need some advice/help - religion mentioned

Kaitlin'smom wrote: Kaitlin asked me yesterday if she could start going to church, and I am deffinalty fine with that, I dont mind at all taking her I was just wonder how do I go about finding a church? we are not church goers and dont have a denomination. Do they have them that are not specific to anything but teach more than one? I am a bit clueless on this.

Danalana replied: Mine is non-denominational, but it doesn't teach several doctrines. I hope you find one for her. There are a lot of good children's programs out there now.

grapfruit replied: YES, there are non-denomination churches.

2 near you that you may like

1) Ginghamsburg - Tipp City Their website
I used to attend this one and I LOVED it. There was tons of classes, it's very laid back. They do great mission work, and the pastor is AWESOME. It's just 45 min from where we live now....SO, we go to a different church now. There's a room upstairs called the "Tree house" that kids can go if they dont' want to go to the actual service. They have fun and learn little lessons.

Check out that link to the website. You can watch sermons online. The only thing they cut out is the music due to copywrite issues. (The music is great though).

2) CLC (Christian Life Center) - It's off 70, I think near Englewood. It's the one you see on the left (south) if you're going towards IN.
I dont' know a lot about CLC. I had a friend that said it's similar to Ginghamsburg, they really liked it.

luvmykids replied: Just keep an open mind, if you don't like one church try another. There's an old joke that finding the right church is as hard as finding the right mate Sometimes it takes trying a few (or more) to find one where you're comfortable. Good luck in your quest, I hope Kaitlin enjoys it too!

eta: You may know this but just in case you don't, non-denominational churches aim to teach more along the lines of the Bible without denominational doctrines thrown in, but they're still based on "Christianity"....they just don't necessarily do things the way a denomination might, like genuflect or have specific times to kneel, etc.

Kaitlin'smom replied: thanks for the input so far, I really dunno where to start...but since she is interested in it I am more than willing to take her. I dont mind going. I have gone to some I hated and some I loved. Guess we can just start with some that are close by.

luvmykids replied: You could ask others you know what they love about their church, it might give you some ideas on why you may or may not like a certain church.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: We are church shopping right now, too. They say to try the same church at least 3 times before deciding whether or not you like it. And only go when the senior pastor is there (not an associate or sub).

Good luck! I hope you find the perfect church for all of you.

Kaitlin'smom replied: I dont know many up around me that go, the one I know are further than I really want to go with gas prices and all.

grapfruit replied:
How far do you want to go? (What's your limit on drive time) My brother sings at a lot of different churches and he may have a good idea.

I think the two that I meantioned before are fairly close though....

I Google mapped them from the center of your town:

Ginghamsburg (6759 S County Rd 25A, Tipp City, 45371) - 9.5 miles (approx 15 min)

CLC (3489 Little York Rd, Dayton, 45414) - 5.1 miles (approx 10 min)

Do you want one w/in the city limits?

Kaitlin'smom replied: not sure if I want to go smaller or bigger either.....but yes some closer in huber woudl be good as well. thanks!

Kaitlin'smom replied: oh and I really want to say clear of the ones who everyone comments after everything thats said, like prasie the lord, amen or what ever, its just not for me.

Maddie&EthansMom replied:
A bible church would be good. Or baptist. Some non denominational churches can be too charismatic and might be a bit scary for someone who isn't used to attending. I would just ask around first to find out.

Kaitlin'smom replied:
thanks

I dont mind the occasional one but I went ot one one that that s practually all I heard, could bairly follow the serman casue of it

PrairieMom replied: Do you have a basic belief set? maybe that would be a good place to start. I haven't really looked, but I bet there is a ton of info on the net. Maybe that can at least narrow your choices down.
It took us 3 years to finally find a church that was for us. It was so worth the effort tho.
A methodist church might be a good place to start. I have been to quite a few, and they all seemed pretty laid back.
the non-denominational ones I have been to have been pretty hard core.

momofone replied: i have seen some cute childrens bibles in book stores.

Calimama replied: We went to 5 different churches before we fell in love with ours. I go a lot by word of mouth from other wives out here and then we try it out for a couple weeks.

PrairieMom replied:
We got one super cheap because it was returned. The lady said it was "to violent" HELLO!!!!!! its the Bible people! DUH its violent!

Boo&BugsMom replied: Di, I think if you are just starting out in looking and don't come from a set belief system in any doctrine, a non-denominational or Bible church would be your best bet. This is just my opinion, but in my experiences with people who are just starting their "walk with God", some denominations can feel very overwhelming for them...and a non-denominational or Bible church is very basic. My word of advice, sit down and figure out the 3 most important things you would need/want in a church. For me, one thing was a strong children's ministry. Set out to find those 3 things. When you find it, you'll know it. Another one for me was a church what would allow me to grow in my walk with God. I have found that many very large churches were not helping me to grow spiritually as much as I wanted. However, those larger churches may be ok for others...but it just wasn't for me and my family. Good luck. I think you will find it to be rewarding not just for your children, but for you as well. When you find the right church, it is such an uplifting and life changing experience. My church is definitly like a second home to me. If you need help, let me know.

Kaitlin'smom replied: okay so next question how do I know if its a bible church or non don?

TheOaf66 replied: usually a church will put its denomination in the name

It will say ".....Lutheran Church or .....bible church etc.

Kaitlin'smom replied:
thanks

like everthign else with her its an all new adventure.......

jem0622 replied: Our local gazette publishes the churches, locations, and mass times each week. You can google churches in your city/town also.

I just started taking the kids just over a year ago and they have gotten better every week!

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Many non-denominational churches will have "community" church in the title. Our church is a Bible church (Waukesha Bible Church is the title). Bible churches are pretty much the same as non-denominational. If it's a specific denomination it will have the denomination in the title.