Church Membership Requirements

I love Christ Community Community and the membership is not demanding. I am a single mom and i do what I can when I can:)

Hi L.,

I don't know about membership requirements, however, you don't need to be a member to attend services. Just go see how you feel about it. Try them all out. Then take it slow and go with what works for you and your family. I was raised catholic and go with my boys to a lutheran church. Lord of Life, it's the opposite end of St. Charles, actually La Fox. We really enjoy it and just after a short time already feel like we're a part of a family. I am just attending now, one day will join. To me going was the most important, it had been a while.

I'd like to offer a flip-side look. I hear ya on the Catholic Church, I wasn't comfortable, then 9 years later I converted. The church is going through a real change right now.

A lot of Catholics left the Church because of the terrible scandals before, and I get that. There's a new sherriff in town, literally and figuratively. Anyone who works with the kids has to take a class and the new Bishop literally ROCKS! I love him and have met him several times, the new Pope is excellent, too, though I've not met him lol. What I'm saying is the leadership is different.

Also, the people who used to do Catechism teaching taught a lot of wrong things, like a prior poster not knowing about Jesus's sacrifice. That was a shame for her to miss out. I'm raising 2 kids in the faith and have raised a son to a fine young Catholic gentleman, who is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and enlisted in the Air Force. I can tell you the people who have left don't know & understand what it is about. A lot of people didn't learn their faith growing up so they leave but how much can a 12 year old absorb? That is when they are confirmed, it is up to the families to do more, though we, as a diocese are working on increasing the teaching with our youth (there was an organization this summer for young adults that was excellent). The church is adapting.

I would urge you to think about trying an adult class at your local Catholic church, or if you wanted, join us at ours in Winfield, I'd be happy to attend with you. You would be amazed at how different the church is from how it is portrayed by others. I could go on and on about the roots, history, traditions but I won't. I will say if you want to talk about it, drop me a note, I'd be happy to share what I do know and what I don't, I know people lol. Since I joined the Catholic Church, my life is so much richer and happier.

And our church, St. John the Baptist, in Winfield, is doing a series called Theology Under the Stars every week, if you want to know more about it, let me know, I'll get the info for you, I believe it's Wednesday nights at 7 at the rectory.

Good luck in your faith journey.
D.

My family and I have been attending West Ridge for just over 5 years. The church does not have membership or any attendance requirements. You simply attend according to what you are comfortable with. The weekly services are at 9 and 11. The kids program is AWESOME!! There are community groups available, which are small groups of people that meet during the week to do a Bible study, if you have more time, and want to get more connected. The services are very contemporary, the music is WONDERFUL! Hope to see you there. Please let me know if you have moe questions about West Ridge.

My family and I attend the Chapel at the Barrington campus (rte 62 and 59). There is not necessarily a time commitment to be an attender and they have an awesome kids program. There are an awful lot of former catholics who are regular attenders and it's a casual, contemporary setting.

www.chapel.org

I don't know if this would be too far, but we go to Blanchard in Warrenville. It's just west of 59 and butterfield. I think one closer to home may be better for you, time wise, etc. But just go and check some out. Alliance Churches tend to be very sound scripturally, Assemblies of God has a more lively worship... each has strengths. Just make sure that it's focus is on Jesus, and everything is from the Bible. Don't worry about membership yet. Just start doing what you can, and take it step by step.

I grew up Catholic. It wasn't until I was in high school that I understood what Jesus' death on the cross meant for me. My sister had gone away to college and gotten involved with a Christian group on campus. She shared out of a booklet called the 4 spiritual laws. The first was that God loves us and has a plan for our lives. The seond was that our sin separates us from God (the wages or payment for sin is death). The third was that Jesus died on the cross, to pay for our sins. The fourth is that we must personally receive what he did on the cross and make him Lord of our life. Then we can have our sins dealt with and have a relationship with God.

I loved how it broke it down and applied scripture to my life personally. I prayed, admitting I had sinned and needed forgiveness, accepted Jesus' death on the cross to pay for my sins, and started to allow God to direct my days. I started reading my Bible and praying. It really was the most significant decision I have made. I hope that you find the right place for your family to grow in faith and relationship with Jesus.

P.S. A church that offers an Alpha course may be a great thing for your busy family. Some meet during the week and provide dinner and child care, then time of discussing spiritual issues.

We attended Immanuel UCC in Streamwood for awhile. Feel free to message me with any questions.

http://www.streamwoodiucc.org/
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/u/ucc_bartlett/

L., I second Michelle's response. You can freely attend any church you want without becoming a member. If a church requires membership to attend, I'd question it. I'd visit as many as possible until I find one that teaches according to what the Bible says. There are a lot of smaller churches that are right on target and probably closer to you than the ones you've mentioned.

We had been members of Harvest Bible Chapel for a number of years, and they do teach scripturally. We just thought it got too big in more ways than one. Most churches prefer you get involved but don't require it, though serving is a big part. You could always get involved with things that happen on Sunday without it taking too much time. I think you need to focus on finding a good, solid church before worrying about a time commitment.

Hosanna Lutheran is just down the street from Christ Community (Randall & Redgate) I have been going to Hosanna since I was little and they are pretty easy going.

We go to Redeemer Fellowship in St. Charles. The church is just over 2 years old and averages about 100 people in attendance per week. The website is redeemerfellowship.org. It is a gospel centered / elder directed church. To be a member you need to be a believer, be baptized, and go through an orientation class.