I don't feel welcome at church anymore

[Anonymous]

My DH is military, so we haven't had a real home church in a long, long time. When we left DC a few years back, we stopped attending a church of our denomination. We currently attend a church that we love, but as time has gone on, we feel more and more uncomfortable not being members. However, we also don't agree with some of the doctrinal statements of the church we attend, so becoming members isn't something we really want to do.

I guess what I'm asking is, does it irritate a church to have a family attending yet not becoming members? We do contribute monetarily each week.

[Anonymous]

Yes. It does.

[Anonymous]

This wouldn't irritate catholics (I'm one). I think we need to know the type of church to answer.

[Anonymous]

depends on the church. If a small one, probably. Mediumish, probably not.

[Anonymous]

Yes, depends on the church. Can you say the denomination or if it's nondenominational, what size? I don't think it matters if you're not a member, esp if you're military. What matters more is your participation.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone --the pastor or people in the congregation -- asked you why you haven't become members?

Are there some activities you can't take part in without being members?

If not -- just keep on the way you are until YOU are ready to make a decision to join or move on.

[Anonymous]

No one has said anything and we don't participate in anything outside of Sunday morning worship, because I feel uncomfortable doing that as a non-member.

I'd rather not say the denomination because the thread will devolve rapidly....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH is military, so we haven't had a real home church in a long, long time. When we left DC a few years back, we stopped attending a church of our denomination. We currently attend a church that we love, but as time has gone on, we feel more and more uncomfortable not being members. However, we also don't agree with some of the doctrinal statements of the church we attend, so becoming members isn't something we really want to do.

I guess what I'm asking is, does it irritate a church to have a family attending yet not becoming members? We do contribute monetarily each week.

You say you don't agree with the doctrine, why do you keep going back? What is it that makes you feel unwelcome -did someone not smile at you one week?

[Anonymous]

I WILL say that it's a small church in North Carolina (don't know if that matters) and we do use the church nursery on Sunday mornings. I think using the nursery is my main concern right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This wouldn't irritate catholics (I'm one). I think we need to know the type of church to answer.

+1
--another Catholic

[Anonymous]

This doesn't make sense. You say you love the church and then say you're uncomfortable. Why would you love something that makes you uncomfortable?

Time to go church shopping. Try Unitarian? I know a lot of people who have found that to be comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This doesn't make sense. You say you love the church and then say you're uncomfortable. Why would you love something that makes you uncomfortable?

Time to go church shopping. Try Unitarian? I know a lot of people who have found that to be comfortable.

Yeah, that's weird, isn't it? Maybe I'm just overthinking things then.

I think it's because we've always been members of a church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I WILL say that it's a small church in North Carolina (don't know if that matters) and we do use the church nursery on Sunday mornings. I think using the nursery is my main concern right now.

Your post continues to make no sense. You're attending z church in which you don't agree with the doctrine and the Sunday nursery is the main thing you're bent out of shape over??

No matter what your denomination is - look for another one! They are a dime a dozen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I WILL say that it's a small church in North Carolina (don't know if that matters) and we do use the church nursery on Sunday mornings. I think using the nursery is my main concern right now.

Your post continues to make no sense. You're attending z church in which you don't agree with the doctrine and the Sunday nursery is the main thing you're bent out of shape over??

No matter what your denomination is - look for another one! They are a dime a dozen.

No, I feel uncomfortable sending my children to the nursery when we aren't members.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one has said anything and we don't participate in anything outside of Sunday morning worship, because I feel uncomfortable doing that as a non-member.

I'd rather not say the denomination because the thread will devolve rapidly....

Well then we can't really help you beyond saying "You should ask the church 'leader'"