If you were to try attending a Christian church, what would you look for?

Question

What kind of teachings, music, leadership, etc would make you interested enough to try a church? What totally turns you off?

Answer 1

1. i would make sure they tought the bible
2. i would see if their music is about god and it worships him
3. i would want it to be friendly to believers and nobelievers.
4. they wouldnt be completely boring

Answer 2

Personally, style of worship is very important to me. I attend a church with a very talented live band that plays contemporary Christian music. Its like being at a concert every Sunday. It is a great way to invite the presence of God into the service. Of course teachings are very important. If my church started teaching something I did not believe in I would definitely find a new church. Finally, the Pastor has to be good. My biggest turn off is when the message seems "memorized". I need a Pastor who listens to the voice of The Lord and isn't afraid to go with it.

btw...I attend a church called the Vineyard. It is a non-denominational Christian church and there is one in most big cities.

Answer 3

First I would look for is do they use KJV only to teach and preach from. Second what are the people like. As far as music I do not care for drums and anything that trys to make the music more up to date. I like Southern Gospel. The church I belong to now is like the church I would love. Its a wonderful church and would not dare change it.
A turn off church would be a dead church. I have been in churches where God does not show up or even the Holy Spirit.

Answer 4

I think the most important thing is that the teachings are ALL backed up by the WORD. Regardless of what church we go to, or what we are taught in Church, we should be reading our bibles, and making sure that what is being taught is from the WORD. All pastors can mess up and miss it, all of them can word things wrong, etc. WE are to consider what we hear and hold it up to what the bible says and make sure that it is one and the same. That doesn't mean that if a pastor does mess up, we leave...it just means that we are to check it with the bible and our hearts. You know, sometimes you hear someone say something that just doesn't sit right in your heart? It usually isn't.
Church should be the place we go to get equipped. To learn about the bible in a way that we understand and that gives us tools to use, IMO. The music and all that is like the frosting. We come for the meat, but enjoy the frosting. :-) I am soo blessed to be a part of my church, as for me it has it all. And the times when my pastor may have "missed it" and said something not quite right, he is the first to admit it and say he missed it. He STRIVES to please God and teach us what God wants him to teach us, and back everything up with the Word.
HTH

Answer 5

What turned me off was the lack of answers, and the discovery of lies. The more I asked the more I was told to shut up. SO I went and read the bible over and over. instead of answers, i got more questions. Like why are Witches evil? So I started looking outside my church for the answers. I researched HISTORY. What I discovered is why I will not return to a CHRISTIAN Church. I will still enter one for weddings, baptisms, with friends and family. Do I try to put their beliefs down? NO! What I discovered Shattered me whole faith. I will NOT share it because of the harm it may cause others. I was a devote Christian. My family is puzzled by my religion because of this fact. They were going to try to use the bible to "save" me. They shortly remembered how much I actually read, verses their one time a week reading. SO there is NOTHING a Christian (historically Xian) Church can offer me. BB Sdw

Answer 6

When I came back to Christ after my rebellion, I looked for a Church with a solid Biblical Grounding. A Church that was moving in The Gifts of The Holy Spirit. And, a Church with a vibrant Praise, and Worship.

What turns me off ? Churches who water down God's Holy WORD, that are so solemn that you'd think your in a Funeral.

Answer 7

I'm an atheist, but I do attend church with my wife and our children. We looked for a church that put it's words into action. As such, we found one that is very involved in community assistance programs. I've also been very lucky in that the pastor of the church is a very intelligent and thoughtful person who generally preaches sermons that teach lessons anyone can relate to.
And, he doesn't mind my sense of humor...even when I make religious jokes!

Answer 8

I would look for a pastor who did not judge from the pulpit, and a congregation who opened its arms to everyone. I like upbeat music, and a charasmatic preacher, leader, and teachers.

What totally turns me off is the churches in the past I have attended. Pastors who judge, only preach about Goda threat of Hell, quite, sad music, and a congregation who judges you and makes you feel unwelcome.

Answer 9

What ever opens my heart to the presence of God.

Style is helpful, but at the end of my visit, am I a better person?

To essentials doctrinally:
1) "God is Love"
2) "Jesus is Lord"

Everything else is secondary.

What turns me off? A leader with a cult following, who will go anywhere and do anything the leader says without examination.

Answer 10

The preachers practising opposite what they preach! That answers your last part of the question! The other things that normally take place within a church are just gimmicks to keep the attendees entertained!

Answer 11

One that follows the bible very closely and not based on traditions.
Turn offs, walking on the beach, soft music-kidding
Idols turn me off. Statues of Mary, Jesus, angels, No graven images. Also things chanted like creeds. God wants us to pray to him like a friend, not some thing read -be real.
Turn on's the lords supper every sunday, baptism by immersion NOT as a baby, lots of bible study=builds faith.
The name of my church is, "christian" really!