Im new to Christianity and feel a strong need to go to church but I don't have many options.?

Question

My parents both grew up in a Catholic family but both turned away from their faith. I would love to attent church but i don't have anyone to go with and both my grandparents are catholic and i would feel uncomfortable going to a catholic church when i have no intention of being catholic so im not sure what to do besides pray.

I know several local churches but am i suppose to just go alone and show up?

Answer 1

ali m,
What? All alone?

No you aren't. God is with you, the Lord who's mighty in battle. If you were to make your bed in Hell, He would be there with you.

Parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors; all have their purpose in your life, but the purpose for you is to turn to Him, die to yourself. Nevermind what you want, think about trusting God more than you would a bunch of people you don't know on the internet.

Answer 2

Praying is the best thing you could do. Ask God to work this out for you. There are many born again spirit filled believers in the Catholic church now, maybe you could find out if it would make your grandparents happy. Otherwise there are many places on the internet where you can have online church. Remember church is not a building it is fellowshipping with other believers. Find some internet christian friends in the meantime. You can have church on a Wednesday or any other day it does not have to be Sunday.

I just saw on the bottom that you say there are several local churches. Why not give them a call and talk to the Pastor and tell them you are a new christian and you would like to visit their church to see if it is the right one for you.

Answer 3

I don't know how old you are but if you have any transportation or are within walking distance of a church you can go there, and it doesn't matter if you go alone. If you find a church with a smaller congregation it will be easier to get to know everyone and, perhaps you could find someone to ride with. Find a church that teaches the Bible and actually cares about what God has to say.
There is a movement going on the US now of many people starting "house churches". These are just churches that meet at someones house. There appear to be hundreds of these meetings springing up all over but I don't know how to put you in touch with one. You might check it out on the Web.

Answer 4

Try asking people you meet in other places... if and where they go to church. A Christian will want to invite you right out to theirs if they have one - and if its close enough to you in location - you should try the ones that are suggested by people you think you'd enjoy talking with in general. Ask a variety of people you feel comfortable with - even if you're not close friends.
I go to a Babtist church. I went in one Sunday because I live near it and had been curious. I discovered my car-insurance agent would soon be my mentor in Bible studies. She said right away that she would have invited me sooner if she'd realized how close I lived to her church. I was only a stranger the first time. I moved a lot when I was young - and have attended Catholic, Christian, Babtist, and one non-demoninational church. The Catholic one was a bit overwhelming to me but the others were all welcoming.
Also pay attention to the signs outside of local churches. Is there one in particular that often seems to be offering a sentiment you like - or that mentions programs they're doing that you'd be interested in?
Good luck - and God Bless

Answer 5

Ali, Christianity is not the need to go to Church, but to find the church that's is right for you! The Bible says you have been assigned a pastor and a pastor has been assigned a congregation, all for the study of God's Word and to grow spiritually.

Since I've been moving around a lot with the Army, I have found my Church online, in which, I call myself a part of their congregation.

Attatched is the church link: It's a non-denominational Church, purely Christian, without all the Love'y dove'y stuff and "dog and pony show" stunts of major Christian Churches. It's a no nonsense approach to the Word of God and it's application to our modern life. Please feel free to visit.

http://www.gbible.org

Here is the Doctrinal Statement (What the Church Believes).

http://www.gbible.org/doctrinal_statement.htm

Answer 6

that's ok, much of the "church" nowadays is very dry. Althoug I think it's good for Christians, especially new christians, to be with other chrisitnas, i don't think church is necessary. Read the book of acts, that is what the church should look like.
Anyway, a friend of mine had a very similar situation. and so she didn't attend church. But she still worked very hard on building a relationship with Jesus. So she read the bibile every day and prayed all the time. She would talk to jesus as if she were talking to her best friend.. In this way, she was able to form a very strong relationship with Jesus, and it wasn't one that any religious leader told her how to do it, so it was all the more special to her.
However, this cannot go on forever. Because who do you ask if you have questions? and what if you read somehting wrong and believe it as truth? Even my friend eventually started going to a church, after she had moved to another city. But she still says that it was that time that she had alone with jesus that she was able to have such a good relationship with him.

Answer 7

Find out what programs the local churches are offering. Almost all protestant churches offer a bible study for different age groups before the church service.

If you went to this bible study, it would be so much less intimidating because you will only have to walk into a small group. Be honest with them-tell them that you really feel drawn to church and don't have anyone to go with. You will have tons of people offering to sit with you right away.

And, later down the road when you are comfortable with your church, maybe you could ask your parents if they would go with you for moral support. Maybe they fell away from Catholicism because they felt it wasn't right for them...they might be pleasantly surprised with a protestant service.

Answer 8

Just go to church- don't feel uncomfortable! I'm Lutheran, so I would personally advocate becoming a Lutheran, but that's up for you to decide. I know my church would welcome any guest even if they werent 100% certain they were going to join that church. What I'd do in your situation is each worship day go to a different house of worship. Try a couple of different protestant churches, a catholic church, temple, etc. If the place makes you feel uncomfortable, it's a bad fit for you and keep looking. But if you feel like you could become happy there, stick with it! Best of luck!

Answer 9

Pray about it, God will lead you....we are Christians and go to a non denomination church. I love the fellowship and I love hearing God's word.

Stay strong and pray for guidance, My grandparents were Catholic as well, but took a different path.

Answer 10

Ali M,
Look in your local phone book. Call a couple local church's you think you are interested in going to. Talk to the person at the church, it will generally be the secretary or other office person. They can tell you when their services are and you can tell them you want to talk to their pastor, make an appointment to go visit with him. You will know the one when you go and feel that you are somehow home. The pastor makes you feel comfortable, and you can discuss your beliefs with him and see if his teachings are in line with what you need. That way when you "just show up alone", you will not feel alone, God will be with you and you will feel like you are going home again.

Answer 11

You should definitly try to find a good bible teaching church. When you do your church family will be alot of encouragment and one day your parent and grandparents will see the diffference in you and what to know why. Then you could give your testimony and it will all come together.
God's a miracle worker
Just keep praying!!!