Dude....you will see people being together and enjoying the fellowship. Your idea about worship in your work is great. We should all be doing our best with our skills. One of the greatest parts of church is the fellowship. You are not alone. There are others like you, and we come together to help each other live the talk.

It is a big step to go in the doors and open yourself to the message. You have to prepare yourself to be open. Conversely, the people who are there have to prepare themselves to meet you when you come in. It is a two way street.

I completely understand your point of view. My strongest experiences of God have not occurred in a church building. My entry point to spirituality was in the meditation made possible for me in my frequent long runs.

Yes, I admit it, I am a runoholic.

But I digress. Without the running spiritual entry point for me, I would never have considered beginning a relationship with God. Without a relationship with God, I never would have really understood faith and what church is about.

My head knew lots about what church was. I knew, via my wife's faith, the mechanics of our church and the rough outline of the bible stories. But to fully understand my purpose in life and the depth of my own spirituality, I needed Gods assistance. Not only that, I needed (and still need) others around me who are on a spiritual path.

Don't misunderstand me, we are always surrounded by people on spiritual paths. A church isn't the only place you can encounter God. God speaks to you through people around you, if you will only listen.

I go to church to be a part of a community of like minded people. I go to be a servant of God. I take my faith on the road, so to speak too. I unite with the people of my church in trying to make my society a better place, a just place.

I go to church to soak in the history. I sit there and know that I am continuing a tradition that goes back thousands of years. How many more people before me have sat to worship? How many times have prayers been lifted to the heavens from within this one place? Here I am one of millions who have listened to the stories of Jesus. I share history and learn.

Hey Panda, I attend church regularly and yeah, I also worship God when I work outside, am cutting trees, clearing bushes, raking leaves, or shoveling snow and baking muffins or having a shower or whatever! But Sunday morning is the centre of all of my spirituality - to gather with my congregation, talk about our week, laugh, cry, pray, sing, hear a sermon that challenges and inspires. But I agree it's really hard to walk in the door if you are new to the church and most of our congregations do not realize that. My suggestion is: find out who the minister is maybe and call them up and ask if you can have a coffee or a beer AND talk about the church. Or ask some one in the congregation if you know anyone. If it's too intimidating to come Sunday morning, there are other ways to start until you decide - or not - if Sunday worship is for you. Peace!

I don't know where you live, but some churches (like mine) have really informative websites. Ours has a section called "Worship - what to expect" and it answers just about any question you might have before you get there. I know it's really hard to just walk in the door of a church. And you'll have to "shop" for the several - they're not all the same for sure.

It's not often that I have time to go to church. Either I'm working at 10 on Sundays or I'm off. If I am off and I don't sleep in, I can think of better things to do - like laundry and shopping. Most people I know grocery shop on Sundays if they're not working. I guess the owners can go to church,.. and the retired people. They can shop on weekdays or whenever.. I went to chuch a couple of weeks ago and that's who was there, mainly old people, no good looking guys under 30. I was really embarrassed when some lady stuck a microphone in my face and asked who I was, as if she really cared... I think they had coffee or something after church, but nobody told me where so I didn't go. I don't think I'll go there again. That night I went to my friends place for dinner. Now that was good.

Someone already said it but before you go to church you should know that not all churches are the same. If you are in a town or city with several United Churches for example, know that not all United Churches are the same. If you live in a place with several churches you may want to "shop" around and see which is the best "fit" for you. If you have onlyone or two choices...well..see where it "feels" best for you.

More often than not it is the "feel" of the church, the sense of community, the sense of mission that appeals to people. Being in the company of others who are searching or who are looking for companionship can be very helpful. Hopefully, the church you find will allow some variety within beliefs and will encourage your questions. Hopefully they will be able to welcome your ideas and will be open to learn from you too.

I have attended many different churches in my 48 years - started off Methodist - it was the closest church to home and mum and dad wanted us out of the house on Sunday mornings. From there to Anglican - again the closest church - and then as an adult to Baptist and since moving to Canada ten years ago, we've ended up at the United Church. Going through the doors for the first time in any church is, most definitely, a little daunting. Sometimes you are greeted by several name-tag bearing people who want to draw you in and know everything in ten seconds. Sometimes you are ignored completely and you feel like an alien from start to finish so you just want to leave and never return. And sometimes you think it feels "right" and you want to go back. My advice would be - don't just go once. Resolve to go at least six times even if you aren't too keen at first, so you can really get the feel of the place. I believe our churches are like a huge buffet supper table set out for us. Each of us will find our own favourite on the table, which may not be pallatable to the next in line.

My husband and I like a modern, upbeat chuch service with lively worship. We have friends who really cannot stand "that kind of thing" and must have a full pipe organ and dusty hymn books to attract them. Each to their own. We all love God, and He hears us wherever we go and whenever too! Actually, ask God to guide you. He will show you the way.

Panda, you were wondering what draws people to worship on Sundays. Everyone is unique, but for me worship strengthens my belief in God and the music and sermons inspire me. I also feel closest to God when I experience nature, but church has heightened that experience for me.

I Good question! Top reasons I go to chuch
1) I enjoy sharing worship with others
2) I find I look forward to our Minister's 'Reflection' of the week
3) I love the music
4) I feel like I contribute something through greeting, drama, volunteering at our library
5) I've made friends and look forward to fellowship time
6) I partake in communion
7) I enjoy celebrations like baptism
8) I know God likes it
9) I feel a sence of belonging
10) I also enjoy the other activities- Friday Fun Nights, The Girlfriend's Connection, Bible Studies etc

Hey- thanks for your honesty- I wish you a good faith journey! Continue in your search and you will find what you are looking for...

Look for an ALPHA meeting in your area. There are 1300 courses in Canada and it is in 53 countries. (alphacanada.com or alphausa.org) Some are held in churches, some not. They give you the opportunity to meet people in a small group setting in the same situation as yourself. You will eat a meal together, watch a video explaining a basic principal of Christianity (and 1 week will talk about why you would want to attend a church) The heart of the evening is the discusion time where you are encouraged to speak your mind and ask your questions in a non threatening and non presure atmosphere. You will make freinds and there will be people there who may be able to recomend a church to suit you. Through ALPHA, I have been helping people such as yourself, for about 10 years and have found that about 98% of people have a positive experience. Mau God bless you and guide you.

Good topic Panda. I think you got a good feel here. Going to church is a good source of fellowship, a great starting point to helping you explore your faith and often a couple of hours of peace to chill out in. Scorp had a bad experience - the microphone thing doesn't sound like any UC I have ever experienced but who knows? i don't think most are that " in your face".

I didn't grow up in the church and drifted in because of my wife. Try to find one that feels good to your heart. It will be quite apparent after sa service or two. Speaking with the minister is a good idea too. The flavour of the church changes with the minister so check that out as well.

The most important thing is to try. It is definately better than doing your laundry on Sunday morning.

Church is more than the Sunday service. My observation is that the Sunday morning church service is generally a little slow moving for "young people". Some minster are inspired orators so the sermons may make enough of an impression to keep you coming back for more. I love the music but I have some musical education and grew up attending church. I notice that some people come specifically for baptisms and communion.

Churches generally have adult education series, Bible studies and book studies. This is where you get to talk about the deeper stuff with a trained theologian (the minister) and other members of the congregation.

There are charitable or social action groups in most if not all churches. In Calgary, the churches of many denominations have formed a network to provide shelter to the homeless in their churches every night of the year. We used to host men, mostly the working poor. Now, since we are in a boom phase, we host mostly families with children.

There are also lots of fellowship and family events.

As far as I know, there is no requirement that you regularly attend the Sunday church service to be part of a congregation. If your focus is on learning, discussions, social action and/or meeting your neighbours and like minded families, churches do that, too.

I skimmed most of the answer so I may have missed one similar to mine. I can't say what it is that will draw you into a church and moreso, what will propel you to stay. I will say this:

It isn't easy. There's no hard and fast rule to what works. The most I know is that it doesn't work in a day or even a week or even a year but one day, if you commit to the church folk (for you are asking them to commit to you) then you will know... You will know you are meant to be there.

Again, you may not be able to write a list of Top Ten but you will know. The Soul will flutter but remember, it isn't easy.

But then again, nothing worthwhile, ever is.

Well Panda I think it is for the same reason that you are on this site. The ideas of other people help you to form your own ideas. Its not a process of consensus building (as if consensus on these matters could ever happen) but rather that the thoughts of one person may start your thought processes down other pathways that your own thoughts are not normally inclined to take.

Everyone goes for different reasons. Some go out of long developed routine. Others go for the friends and the fellowship. Some go for the music. I think I go to get new ideas about the nature of God and man; to contemplate the power of love and faith and to grow my optimism because I think the more one contemplates God and considers how God is revealed in the unimaginable complexity and richness of the cosmos the more optimistic one can (must) be. I love to listen and contemplate the words of the songs some of which are so full of meaning and emotion that I sometimes literally choke up as I consider them. However, as much as I love the hymns I am a lousy singer but with the help of everyone else in the room I become a good singer. Together we make a good and joyful sound. Just go sit in the pews. Listen to the voices. Look at the faces. The UC welcomes all who wish to attend. Don't worry you don't need to know any rituals. Let your thoughts drift away into a consideration of the prayers or the sermon. Then tune back in. Expect love and respect.

When you've decided
To live against the flow
Of the world around you,
Heaven only knows
You need a place for guidance,
A place for repose.
A time for fellowship
And reflection.
God knows.

When your life is a struggle
To do what others don't,
To see beauty in everything
Even if you can't
God gives you peace and mercy
To find His Will in your life
And in everything you do
Remember,
God Knows.

I hope that expresses more of what I believe church is for. You'll have to pardon me the absolute lack of any rhyme scheme, It was in my head.

God Bless.

I see these comments are quite old. So? Did you go Panda88?