How to Start on Right Foot in Community?

[Solace Girl]

I have been putting off attending a church for awhile, and I decided to give deep thought as to why I am afraid to go. I think it all stems from the negative experiences I had in my college's Intervarsity. The people were great during the social events and outside of Intervarsity events, but I feel that from the start I was judged as a beginner, and I found that to be demeaning.

When I do start getting involved in a community, how can I communicate that I have studied religion both academically and in my spare time? I do not want to repeat the experiences I had in Intervarsity, when well-meaning people took me to seminars about getting to know Jesus.

 

[graceandpeace]

In a church community?

I think in general, you just first show up. Start attending services. If after awhile you're certain you want to remain with the church, get involved in some way, serving in the church service or with the church out in the neighborhood. Depending on the denomination, you may need to go through classes to learn about what the church believes & to formally join as a member.

 

[Gnarwhal]

I have been putting off attending a church for awhile, and I decided to give deep thought as to why I am afraid to go. I think it all stems from the negative experiences I had in my college's Intervarsity. The people were great during the social events and outside of Intervarsity events, but I feel that from the start I was judged as a beginner, and I found that to be demeaning.

When I do start getting involved in a community, how can I communicate that I have studied religion both academically and in my spare time? I do not want to repeat the experiences I had in Intervarsity, when well-meaning people took me to seminars about getting to know Jesus.

I think that has to be dealt out on a case-by-case basis because you don't know for certain that every person you come across is judging that you're a novice, nor do you want to broadcast that information constantly on a whim because it could come across as pretentious. I would say wherever you begin to get involved, if there's an opportunity to introduce yourself (say, in a small group or bible study of some sort) then your education and experience in the faith is worth mentioning at that point.

This is based on my own personal experience, there's been one or two instances where I brought up my experience with studying theology and the timing of it all just made me look both awkward and arrogant.

 

[dysert]

I understand what you're saying. For example, my education is more than that of the average person, and I used to try to slip that into a conversation when it seemed appropriate. In every case, as Darth said above, it was awkward and arrogant.

When you decide to enter a "community" (local church?), just be cool. Don't try to advertise the fact that you're not a novice. Over time they'll come to know that without you having to advertise it. This is especially true if you get into a small group or Bible study. Simply by the way you answer the questions or interact with the group it will soon become apparent that you know what you're talking about.

I know it can be a humbling experience to be treated as a novice when you're not, but that's usually pride getting in the way. Let things take their natural course and you should be fine.

 

[Solace Girl]

It's just strange to me, because when I was experimenting with paganism, I never had this problem with this in pagan communities on the the Internet. Do Christian communities just automatically assume that if you are new to the church then you are new to Christianity?

 

[Albion]

It's just strange to me, because when I was experimenting with paganism, I never had this problem with this in pagan communities on the the Internet. Do Christian communities just automatically assume that if you are new to the church then you are new to Christianity?

Well, consider the group you were dealing with. It's not intended as a criticism of Intervarsity when I say this, but that organization and the churches that most of its members are closest to, specialize in Evangelism. I'm thinking that you could have held them off if you'd been clear about your own religious faith, but if you were somewhat unsure--as I'm guessing from your OP here that you were--it would be natural for them to take the approach they did.

If you had joined the Newman Club instead, I'm sure that the approach taken in your case would have been quite different. In short, the church you choose to attend is instinctively going to deal with newcomers, at least at the start, in the way that reflects its theology.