I have no friends that don't have problems with drugs or drink, and since I'm not using any drugs at all anymore it's a challenge to hang out with friends that are doing them. There's a church nearby, that I've been to a couple of times, but nobody there have contacted me or welcomed me, so I've lost much of the feeling of meaning to go have a fellowship with people that I feel is very far from the kind of friends I've been used to having. I really wish I could meet someone in my city that I could develop a friendship with and that I can share my faith with. I'm not a very social person at all, so if anyone can help pray for that, I'd be very thankful. God bless you all.
This is not going to sound very helpful at the start, but there is a certain "thing" that happens in churches when it comes to visitors. Many times, visitors expect to be greeted and welcomed, etc. and probably also invited to other functions.
Some other people, though, don't WANT to be put in that position and are hesitant to visit a strange church as a result. Most, however, are like yourself and would appreciate it. But here's the problem...
The ordinary members of that congregation, upon seeing a strange face, are in a bit of a dilemma. They don't know which is which when it comes to a strange person in the pew. Not every last member will have the same view of it, naturally, but it is common for there to be some hesitancy.
If the visitor is first-time, he could be a member from years ago who perhaps moved away but is stopping by. To greet him as a newcomer or inquirer could be embarrassing, then. OR he could be just curious about the church with no intentions of ever coming back. Or he could really be looking for a new church home. The variations go on and on.
As a result, it's not unusual that there will be a range of reactions to seeing the new face in the crowd. It's not as though the existing members don't want to see new faces, however.
So here's the advice:
Either step out yourself in a gentle way by asking someone who seems mildly important, perhaps an usher, a simple question like "are there mid-week services here?" Doing that shows you to be interested and that you don't mind being talked to. It's not a big thing, but it signals something.
And most of all, do not be fed up with the people if there isn't much more than a passing "good morning" coming your way for the first few times of visiting.
IF you come back a few more times, you will not look like that "new face" who might just be there as a result of a passing curiosity or somebody on vacation who will never be seen again.
IF you get a cold shoulder after
that, it probably is time to look elsewhere.
