Church

[jesus_freak_for_life]

13th April 2003 at 02:44 AM lil_angel said this in Post #20

Well I finally went to church last night!!! YAY!!! I went all by myself and I didn’t know anyone and man was it scary!!! But I met a whole heap of lovely people who made me feel right at home. I can’t believe that it took me so long to get the courage up to go!! I even got a little pack for new Christians. It had in it lots of info about the church and Christianity, a pen (which is really funky, it’s blue that looks like purple and green in different lights J) and a NIV bible (just a NT, Psalms and Proverbs). It was a great experience and I am really glad I went!!! I just can't believe it took me 2-3 months to actually go!!!

Hi lil_angel , good to hear your good first experience, I'm yet to attend a church, and i am afraid i wont be able to for a long time if ever if i stayed in the place i live in, not because i won't find hell of a support from people there but because going to one will be asking for trouble if i was seen going out of one by someone who knows me, In fact i hardly know any kind of christian community amoung my friends except one who hardly care about his religion (well i avoid talking about religion with my friends anyway as i believe its not a subject to talk about while hanging with your friends ofcourse) , I feel isolated and incomplete as it is but anything would be better than the trouble i would get if my faith was exposed to people who know me, heh..i hope this won't last for long...take care, New-life.

 

[Blessed-one]

great to hear lil_angel! i'm sorry that i missed your post! seems like God has prepared this and has been waiting for you to make the move.

to New-life:

it must be tough having friends who don't understand you... but New-life, having christian support is so important that the bible tells us not to cease having fellowship. Unlike you, i went to church, but i still lacked christian support, it was as if church didn't quite mean anything to me... but God helped. However, i also helped myself by my actions, that was, following God's direction. You may have to step out boldly as well...

praying for you, if anything changes, do let us know. Meanwhile.... keep praying!

hehe, i can't stress out the importance of prayers, my life has changed solely because of prayers. -----> God.

 

[jesus_freak_for_life]

Today at 04:49 AM Blessed-one said this in Post #22

great to hear lil_angel! i'm sorry that i missed your post! seems like God has prepared this and has been waiting for you to make the move.

to New-life:

it must be tough having friends who don't understand you... but New-life, having christian support is so important that the bible tells us not to cease having fellowship. Unlike you, i went to church, but i still lacked christian support, it was as if church didn't quite mean anything to me... but God helped. However, i also helped myself by my actions, that was, following God's direction. You may have to step out boldly as well...

praying for you, if anything changes, do let us know. Meanwhile.... keep praying!

hehe, i can't stress out the importance of prayers, my life has changed solely because of prayers. -----> God.

Hi Blessed-one , lol believe me its not me who refuse to go to church and have a 'noticable' christian fellowship , But i just don't want to have my new christian faith exposed to anyone , you do'nt know what does it mean to live in an islamic country and convert from islam to christianity, there are people who got jailed/tortured etc for this, i just want to avoid such trouble, islam cant protect its pathetic faith except by sword as it always did since its accursed rise, take away the protection force that casted on muslims by thier filthy governments and this sad excuse of a 'faith' will fall apart...... anyway, I got into christ on my own by self-experience without any outer effect of anyone 'trying to pull me in' , so my faith does not Need any outer help to 'support' it, i believe 'church' is just a tool for christians to have a strong community, learn more about their religion and get together thats all but not a must-have for 'faith' purpose as this comes from you , if your faith cant stand without the help and outer support of a community then its not a real, strong faith , anyways , I hope this case will get changed, my only way out of this is to get out of this hell-hole to a western country to actually practice what i believe in freely , but as long as i am staying here its wiser to keep it all to myself...take care, New life.

 

[Blessed-one]

i believe 'church' is just a tool for christians to have a strong community and get together thats all but not a must-have for 'faith' purpose as this comes from you , if your faith cant stand without the help and outer support of a community then its not a real, strong faith

Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

2 corinthians 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

you're right, it is not a must have for faith, but nevertheless, fellowship is extremely important in helping to build each other up. How else did the new christians in Jesus's time knew God's words? they were taught by God, who used the apostles to speak to the people. God uses many means to help a believer to stand firm on the path, He may use a God loving brother to lead the believer in the right way, etc etc.

but i didn't say all this to prove you wrong. Thanks for sharing your situation, i concede that i have no idea what it's like being a christian in Islam, other than that being very difficult and dangerous. As there's nothing else i can do... will continue to pray for you. cya round in the forums.

 

[stargazer]

Whew.
It'll take some prayer and shopping to find the right church.
You should feel welcomed and loved at a church.
I'm partial to Calvary Chapel. My brother in law pastors one in New Orleans.
*hug*
It's not fun to have to find a church home.

Must you go to church?
The bible says not to forsake the fellowship. You do need a family of believers.

Hey Mr. Cheese, I go to Calvary Chapel too!! It's a great church! I had never been to a church so bible based and it is very refreshing.

 

[iceangl794]

I know this isnt my thread, but I have a similar problem. I'm 14, and my family is Christian. Unfortunately, my dad doesnt go to church, but he does believe. My mom goes to church and gets me to go sometime too. However, when my mom gets me up to go, it feels almost like a chore to do so. It feels like I'm not really going for God, but for her, because she makes me. I do pay attention when I go, but it just doesnt speak to me like I know it should. The pastor preaches to adult situations, not things that people my age go through . That makes me feel so isolated from church. I already have it in my mind that as soon as I leave my house, I'll start regularly attending a church that I choose... But, until then what should I do?

 

[PuppyforChrist]

I know exactly what you mean iceangel. I feel the same way in my church as well. I have only been a Christian for a little over a year and a half. Pray about it to God. Ask him what you should do. If I were you, I would just keep going to church and maybe talk to your Pastors about how you feel. All Pastors do things differently. Hope that helps!

 

[iceangl794]

That did help... but the thing is, I really dont know anyone in my church. When I do go, we sit at the back, sit still, and say nothing. Really not very appealing. I dont mind worshiping the Lord, but I wish I could do it of my own will, and not that of my parents...

 

[Blessed-one]

um... there is no youth group at your church?
maybe you ought to talk to your mom about it, since she takes you to church, she must have wanted you to grow in Christ.

 

[iceangl794]

I'll try....

 

[Heinrich2]

GET IN A CELL GROUP!!
Personnally I think every church should have cell groups.

To all other people:
If you're church doesn't have cell groups.. Start one with your friends. And meet regularly..
We are not meant to go throught all this alone!

 

[LuckyT]

about finding a church and stuff. my mom never forced me to go to church. i went with my neighbor to their church occasionally when i was younger. then one of my friends invited me to his church and it was great. now, about finding a church. do any of your friends go to church? maybe ask them if you can tag along....especially if they have a youth group. starting out by tagging along to a youth group is a great thing (if you're a kid.) i recommend trying a small church. they're more likely to notice that you're a visitor. they're also closer to each other and generally they're very friendly and welcoming. never ever feel like church is a chore. there is a church out there for you that won't feel like a chore. and if one morning it does feel that way, don't go. go only when you feel that you want to because it is your personal decision. god made church to give you the option to meet with fellow christians and learn together and grow together and help one another. hm...hoped this helps someone. and congrats to the first person who posted this and found a cool church to go to!!