To be honest I have been reluctant to go to Church ever since.

JohnB445 said:

I originally came from a cult, in which I left 3 years ago. It was racially diverse, large, everyone was kind and welcoming some of the nicest people I've met. If you needed a job they would offer you one and support you, you weren't treated like a stranger. It was like a family.

But unfortunately, as I did research on this cult, I found out they twisted the Bible and there was evidence proving the whole cult was a lie and scam. And I started having second thoughts because these people were so kind, but were they that way because they wanted large sums of money from me? They require 10% of income from you or you get kicked out supposedly.

I left that place for good, I never been to any other Church. I am afraid I will not be welcomed, and that people would be racist and it would be rare to even find a racially diverse Church. And the ironic part will be that these will supposedly be the people that believe in what I also believe in and they will be not so friendly, while the people who believe in false things and are in cults will only be the nice and welcoming people.

It makes no sense if that is the case, and I am AFRAID to find that out to be true! Because that would devastate me and honestly make me question my faith maybe.

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What was the cult?

JohnB445 said:

I originally came from a cult, in which I left 3 years ago. It was racially diverse, large, everyone was kind and welcoming some of the nicest people I've met. If you needed a job they would offer you one and support you, you weren't treated like a stranger. It was like a family.

But unfortunately, as I did research on this cult, I found out they twisted the Bible and there was evidence proving the whole cult was a lie and scam. And I started having second thoughts because these people were so kind, but were they that way because they wanted large sums of money from me? They require 10% of income from you or you get kicked out supposedly.

I left that place for good, I never been to any other Church. I am afraid I will not be welcomed, and that people would be racist and it would be rare to even find a racially diverse Church. And the ironic part will be that these will supposedly be the people that believe in what I also believe in and they will be not so friendly, while the people who believe in false things and are in cults will only be the nice and welcoming people.

It makes no sense if that is the case, and I am AFRAID to find that out to be true! Because that would devastate me and honestly make me question my faith maybe.

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Too bad you aren't living near me. Out church is so racially mixed it is impressive. But that is because we are international and have people from every continent and from many nations. Hardly anyone comes from here so it is pretty mixed. They ask for 10% but do not require it. So there are real christians out there.

I guess the best advise I could give would be to ask God to guide you to a place and then attend on line, if possible, a few in your area. Check out the teaching first. Read the BIble and see if it matches more or less or at least good enough. (There are those teaching false doctrine in points but are still real Christians.) Start slow. Just attend church eventually in person and see if the sermons feed you. If they are all about you, focusing on how you feel, then leave. Look for a place that also challenges you, not just comforts you. Do not be afraid. You came in, you can go out. Just take it slow.

JohnB445 said:

I originally came from a cult, in which I left 3 years ago. It was racially diverse, large, everyone was kind and welcoming some of the nicest people I've met. If you needed a job they would offer you one and support you, you weren't treated like a stranger. It was like a family.

But unfortunately, as I did research on this cult, I found out they twisted the Bible and there was evidence proving the whole cult was a lie and scam. And I started having second thoughts because these people were so kind, but were they that way because they wanted large sums of money from me? They require 10% of income from you or you get kicked out supposedly.

I left that place for good, I never been to any other Church. I am afraid I will not be welcomed, and that people would be racist and it would be rare to even find a racially diverse Church. And the ironic part will be that these will supposedly be the people that believe in what I also believe in and they will be not so friendly, while the people who believe in false things and are in cults will only be the nice and welcoming people.

It makes no sense if that is the case, and I am AFRAID to find that out to be true! Because that would devastate me and honestly make me question my faith maybe.

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Dear one,
The New Testament word for "church" is ekklesia [ejkklhsiva], which means "the called out ones."

I understand that you are reluctant to be near a church or called out ones.

This is what we have heard from apostle Paul:

• Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.

Dear one,
Are not many called out ones weak in the faith ? Are we told to resist those who are weak in the faith ? No, but we are called out to receive them.

Dear one,
If we dispute or argue with those who are weak in the faith ! Will they not doubt over our love for them in Christ Jesus ?

This is the counsel that we received from apostle Paul:

• One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. -Romans 14:2
• Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. -Romans 14:3

Did apostle Paul only concern himself about food ? No.

He was referring to those who are strong in faith not to despise or hate those who are weak in faith. Likewise, he refered those who are weak in faith not to pass judgement on those who are strong in faith, for God has received them.

Apostle Paul added, saying:

• Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. -Romans 14:4

So dear one, we are not pass judgement on those who are in faith, whether they are weak or strong, for their Lord are able to make them stand; for before their Lord that they stand or fall.

What should we do then ? This is what we have heard:

• We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. -Romans 15:1
  
• Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. -Romans 15:2

So dear one, let us not please ourselves; let us build up our neighbors in edification to love Christ, in order that they may live according to God’s will.

Dear one, let us consider the love of Christ:

• For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." -Romans 15:3

The Oxford dictionary defines “reproach” as
verb, address (someone) in such a way as to express disapproval or disappointment, and as a noun, the expression of disapproval or disappointment.

So what is written, that the disapproval of those who are disappointed with God, our dear Lord Jesus bore.

Are not those from cult disappointed with God and disapproved of His Son ?

So dear one, let us not be like those who disapproved of God or disappointed at God.

Dear one, why we all need to consider what is written in the gospel of our beloved Christ, this is what we have heard :

• For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. -Romans 15:4
• May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, -Romans 15:5
  
• that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. -Romans 15:6
  
• Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. -Romans 15:7

Dear one,
Let us pray that God may grant us to be strengthen in patience, that we may have the mind of Christ, that we together may glorify God and Christ with one voice, just as Christ received us to the glory of God.

So dear one, let us receive the called out ones who are weak in faith, just as Christ received us to the glory of God.

So dear one, may you be strengthen in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, that you may bear with the called out ones who are in the church and overcome your reluctance to be near them.

To God be the glory. Amen

I hope you will find a church where you will feel at home.
So don't be discouraged and keep on looking! There will be the odd church here and there that isn't particularly welcoming, but you can always shake the dust off your feet and try another one. It will have cost you nothing, except maybe an hour of your time.
There are plenty of friendly churches out there who will be very happy to welcome you and make you feel a valued part of the family.

JohnB445 said:

I live in Illinois, near the Chicago area.

I know one of my high school teachers is a non-denominational Christian, and she has helped me tremendously and I have never had somebody that seemed to care about me as much as she did. I was thinking of asking her if I could join her Church or if that would be weird. The non-denomination Church has Presbyterian roots. I have already graduated high school 4 years ago.

Also when I was at the hospital, I met a Presbyterian minister that read me the Bible.

I do know my therapist goes to an Apostolic Church as well.

Maybe these are some people I should ask?

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I think asking these people is a good way to get started in your church search. Most people would be happy to have you ask "Can I visit your church this Sunday?" You could also talk to these friends about what their church is like. Since racial diversity is important to you, ask them how diverse their congregations are. They'll be able to give you information that's not necessarily on the church web site.

JohnB445 said:

Is that from experience? and it wouldn't be weird at all to ask my old high school teacher if I can join her Church? She was very open about her religion.

From my post, my concerns are not from any experience at all, but it's in my head as a possibility that it may be this way.

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I’m churched out too. Been to too many