Question

[guyinblue]

I go to a church and have gone to this church for sometime, several years in fact, and I still feel like a visitor. People do say hello or nod on occassion but for the most part it appears that after service is over people are so quick to leave and don't even acknowledge a persons prescense. Maybe its me. I just dont feel like I fit sometimes not all the time do I feel out of place but a good majority of the time I do.

Anyone else ever feel like that?

 

[MPaul]

I go to a church and have gone to this church for sometime, several years in fact, and I still feel like a visitor. People do say hello or nod on occassion but for the most part it appears that after service is over people are so quick to leave and don't even acknowledge a persons prescense. Maybe its me. I just dont feel like I fit sometimes not all the time do I feel out of place but a good majority of the time I do.

Anyone else ever feel like that?

This type of thing can depend on a lot of factors, including what people are like in general in the area where you live, what experiences from the past the church has had in people relating to others, what kind of policy the present pastor or one prior has set and how that has affected ushers, elders, employees, etc.

However, when I went to congregational churches, I remember so often being grateful for being treated like a visitor, as otherwise too much pressure was put on me to do something I did not want to do.

Another thing that could be involved is that the other members are not certain about you, or that you are sending a signal you do not realize, due to some sub-culture you have known.

If you want a change, I think you should just pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit on the matter, and things will turn around, if not sooner, then later.

 

[guyinblue]

Thanks for sharing that. I appreciate the information.

 

[sam5432]

I go to a church and have gone to this church for sometime, several years in fact, and I still feel like a visitor. People do say hello or nod on occassion but for the most part it appears that after service is over people are so quick to leave and don't even acknowledge a persons prescense. Maybe its me. I just dont feel like I fit sometimes not all the time do I feel out of place but a good majority of the time I do.

Anyone else ever feel like that?

Developing skills and broadening ones intellectual assets help in this area. Why? The more you are involved intellectually and physically (activities) the more you have to talk about and it becomes a natural evolution toward friendships as your interest grow.

 

[Hockey_Fan]

Yeah, that has been my experience, too. Strange, it's easier to make friends and get to know people online than face to face in a church setting. I wish it wasn't so, but that's been my experience.

 

[guyinblue]

thats true Hockey Fan.