When joining a new church...

[Lamb]

When you join a new church, do you join in on groups, committees and volunteer right away? Or do you stick with just worshiping for a while?

 

[Albion]

When you join a new church, do you join in on groups, committees and volunteer right away?

No, I need to settle in and see what the congregation is really like.

Sometimes, the first impression is strongly positive and only later do the troublesome characteristics become apparent. I don't want to have accepted a responsibility and then back out.

In fact, I don't "join" right away, per the wording of your question. Only after attending services for awhile and meeting people, etc. and being confident that this church is right for me would I become a member and take on volunteer or committee work.

 

[tango]

No, I need to settle in and see what the congregation is really like.

Sometimes, the first impression is strongly positive and only later do the troublesome characteristics become apparent. I don't want to have accepted a responsibility and then back out.

In fact, I don't "join" right away, per the wording of your question. Only after attending services for awhile and meeting people, etc. and being confident that this church is right for me would I become a member and take on volunteer or committee work.

Definitely this.

Getting too involved too fast can create all sorts of issues. You can either feel trapped in a commitment you don't want any more, or you end up leaving people stuck if you suddenly disappear.

ETA: I'd seriously question the wisdom within a church if they allow someone who has only just arrived to get too involved. New perspectives can be useful (assuming the church is willing to even consider new perspectives) but the person who dives right into something creates the potential for issues within the church if they leave suddenly or if they prove to be totally unsuited to the role they took.

 

[NewCreation435]

The last church I joined the pandemic started the very next Friday and everything went to lockdown status. So, I had no real opportunities to volunteer for anything. I always want to volunteer but sometimes it is hard for me to find my place where I can serve.

 

[Forgiven1]

I usually join our church's women's group. Other than that, I take my time in deciding what else I might join or do.

 

[Henrywrites]

Whenever I join a new church, I focus first of all on ensuring that I worship just as a member as that is the key focus of what I will always want to do. It is with time that I can decide whether it is worth upgrading to join some groups in the church or not.