if you google it.
I loved what procrastparent said, just glad that God is never too busy with the cooking to listen to us.

[Roseylea]

That's so cool Mummyfixit! I did Alpha yonks ago and really enjoyed it. (We did it when dh and I were engaged and both just joined the church. THirteen years later, we're still thee...)

[biblecurious]

that's lovely news mummyfixit.

[mummyfixit]

HI

I am doing an Alpha Course at the moment and, for me, I feel it is the most important thing I have done in my life (with the exception of the birth of my DS). I am a shy person and the course has given me courage to speak to people I do not know, to share food with them and discuss things and laugh with them.

I recently attended a day course at the local Vicarage to discuss the Holy Spirit and people there were praying for me. It was just so amazing. It really was.

ALpha is fantastic and I would recommend it to everyone who want to know more. The friends I have made through this course, I hope, will stay with me for a long time.

[biblecurious]

Squeaky - will you be exploring other churches? I hope you find one you are happy with as I seem to. x

[biblecurious]

Thanks PP - I agree, I am finding prayer a really useful outlet - almost a relief to offload somewhere. Didn't think I'd feel like that.

Kristina - you are most welcome! It keeps the thread bumped, post whenever (and whatever!) you like as far as I'm concerned.

I am currently reading a very upbeat, light-hearted introduction to the bible itself as well as "Uncommon Sense: Introduction to Christian Belief" by Homer Rogers which was a recommendation somewhere on MN - thanks to whoever that was, so far it's really interesting.

Of course at some point I'll be reading the bible itself - I just want to fly through the introductory book first because it's giving me a bit of context. Honest!

[Squeakybrushes]

i've been going through a very similar situation, Biblecurious. although in my case it was a toddler group at a rather evangelical church. after attending the services a few times, i've decided i definitely want to pursue christianity and find out much more about the faith, but that this particular church doesn't entirely suit my pernickety tastes! i know it's probably the wrong way round to view things, as another poster has pointed out, but i just feel that i personally would gain more, at a more traditional setting, and so have more to offer iyswim.