Study 4. What do I need to do? 

Every church will be different, but there is normally some kind of membership. It isn’t something you pay for like the gym, it is a way in which the leadership of the church can make sure you are as involved as you want to be, and to some degree, you like and agree with what goes on and what is taught. 

Outside of membership, you can just turn up at a church meeting and not do anything at all . If you don’t want to stand up and sing along you don’t need to. You don’t need to put money in any collection that comes around, you don’t need to take communion (it is normally explained at each service anyway in relation to communion being a decision for those who do want to part of it), and you don’t need to even speak to anyone. 

So, basically you can just go and come home again without saying or doing anything. But, with all this stuff you do tend to get out of it what you are willing to put in. Churches that enable Christians to gather together and regularly meet and try to encourage growth will have strategies, systems, and jobs that need to be done. These are often shaped and delegated by a leadership team or elders and deacons is another way of administering these roles. 

At some point you might find you want to get more involved, take on a job or volunteer to be active in some way. We have found that churches that have some creative ways to reach into communities around them prove really effective with us fellas. For example, street pastors, food banks and job days where men can do something practical and physical are great ways to get us doing something helpful. 

Each church gathering will vary but these avenues to help you get more involved, trained up and discover ways in which you can get active in your church will be there. However, this stuff will take time to get sorted and moving but you might be surprised at how easily you can get involved in a local church meeting.