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.

[Tinker]

Sorry, meant that to OP - ignore me

[biblecurious]

Hello, back again - thanks to all for posting. MaryBS I may well take you up on your kind offer for a private email as I continue to think about the issues I am facing.

The 100-minute bible sounds interesting - a true product of our fast-paced modern life! I will have a look at that later - when I'm not so busy!!

UQD - thank you for your link which I will explore. Your post was interesting to me and probably reflects the position I would most closely identify with personally, at least until recently. I am certainly skeptical of any human having certain knowledge of matters spiritual and struggle with the impossibility of separating spiritualism/religion and culture, particularly (as I have mentioned) in terms of being a feminist. HOWEVER! There is definitely a personal need for me to explore my feelings further and - fortunately or unfortunately - I have to do that within a human cultural context to which of course even aetheists are subject!

I am still very interested in this thread and grateful for all responses.

I am not Aloha!

[mufti]

hi biblecurious, the town i live in has a baptist church opposite the library, give us a clue, north or south?

i've met Mary , she's lovely, and an egghead.

[BrownSuga]

BC as mistymoo pointed out earlier, a study of the bible would be a good start, i have a fantastic book that is very basic and shows what the bible teaches, then you can decide for yourself if you believe it or which religion you think lives it.

if you would like a free copy, please email me on [email protected] and i will be most happy to send to you.

[biblecurious]

mufti --- south!!

BrownSuga - very kind of you, I will do so later, thank you.

[mufti]

is it wiltshire??????????

[procrastinatingparent]

Hi biblecurious, I think it's great that you are open-minded enough to explore what church has to offer. I'm the wife of the minister of a baptist church, and go to the parent/toddler group - but reading this thread I don't think it is the same one you're talking about!

I think it's a great idea to go to a service, and also to chat to the friendliest helper at the toddler group (I'd talk to you if I wasn't so busy chasing my 2 year-old around the room ...).

However I think my top tip would be to read the Bible for myself, and the best place to start would be a gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John - tip: Mark is the shortest!). The reason for that is that Christianity stands or falls with the person of Jesus, and so reading a biography of him gets you to the heart of the matter. There are lots of questions that people have that often fall into place when they have decided what they make of Jesus. (I don't think anyone is really impartial when it comes to the Bible, UQD, which is why I recommend reading it for yourself.)

Our church doesn't offer the Alpha Course but a similar one called Christianity Explored, which does what it says on the tin. No singing kumbaya, no tambourines, no pressure and a chance to ask lots of questions. Worth a go, but nothing beats getting into the Bible for yourself.

Happy to try to answer any questions. All the best!

[MaryBS]

Biblecurious, feel free to email me!

I would also suggest reading Mark first, out of all the gospels. It can also make a difference which version of the bible you use. I would suggest a modern translation, unless you like all that thees and thous stuff. My preference is for NRSV (New Revised Standard Version) but many people prefer the NIV (New International Version). However for sheer readability, particularly with the Old Testament, I read my daughters translation for 6-12 year olds before tackling it in the "grown up" version!

I was brought up a Christian, but lapsed in my 20s. Started going to church again about 6 years ago, but only really got involved in the past 3 years, when I found my current church. Then about 18 months ago, I felt a calling to ministry, and despite what I read about the sort of people who were ministers, decided to put myself forward. I wasn't convinced that I was suitable material, I certainly didn't think I was good enough, but if God was calling me, who was I to refuse? I went through a selection process, and here I am, training!

My "take" on God, is that because he IS God, "he" is neither male nor female and/or he is both. I don't really think its anything we HAVE to understand to believe in him, but he is happy for you to know him in a way that is "right" for you. So (IMHO), its OK to think of him as female. I could say a lot more, but then I'd be preaching

[MaryBS]

I didn't mean my daughter translated the bible , but her bible is a translation for children...

[biblecurious]

Mufti - not Wiltshire, more westerley than that!

All posts very interesting and I just wanted to come back and thank everyone again. I would post more frequently but it's a pain having to keep changing nickname!!

I expect I will have questions once I actually brave up and go to a service - this Sunday perhaps? [yikes] Mary, you are very kind and I will be in touch. Thank you x

[mufti]

ah, just a coincidence then.

you have lots of good advice here

if the thought of your first service is a bit daunting, is there anyone you could arrange to go in with and sit with, perhaps someone from toddlers?
if you explained that you wanted to come, but it was the first time etc, im sure they would be pleased to bring you and introduce you to others.

[biblecurious]

Yes, coincidence - shame though, it would have been nice to know someone from MN in real life.

I agree - lots of good advice here and I will start visiting the prayer thread regularly.

We are lucky in that if we do decide to go to a service, there are two or three people who have actively offered to meet us there and a few more who I know would help welcome us. It is a very big church and (apparently) absolutely packed on a Sunday (they are starting an extra service in a few months) - lots of families. I'm looking forward to it really although I know I will feel as though we are wearing a placard saying "New! No idea! Not a churchgoer!"

[DutchOma]

They will love having you. God loves having you. Honestly, He will be delighted that you are looking Him up.

[mufti]

yes it would be nice biblecurious.
i am praying for a christian mum friend, who is local, and has a dc similar age to mine. i like to get specific with GOD
sounds like a great church, keep us posted

[procrastinatingparent]

Just bumping to find out if you've made it to church yet, biblecurious, and if so how you found it.

[professorplum]

I would recommend this book as a beginners guide to Christianity.

[biblecurious]

Thank you prof, that looks interesting, I will have have a proper look later.

Pro - thanks for bumping! I have been around MN now and again but only posting rubbish and nonsense and not signed in as biblecurious. Now I'm back with a few minutes of time and very grateful for the kind responses I have had here - and from MaryBS by email (btw if you read this Mary, I have read and re-read your last email several times. I will be in touch soon if that's OK. X)

Excuses, excuses (but genuine ones) - have been really busy recently and away from home for a few days soon but planning to go to the church in one or two weeks - depending when we get back. Haven't lost interest whatsoever. Have also been to a church-organised (ish) evening which more about meeting people than discussing Christianity but it all helps keep the momentum.

So, do you church-going people go every Sunday? Is that the usual thing? I sort of feel that once I start I really ought to make some sort of commitment...

[mufti]

every sunday, yes, i would really miss it if i didnt.
i need the praise and worship,to hear the WORD, and also the fellowship with other christians, which is important too.
it brings me closer to HIM, and is a nice break from reality, iyswim, when you are in there, everything else is forgotten.

[DutchOma]

Yes, once you start going you will want to go back. Don't make huge commitments for the time being, certainly don't let the thought of having to make a commitment put you off (any excuse .
Just go and see what it's like. And look for a commitment to Jesus, because He is committed to you and He is looking out for you, not for a commitment to a 'church'. People will let you down, Jesus won't

[harrisey]

I go to church pretty much every week - and in fact, sometimes I go twice on a Sunday as I like it!

THere's so much to be gained from meeting with the people of God.

But if I have to miss a week for whatever reason I dont beat myself up over it either. THere's an awful lot more to faith than church!

[procrastinatingparent]

Hi biblecurious, great to hear you are keeping the momentum up.

In my experience, people often try out church quite a few times before they would say they are making a commitment. After all, it's not like choosing to take up hockey or upholstery as a hobby, so it's important to know what it's all about before you jump! I think all churches understand this, and should give you space to explore things in your own time.

That said, obviously the more regularly you go, the more you will get a handle on what's going on, the more you will get to know people, and the more opportunity you will have to explore the Bible and find out what it means to know God.

I do go every Sunday (I'm the wife of the minister - they'd notice if I wasn't there!) because I find that life is so busy and distracting that it is easy to forget about God. And I love meeting my friends at church and having conversations with them that challenge me and encourage me to keep going in faith. And I love hearing the Bible explained, and listening to people's prayers, and having to turn my mind to deeper issues than nappies and school books and football practice!

Hope you have a great time when you do make it!

[MaryBS]

Hi BC - glad you found the emails helpful! Feel free to send more, I don't mind! I wish I'd had someone I could ask questions of when I was "searching"!

I go every Sunday now, but I started off just going to the family services once a month. I sometimes go twice, usually because the evening service, which isn't on every week, is "something special", like a healing service (which is wonderfully uplifting if you're feeling down!). I would miss it too, if I didn't go!

[biblecurious]

Go on then, give me something to read tomorrow - what is 'catholic' all about? How is it different from Anglican for example, what is it all about? I'm so confused!

[ExplosiveScienceT]

Anglican is catholic, but not Roman Catholic.

Catholic refers to the whole church, or universal church, which is why we say in the Creed, "we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church".

The Church of England is catholic, liberal and evangelical - most parishes have an emphasis on one of these characteristics, but should have elements of all.

Catholic tends to have an emphasis on tradition passed down through the early church fathers, liberal is about living out Godly lives in our cultural context, and evangelical is more bible focussed. The three parts of Anglicanism is often known as Scripture, Reason, Tradition.

Roman Catholics also have a three pronged view - Scripture, Tradition, Magisterium. Magisterium is about the church's (Vatican) authority, rather than making up your own mind about issues.

[MaryBS]

Well put, EST.