STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Kelly · Hermes

Baptist service?

HeatherLynn · Gucci

In my experience, a baptist service lasts 45min-1 hour. I would wear a dress or a skirt and nice top. Hats are not manditory and probably rarely seen except on easter sunday. Thats something that you mainly see in the movies. People will be very friendly. In the beginning they may do a meet and greet where you introduce yourself to the people around you. There will be lots of singing- especially since you are going to an african american church where the singing should be amazing.

I grew up in a Baptist church and now go to a Methodist one and see very few differences. Let me know if you have any questions!!

mikacat · Coach

I have been to Baptist church before (a lot actually in the South). I guess it was a more surburban church b/c the service lasted about 1 hour and 15 minutes. No hats, normal church dress. A lot of singing and the preaching is a little more fire and brimstone but it all seemed pretty normal to me and I have been to Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, B'hai, inner City street services, etc. I wouldn't be nervous and some people take notes on the sermon in church anyway, so don't feel weird about taking notes.

ejc423 · Coach

A Baptist church that is predominately African American is usually totally different than a Baptist church that is predominately white.
Where I live, African American churches take their time with the service. I think on average, services last a couple of hours. And people really do dress in their best clothes, hats and all. A lot of people are coming into restaurants from those churches as we are leaving and I loooove to see what they have on. But because you obviously don't normally attend their church, I wouldn't wear a hat, just something nice.
The services usually involve a lot of singing and praising. And you will stand out, but people will probably be friendly, so just smile and be friendly. And I wouldn't be afraid to tell people why you are there if they ask, "What brings you to our church?".
I'm sure there are other girls here who have more authority on the subject than I, but in my experience in the South, this is how things go. . . Hope it helps you!

Kelly · Hermes

Thanks!

I will be going to an African-American church. Not because it's required for the class, but because all the baptist churches in my neighboord hood are predominately black (and there are a lot! I bet there are 10 Baptist churches within 3 miles of me. I feel like the only non-Baptist in my neighborhood!)

Does anyone know what I'm supposed to do during communion? Is communion even part of the Baptist service? I mean... am I supposed to take communion even though I'm not Baptist?

-- Edited by ttara123 at 22:50, 2007-02-25

ILoveChoo · Hermes

ttara123 wrote:

Thanks!

I will be going to an African-American church. Not because it's required for the class, but because all the baptist churches in my neighboord hood are predominately black (and there are a lot! I bet there are 10 Baptist churches within 3 miles of me. I feel like the only non-Baptist in my neighborhood!)

Does anyone know what I'm supposed to do during communion? Is communion even part of the Baptist service? I mean... am I supposed to take communion even though I'm not Baptist?

-- Edited by ttara123 at 22:50, 2007-02-25

I went once by accident (long story), and they just passed the communion down the rows so you could "serve" yourself. I did take it becasue I'm catholic. I didn't feel liek anyone cared.

The one weird part of the service was that the preacher recognized a few new faces and gave us a welcome packet with a pen.

(in the middle of the service!!) I'd sit in the back. Aside from that it seemed pretty normal to me- I wasn't in a black church though.

mikacat · Coach

Most Catholics only take communion at a Catholic service from what I understand. And Catholics have communion at every service. Protestants only have communion occassionally--CHristmas, Easter and a couple other "special" services throughout the year. They probably won't have it and if you don't take it, noone will notice.

blubirde · Chanel

Don't worry about communion, although you can take it if you want. You have to be baptized to take it in the church (from what I remember) but I'm assuming that's the same in a Catholic church? Also, from my spotty childhood memories, you only take communion once a month or something like that, so you probably won't even see it.

As for taking notes, my SIL takes notes at her (Baptist) church all the time. It's usually on the sermons and what not but I don't suppose anyone would think any differently of you.

Have fun!