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.

[MaryBS]

A number of churches (1700!) in the C of E are running "back to church" Sunday, (or perhaps they should be called "never been to church" Sunday ), which this year is 30th September. I think services on this day are supposed to be specifically aimed at people who might be nervous at stepping through the door for the first time. It may be worth checking out. If you are interested I might be able to find out more info for you...

Also family services tend to be less formal. In our church for instance as well as being less formal, the Vicar explains everything a lot more as to why things are done like that.

[MaryBS]

I checked the "back to church" website, and if you email this lady, she will be able to advise you of a church near you that's doing it:

jane dot manley at backtochurch dot co dot uk

[biblecurious]

Thanks MBS, I will be back tomorrow and will pursue that email contact then. Very kind of you.

[TheDuchess]

Actually I think it is a back to the church service that I am attending.

No, there isn't a library opposite the Baptist Church biblecurious!

[harrisey]

I'm a baptist, we're not too weird really. Most baptist churches are good at doing things like toddler groups (I miss toddler group now that dd2 is in preschool). Our toddler group was called 'playbreak', where ladies in the church played with the kids in the hall/creche while mums had a coffee in the lounge. Fab!

Remember that if you do go a service, it might not be like a 'tradtional' service you migh have experienced at school, for example. My church has no hymn books, but has big screen with the words, there's very modern music and preaching along with powerpoint presentations! So there might be differences, or it might be very traditional, hymns and pews and an organ.

Hope you enjoy it when you do go. If its my church I'll look out for you!

[DutchOma]

You say you are rubbish at singing Biblecurious but says who? Lots of people are not that good at singing, do you not enjoy it at all? Not even in the bath? Even if you can't sing you can still get something out of reading the words.

Whose site is that Rhubarb? Does it look a bit American? American Baptists are different from English Baptists and then, all Baptist churches are independent units, although they are linked in the Baptist Union of Great Britain. So one Baptist Church may be very different from another, but they will all tell you that Jesus loves you and wants you to know Him and love Him

[pyjamagirl]

I was like this last year finallyrang up our local cofe christmas week and we ended up going for our first service on christmas eve.
They made us feel very welcome (although I think they were happy to see some new blood new faces

We have learnt loads since attending church and our children were baptised recently and the vicar made it a really special service I think we fell very lucky with our vicar as he explains everything and always has time to spend with you.

If I were you I would go along and see if you feel comfortable

good luck

[biblecurious]

Thanks guys. No time now, but will dwell on all comments, esp re singing - good point Dutch! xx

Am attending parenting course run by church so as I mix with more members I'll start to ask questions and even go to a service at some point

I know this might sound really trite worded as it is in a short paragraph on an internet forum, but one of the major reasons I have rejected the church in the past is the seemingly male bias of the Bible and the church, even hearing reference to Him over and over reminds me that I don't really understand how I would ever find meaning in the Bible as a woman. I shouldn't post this without giving it more thought, but I will make a brave presumption that other women MNers will understand what I mean.

(Have to go to bed now but will look forward to any responses and thanks again, it's so helpful to have this debate in this way.)

[MaryBS]

Its a bit long and its more related to the ministry of women in the church, but I find Tom Wright, Bishop of Durham (who is very learned, I've read a number of his books on the bible) makes some interesting points:

www.ntwrightpage.com/Wright_Women_Service_Church.htm

Personally I find many of the best priests are women!

As for thinking of God as Father, it doesn't really cause me any real issues.

[DutchOma]

Biblecurious:- If you want to know how Jesus felt about women I think you can do no better than to read John 20:10-18. Jesus is so full of tenderness and understanding towards Mary. I have read that passage in church and could barely go on for the lump in my throat, coming to the point where Jesus says:"Mary".
The point of church is that you can meet Jesus and other people who do their best to live the life He asks of us.

Glad to hear you are making friends at the church.

[biblecurious]

Had a lovely time at the toddler group today, meeting lots of people with lots of different viewpoints. I think I've found a really great place to start so have discussed with dh (he's been away for 2 days so have just had catch up) and feel ready to attend a service in a couple of weeks Have been prepared by another skeptic to feel uncomfortable at first as this is all so new.

Still have loads of questions but will keep coming back to this thread/topic to ask them!

Will definitely read your recommendations Mary & Dutch - thank you. x

[MaryBS]

If you didn't want to ask them online you can always email me:

suttonmb
at
talktalk
dot
net

I won't necessarily know the answer, but I'd give it a good go!

It can really help if you can find someone who'll explain things afterwards, so if you have any questions you can ask them while they're fresh in your mind. Do you know anyone at the church who would mind doing this for you (so they see what you see)? I agree about the feeling uncomfortable though, it doesn't always happen but its a bit like being "the new kid on the block".

[Lorns]

Hi there. Definitely think alpha is the way to go. There is a big "push" on alpha this month and so the baptist church you are attending might be doing one. If not there is bound to be one in your area.

The frustrating thing is that most churches within a denomination are different. You could go to a really "happening" C of E church and then walk into one that's dead boring and unreal!

A church is a place where people come together to worship and elarn more about Jesus. In the bible Jesus gathered crowds whom he taught! I go to a church in an old cricket hanger. It looks nothing like it used to now! I have also been to a church which meets in a school each sunday (same denomination) and that atmosphere etc. was still the same - great!!

At the end of the day it's no good going somewhere which is nor REAL for you. If you get stuck - you may want to let me know which area you are in and I'll try and help

[Marina]

I was about to suggest that MaryBS can help with the Church of England and I see she has got there already
Churches not participating in Alpha can also run refresher courses (ours is called Bite Size Bible and the vicar is very emphatic that "no question however basic will be unanswered". She used to be a teacher and is superb at explaining the readings etc).
As others have said, Biblecurious, I think the way to a closer relationship with God is definitely finding a form of worship, and a worshipping community, where you feel comfortable and welcome. Asking one of the workers at the Toddler Group is a great idea, good luck with that

[Marina]

Our Vicar and our Sunday School leader both recommend this little book too:

100 Minute Bible

[Notquitegrownup]

Hi Biblecurious

I know that the chuch - like all of society - has been very dominated by men and all things male, in the past, but remember that it was a woman (Mary Magdalene) whom Jesus chose to appeare to first, after His resurrection.

I'm no expert, but I believe that the opening sentences of the Bible say that "The Spirit of God moved over the face of the waters" and that the noun used for Spirit of God is a feminine noun! And although God is described as our Father throughout the Bible, he is also described as the "Almighty" which translates as "The many-breasted" - ie someone with many sides (including female) to Him.

One of the Biblical experts may be able to confirm/contradict me. I'm remembering this from a lecture a long time ago!

Best of luck in finding a church and an Alpha course.

[MaryBS]

Thanks Marina

I wouldn't consider myself an expert on the C of E, I'm learning all the time myself, but maybe by people asking questions, I can become one!

[MaryBS]

DH has announced he is coming to church this Sunday. Nothing to do with back to church Sunday, more to do with his 2 children are in a Harvest play about the sower, but it's good, because I never asked him to, he volunteered!

[harrisey]

Oh Mary, thats fab news.
Hope he enjoys it!

[Lorns]

Yes fab news! Oh you've just reminded me I neeed to get my DS's somthing to take in for school harvest festival!!

[UnquietDad]

An Alpha course isn't exactly an impartial guide to the Bible, though, is it? Yes, they are open to questioning, but they only believe in one true answer. It's a bit like going to a Labour Club meeting to look for guidance on how to vote. People who run them are God's foot-soldiers and are after recruits.

Surely the best thing to do is to read up on all the major religions of the world, examine the evidence for all of their various deities and determine, on balance, whether you think any of them deserve your worship.

Not wanting to complicate the issue or anything, but... you could start here

Which religion/denomination you end up following is primarily going to be a product of socio-cultural conditioning. If you had been alive in Greece a few thousand years ago, you would have worshipped the Gods. If you'd been born a Viking you'd have worshipped Thor.

The 6 billion of us alive on the planet at the moment happen to be here, by an accident of birth, history and geography, at a time when the world is dominated by three major monotheistic religions, of which Christianity is the most influential and fastest-growing. And - no coincidence - it holds an enormous amount of political and economic power.

[SueBaroo]

oo, you old cynic UQD.

Mind you, I agree, Alpha isn't impartial on a number of things. Does it claim to be? I'm not sure. Best thing about it is you do get fed. [piggie emoticon]

[UnquietDad]

I am a bit cynical! That's what you get if you ask a former believer to give an opinion!!

[Tinker]

Are you Aloha?

[UnquietDad]

Me? No! But she has posted stuff I have agreed with. There's more than one atheist on here!!