Overcoming Nerves at a New Church

Missional communities

Finding the right church is an important time in your life. Preparing for your first visit to a new church will help keep you calm. It is important to know that a church is a welcoming environment. Never feel like you are unwelcome or unwanted. Many new church members have all felt some form of nervousness. In this post, you will learn how to overcome fears from being at a new place of worship.

  • Unfamiliarity with Hymns: It is common to feel fearful when everyone around you knows the hymns. A place of worship is not a place of judgment. A church will hope you continue to visit so that you may learn these hymns. Many new churchgoers felt a bit nervous when they first heard hymns. You will learn hymns in time with regular visits to your church. Research shows that 40 percent of all people say religion has some importance in their life. It is not expected for you to know these hymns upon your first worship gathering.
  • Feeling Like a Stranger: The main feeling of going to a new place is feeling like a total stranger. A place of worship is there to welcome new visitors. You may choose to let people know you are new. If you choose to let it be known you are new, members will be there to welcome you with open arms. However, you may choose to remain anonymous the first few times you visit a church. A church community will always be there to welcome you to your new place of worship.
  • Lack of Time: Many of us have lives that are full of things to do. Sunday worship is usually the most frequented day of service. However, some find that work on weekends makes it nearly impossible to visit a church. Luckily, there are many places of worship that have services on other days than Sunday. A community church usually meets multiple times per week. In turn, you can find a day or multiple days that best work with your schedule. In addition, churches often offer services multiple times in a day which is very convenient.
  • Deep Breaths are a Great Calming Technique: One way to find calmness in nerve wracking situations is through deep breathing. Deep breaths help to calm the nervous system. One popular system is to inhale four a count of four. Next, you will want to hold your breath for a count of seven. Finally, exhale for a count of 8. Repeat this technique as many times as necessary to make you feel comfortable. Once you’ve taken your seat, deep breathing will also help to clear your mind. Having a clear mind will help to fully pay attention to the sermon you will hear.
  • Visit with a Friend of Family Member: Asking someone close to accompany you to church is a great idea. In some cases, you may only feel comfortable enough visit if someone goes with you. Having someone with you is always great for starting a new experience. You may find your friendship becomes stronger as it is bonded through meetings of faith.
  • In summary, finding a new church does not have to be a stressful time in your life. One especially popular type is a nondenominational church. Research shows that over the last 40 years there has been a nearly 400 percent increase in nondenominational Protestants. A study by Pew Research Center found that nearly 20 percent of adults in the United States came from a mixed religious background. Not knowing hymns is a common fear. However, churchgoers are a welcoming group that understands. Having a busy schedule may mean you won’t be able to attend Sunday services. However, many churches have days of worship throughout the week.

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