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How did you come to attend your current church? What was it that drew you to attend there, or what did God use to bring you there?

For both: The Word of God is taught unashamedly, neither is tied to any denomination, and I know people who attend each.
For my church at school specifically: There is a strong sense of life and honesty there, and they have a real band with an electric(!) guitarist (who plays more than plain chords, which is more than can be said for many Christian recording artists), bassist, and drummer.
For my church at home specifically: My father who is also my spiritual mentor and closest friend co-pastors there ~ where else would I go?

.rai//

We had burned out on the very contentious congregation of our local Lutheran church, which was going through bad times thanks to demographics (It was basically in the older part of town, and now surrounded by Hispanics who went to churches of a different language). The old guard at the church wouldn't admit they needed to hire a bilingual pastor and start reaching out to the new community, the bills were piling up, and frankly, we got tired of it and started skipping.

Then, my wife became pregnant with our second child, and we started wondering, 'Are we going to go back there for the baptism'?

The answer, we decided, was 'No'. We started looking at other churches, ended up one Sunday going to a church we always saw on the way to the mall. The music was a mess (the organist had recently retired), the pastor preached too long, the sanctuary was cold... and the people were friendly and outgoing.

Okay, that was perhaps a shaky start, but after we'd been home about an hour, the doorbell rang. There stood the guy who'd been assisting that day (Lutheran services always have an 'assistant', generally a lay person, helping the pastor with communion and certain parts of the liturgy) handing me a loaf of home-made bread. He shook my hand, spoke for a little while, just letting us know we were welcome to come back any time.

We did. We became members about three months later.

The pastor still preaches too long (and his inability to start services on time is the butt of constant jokes) the organist has gotten much better (they hired a new permanent replacement a couple months after our first visit) and they still have trouble getting the temperature right in the sanctuary. And the people are still wonderful.

My family actually started attending my current church because of their youth group. Our old church was very small and had few people my age, and I was heading into high school. Now that wasn't why we were leaving that church, but my parents made it a big factor in their search for a new church. The first week we attended, a woman quickly directed me to the associate pastor's son, who was exactly my age, and he introduced me to all his friends in Sunday school.

Now I've been at the church for more than seven years, and I'm not as involved in the youth group anymore simply because of my age. My main reason for attending the church now is that I teach once a month in a Sunday school class for children with disabilities. I am very excited about this ministry, and I really want to see it grow in the church.

My current church has a really awesome college ministry. They really focus on doing ministry, not just talking about doing ministry. We have a bridge ministry that goes down to Houston to give food and clothing to the homeless and to speak the Gospel to the people there. The teaching is Biblical and exogetical (sp?) (taught by a local barber)--we go through a book of the Bible at a time (It took well over a year to go through John --now we're going through James).
There is also a warm, family-like atmosphere in the whole church. At my previous church, people would say hi briefly then walk over to their group --if you were a stranger and sat down, no one would sit by you (I found this out when I visited during the summer --no one sat by me). But at my college church, people are genuinely happy that you are there --I've never felt so welcome.
We have a college/singles aged worship service on Tuesday nights --this is taught by an ex-Muslim. It is a great outreach for college students.

Don't go to church.

I go to the church I currently attend because it has a college group that hasn't broken up or collapsed yet and the church hasn't come across as deciding that I was devil spawn.

skylender (post: 1191349) wrote:Don't go to church.

Any reason in particular for that?

For me, I'm in the process of trying to find it. While I go to the church that my whole family goes to, I haven't been able to mix in with anyone there. If I had my drivers license I would already be searching for a new place, but currently I can't. So right now I don't have any reason for going. I can only wait until some more options are open for me.

When we moved here we went to several different churches,but in the end went to the UCC because some of the men that my dad was in Kiwanis with went there.
btw:Tommorrow the new minister starts.

Well, considering I've basically grown up in my church and with my church family (considering my parents grew up with parents of many of the familys that go there too....jeez, that makes alot a years)....That was originally the reason, but these past 5 years I've really began to discover the real reason.....

It's not becuase of how many ppl attend (I think the most ever was 300, but reguarly it's 200 at the most....and that's not too often)....

It's not becuase of the music (originally there was a full band, then they split. We did tracks for awhile, then somewhat of a band has been doing music....but it's not really rocky....but whether a church uses rock guitars or pipe organs, if it's played with a heart for God rather then a heart to entertain, then it doesn't matter the style of the music at all......)

I've stayed becuase of it's vision as well as becuase of the ppl there. It believes that, as the Bride of Christ, we are to lead others to him, not through tradition, but through Him alone....Yeah, we're very straightforward I guess....

....I think it's sad that when most ppl look for a church they try looking for the "perfect church" when there really is no such thing....Our church has gone through our share of tough times, but has never split or broke up becuase of issues that have risen, but instead has worked through them. Becuase of these issues and hardships, we have grown stronger and closer together as a family.

The reason is becuase we realise we are all a team, and that hardships will come but should never take us away from our true calling and mission....which is to live for our Creator and Savior and show who He really is to the rest of the world.....

I go to my current church because my mom switched. I like it because it's modern and the sermons are always interesting.

Well, we were attending a our old Church of Christ untill it felt like there just wasn't anything for us there. Once the preacher we liked had left and a new one came in, it just didn't feel right. So now we attend a new Church of Christ, named Christ's Church. I really like it because there seems to be a whole lot more life there, and the messages are really great. Im thankful that God has lead us there. It has some awesome christian contemporary songs that we sing instead of old-time hymns, but I do miss singing those hymns. And you don't really have to dress formal, but you can if you want to though.

I was looking for a local church. Naturally, I walked into the local church of the community I just moved into.

On that day, the sermon touched my heart (hit the nail in respect to what I was going through at that time) and I decided to give this a try, praying that God will help me confirm if I should remain rooted here.

EDIT: Something worth mentioning, I suppose...
Before, leaders were always distant and I would only talk to them if I had any serious/big issues. Here, the pastors and leaders are like dear friends. I can go up and freely talk to them, write emails regularly, text-message (even Facebook!) and be on very friendly terms, just I would have done with any human being. I'm impressed at the interaction that goes on between congregation and leaders, and want to be a contributing part of it.

Secondly, my involvement in this church has effectively help me to change bad habits (be less self-centered and close-minded) and to bring my focus on reaching out to the lost via outreach activities and mission trips. I think that's very important and fits in perfectly with my current stage in life. It's great, really and believe that God intended this.

Six months later, despite my worries and skepticism, I confirm that this is the church I can serve effectively and joyfully, without losing focus of what church is supposed to be. Praise God, I'm very thankful and happy.

I was baptised as a baby at my current church. I've been attending it ever since. The people there are great, and I feel like I'm part of the church community. I've never felt any reason to change. Plus, it's close.

Well, my family is still looking for the right church. We've visited several different ones over the past few years, but because we live in such a small town, our choices are really limited... and yeah. XD; We obviously haven't met our match yet.

That doesn't bother me, though, because I learn more easily when I study my Bible at home, or watch sermons on TV. I'm shy in real life, and always feel awkward--and can never stay completely focused on what the preacher is saying--when we visit new churches. (Even the one that my grandparents go to, which I've been to several times before.)

And besides, lately my family has been listening to tapes of James Earl Jones reading The New Testament... and it's so awesome. We're currently going through the book of Luke, and my brother and I CANNOT stop cracking Star Wars jokes. XD; Lame, yes. But awesome.

The sermons are okay, and the church is not far away from home. I am not really into a church right now.

How did you come to attend your current church?
I was born and then 28 days later baptised there.

What was it that drew you to attend there, or what did God use to bring you there?
My parents.

I've been there all my 24 years and seen a lot of growth (in numbers and spiritually) in my church. Our pastor is very humble and honest and down to earth (which is excellent). The messages are biblical but relevant.
The only thing that could be majorly improved is the community atmosphere, there tend to be too many clicky groups (I have friends there, but not good friends if you know what I mean).
Ours is a ministry and mission-based church with a focus on discipling people.

I have gone to the same church since I was born. My parents went there when I was born and we still do.

What do I like? We have one set of rules, the Bible. If the Bible says yes, so do we, if the Bible says no, so do we. We have no rituals, no attachments, nothing, just the unaltered Word of God. That is what we live by.

And my paster is cool, I mean, whats not to like about a pastor that loves Macs XD

I go to church when I can make it (which is rarely), but to tell you the truth, it's really going downhill. My pastor has this "vision" of racial integration. It feels like the church is selling out its very essence for the sake of making it, for lack of a better word, "blacker." He keeps putting stuff about equality and white privelege and other such nonsense into the sermons. We've got an extremely feeble gospel choir which is about 98.7% white and not one person in it can sing anyway. (And this is a matter of great importance to me- as the son of a worship minister, I've developed the possibly biased opinion that worship is at least as important as the sermon itself, if not more so. I just don't feel any joy in the worship there anymore.) For gosh sakes, there's a shelf full of black literature right in the foyer. Now don't get me wrong, I haven't got a racist bone in my body. But I think if I were black I'd be insulted. It's like we're just one step away from separating the congregation, black on one side, white on the other so all we have to do is turn our heads and gaze proudly upon our impressive collection of "African Americans."

Oh my gosh, Spoony, that sounds horrible. Have you talked with the pastor about this?

[quote="SpoonyBard (post: 1192556)"]I go to church when I can make it (which is rarely), but to tell you the truth, it's really going downhill. My pastor has this "vision" of racial integration. It feels like the church is selling out its very essence for the sake of making it, for lack of a better word, "blacker." He keeps putting stuff about equality and white privelege and other such nonsense into the sermons. We've got an extremely feeble gospel choir which is about 98.7%]

Man that is very wrong, sorry to say this , but that is why exactly one of the reasons I don't go to church on the Sabbath anymore for the time being. I prefer to keep it at home each Saturday atm. I've unfortunately met so many people including my own dad that claim they follow God yet their hearts aren't/weren't set on living a Godly lifestyle. Fortunately God has led me to others that truly follow him (including here).

The best you can do is pray for these people and move on along with Jesus.
God Bless.

I go to Church to be with the body of Christ, but I've been going to one church in particular for two years because of the pastor, Ron Lewis. http://www.ronlewisministries.com

PS - this is in no way meant to be a plug, just a bio.

I've attended a total of three churches in my life. My mother was brought up Roman Catholic, and my father Protestant(Presbyterian and Anglican to be exact). I grew up attending both churches, and became comfortable in each. When I turned 5, my parents had their vows renewed in the Catholic church so I could attend the Catholic Elementary School. As a result, we started attending that church more regularly. We still went to the Presbyterian church now and then, though.

This past summer, my mom and I were invited by one of her friends to attend a Worship Festival put on by her church. We attended, and had an amazing time! My mother and I both experienced a spiritual renewal, and began attending that church. I prefer this church because it's "laid back" for lack of a better term. You aren't expected to dress up or anything, and you can dance, sing, etc without being judged. I draw whenever I go there, and it's really good!

Unfortunately, I haven't been attending lately. I've been going through a rough patch. I'm trying to get myself to attend more, though.

-Mist

I'm the pastor.

Rev. Doc (post: 1196238) wrote:I'm the pastor.

Are you sure it's not because of the coffee?

mitsuki lover (post: 1196256) wrote::lol:

Are you sure it's not because of the coffee?

There's coffee? Nobody told me about the coffee!

Oh, and Eric, I live by my signature.

Going to church is kinda something I've always done.

In general: My *current* church is amazing. There are people there who are bigger computer nerds then I AM!!! Add to that, our paster is a retired electrical engineer, and it's just a great environment for me.

Specifically: I get out of bed every Sunday morning because I know my Junior High SS class needs someone there. I guess I'm being counted on to not lead them TOO far off the straight and narrow.

when I first moved to the state i am in right now, I was only in first grade at the time and for the first month there we lived in an apartment and noticed a little church getting built just a minute's drive down the road. My parents kept debating at the time whether we should attend on the first day it opened. A month later we did attend there and it was pretty awkward for me because it was the first time I've attended a church but hey Im glad I did at such a young age. Ten years later I still attend the church, and I really believe it was God's calling, though we no longer live in the same town but it's worth driving thirty minutes to there every wednesday and sunday.

Rev. Doc (post: 1196238) wrote:I'm the pastor.

Best response ever

XDDDD

There are really two issues for me:

Theology - What is being preached and taught is interesting and essentially sound, but it still challenges me and makes me uncomfortable at times. My class, at the least, refuses to let studies remain shallow.

Community - I know many of the people there. We discern together, help each other, etc. Also, the church as an organization makes it really easy to volunteer at soup kitchens, homeless shelters and the like. Without these structures I'd probably miss a lot of those opportunities.

I am not looking forward to moving again and having to search for another congregation.