How to Get the Most Out of Going to Church

Having been in church my entire life as a preacher's kid, I can attest that church can be challenging. It can be boring, confusing, and intimidating. However, it can also be life-changing, encouraging, and comforting. I have learned that going to church is a commitment to consistency, involvement, and action on my behalf in order for it to be transformative.

That is why I wanted to share with you some tips I use get the most out of going to church. Whether you are a weekly church-goer or debating going for the first time, these tips can help you make church an interactive and uplifting place to grow!

Tip #1 - Pray before you get there

Many people think the only time to pray is when you are at church, whether it's at the altar call or the pastor is praying over the service, but prayer is always powerful. I have found that on my way to church or right before service starts is the perfect time for me to pray.

It gives me a moment to meet with God and prepare my heart for the church service. I struggle with anxiety and racing thoughts, and on Sundays these can take over if I let them, so I find rooting myself in prayer even before service starts is calming and helps me gain perspective.

If you find praying difficult because you don't know what to say or you feel uncomfortable, start with simple prayers. Ask Jesus to help you focus, to listen, or to feel at peace. Thank Him for the opportunity to go to church or simply ask him to help you. No prayer is too small for the Lord!

Tip #2 - Prioritize being engaged

Making the commitment to go to church is probably the hardest part, so once you are there be engaged. Interact with people serving at the church, sing and praise Jesus during worship, participate in discussions, go to Sunday School, etc. Church doesn't have to be a forceful experience, but it can be a valued one. You can make friendships, find your calling, and most importantly grow closer to the Lord through being engaged.

Growing up, going to church wasn't an option for me, but at some point I realized that church was more than just something on our weekly schedule. It was part of my life, who I was, and I had to want to be involved. That's when I started getting engaged in things that I felt God was calling me to (worship, small groups, etc.) and you can do this to.

If you are making your way to church for the first time I encourage you to learn about your church's opportunities that allow you to be engaged. However, if you have been to church for a while but don't know how to be more involved - go to your pastor, pray, and seek guidance. We all have gifts that God gives us, we just have to be engaged to use them!

Tip #3 - Take notes

This is my MUST when it comes to church! Taking notes is one of the most beneficial actions I have found to help me get the most out of church. As someone who gets distracted easily, this was a game changer for me at church. I have sat through hundreds of church services in my lifetime and I am not going to lie, some feel boring, or I was tired, or maybe too wired from coffee. Either way, taking notes allow you to be focused, engaged, and centered through the entire sermon.

By taking notes you also are listening actively. You are ingesting the scripture and valuing the topics, rather than letting it go through one ear and out the other. The best thing about this is that there is no right way to do this, but I will share with you what I do!

I always have my Bible bag which consists of: my Bible, my notebook, highlighters, pens, and sticky notes! I write down the date, sermon title, key points, verses, and anything that I find significant in my notebook. In addition, I love writing in my Bible! I will highlight verses, write in the margins, etc. I will even draw pictures that correlate with the message or any connections the message has to my life. The entire point of taking notes is to connect to what God is wanting us to hear, and I can confidently say that it changed my church experience!

Tip #4 - Make yourself comfortable

This may seem like a really odd tip, and may even be a bit controversial to some of the older generations. However, I think it's really important to be comfortable at church, in a physical/social sense. This is something that can take time depending on how long you have been to your church, but know that church should feel like a place where you are welcomed, loved, and close to the Lord.

You may be asking yourself, how do you make yourself comfortable at church Kami? Well, let me give you an idea. I sit where I want! This could be the very back row, the very front (like me), or somewhere in the middle. It can be intimidating to figure out where to sit if you are new to a church, but just sit wherever you are most comfortable, whether that is by other people or the furthest you could be from other humans. I then get comfy in my seat. I rarely ever sit with both of my feet on the ground at church, but I sit with one leg in my pew. I do other things like wear comfortable clothing and always have water.

Why am I telling you all of this? Because I want you to know that being comfortable is good! If you are so worried about where you are sitting, what you are wearing, who you are by, what you should be doing, etc. then you won't be focused on the real reason you went to church.

Tip #5 - Have an open mind

My final tip is focused on having an open mind. I am well aware that church can be a scary place for some people; maybe you have been hurt, or your scared, or you simply don't know where God is at in your life. I encourage you to start looking at church with a new perspective!

Allow yourself to hear the Word of God, build unexpected relationships, and learn things about yourself. Be willing to let God work through you, and He will! The best decision of my life is choosing to follow Jesus, and I would love for you to join the club, but I know it's not easy. It can be confusing, difficult, and a battle; but it can also be strengthening, peaceful, and full of joy.

Whether you have never been to church, you went a long time ago, or you were there last week I encourage you to have an open mind. Once we close our minds to a fixed perspective we shut ourselves out from things that can benefit us!

Keep Trying Out Church!

I hope these tips encourage you to try out church or to keep going! I will be the first to say it's not going to always be easy, but it will always be the most rewarding. I would love to chat with you about church or see you at mine: 365 Church. If any of these tips helped you or you have some of your own, let me know in the comments. Jesus loves you and so do I! Talk to you next week!

-Kami