How to enjoy church?

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

I can't stand "church". The repetitive song service of endlessly repeating songs which would make any Hindu mantra proud, followed by endless announcements and choir, then a "message" ended with a loooooonnnnnng alter service. All the while I am thinking about work the next day.

I'm sorry, but my church associations with the UPC which were formed when I was in my teens are still with me like they were yesterday.

I can relate. Usually I am just thinking about getting out of there though.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by jfrog

So the general consensus is basically that if I go and think happy thoughts and expect to have a good time then I will? For some reason I'm skeptical that it works that way...

Would be nice if it worked that way, but it my opinion it is wishful thinking. (no offense meant to those who think so...)

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by jfrog

So the general consensus is basically that if I go and think happy thoughts and expect to have a good time then I will? For some reason I'm skeptical that it works that way...

I was being sarcastic.

Get what you can out of it, don't throw the baby out with the bathwater but I don't believe in being dishonest just because people get their panties in a wad if you are honest to admit you don't care for everything that goes on in a service.

I have my own pet peeves. My biggest is the "sing the same 3 words over and over and over and over and over until bro so and so runs the aisle"...

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by jfrog

If I was to visit a church how would I make sure I enjoy the visit instead of hate it?

Appreciate people's quirks instead of being annoyed by them. God loves people; if you do the same, you'll see the people who orchestrate a church *service* in a different light.

The one thing most of us have in common is that we love God. The things most of us have in common when we attend church is that we love God and we love getting together with other people who do.

Approach attending church as being about getting to know people and loving God together instead of having a laundry list of the things that please you and the things that don't. You'll have a better experience no matter what the specifics.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by jfrog

So the general consensus is basically that if I go and think happy thoughts and expect to have a good time then I will? For some reason I'm skeptical that it works that way...

I can generally have a "good time" just about anywhere, mainly because I have a good sense of humor and I don't put people on pedestals. Expect to be disappointed, and don't make too much out of your disappointment. It's really not all that significant in the grand scheme of things.

Originally Posted by ILG

That's kind of like asking "I went to war in Iraq and have serious post traumatic stress disorder. I am going to go to an area that I am not sure if it has real bombs and guns or if it is just fireworks and noise. How can I make sure I enjoy going?"

In my opinion, you can't. You don't know for sure what you are getting into.

There are definitely some environments that can't be enjoyable. They're more rare, IMO. I have a hard time listening to preachers who remind me of my former pastor. They're usually the really old school, dogmatic types. I can sit through a sermon, and be respectful, but it does turn my stomach.

In most cases, I can filter out the bad and enjoy the good stuff.

[BeenThinkin]

Originally Posted by seguidordejesus

Bring your ipod just in case the sermon's not good.

Get you an iPad! You can download the Bible and a Solitaire game. If a deacon walks by flip to the Bible. If things get boring, flip to Solitaire! j/k

BT

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by BeenThinkin

Get you an iPad! You can download the Bible and a Solitaire game. If a deacon walks by flip to the Bible. If things get boring, flip to Solitaire! j/k

BT

I caught my Dad reading the Sports section during his assistant pastor's sermon one Sunday. He had it stuck between the pages of his Bible.

[BeenThinkin]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I caught my Dad reading the Sports section during his assistant pastor's sermon one Sunday. He had it stuck between the pages of his Bible.

I don't read that sports stuff! You know that sports is all a sin! Competition is wrong....don't you know!

BT j/k

[Adam]

I adore the singers who sing out of tune and screech at you as they attempt to sing outside their range. Oh, and the sound system that is turned up so loud your ears are buzzing afterwards beyond anything experienced at a worldly rock concert. Someone say "AMEN!" ... "amen." "Come on, this is a Pentecostal worship service! Get with the program!" Yeah, love that.

But seriously, these days, I go for the meat of God's word. I want to be fed. Like a sheep. Baaaaaaa....

[ILG]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

In most cases, I can filter out the bad and enjoy the good stuff.

Yeah, I wish I could do that, but I keep diving under tables when a car backfires, thinking it is a bomb going off.