Posted on 07/01/2024 5:59:45 PM PDT by Patriot777
After being unchurched for a number of years, I felt that it was very much time that I once again become part of a body of fellow believers in Christ Jesus. I knew The Lord desired this of me, and I felt His urging in my spirit for a long time. I decided to act upon it, and even though the Saturday before I began to encounter feelings of apprehension and fear, I decided and thought to myself, “That I should not fear, for who is it that shall stand against God, and what He wants for me? That I can once again attend church, and enjoy the fellowship of other believers in Christ Jesus.”
I longed for being a part of a church like I had been viewing through YouTube, which was in Hawaii. So much love there, Pastor J.D. Faraq, and such a Presence of The Holy Spirit!
I had looked upon the online site for the church I was to visit a few times in the past, to find out where it was and the attendance times. Sunday school, church, Wednesday night service, it was like when I was a child and then a teenager. I grew excited that I could attend more frequently.
So I went to church that morning. The drive was around 25 minutes, but to be able to attend a church that was looking from all aspect to be as non-judgmental, inviting and loving per the site, such a Blessing it would be. Well-established, seemingly mature in the things of The Lord.
Now begs the question(s), Was this congregation more spiritually mature than me? Are my reactions to what has occurred valid? We are in The Last Days before Christ’s Return, so very very close we cannot imagine. Time is so short! And the need so great, not for just me but for those we love, those Jesus Loves. Which is everyone on this earth.
Three Sundays I attended. Twice greeted, I seated myself. No one spoke to me, except the pastor when I went forward to ask prayer for my beloved husband as he needs surgery but asked also for prayer for his healing. Three times I attended, each time the pastor preached from Acts about how many things Paul went through, at this point where he had been stoned and got back up, went back into town, and the next day on to another city.
No one came and talked to me, sat with me. Has that time past? This congregation is country, boots and jeans, some traditional garb, skirt, blouse. Members busy about excitedly chatting with each other, families to families, kids, etc. I wore boots and jeans and a good shirt. Not fussy. No blingy junk.
Ok, so who am I trying to impress? Who was I there to TALK TO. WHO was I there to worship? Oh my gosh have I made a mistake?!
Here’s the whole point to this. My husband has not attended church since he was a boy, and this man is as meek and gentle and giving any kind and compassionate as John, Jesus’ disciple was.
These people did not look to bother or appear to seem or just whatever, not desire or completely oblivious of my presence. They would do the same to my beloved John. No they won’t.
Take hold of The Scriptures, The Word of God, and hold it against your heart and hold it out to those you teach and preach to and tell them to read it! Follow it! Like the pastor at this church did. Seemed to beg them to. People ARE receiving Christ there. They are making 180s in their lives and getting back on track where they’ve strayed.
I need to pray and ask The Lord whether to keep visiting this church or go elsewhere. Time is short. It is ALWAYS short. No church has it “all together” but seriously they need to be.
Am I wrong to be thinking this? This isn’t pride or anything in that or like it or self-anything. This is, my husband must see Christ in a church body being lived out. Or online worship or TV it shall remain.
Thank you for sharing, ma’am. Can you start your husband with watching a TV or online sermon, perhaps of a church in your local area? You can usually tell what the congregation will be like from the pastor. God bless.
Churches are like people. None are perfect. But, we meet the spirit of Christ there who is perfect and redeems US. That is the nature of of worship.
Trite perhaps, but true.
It isn’t about us, it’s about Him.
I know in my church if you only go to worship it’s hard to meet people. My church is big.
The first time I visited I asked about small groups and was given recommendations.
I visited only one small group and loved it!
We try to make everyone that visits us feel welcome.
I’ve been in my group for 4 years. I decided this year to volunteer to be the person that follows up with visitors.
Good luck on finding a church. Don’t give up!
You might want to joining something like BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). They are starting a study on Revelation in the fall. You can then find out what churches they go to
Size of the church matters. If it was a small congregation (say, under 100 people) then they had to know that you were new and it’s on them for not greeting you.
If it’s a very large church (over 1000 members, over 500 in the worship), then folks may not know who is new and who isn’t, so it may be on you to introduce yourself. Although a church that size needs to have an intentional program for trying to identify and get to know newcomers.
I think I’d drop the preacher an email pointing out how unwelcoming the congregation is and asking him if he knows of any other good churches in the area that might be a better fit for a newcomer. If he blows you off, keep looking.
If there isn’t any fellowship, you aren’t doing any better there than watching on the internet.
And I’ll pray that you find a solid, welcoming, church.
Who did you reach out to and make welcome and loved?
To whom were you a neighbor?
Do what we do. Teach a children’s Sunday School class.
I find most churches to be dead; no walking in the POWER of the Holy Spirit, which includes the gifts of healing. Jesus Christ was whipped for us in exchange for our healing which has already been given. Tell your husband to receive what is already his. I highly recommend watching Curry Blake with JGLM.org (John G. Lake Ministries) to really learn what the Word of God promises about our healing.
I believe an incredible move of the Spirit is coming and will bring life to the dry bones that currently exist. It’s imminent. Feel free to ping me as I’d love to pray over your husband for healing.
I need to do this too.
I’m a sigma male, I prefer solitude. If someone welcomed me I would be thankful and polite though. So it wouldn’t bother me if nobody approached me.
-SB
Your post is exactly why our local church has volunteer greeters to meet and greet anyone new at the front door—offers them coffee and snacks and tries to make them feel welcome.
It has over two hundred members and is growing at a solid pace.
That is one of the reasons why.
Did you make any effort to be friendly or did you just wait passively for other people to make the first move?
>> Oh my gosh have I made a mistake?!
NO! Absolutely no. You have not made a mistake.
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 7:7,8
The Spirit of God moved in you to seek fellowship with Christians (a.k.a. “the body of Christ”). And you listened to the Spirit, and obeyed. That same Spirit will stir in someone to move THEM to reach out to you. There, or wherever you go as you seek Jesus.
I am praying for someone to reach out to you as you seek. You call upon the LORD yourself and ask Him to send you a friend. He cares for you and He wants you to cast your cares on Him.
Grace, peace, and blessings, FRiend. And healing for your husband. In Jesus’ name.
“No one came and talked to me, sat with me.”
Next time what you can try is to initiate a conversation with someone after or before the service and see what happens. Many that go to church can be like you and a bit shy to talk to strangers. Sometimes it takes time.
A more important question is whether you liked the preacher and the sermon and believe you can learn something from that church.
*pausing to pray that you find a church home either in the church you just attended or a church to which God leads you*
Ping
If you go to a Jehovah’s Witness meeting on Sunday you will not be ignored.
When we moved here, we went to a few churches until we found the one that accosted us and fought over us (kidding).
Our first visit, we were greeted by nearly everyone and invited to dine out after service. Since then we know almost everyone by name and volunteer on projects. We can also watch online.
They had found out about a surgery I had last year and spoiled me rotten with cookies and whatnot.
And our pastor does politics AND religion. Too many churches avoid politics.
God’s blessings and good luck. CT
Do not depend upon youtube or tv church.
JD Farag is Calvary I believe. Many times Calvary Churches are huge because it is a popular teaching method. Problem with huge churches is that it is more difficult to make friends.
Find a local church family.
Find one that is a “good fit” for you (same doctrine or theology). If the teaching is not a good fit, then the social part does not matter.
If you want to participate with this first church you tried, inquire if there is a ladies Bible study. This is a good way to grow in Christ and to become part of the sisterhood of the church.
I am very happy at my little non-denominational church. Best church in my life. The pastor is an amazing teacher. About six years ago we formed a ladies Bible study and it is a very important part of my week.
Also, where do you live? There might be some freepers that you could go to church with.
It’s been a while, but my Congregational church in the 80’s had a card you would drop in the offering plate where you could “announce” your visit. This would get you some notice as the ushers would note who you were and introduce you to the pastor as he greeted everyone at the end of the service.
Otherwise, no one would be more than “friendly.”
Approaching the pastor for a prayer would get you a cup of coffee downstairs afterwards. That would have led to more introductions, etc.
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