Looking for Church SW Houston Area

[homeofmew]

Hi I have been out of the church for years now but I'd like to give it another go.

Reasons I left.

1. Mass racial issues my parents are white and I'm Asian (adopted) and all the parents friends were white and it never bothered me. But some of the people treated me like unsaved crap because I'm not white

2. I'm very outspoken and when something isn't going right I might say something about it Church I went to claimed to give "most of the budget to missions" and it's actual paper reports they even showed to the people were less then 5% (which isn't "most") the only way they could claim this if they counted all the money they used to pay themselves.

3. I was 18- mid 20s and the church seems not to care about that age group. I'm 30 now hopefully I;m viewed more of an asset then a useless college kid.

4. I was apart of a said churches youth program and there was mass bullying (not happening to me but others) I tried to stop it then got lectured by the youth pastor saying he didn't have an issue. Someone even was being physically abusive to someone else and I said that I'd defend people that couldn't fight back and the church called my parents sayin I made a threat. By the time they complained about saying I was insane I was already 18 and confronted them myself.

Looking for Smaller Church that may be racially diverse, non selling church.
I was raised in a non denomination then Baptist Church.

Non Selling - A lot of churches sell them self to new people which is annoying, I'm an introvert and it takes time for me to bond with people.
And no I won't fill out an info card on my first visit.

Responsible - If I actually join a church they have to be responsible and care about things not throw things under the rug, last church I went to a pastor got fired for having sex with a 14 yr old girl and anyone caught talking about it was asked to leave.

About Me:
30 Female, in a relationship; no kids
Zip Code: 77459 , SW Houston Area
Myers Brigg Personality type: INTJ
Education: BS - Mathematics

Left 3 Previous Churches, 2 Christian Schools
Graduated from Public School and Public University
(which was taboo at last church I went too)

 

[faroukfarouk]

Hi; whatever our background, it's good for one's fellowship search to be centred on those who share a desire to read the Scriptures and pray: this is what really unites, among those who love the Lord.

 

[graceandpeace]

Some of the issues you've had in the past may have been localized problems - so choosing a denomination based on that may not be helpful, as local congregations of different affiliations might vary.

Likewise, some of the criteria you have in mind now for seeking a church will also depend more on local options vs a particular denomination.

At the very least, I would suggest avoiding non-denominational churches, since they do not have outside authority or accountability.

As for what to suggest, I think many congregations within mainline denominations tend to be more "introverted," or otherwise not as pushy. You might still be given a visitor's card, though.

The Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA), the Presbyterian Church in America (PCUSA), etc might be worth looking into.

I'm in the Episcopal Church, & I think overall the church is welcoming but also not pushy...plenty of introverts around.

 

[riesie]

Hey,
I just wanted to say what terrible experiences you've had in church. That's not how it should be at all!
It gave me a sad feeling reading it. I hope you can explore this forum and maybe even find what you're looking for.
I know there a lot of lovely people on this site! So I hope you stay for a while.

 

[homeofmew]

I hate visitors cards, then they try to send me stuff in the mail, one time a church even sent me 2 years worth of tithing envelopes. (1 for every week)
And I was 19 or so.

 

[graceandpeace]

I hate visitors cards, then they try to send me stuff in the mail, one time a church even sent me 2 years worth of tithing envelopes. (1 for every week)
And I was 19 or so.

That's really odd. Many churches would not employ visitor cards in that way.

Anyway, I did suggest a few church options in my first reply, why not take a look & see what's available near you?

Let us know if we can help further.

 

[jsimms615]

I noticed this Heritage Baptist church in doing a internet search using your zip code
http://hbctx.org/
Looked like a solid church. I hate filling out cards also but politely take them and don't fill them out

 

[riesie]

What's a visitors card? I don't think we do this in the Netherlands. .....

 

[homeofmew]

Visitors cards are cards you fill out with your name and address and sometimes your email and birthday.
Some churches I have been to even ask for your kids and spouse's name

 

[faroukfarouk]

I noticed this Heritage Baptist church in doing a internet search using your zip code
http://hbctx.org/
Looked like a solid church. I hate filling out cards also but politely take them and don't fill them out

You fill it in; and someone will contact you.

Sometimes it's because they want the Person to know the Lord Jesus. I hope this is often the case.

Unfortunately it has been known for appeals for money to materialize, sooner or later.

It can be good for some places maybe; but I prefer the face to face contact with people who physically come among Christians.

 

[riesie]

Okay thanks. So it's spam related?