Find out all you can about the places of worship in your town or neighborhood.
- Are there many kinds, accommodating different faiths?
- Are there many of each kind? Why? [Reasons could be distance parishioners or members have to travel, or sects and denominations involved, or some other reason].
Ask about the history of each place of worship.
- Who built it and when?
- Why is it in this particular location?
- How many monks/priests/imams/pastors are there?
- Are they local people, or have they come from another area of the country, or even from another country?
- Must they have had religious training and be ordained or set aside for such work?
- Are there interesting legends or stories about any of these buildings?
- Are any of these the repository for relics or other sacred objects or icons? Are any saints or martyrs associated with any of them?
Are there restrictions as to who can enter?
- Any rituals which need to be accomplished before entrance?
- Does special clothing need to be worn?
- Do people stand or sit during any part of the service?
- Is any other activity a part of the service?
Choose two centers—the one in which you are worshiping, and one of another faith—and compare them as to:
- Length of time in the neighborhood – history
- Number of parishioners, members, or attendees
- Number of clergy who minister to the congregation
- Number of lay leaders, teachers, assistants
- Method of financial support
- Types of programs used to reach the surrounding community
- Description of the interior—color, decor, size of the worship area, etc.
- The place of musical instruments, including bells
- Interesting people associated with it
- How many services are held in a week, a month, a year
- Sample of the order of service – singing, preaching, announcements, etc.
- Instruction for the younger generation
- Anything else of interest
How often do your local friends and their families go for worship or for meetings?
- Who goes? What is taken?
- How much of the family budget goes for expenses relating to the worship center?
