Before you start pointing your high and mighty proverbial finger around, perhaps you should be a little less ignorant of the situation of some of us. There are many, like myself, who desire fellowship, but are essentially shunned by the Christian church when it comes to fellowship. Obviously we are allowed to attend church and throw our money in the plate, but we are essentially shunned when it comes to fellowship. For the record also, this is not the rant of a new Christian. I have been a Christian for over 20 years. Its been in several churches and in several denominations. So its a rant based upon many experiences in many diverse locations.
I can literally write a encyclopedia on it, but instead I will just write a few examples.
1. I once joined a fellowship group. They got together prayed, took a bike ride and then studied the scriptures. I got about two weeks in. Then they would repeatedly change the time and location and inform everyone but yours truly. So I then started to call on Friday to see what the schedule was. Upon which I was told, the group was cancelled. However, every saturday, same date, same time, same people, same group would meet, minus yours truly. I emailed the group leader and said, if you really dont want me there just reinstate the group and I wont join. He never did reply, but the ministry was reinstated. Where should the proverbial finger be pointed on this one?
2. Different church made an announcement during service, they were looking for volunteers for a certain ministry. I filled out the paperwork and volunteered. Next week service, the message was we have not received a single volunteer please consider. Being a little naïve, I figured they lost mine, so I resubmitted it. Next week in service, we didnt receive a single volunteer so we are cancelling the ministry. I guess I dont even count as a person. Ironic thing, it was to watch a autistic child, so his parents could attend a study. I think I am a little qualified, but me and my son are on the spectrum. Where should the proverbial finger be pointed on this one?
3. Heres a good one. I hadnt been to church in about six months at this point. I ran into the pastor in the grocery store. He said hi in full stride. Didnt even slow down. Didnt say hey, I havent seen you around, are you coming Sunday? Nothing!. No, he was not in a rush, I saw him having many stand still conversations with others in the store. Like previously stated, I guess I dont even qualify as a person. Where should the proverbial finger be pointed on this one?
4. I ran into a ministry I am in, they were meeting in a coffee shop. Not one of them even noticed me, even when I acknowledged them. Come to find out they meet weekly.
5. I recently tried to start a conversation in fellowship time with someone. They casually look around for an escape. Oh, theres so and so, I need to talk to them.. Once? OK. However, this happens everytime, thousands of times, I try.
6. The ironic thing is, there is a guy who attends church who is not a Christian. His wife and kids go and requested to him they attend as a family. Hes a good family guy so he stepped up to their request. He is the only one who will regurarly hold a conversation with me. Im in a church full of Christian and the only one who will not shun me is the non-christian??!!?? He is a motorcycle biker type. For crying out loud, I can get better fellowship at a bike bar than a Christian church!!??!! Do you realize how sad this reflects on the church?
Like I said, these are just a few examples. I have 23 years of stories in multiple churches/denominations. The answer is not switch churches. I have been to enough to know they are all the same in this regard.
Back to your original post. I have no problems fellowshipping with others. They have the problem fellowshipping with me. So just realize when you go to point your finger around, many times it is not pointed at the person on the spectrum, it is pointed at the other Christians.
When I come to your church some day, what are you going to do? I will be the one sitting in back alone, rocking in my seat. I will be having facial motor tics. Maybe even talking to myself. Are you going to partake and invite to fellowship. And I mean just not a shallow invite, but a real sincere acceptance into fellowship and ministry? Or are you going to go find the cool acceptable people instead? I obviously dont know what you would do, but 99.99% of your brethren will shun me.
I agree the finger needs pointed, but please get it in the right direction. To quote you, I hope this post brings No offense. No, on second thought, I hope it offends. Change doesnt come through comfort.