Went to a church today for the first time. I've been to Catholic churches, but never of my own volition. Was invited and wanted to check it out.
It was interesting. I didn't know what to expect. There was a band playing something I can only describe as diet Pepsi radio country. I'm a musician and I can't go for the dimensionless music with just whatever words about Christianity slapped on top of it. It seemed like the message was "keep coming to this specific church." Wasnt really my bag. Seemed like church for consumerist america, felt empty to me.
I want to find a church to go to that jives with my philosophy but I don't have a christian background so I don't know really where to start. I don't want to go to one that makes excuses for unchristian behavior. Now, I'm not a christian, I guess you could say I'm looking to be converted, but I do know that if I'm going to participate in one of these communities, I want them to mean what they say and live by their professed religion. That doesn't mean they would be for me necessarily, I'm probably not going to start wearing one type of textile for example, but I do want one where the members are honest with themselves about it. That "free donuts we don't judge" thing seams like a seat filling strategy to me and is honestly off putting.
(I hope I haven't offended anyone with my analysis.)
So I have a question for any Christian people that stumble across this: how might a new entry into this world of churches and denominations and rites go about navigating it and finding the community that is right for me and my family?