Church?

[SR500]

Belief is personal, but attending church and study can help strengthen your. Churches are not perfect. It's like everything else the more you put into it the more you can get out of belonging to a church. We attend regularly, and it has had a very positive impact for us and especially our children. I would suggest you "church shop" if you are not happy, there are many great people impacting lives everyday.

[bcipam]

Not pushing anything here... but I can see many who have had a Catholic upbringing have been put off Church for life.

If your belief in God is still strong, may I suggest you try an non-dominational evangelical Church? I would say service and worship is 100% the opposite as what is offered by the Catholic Church. A typical service at my Church is usually started with some great, current Christian music, then of course the accouncements, and then the "discussion". Not ritual, traditional prayer. My pastor generally provides a lecture, much like a college class, on current day issues and how the Bible supports dealing with those issues one way or the other. After comes the collection (and it's necessary to keep a Church running) and then we close with worship. After I always feel so renewed and refreshed. I feel I leave having learned some new, life altering information.
My Church, as does most, offers small study groups if someone wants to learn more, become more involved.

There is something about surrounding one's self with a Christian community; with like minded folks. And I am the first to say, yes there are hypocritical Christians, just like there are hypocritical people in every aspect of life but at least I have the tools to discern Christian hypocracy when I hear it.

Churches are formed by and made by people. We are only human and make many mistakes. Those mistakes should never be attributed to God. His Word is perfect. Problem is, we all sometimes have trouble listening.

I have to admit I have been bad lately about going and I do miss the comfort and joy services provide me. Need to get my gear in order and get back!

[mtbdarby]

Not pushing anything here... but I can see many who have had a Catholic upbringing have been put off Church for life.

If your belief in God is still strong, may I suggest you try an non-dominational evangelical Church? I would say service and worship is 100% the opposite as what is offered by the Catholic Church. A typical service at my Church is usually started with some great, current Christian music, then of course the accouncements, and then the "discussion". Not ritual, traditional prayer. My pastor generally provides a lecture, much like a college class, on current day issues and how the Bible supports dealing with those issues one way or the other. After comes the collection (and it's necessary to keep a Church running) and then we close with worship. After I always feel so renewed and refreshed. I feel I leave having learned some new, life altering information.
My Church, as does most, offers small study groups if someone wants to learn more, become more involved.

There is something about surrounding one's self with a Christian community; with like minded folks. And I am the first to say, yes there are hypocritical Christians, just like there are hypocritical people in every aspect of life but at least I have the tools to discern Christian hypocracy when I hear it.

Churches are formed by and made by people. We are only human and make many mistakes. Those mistakes should never be attributed to God. His Word is perfect. Problem is, we all sometimes have trouble listening.

I have to admit I have been bad lately about going and I do miss the comfort and joy services provide me. Need to get my gear in order and get back!

Well said Pam. While I try and figure things out on my own too much and end up fighting my "autopilot", I notice a tremendous change in the outcomes in my life, the miracles, if you will, when I embrace my church, spirituality and fellow Christians. That's what going to church is about - the fellowship. Churchs are run by sinners, so no one is perfect. The best we can do is find one that we feel comfortable in and become a part of that family - like a cycling family. I do attend regularly, and will switch services to get some biking in. My church has even been known to have 2 bike rides a year (I think I'll see if they want to do more Of course, it's to the ice cream shop and back, but hey, that definitely goes with cycling!