Never been to Church.

[carrust]

After watching the Protestant Revolution last night, I suddenly thought that I've never been to church voluntarily in my life. I've been to weddings, funerals etc, but I've never sat through a normal church service. I mentioned this to the missus, & the she suggested that we ought to go one Sunday morning. Which I agreed to , being an open minded person who'll try anything once.

My problem is...which church shall we go to? We've a plethora of churches within a couple of miles of where I live; Methodist, C of E, Baptist, Catholic, Synagogue, Seventh Day Adventist, Plymouth Brethren & many more.

Suggestions would be most welcome.

[wizard69]

Try them all carrust.
Personally I'm an atheist but I've looked into a lot of religions in my time (others in R & S will know what I mean)
Never done anyone any harm to question...

[taliesin238]

What sort of experience is it that you are looking for?? If you want to experience a traditional church feeling with all the props, traditional church singing/choir, gothic archways and long gowns then try either Cof E or catholic church!! If you want a more of a cosy feeling with praise and dancing in the air then try baptist or evangelical church!! Ive been to them all aswel as i am very curious just like wizard69!! I think its best to experience them all!!

[taliesin238]

When it comes to the religion side of it, doesnt matter which one you chose, go for the one that you feel most comfortable in. After all they are all worshiping the same God!!

[wizard69]

funny how "the same god" got so many variations...

[wizard69]

like he does'nt really know what is desirable or what he wants

[wizard69]

or from what book...

[naomi24]

Careful carrust - I've been to an assortment of churches in my time and they all tell lies you know.

[taliesin238]

It was Man that created all the different christian offsets not god!!

[Ethel]

Wizard - I have many names to many different people - I am mom, grandma, sister, cousin, daughter, aunt, mother - in - law, grand-daughter, wife, widow, friend, lover....

All those names and titles, but I am only me.

[Campfire]

You can be open minded without attending a church service. But feel free, personally I think if you're in the UK and want something "traditional" then you need to go with C of E or Catholic.

It's kind of like submitting yourself to a Derren Brown session with more pomp, and people that actually believe what they are saying.

[delboy3]

Beware that Catholic services go on forever - I should know, I've fallen asleep in plenty.

[Theland]

Vicars in a Church of England have some latitude in what they teach.
Go for one that sticks with the Bible as his authority, and not a liberal one size fits all type, like bishop Tom Butler - when he's sober!

[naomi24]

taliesin, you say man created all the different churches, and you're right. I rest my case.

Good morning Theland, since various churches intrepret the bible in different ways, that's a difficult one.

[jake-the-peg]

Hmm I've never sat down and voluntarily stuck pins in myself!

Maybe I'm not as open minded as you :c)

[Theland]

Good morning Naomi - Yes, the C of E give quite some latitude to vicars, whereas R. C. 's, as far as I am aware, have to, "Toe the party line."
That is why the C of E is crumbling, too many clergy trying to change the world instead of trying to obey God and change the heart of Man.

[4GS]

I go to my Methodist church, if there isn't one in your area, try the Baptist one, wherever you go you are sure to get a warm welcome and be invited to coffee afterwards

[Bellringer]

Church services are somewhat like films. Sometimes you come out feeling on top of the World, thinking "that was great". Other times you think "What the he*l was he on about" Don't let the first time put you off if you have one of the latter.
Above all; be sincere.

[jollygreen]

Go play golf instead or wash your car mate. You'll have a greater feeling of accomplishment.

Or better still, stay in bed!!!

[China Doll]

Depends on the type of service you want too.

My mum's a catholic and there are different types of mass at the church she used to go to in New Cross.

Saturday night was generally the half hour job so everyone can get to the pub and store up something for the confessional.

Sunday early morning 9am is pretty sombre affair and tends to be for those who want to head off for the day or who don't want to be around when entire families come in.

The 10:30 service (this was the one I was usually dragged to in an attempt to save my soul) was a folkey type mass. Usually went on a bit longer and lots of folkey singing, guitars etc... and an African choir too (they were cool).

Then there was the 12pm mass which was much like the 9am. There's an evening mass around 5pm on a Sunday too and it's much the same as 9am and 12pm as it goes. Even more dull though in my opinon.

Generally catholic services last about an hour, but it can depend on if you have a priest who is partial to the sound of his own voice.

[carrust]

I'll give the Catholics a miss, as I once sat through a 'shortened' wedding...it went on for eons. A few weeks later I had the misfortune to attend a requiem mass..I wish I'd taken my razor! As for the question, I think I'm going to give a Gospel church a go. Having seen one of the services on TV, they look as though they are having a good time. I also like community singing, & I gather they have a great gospel choir.