I want to participate in a local church. What is your advice, please?

[NotTheRock]

I wany to participate because I want to encourage others to grow in Christ. I am much less concerned with the pastor's doctrines, barring something extreme.

 

[hies]

I wany to participate because I want to encourage others to grow in Christ. I am much less concerned with the pastor's doctrines, barring something extreme.

If your goal is to help others grow in Christ, any church will do, so long as they're receptive and willing to listen to you. In fact I would say it wouldn't matter too much about it being a church either. Anyone receptive and willing to listen to you would fit the bill. But if your goal is to grow yourself, I would say you have to explore the churches near you, listen to them, and ensure what they say aligns with scripture. The best way to grow in Christ is to meditate on His word very carefully, and put it into practice.

 

[SavedInHim]

I wany to participate because I want to encourage others to grow in Christ. I am much less concerned with the pastor's doctrines, barring something extreme.

The best way to grow spiritually is to be an active participant in your own salvation. It's a sad fact that most institutional churches don't encourage active participation. Rather, the situation will probably be one where there's one professional preacher, a praise and worship leader or team, and the rest of the congregation will be passive spectators. That doesn't foster growth for anyone.

If you can find a group where every member is encouraged to play an active role, that's where you'll find growth. Otherwise, you'll probably just get dragged down to the level of everyone else and won't be able to help anyone.

 

[Windmill Charge]

I wany to participate because I want to encourage others to grow in Christ. I am much less concerned with the pastor's doctrines, barring something extreme.

Talk to the minister of the church you currently attend about opportunities to serve.

I suspect from how you've written your post, that you do not regularly attend church.
OK let's turn it around. Image you are the minister of a church that you've worked hard to build up, when along comes someone with no history of regular attendance at a church and says they have a gift they want to use.
How would you respond?

Most ministers will ask you to demonstrate your commitment to their church, by regular attendance, volunteering for those jobs people don't like doing and by how you contribute to prayer meetings and bible studies.

If you are not looking for a recognised position, which my comment above is about, then being an encouragement to a congregation means getting to know them and them getting to know you.

 

[Bob Estey]

I wany to participate because I want to encourage others to grow in Christ. I am much less concerned with the pastor's doctrines, barring something extreme.

I think you would find serving in a church rewarding.