on the church commitment

[J3thekingofking]

I'm in a state where I think I'm not ready to commit to a local church. I'm looking out from them because there's more to explore out there (different denominations or church). But on their side the members will surely try to push me to attend to every sunday sermon and cell group gathering. I have tons of spiritual books to read at my own (thanks to the internet, I can easily order tons of good, christian classic and books of the greatest theologians and pastors of all time in amazon with just a few clicks away). My concern is I can't explain properly to them why I'll not present on every sunday gathering (now we're doing it virtually). In their view I'm backsliding but actually I'm not. Have any of you face this situation before? I think I'll face persuasion from them as I've gathered with them for almost 2 yrs.

 

[Albion]

You have mentioned some interesting developments there. Apparently, when you have visited some congregations, the members are so welcoming that they assume you are committed to joining or on the verge of it. That would be awkward for you, although I think of the people who write to us saying that when they've shown up in a strange church that they were interested in, no one gave them even a "hello." That would be worse, I'm thinking.

That aside, yes, I have experienced what you describe. And I have accepted the invitations to attend their Bible Study groups or whatever.

But I say to them that I still am in the process of collecting my own thoughts and learning about several different churches that I have heard good things about, etc. This seems sufficient to buy me some time without making them think I'm not serious about their own congregation.

If the members start in about me "backsliding" because they didn't see me, a non-member, in their own pews last Sunday, I'd be inclined to strike that congregation off my list. I'd consider such a thing on their part to be unusual, though. I've attended churches that do insist upon such regularity and hold such strict views about it--but because I was seen as a visitor, I wasn't targeted.

 

[bling]

Where can you go to do the most good?

 

[1213]

....My concern is I can't explain properly to them why I'll not present on every sunday gathering (now we're doing it virtually). In their view I'm backsliding but actually I'm not. ....

I think one good reason to participate is that they would not be backsliding. I don’t think you must be there, but maybe you could bring something good to them?

Maybe one problem with many congregations nowadays is that there is too few of those who really study and want to be loyal to God and His words.