Nervous...

a kind of a new environment nevertheless?
grab hold of God and march into church if you had to! you'll never find out exactly why if you don't ever go.

edreams said:

Im really nervous about going to church...
Im not "really" sure why...
My son goes to a church school.
So, the principal there, and some of the teachers actually go to that church, so its not like I wouldnt know anyone...
and they have a 10:30 service, where you can dress down...
so, what is my excuse for not going?
I really dont know...

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Your excuse? It's what is commonly called sin.
(and I'm not laughing at you)

But that's what the sin nature does within us. It makes all sorts of excuses as to why we should not move toward God. But Jesus has overcome therefore you can go ahead and do the things necessary to grow in your spiritual life regardless. Place yourself in His hands and let Him worry about the consequences. Remember His arms are spread wide to you always waiting to embrace you.

Psalm 3:3 "But thou O lord art a shield for me, my glory and the lifter up of my head."

be at peace.

Your excuse? It's what is commonly called sin.

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And I'm sorry, but that is what is commonly called "offensive". Calling someone a sinner is not your prerogative. Why do some people feel it's their duty to impose their own judgements on people they've never met?

I don't blame someone for being scared of going through a church door if this is the reaction they're likely to get when they do step in.

It's perfectly fine to be nervous about meeting new people in a strange new environment. We're not all super-spiritual warriors of the truth.

Take your time. You might find you can go to a mid-week service first (especially if it's Anglican/Episcopalian.)

God bless.

Hi edreams . I know exactly what you mean. I'm still anxious when beginning a new church, and I have been a Christian all my life, but I have moved around quite a bit. I realize the people aren't going to bite my arm off or anything, but still I get butterflies in my stomach. Even when I'm getting dressed to take that first step on a Sunday morning, I get feelings of, well...maybe I don't really want to go today! Must be a natural, common, human fear of the unknown. After I have taken a deep breath and made sure I looked okay and brushed all the dog fur off my skirt, I walk through the Church entrance door and am greeted in the most loving manner by many people. You will be fine, sweetie. And you'll make lots of good friends too.

*MOD HAT ON*

REMEMBER THIS IS NOT A DEBATE FORUM. VARYING PEOPLE HAVE VARYING THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS. IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO CORRECT SOMEONE WHO'S ANSWER YOU DO NOT LIKE.

THANK YOU

My posting was made to no one specifically. It was a general posting to remind people not to argue.

Her comment was made to incourage you to overcome your fears. God say's He "has not given us a spirit of fear but He's given us a Spirit of Love, Power, and a Sound Mind." Allowing fear to overtake us and keep us from what God desires for us is sin. . . and we all are guilty of it in some form or another.

I think that possibly her intent was misunderstood. Please leave room for that. We all don't always say things exactly the way we mean. I don't believe harm was intended. If you believe someone really is being rude it is better to take it to PM instead of debating in this thread. This is not the place for arguing.

Thank you.

edreams said:

Then you are saying that I should just let her call me a sinner???? ok then!

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We are all sinners. Its a fact. Jesus even said that anxiety is a sin. One does not have to be some horrible evil person to be a sinner. Sin comes from our fallen nature that we are all born with. If we were not sinners there would be no laws to live by. Laws exist because we sin.

" But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. " (1 John 1:7-9 niv)

Now, if you had been attending a good (not all are) church with sound teaching, telling you about the problem with personal sin would have not been an issue. It is true that too many churches are a sin in themselves in the way they distort the truth. But, to tell you that you are afraid to attend a church is sin, is not unscriptural. Its matter of fact. Praying for the Father's guidance in Jesus Name would be a good place to start in locating a good church for you. And, remember, most churches will not be doing a good job. Paul warned that there will be a great number of churches not doing their jobs as they should...

2 Timothy 4:3

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." (niv)

So beware... if you do not like what you see in certain churches, that does not mean you are wrong with God. It may mean that you are right with God. But, go without fear. No church should bully you in staying. If they do, right there is a sign that it is a bad church and justifies you not attending. If they start sticking their noses in your privacy you should remove yourself. If they do not teach sound doctrine, but instead offer only ritual and programs to follow, remove yourself. The purpose of the church is to be a classroom for the Word of God. Sad to say, your search may take a while. But, if you find a good teaching church, stick it out and learn. The Word of God transforms the soul. Rituals and programs only offer escapism and something to conform to... to tally up brownie points. God wants you to have understanding, not to be handed a script and be told to act a certain way.

Romans 12:2

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." (niv)

And, yes! I am a sinner, too!

1 John 1:8

" If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." (niv)

Grace and peace, GeneZ (sinner saved by grace)

edreams said:

I KNOW that...but to call someone a sinner, because they dont go to church, that was very rude and uncalled for!

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Jesus offended many because of the truth. Paul offended. Stephan offended. Being offended does not mean the one who offended was being rude. Matter of fact, might be more like it. But, rude? Being truthful concerning God's Word is not being rude. And, yes. It is sin to not attend church if you are born again. If you are not? Why go in the first place?

Hebrews 10:25

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (niv)

A more accurate and amplified translation would render it...


" Stop forsaking {desertion in the face of pressure}
from the assembling together of yourselves {under authority - for bible study}, as the habit of certain ones {back sliders} is.
BUT, {by being an encouragement} even so much the more,
as you see the day approaching."

{Note: "So much the more" is very, very strong. The writer switched from Attic Greek to pure Classical Greek to make the emphasis.

We are to attend church to learn the Word. To be an encouragement to others who also learn the Word. Those who are believers and avoid hearing the teaching of God's Word, are ... simply put.... sinning against God's will for their life.

2 Peter 3:18 niv

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."

The truth can offend at times. Especially, when it is Spirit led. And, especially when it hits home and its not flattering.

But, if you still wish to hold a grudge and say it was rude. Fine. Go to church anyway.

Grace and peace, Gene

Jesus offended many because of the truth.

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No excuse. Jesus annoyed most the people who were in authority - the priests & Pharisees and guardians of the sacred flame - he didn't go around insulting vulnerable people, especially those who were struggling with their newly-found faith.

Not only that, he said it face to face, not under the cloak of anonymity provided by the internet.

Speak truth to power by all means. But ask yourself if going up to strangers in church with accusing fingers saying "why weren't you in church last week, sinner?" is really the best way to get them to return.

Be polite.

As a new Christian I was extremely nervous about going to church. I'd been to church before, but this was different, this was going for me and my relationship with Jesus, not because my family expected it of me.

But I knew that the anxiety I was feeling wasn't right, I shouldn't feel that way. So I went. And I'm so happy I did. I found a wonderful church where everyone is friendly and they've accepted me regardless of my previous path.

I still had anxiety attacks about going to church the second week and going to the cell group meetings that I'd been invited to. And I honestly couldn't really figure out why. I'm not a shy or nervous person by nature. In fact I'm far from it. I had previously been a very active member of my faith community (not Christian) and had never had problems about meeting people or attending services/celebrations, but now for some reason going to a Christian church terrified me beyond belief.

So I told my cell group about it and they prayed for me. The minute they did, I could feel they nervousness flee me and I haven't had a problem since.

artybloke said:

No excuse. Jesus annoyed most the people who were in authority - the priests & Pharisees and guardians of the sacred flame - he didn't go around insulting vulnerable people, especially those who were struggling with their newly-found faith.

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The religious leaders were not his only target.

Jesus went right after all the "common folk" who were not meaning business with him. Matter of fact, a great number turned from him and followed him no more. And, Jesus knew this would happen. He wanted it that way. Why? He did not want men following him that were not rightly motivated by God to follow him.

John 6:60-66 niv


Many Disciples Desert Jesus

"On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him." From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. "


Not everyone who calls themselves a Christian, is. Many even attend church, just as these disciples followed Christ. Jesus today would have weeded them out by offending their sensibilities with the truth. Something that would not offend the Spirit filled believer. Today, many pulpits refuse to teach solid truth. They are afraid that they might offend. They only preach to the choir with a "feel good" message.

"From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. "

Many think attending church makes them appear to be "respectable." To be seen as a "good person." If anyone is to be a faithful and true Christian they will have to deny themselves and take up their cross. God will see to it. And, Jesus said so. When I was a new Christian I was seeking passionately a church to attend. The Spirit in me was making me hunger for truth. I did go into some churches that made me feel nervous, and I already posted what kind one should avoid. Yet, no one led of God will end up being stuck in a dead church...if they do not quit seeking. There are too many who view church attendance as making them feel "socially acceptable." These are phonies who seek out churches that will please their flesh. The Holy Spirit will try and weed them out of the good churches. Jesus did.

And, I say again. If one is a believer. To not attend the teaching of God's Word, is sin. I do not know what concept you hold to as being sin. But anything that is not of faith, is sin. Sin does not have to mean overt gross actions. Those who give the appearance of being respectable are also sinners. One can be very nice as a person and sin. All men are sinners. And, all men who walk in ignorance of faith are sinning in their ignorance.

Faith comes by hearing the Word. To shy away from learning the Word through timidity is sin. They must overcome it. They must also realize that timidity is sin if they allow it to rule over them. God's grace overcomes timidity.

2 Timothy 1:7 niv

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. "

Jesus warned that some of the seeds on the path get saved but fall away under presssure. If we are ever to grow up in Christ, being offended should become a thing of the past when confronted by truth.

Psalm 119:165

"Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."

And, Jesus knew he would offend those folks following him. Not simply religious leaders.

"Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you?

Jesus wanted them out of there. Disciple meant student... a follower.

"From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. "

His target was not the religious leaders. Jesus wanted all those following for wrong motivation out of there. Churches are so sick today, that they try and impliment ways to attract these kind, and to keep them there. Such a "nice flock" of people they are. Ignorant of truth. But nice!

Did Jesus need a public relations manager? A sweet talking person to make people feel all good and warm inside? They'll put more money in the till that way. Right? When you becaome a Christian you join God's army. Today, many churches pamper and sweet talk people rather than confront them with truth. Truth, that those walking in the Spirit hunger for. Most churches today are full of religious people who do not understand what we have been called into.

" Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10 niv

Yes... it is a sin not to attend church (if a person refused to attend because of being nervous). This timid one might as well start off learning what sin is, that is, if one wants to be a Christian.

If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Grace and truth.... GeneZ

*MOD HAT ON*

Again, this is NOT a debate thread.

Since the arguing has continued even after my warning. . .I am closing the thread.