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I'd like to share a blessing about a new church...

Goshin

Goshin

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I've been looking for a new "home church" for a long time. More than once I thought I'd found it, only to find things going on disagreeable enough to cause me to stop going.


Well I've been going to a new church, and I'm very excited about it... I'm considering asking to be a member there, though I'm not rushing things yet.


The church is very active in service and doing good works, helping the poor and those in trouble. In particular the pastor, who is a recovered addict himself, has a rescue outreach for addicts trying to break free of their downward spiral. This is greatly needed, meth has become a real scourge in this rural county.

One of the things I really love about this church is it is very informal, casual dress, and stands on an often-repeated principle that no one is any better than anyone else: we're all sinners saved by Grace trying to follow God as best we can. There is a distinct humility and lack of pretentiousness I have found to be regrettably rare elsewhere.


Everyone I've met there so far is very "real". "Fronting" and self-righteousness is actively discouraged.


So many churches I've tried it seemed like too many people had a stick up their butt, pardon my french lol, and were too concerned with appearances.

This church is very no-stick, if you follow me. :)


Son Numbah One, for instance, is tall and burly, has long hair and a beard and mostly wears black, and looks more like a Viking or a biker than a college student... but nobody at this church was put off by his appearance, he was welcomed without reservation. They aren't judge-ey about appearances... most people wear blue jeans and tennis shoes or cowboy boots. Some come in overalls and work boots, and nobody cares. :)


IMO, that's as it should be. Jesus don't care what you look like, He cares what's in your heart.


The pastor preaches the Word and preaches it straight and without apology, but he's also very real and unpretentious, and I've already seen him put his money where his mouth is.


So far, I'm pretty impressed. Going to keep visiting and see how things work out.
 
Goshin said:
I've been looking for a new "home church" for a long time. More than once I thought I'd found it, only to find things going on disagreeable enough to cause me to stop going.


Well I've been going to a new church, and I'm very excited about it... I'm considering asking to be a member there, though I'm not rushing things yet.


The church is very active in service and doing good works, helping the poor and those in trouble. In particular the pastor, who is a recovered addict himself, has a rescue outreach for addicts trying to break free of their downward spiral. This is greatly needed, meth has become a real scourge in this rural county.

One of the things I really love about this church is it is very informal, casual dress, and stands on an often-repeated principle that no one is any better than anyone else: we're all sinners saved by Grace trying to follow God as best we can. There is a distinct humility and lack of pretentiousness I have found to be regrettably rare elsewhere.


Everyone I've met there so far is very "real". "Fronting" and self-righteousness is actively discouraged.


So many churches I've tried it seemed like too many people had a stick up their butt, pardon my french lol, and were too concerned with appearances.

This church is very no-stick, if you follow me. :)


Son Numbah One, for instance, is tall and burly, has long hair and a beard and mostly wears black, and looks more like a Viking or a biker than a college student... but nobody at this church was put off by his appearance, he was welcomed without reservation. They aren't judge-ey about appearances... most people wear blue jeans and tennis shoes or cowboy boots. Some come in overalls and work boots, and nobody cares. :)


IMO, that's as it should be. Jesus don't care what you look like, He cares what's in your heart.


The pastor preaches the Word and preaches it straight and without apology, but he's also very real and unpretentious, and I've already seen him put his money where his mouth is.


So far, I'm pretty impressed. Going to keep visiting and see how things work out.
Click to expand...

In the town I live, I could count on one hand the number churches where people dress up for Sunday. I used to be the lead usher at my old church and I wore Aloha shirts every Sunday. I've never seen my pastor wear anything but jeans and the few people who show up in shirt and tie usually stop within a week or two. I think that the days of the shirt and tie churches are coming to a close...
 
Goshin said:
I've been looking for a new "home church" for a long time. More than once I thought I'd found it, only to find things going on disagreeable enough to cause me to stop going.


Well I've been going to a new church, and I'm very excited about it... I'm considering asking to be a member there, though I'm not rushing things yet.


The church is very active in service and doing good works, helping the poor and those in trouble. In particular the pastor, who is a recovered addict himself, has a rescue outreach for addicts trying to break free of their downward spiral. This is greatly needed, meth has become a real scourge in this rural county.

One of the things I really love about this church is it is very informal, casual dress, and stands on an often-repeated principle that no one is any better than anyone else: we're all sinners saved by Grace trying to follow God as best we can. There is a distinct humility and lack of pretentiousness I have found to be regrettably rare elsewhere.


Everyone I've met there so far is very "real". "Fronting" and self-righteousness is actively discouraged.


So many churches I've tried it seemed like too many people had a stick up their butt, pardon my french lol, and were too concerned with appearances.

This church is very no-stick, if you follow me. :)


Son Numbah One, for instance, is tall and burly, has long hair and a beard and mostly wears black, and looks more like a Viking or a biker than a college student... but nobody at this church was put off by his appearance, he was welcomed without reservation. They aren't judge-ey about appearances... most people wear blue jeans and tennis shoes or cowboy boots. Some come in overalls and work boots, and nobody cares. :)


IMO, that's as it should be. Jesus don't care what you look like, He cares what's in your heart.


The pastor preaches the Word and preaches it straight and without apology, but he's also very real and unpretentious, and I've already seen him put his money where his mouth is.


So far, I'm pretty impressed. Going to keep visiting and see how things work out.
Click to expand...

I wish you the best, and hope you've found your spiritual home. I, too, have been unhappy with my spiritual experience as of late - well, the last ten years. Please let me know how it goes for you. Just remember, that Jesus hung out with the first century equivalent of the kind of folks you describe being members of that church. I hope it lasts, and that you find peace.
 
Goshin said:
I've been looking for a new "home church" for a long time. More than once I thought I'd found it, only to find things going on disagreeable enough to cause me to stop going.


Well I've been going to a new church, and I'm very excited about it... I'm considering asking to be a member there, though I'm not rushing things yet.


The church is very active in service and doing good works, helping the poor and those in trouble. In particular the pastor, who is a recovered addict himself, has a rescue outreach for addicts trying to break free of their downward spiral. This is greatly needed, meth has become a real scourge in this rural county.

One of the things I really love about this church is it is very informal, casual dress, and stands on an often-repeated principle that no one is any better than anyone else: we're all sinners saved by Grace trying to follow God as best we can. There is a distinct humility and lack of pretentiousness I have found to be regrettably rare elsewhere.


Everyone I've met there so far is very "real". "Fronting" and self-righteousness is actively discouraged.


So many churches I've tried it seemed like too many people had a stick up their butt, pardon my french lol, and were too concerned with appearances.

This church is very no-stick, if you follow me. :)


Son Numbah One, for instance, is tall and burly, has long hair and a beard and mostly wears black, and looks more like a Viking or a biker than a college student... but nobody at this church was put off by his appearance, he was welcomed without reservation. They aren't judge-ey about appearances... most people wear blue jeans and tennis shoes or cowboy boots. Some come in overalls and work boots, and nobody cares. :)


IMO, that's as it should be. Jesus don't care what you look like, He cares what's in your heart.


The pastor preaches the Word and preaches it straight and without apology, but he's also very real and unpretentious, and I've already seen him put his money where his mouth is.


So far, I'm pretty impressed. Going to keep visiting and see how things work out.
Click to expand...

We selected our current church for much the same reasons you like your new church. And yes, some dress up but most don't. Casual dress is the norm and the emphasis is in spiritual growth and doing good works in missions and the local community instead of just 'doing church' for the sake of doing church. You usually know when you have found a church home.

One word of caution though. No matter how much you find everything to your liking now, be prepared for some things to disappoint you now and then. The best of the best are after all human beings capable of bad judgment and/or bad behavior and will at times have feet of clay as happens to us all. Don't let this ruin it for you. Take the occasional bad with the mostly good and it invariably blows over.
 
AlbqOwl said:
We selected our current church for much the same reasons you like your new church. And yes, some dress up but most don't. Casual dress is the norm and the emphasis is in spiritual growth and doing good works in missions and the local community instead of just 'doing church' for the sake of doing church. You usually know when you have found a church home.

One word of caution though. No matter how much you find everything to your liking now, be prepared for some things to disappoint you now and then. The best of the best are after all human beings capable of bad judgment and/or bad behavior and will at times have feet of clay as happens to us all. Don't let this ruin it for you. Take the occasional bad with the mostly good and it invariably blows over.
Click to expand...


Wise words. No institution that contains humans will ever be perfect. :)
 
Goshin said:
I've been looking for a new "home church" for a long time. More than once I thought I'd found it, only to find things going on disagreeable enough to cause me to stop going.


Well I've been going to a new church, and I'm very excited about it... I'm considering asking to be a member there, though I'm not rushing things yet.


The church is very active in service and doing good works, helping the poor and those in trouble. In particular the pastor, who is a recovered addict himself, has a rescue outreach for addicts trying to break free of their downward spiral. This is greatly needed, meth has become a real scourge in this rural county.

One of the things I really love about this church is it is very informal, casual dress, and stands on an often-repeated principle that no one is any better than anyone else: we're all sinners saved by Grace trying to follow God as best we can. There is a distinct humility and lack of pretentiousness I have found to be regrettably rare elsewhere.


Everyone I've met there so far is very "real". "Fronting" and self-righteousness is actively discouraged.


So many churches I've tried it seemed like too many people had a stick up their butt, pardon my french lol, and were too concerned with appearances.

This church is very no-stick, if you follow me. :)


Son Numbah One, for instance, is tall and burly, has long hair and a beard and mostly wears black, and looks more like a Viking or a biker than a college student... but nobody at this church was put off by his appearance, he was welcomed without reservation. They aren't judge-ey about appearances... most people wear blue jeans and tennis shoes or cowboy boots. Some come in overalls and work boots, and nobody cares. :)


IMO, that's as it should be. Jesus don't care what you look like, He cares what's in your heart.


The pastor preaches the Word and preaches it straight and without apology, but he's also very real and unpretentious, and I've already seen him put his money where his mouth is.


So far, I'm pretty impressed. Going to keep visiting and see how things work out.
Click to expand...

I'm glad you've found somewhere comfortable. I agree that dress, or lack thereof, shouldn't be an obstacle to finding a good community for worship and study. I go to a Shul where everyone wheres black coats, black hats, and has huge beards. I'd never dream of looking like that but I've come to love them all the same.
 
Goshin said:
I've been looking for a new "home church" for a long time. More than once I thought I'd found it, only to find things going on disagreeable enough to cause me to stop going.


Well I've been going to a new church, and I'm very excited about it... I'm considering asking to be a member there, though I'm not rushing things yet.


The church is very active in service and doing good works, helping the poor and those in trouble. In particular the pastor, who is a recovered addict himself, has a rescue outreach for addicts trying to break free of their downward spiral. This is greatly needed, meth has become a real scourge in this rural county.

One of the things I really love about this church is it is very informal, casual dress, and stands on an often-repeated principle that no one is any better than anyone else: we're all sinners saved by Grace trying to follow God as best we can. There is a distinct humility and lack of pretentiousness I have found to be regrettably rare elsewhere.


Everyone I've met there so far is very "real". "Fronting" and self-righteousness is actively discouraged.


So many churches I've tried it seemed like too many people had a stick up their butt, pardon my french lol, and were too concerned with appearances.

This church is very no-stick, if you follow me. :)


Son Numbah One, for instance, is tall and burly, has long hair and a beard and mostly wears black, and looks more like a Viking or a biker than a college student... but nobody at this church was put off by his appearance, he was welcomed without reservation. They aren't judge-ey about appearances... most people wear blue jeans and tennis shoes or cowboy boots. Some come in overalls and work boots, and nobody cares. :)


IMO, that's as it should be. Jesus don't care what you look like, He cares what's in your heart.


The pastor preaches the Word and preaches it straight and without apology, but he's also very real and unpretentious, and I've already seen him put his money where his mouth is.


So far, I'm pretty impressed. Going to keep visiting and see how things work out.
Click to expand...

As long as the message is Christ centered then I would say you have found a pretty good church.
 
faithful_servant said:
In the town I live, I could count on one hand the number churches where people dress up for Sunday. I used to be the lead usher at my old church and I wore Aloha shirts every Sunday. I've never seen my pastor wear anything but jeans and the few people who show up in shirt and tie usually stop within a week or two. I think that the days of the shirt and tie churches are coming to a close...
Click to expand...

I hope not. It's not that I don't appreciate "come as you are"; I do and very often wear nice jeans with a nice shirt to the service I attend. But I never dreamed that the day would come when people didn't realize that butt cracks in church (and tube tops and shorts and flip-flops) aren't appropriate.

I mean, come on--you can't, for just an hour or so a week, throw on a decent pair of pants and actual shoes?
 
nota bene said:
I hope not. It's not that I don't appreciate "come as you are"; I do and very often wear nice jeans with a nice shirt to the service I attend. But I never dreamed that the day would come when people didn't realize that butt cracks in church (and tube tops and shorts and flip-flops) aren't appropriate.

I mean, come on--you can't, for just an hour or so a week, throw on a decent pair of pants and actual shoes?
Click to expand...


Well I mean there are basic standards of decency... nobody is going to show up shirtless or shoeless, or dressed like the Whore of Babylon. :)


The casual thing is a big deal to me b/c I've been in too many churches where people seemed to think suit-and-tie or fancy dress had something to do with being a good Christian, and it seems to tie in with being obsessive about appearances in general and "fronting" attitudes, in my experience.


But yeah, basic decency is always a thing...
 
ludin said:
As long as the message is Christ centered then I would say you have found a pretty good church.
Click to expand...



Very much so. Last night we had an ordination service for two men. One thing the pastor said repeatedly was "This isn't about them, this isn't about us, this is about serving God and serving others. If these two men ever stop lifting up Jesus in their ministry then they have failed, no matter what else they might accomplish."
 
Goshin said:
Well I mean there are basic standards of decency... nobody is going to show up shirtless or shoeless, or dressed like the Whore of Babylon. :)


The casual thing is a big deal to me b/c I've been in too many churches where people seemed to think suit-and-tie or fancy dress had something to do with being a good Christian, and it seems to tie in with being obsessive about appearances in general and "fronting" attitudes, in my experience.


But yeah, basic decency is always a thing...
Click to expand...

It is, and I wasn't kidding about the butt-cracks or anything else.

I remember a time when 'Sunday best" meant something, and I will say that in the black churches I've attended, everybody dresses super-spiffy. I love it, especially the older ladies and gents' apparel.
 
nota bene said:
It is, and I wasn't kidding about the butt-cracks or anything else.

I remember a time when 'Sunday best" meant something, and I will say that in the black churches I've attended, everybody dresses super-spiffy. I love it, especially the older ladies and gents' apparel.
Click to expand...


That's fine if that's what you prefer, as long as it is understood that it is a matter of preference and custom and not commandment.

I was actually in a church once where the young pastor said "When I got saved, nobody had to tell me to wear a suit and tie to church!" My jaw dropped... he'd just embarassed a bunch of people who weren't in suit and tie, some of whom couldn't afford a suit, speaking as if it were the Eleventh Commandment or something. It tied right in with his obsession with appearances and small things of no consequence, things of culture and custom not commandment, and his tendency toward nit-picking pseudo-legalism. I never went back after that.

I know what you mean about black churches though...it's worth a visit just to see all the hats! When those folks decide to dress up by golly they do it up all the way. Pocket handkerchief that matches the tie with alligator shoes... :D
 
Goshin said:
Very much so. Last night we had an ordination service for two men. One thing the pastor said repeatedly was "This isn't about them, this isn't about us, this is about serving God and serving others. If these two men ever stop lifting up Jesus in their ministry then they have failed, no matter what else they might accomplish."
Click to expand...

As Paul would write ol what a wretch I am. I do the things that I should not and not the things I should.
failure is just a fact. They are going to fail as it is not possible. Lucky for us we have future grace that is set by Christ.

Christ knows that we are going to fail and stumble but he is just to forgive us all unrighteousness.
 
Goshin said:
That's fine if that's what you prefer, as long as it is understood that it is a matter of preference and custom and not commandment.

I was actually in a church once where the young pastor said "When I got saved, nobody had to tell me to wear a suit and tie to church!" My jaw dropped... he'd just embarassed a bunch of people who weren't in suit and tie, some of whom couldn't afford a suit, speaking as if it were the Eleventh Commandment or something. It tied right in with his obsession with appearances and small things of no consequence, things of culture and custom not commandment, and his tendency toward nit-picking pseudo-legalism. I never went back after that.

I know what you mean about black churches though...it's worth a visit just to see all the hats! When those folks decide to dress up by golly they do it up all the way. Pocket handkerchief that matches the tie with alligator shoes... :D
Click to expand...

Christ went around in a brown robe and sandals.
 
nota bene said:
I hope not. It's not that I don't appreciate "come as you are"; I do and very often wear nice jeans with a nice shirt to the service I attend. But I never dreamed that the day would come when people didn't realize that butt cracks in church (and tube tops and shorts and flip-flops) aren't appropriate.

I mean, come on--you can't, for just an hour or so a week, throw on a decent pair of pants and actual shoes?
Click to expand...

isn't yours the sentiment of the older fellow in the church who wears a suit and tie every sunday service: come on--you can't, for just an hour or so a week, throw on a decent suit and tie for the Lord?
 
Goshin said:
I've been looking for a new "home church" for a long time. More than once I thought I'd found it, only to find things going on disagreeable enough to cause me to stop going.


Well I've been going to a new church, and I'm very excited about it... I'm considering asking to be a member there, though I'm not rushing things yet.


The church is very active in service and doing good works, helping the poor and those in trouble. In particular the pastor, who is a recovered addict himself, has a rescue outreach for addicts trying to break free of their downward spiral. This is greatly needed, meth has become a real scourge in this rural county.

One of the things I really love about this church is it is very informal, casual dress, and stands on an often-repeated principle that no one is any better than anyone else: we're all sinners saved by Grace trying to follow God as best we can. There is a distinct humility and lack of pretentiousness I have found to be regrettably rare elsewhere.


Everyone I've met there so far is very "real". "Fronting" and self-righteousness is actively discouraged.


So many churches I've tried it seemed like too many people had a stick up their butt, pardon my french lol, and were too concerned with appearances.

This church is very no-stick, if you follow me. :)


Son Numbah One, for instance, is tall and burly, has long hair and a beard and mostly wears black, and looks more like a Viking or a biker than a college student... but nobody at this church was put off by his appearance, he was welcomed without reservation. They aren't judge-ey about appearances... most people wear blue jeans and tennis shoes or cowboy boots. Some come in overalls and work boots, and nobody cares. :)


IMO, that's as it should be. Jesus don't care what you look like, He cares what's in your heart.


The pastor preaches the Word and preaches it straight and without apology, but he's also very real and unpretentious, and I've already seen him put his money where his mouth is.


So far, I'm pretty impressed. Going to keep visiting and see how things work out.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you've found your spiritual home, I wish you well.

I am not 'religious', as in go to church, mainly because I have had such horrible experiences in my adult years with (what I believe you call 'fronting') hypocrisy and judgment. As a youth and teen, I attended some pretty good churches, but around 15 years old, certain aspects or organized religion did not set well, so I stopped going. If someone finds comfort in church, then that is all that matters.

I now let my love of nature serve as my 'church', I do my good deeds by my own arrangement, and all's right with my world. :)
 
nota bene said:
It is, and I wasn't kidding about the butt-cracks or anything else.

I remember a time when 'Sunday best" meant something, and I will say that in the black churches I've attended, everybody dresses super-spiffy. I love it, especially the older ladies and gents' apparel.
Click to expand...

and if that is the dress expectation within the church community hasn't the congregation just turned away those without the means to arrive so attired? no matter how geuine their faith?

why do many religious congregations act so judgmental about things so trivial as attire?
 
Goshin said:
I've been looking for a new "home church" for a long time. More than once I thought I'd found it, only to find things going on disagreeable enough to cause me to stop going.


Well I've been going to a new church, and I'm very excited about it... I'm considering asking to be a member there, though I'm not rushing things yet.


The church is very active in service and doing good works, helping the poor and those in trouble. In particular the pastor, who is a recovered addict himself, has a rescue outreach for addicts trying to break free of their downward spiral. This is greatly needed, meth has become a real scourge in this rural county.

One of the things I really love about this church is it is very informal, casual dress, and stands on an often-repeated principle that no one is any better than anyone else: we're all sinners saved by Grace trying to follow God as best we can. There is a distinct humility and lack of pretentiousness I have found to be regrettably rare elsewhere.


Everyone I've met there so far is very "real". "Fronting" and self-righteousness is actively discouraged.


So many churches I've tried it seemed like too many people had a stick up their butt, pardon my french lol, and were too concerned with appearances.

This church is very no-stick, if you follow me. :)


Son Numbah One, for instance, is tall and burly, has long hair and a beard and mostly wears black, and looks more like a Viking or a biker than a college student... but nobody at this church was put off by his appearance, he was welcomed without reservation. They aren't judge-ey about appearances... most people wear blue jeans and tennis shoes or cowboy boots. Some come in overalls and work boots, and nobody cares. :)


IMO, that's as it should be. Jesus don't care what you look like, He cares what's in your heart.


The pastor preaches the Word and preaches it straight and without apology, but he's also very real and unpretentious, and I've already seen him put his money where his mouth is.


So far, I'm pretty impressed. Going to keep visiting and see how things work out.
Click to expand...

first, let me celebrate that you have found a place of worship that is very meaningful to you. from your posts, that is obviously something very important to your being

and if my next observation is seen as being a bit semantic, then that would be a fair appraisal.
... I've been going to a new church, and I'm very excited about it... I'm considering asking to be a member there ...
Click to expand...
to have to be accepted into a congregation by man would be offputting for me. the church is not the building but the congregation. why would any man/woman have the right to disapprove the participation of one who sought to worship in a house of the Lord? that you could even contemplate the possibility of being turned away turns me off
 
justabubba said:
isn't yours the sentiment of the older fellow in the church who wears a suit and tie every sunday service: come on--you can't, for just an hour or so a week, throw on a decent suit and tie for the Lord?
Click to expand...

As I've already said, I generally wear nice jeans and a nice shirt to the service I attend. And I don't think the Lord cares what we wear so long as our butt-cracks aren't showing. But I never thought I'd see the day when folks wore flip-flops to a funeral, and that's pretty much my point.
 
justabubba said:
and if that is the dress expectation within the church community hasn't the congregation just turned away those without the means to arrive so attired? no matter how geuine their faith?

why do many religious congregations act so judgmental about things so trivial as attire?
Click to expand...

I have never in my life seen anybody turned away from church because of the way he or she was dressed. Have you?
 
nota bene said:
I hope not. It's not that I don't appreciate "come as you are"; I do and very often wear nice jeans with a nice shirt to the service I attend. But I never dreamed that the day would come when people didn't realize that butt cracks in church (and tube tops and shorts and flip-flops) aren't appropriate.

I mean, come on--you can't, for just an hour or so a week, throw on a decent pair of pants and actual shoes?
Click to expand...

I have to agree with this for the most part. I don't think it is respectful to come in dirty gardening clothes or whatever when you don't have to. But then again, there is something to say for the poor person wearing the best they have no matter how shabby or whatever being welcome in the Lord's house. We always have to be able to make that distinction.
 
Goshin said:
That's fine if that's what you prefer, as long as it is understood that it is a matter of preference and custom and not commandment.

I was actually in a church once where the young pastor said "When I got saved, nobody had to tell me to wear a suit and tie to church!" My jaw dropped... he'd just embarassed a bunch of people who weren't in suit and tie, some of whom couldn't afford a suit, speaking as if it were the Eleventh Commandment or something. It tied right in with his obsession with appearances and small things of no consequence, things of culture and custom not commandment, and his tendency toward nit-picking pseudo-legalism. I never went back after that.

I know what you mean about black churches though...it's worth a visit just to see all the hats! When those folks decide to dress up by golly they do it up all the way. Pocket handkerchief that matches the tie with alligator shoes... :D
Click to expand...

If these types of people ever attended an underground house church in China, they'd have no idea what they were looking at.
 
nota bene said:
I have never in my life seen anybody turned away from church because of the way he or she was dressed. Have you?
Click to expand...

Turned away? no.

Stared at, talked about, ignored, made to feel unwelcome? yes. too many times.
 
justabubba said:
first, let me celebrate that you have found a place of worship that is very meaningful to you. from your posts, that is obviously something very important to your being
Click to expand...


Thanks. I haven't had a "home church" for a long time, a community of believers I felt at home with is another way of putting it, and I've felt the lack.



and if my next observation is seen as being a bit semantic, then that would be a fair appraisal.

to have to be accepted into a congregation by man would be offputting for me. the church is not the building but the congregation. why would any man/woman have the right to disapprove the participation of one who sought to worship in a house of the Lord? that you could even contemplate the possibility of being turned away turns me off
Click to expand...


Understood, but generally it isn't really like that.

Anyone is welcome to come who isn't unreasonably disruptive. I've known people to attend church 2-3 services a week as a "visitor" for years.

Membership is slightly different, because members VOTE. They vote for the Deacon board, who manage the church finances and whatnot, and vote for/against accepting someone as pastor, and for or against building this or donating that or sending money to missionaries in the Congo. That makes membership kind of significant.

Even so, most churches of my experience are fairly casual about membership. Basically you visit for a while so people can get to know you,e you then you tell the pastor you want to join. If nobody knows of any strong reason to deny you (like maybe you run a Meth lab) then you stand up in front of the congregation and the preacher says "So-n-so and family have asked to be members of our church on their public profession of faith (or letter from previous church) what is your pleasure in receiving them?"

99% of the time the congregation shouts "AMEN!" (which is taken as a "Yea" btw, lol) and that's that, you're a member.
 
Schism said:
If these types of people ever attended an underground house church in China, they'd have no idea what they were looking at.
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True that. A church is people and God, no building or dress code required. :)
 
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