HoosierCanuck said:
Ever since saying the sinner's prayer and attempting to live the Christian life nearly 20 years ago, I've been to church after church...usually in 2-3 year spurts and I can't help but be angry at the fact that I've run into the same thing time after time....People are simply snobs! Take the place I visited today...I've known the Pastor since I was a teenager when he was a youth Pastor at another church. I visited his church (in an attempt to give churches a chance again!) and got a VERY COLD reception....the greeter opened the door and said "hi" but wouldn't even look at me and everyone else who bothered to make eye contact just sized me up and didn't bother to say anything to me. I found this to be very sad because the Pastor there is an awesome person...very down-to-earth, gives great, meaningful sermons and truly has a heart for God. I just wish his congregation did! If I hadn't had such a horrible experience I might have considered returning.
Prior to this disasterous visit to a church for the first time in a few months, I would simply go to a local park and sit at a picnic table and pray and read my bible. I honestly felt like I got closer to God during these times! Not to mention, I didn't have to worry about being rejected by 300 hypocrites and leaving a building feeling less than spiritual. Everyone says 'church is necessary for fellowship, etc..." but my question is....WHERE is the fellowship? I feel churches are nothing more than Country Clubs for Christians....maybe I would have been accepted had I been 'invited' by a member instead of 'just visiting.'
I have experienced what you describe here, myself, many times.
For years and years, even though I would have loved to have had a church to call home, I stayed away. Too disgusted with how congregations acted and treated people to ever want to feel I belonged in that group.
In the last couple of years, as I have grown older, my desires for a church home with a loving church family grew stronger and stronger. I began to pray earnestly for God to lead me to the church HE wanted me in. A church where I would worship Him and a church that was scripturally based, scripturally sound. I said, "Father, I'm sick to death of the churches and their MAN-MADE DOCTRINE. I want to go to a church where they know and study your word, and follow your law. Where YOU are first and foremost in that building."
He led me to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I went the first time, all alone except for my 15 year old son by my side. I knew absolutely no one in that church, but God. I remember my son saying, "Mom, that's the only one who matters". Kids can be so wise.
I remember being somewhat nervous, but that nervousness was immediately replaced with gladness and a sense of belonging that I had never experienced in a church before. We felt welcomed immediately, because we WERE welcome. That was February 6, 2005. On April 16 I was baptized into the church. This past July, my daughter was baptized into the church. She had started attending with me, and loved it as much as I did, as quickly as I did. I remember her first words to me, on the trip home from her first Sabbath. She said, "Mom, I don't believe I have EVER felt so accepted just for who I am, in a church before. Especially not on the first visit." I knew exactly what she meant. We don't "rush" visitors. We are all friendly, but we don't "push". You know you are very welcome and that we hope you will return, but we do not push our faith, our particular brand of religion down one's throat. We let the Holy Spirit do it's job.
Our church has a visitor's lunch each week. That way anyone who visits with us can sit down to a bite to eat and some fellowship.
I have never been happier since joining this church. But I'm not telling you this to sell you on Adventism. I'm telling you this story so that hopefully you will be encouraged and turn to prayer in seeking out a home church. Let God lead you, ask Him to show you where He wants you to be, and He will.
He led me to this wonderful church, where my spiritual gifts were manifested and put to use.
He will do the same for all who ask.
May God Bless you in your search for a "home".
I wouldn't mind if I don't see her for a while. She gave off these vibes that I picked up...oooh...I was gonna mention that to my cousin, before I found out she was related to the pastor, then I just changed my mind.
you will not be shunned in heaven. I'm thinking it will be a lot of love !
