Here are questions to ask (yourself, other members, the minister or priest) before joining a church.
1) How many people belong to this congregation? Is there a sense of community?
2) Is there a particular political viewpoint or world view associated with this congregation? Is the minister or other people in authority telling you how to vote? Or are you comfortable because generally you're surrounded by like minded people?
3) Will I be expected to or told to bring in new members? Does the organization or the leadership do their job to attract new members?
Are they actively attempting to covert people or do they take a more passive approach?
4) Am I expected to tithe or support the church? Is it voluntary or is someone expecting to see my tax returns? (Most people do donate or volunteer to churches they are members of.)
5) Do people like and respect each other and get along or is there infighting, power plays, or other people issues that make it less spiritual?
6) If you need to talk, ask advice or need help, does someone call you back or meet with you quickly? At all?
7) If you left another church or religion, especially your family or heritage religion, how do people at this one think or talk about people of that other church/ religion?
8) Do they call themselves ecumenical or Interfaith? Are they really?
9) If you take time off or leave, will friendships you made end or continue? Will you be cut off or shunned or simply not be remembered?
10) Overall, are you experiencing a better life because you belong to this church?
11) Do you look forward to attending or do you do so out of Obligation?
C 2021 Christine Trzyna
