Attending a church can be a valuable way of engaging with Christian faith, and healthy church communities can provide encouragement, connection and support. Yet, if you are looking for a church it can be difficult to know where to start. Some people have also had painful experiences with churches in the past and may need additional support as they navigate this space.
These are some things that you might like to consider if you’re looking for a church:
- Prayer…
If you are comfortable, consider starting by asking God to help and guide you.
- Finding churches in your area
A simple internet search is often the easiest way to find local churches. You might also be aware of churches that you drive past regularly, or you could talk to people you know for recommendations. - Finding out about a church
Churches’ websites often include a ‘statement of faith’ (or similar) that tells you about what they believe. You can get an idea of whether this aligns with basic Christian beliefs by comparing it to statements that are shared across most Christian traditions (such as the Apostle’s Creed).
The website is also likely to include information about the church’s other ministries – for example, they might have children’s or youth ministries, small group meetings, community service activities etc.
Many churches also stream their services or sermons online – watching some of these can give you an idea of what their services are like. You’ll notice that different types of churches have different styles of service – for example, some are more traditional, others more contemporary. One style isn’t necessarily better than another, and you might find that you connect with some styles more easily than others.
You could also contact church pastor/s if you have questions – they are usually very happy to help.
- Visiting a church
When you have found a church that you’d like to visit, you can usually find their service times on their website and/or on a sign at the front of the church. You can just turn up at the service time – there is no need to RSVP or to bring anything. You might like to ask a friend to come with you for support for your first visit. You can leave church at any time, though most people will stay until the service ends (the length of the service depends on the church but is often around 1-2hrs). There’s no need to worry about what to wear – people dress differently at different churches (but if you’re concerned, smart casual clothing is usually a safe option). Depending on the church, you might be given the option to take Communion/Mass/the Eucharist during the service – you can simply decline if you aren’t comfortable with this.
- After visiting a church
If the visit went well, you might decide to go back again and continue to learn more about and engage with the church. It often takes at least several weeks to get a good sense of what the church is like. Alternately, you might want to visit some other churches before you decide. There is no obligation to continue attending.
A Note about Safety:
Most churches are safe and welcoming. However, occasionally churches or leaders misuse religion or spirituality in ways that can cause harm. Examples of things to watch out for could include:
- Encouraging people to give to the church financially and promising that God will respond by blessing them with wealth, success etc.
- Attributing all illness and suffering to individual sin or lack of faith
- Church leaders promoting themselves and/or lacking accountability
- The use of religious authority or texts to exercise coercive control
These types of things do not reflect Jesus’ heart and teaching; they should not happen in churches. However, if you do experience them, it is not your fault and you are not alone. Get safe and seek help. In Australia, the 1800 RESPECT helpline is one place you might start for support; similar services are also likely to exist in other locations.
