credmond@watmath.waterloo.edu (Chris Redmond) (05/29/90)
In the recent draft document about "Finding a Church", our wise moderator responded to an inquirer beginning thus: I'm going to assume you are a Protestant. If you were a Catholic . . . I doubt that you'd be asking this question. And the bulk of the document deals with the differences between the various Protestant denominations -- interesting material of which many people are sadly unaware. However, another whole aspect of the question is not dealt with in the document, and I think that aspect applies just as much to Catholics as to Protestants. The sub-question is this: once I have decided that I want a Presbyterian church, (or, a Catholic church), which Presbyterian (Catholic) church should I choose? Possible considerations: Location (close to home). Size (do I want a small, intimate group or a large, probably more formal one) Music (style and, especially if the preferred style is "traditional", quality) Preaching (style and quality, again) Pastoral care (not too intrusive, not too distant, not too incompetent) Age profile of the congregation Midweek activities (Bible study? bridge? community service projects?) Sunday school and youth groups Perhaps it is not possible to give a sensible answer to "which of these factors is most important?" but at least seekers should be aware that Episcopal churches vary enormously on all these scales, as do Methodist churches. And Baptist. CAR credmond@watmath
mike@turing.cs.unm.edu (Michael I. Bushnell) (06/05/90)
Christ Redmond did raise an interesting point. I'm a Presbyterian,
and I seriously doubt that I'd join a different denomination, but his
comment about "which local church?" is a good one. Here's the
criteria I'd use:
Location:
Location is important, but not too much. I need a church that I can
get to conveniently enough to participate. I don't want to have to
say "I can't do XXX, because it's too much of a pain to get there".
But, within that limit, I don't care too much where the church is.
The church I currently am a member of is in the middle of a rather
crime ridden, lower middle class neighborhood, and I have
absoulutely no intention of automatically avoiding such churches in
the future on that basis.
Size:
Surprisingly, this never mattered too much to me. I'm pretty
interested usually in "doing things" for the church, and that is
certainly a lot easier in a small church. But there are benefits on
both sides. I think I could be comfortable with any size church,
and I don't think size is too much of a qualifier.
Music:
I love music. But then, worship is not an excuse for performance.
I'd have to say that the music is important, but the penitence of
the musicians is more important. If I think they are genuine, that
is far more important than far better music being performed during
the service. As for what kinds of music, I really don't care. As
long as it doesn't get in the way of the service.
Preaching:
It would be very important for me to talk with the pastor before
joining *any* church. I just want to be sure that I understand the
theological climate of the church. I'd want to ask some hard
questions and also just scope out the situation.
Pastoral care:
The above conference also provides a good indication of the pastoral
care available. It's certainly important.
Age profile:
Doesn't matter too much to me, as long as I can be respected for who
I am independent of age. I want myself and any friends I might
bring to feel welcome.
Midweek activities:
Any that aren't there can be started. Isn't a problem.
Sunday School:
Same as midweek activities.
-mib
--
Michael I. Bushnell \ This above all; to thine own self be true
LIBERTE, EGALITE, FRATERNITE \ And it must follow, as the night the day,
mike@unmvax.cs.unm.edu /\ Thou canst not be false to any man.
CARPE DIEM / \ Farewell: my blessing season this in thee!