by Gordon Dean, of Ilkley Road Methodist newsletter

Seventy per cent of people in Britain profess the faith of Christianity.

Unfortunately most of these are part-time Christians, with only 10 per cent of them attending church regularly.

Are you a part-timer? Are you much too busy to attend church?

Have you other things to do? Or is it that the thought of going to a church for the first time, or after a long lapse, is really too daunting?

Well look at it this way; a church is just another club, like a golf club, tennis club, or working men's club, made up, (despite rumours to the contrary), of quite normal folk and because their mutual interest overrides all others doesn't make the club any less friendly or caring, but rather the opposite.

Unlike most clubs, there is no membership fee, and nor do you need to be recommended.

You don't need to join a particular club either.

There are many different approaches to Christian worship, from the free-and-easy to the highly traditional, and as well as Sunday services there are usually other activities to become involved in.

You are quite free to shop around - if you don't feel happy about a particular church, try another.

If you have friends or acquaintances who are churchgoers, why not pop along with them next Sunday? Failing that, telephone your local minister or priest and have a chat about it. (Ask about the Alpha course).

Or pluck up the courage and go along yourself - you are sure to receive a warm welcome, and you'll find life takes on a whole new meaning.

I know; I rejoined the church after 30 years and it was the best move of my life.

Join the club!

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.