If you went to church this morning for the first time in a while, will you come back next Sunday?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, our church was packed this morning -- the flowers were lovely, the sermon inspiring, music beautiful. Maybe you were there -- maybe it was the first time in a while. It was so great to have you with us. Now, will you come back next Sunday? Why or why not?

No, I only go on easter and Christmas for the special music. Like many others responding here -- I'm not at all inclined to make it a weekly habit.

The sermon at the church I went to was aimed at children, saying how special it was that Jesus died for their sins, and like Jesus, they too can live forever, because they believe in him.

I know this is the standard Christian story, but it sounds just like another children's fairy tale when you don't hear it every Sunday. I wondered how many of those kids would still believe it when they were adults.

I know you don't mean it this way, but I find this line to be offensive.

It's not the "standard Christian story." It is the central and only reason for the Christian faith.

Since we regulars are being so careful not to offend our twice-yearly visitors, please remember when you do visit that people there believe and live this faith.

So riddle me this one, Batman:

Jimmy and Timmy are two little boys who go to church, and both agree they both believe in Jesus and that Jesus died for their sins. The boys are excited to live "forever" because when you're six, life is sweet.

And then Jimmy gets killed in a car accident. Or gets cancer and dies. So now he's dead. And Timmy is supposed to think .... what? That Jimmy lied to him about believing in Jesus, or that the whole "if you believe you live forever" thing is crap?

What you don’t understand is that Jimmy is more alive now than ever before. And though Timmy will miss and remember him for the rest of his life, they will see each other again.

in heaven -- that's what Christians believe. It is not a matter of "understanding" but belief.

And you believe something else. Nobody actually can testify to what happens when you die. Saying that "nothing" happens, you're just gone is a belief too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, our church was packed this morning -- the flowers were lovely, the sermon inspiring, music beautiful. Maybe you were there -- maybe it was the first time in a while. It was so great to have you with us. Now, will you come back next Sunday? Why or why not?

No, I only go on easter and Christmas for the special music. Like many others responding here -- I'm not at all inclined to make it a weekly habit.

The sermon at the church I went to was aimed at children, saying how special it was that Jesus died for their sins, and like Jesus, they too can live forever, because they believe in him.

I know this is the standard Christian story, but it sounds just like another children's fairy tale when you don't hear it every Sunday. I wondered how many of those kids would still believe it when they were adults.

I know you don't mean it this way, but I find this line to be offensive.

It's not the "standard Christian story." It is the central and only reason for the Christian faith.

Since we regulars are being so careful not to offend our twice-yearly visitors, please remember when you do visit that people there believe and live this faith.

This is not a visit to your church. This is an anonymous message board with responses to a question about and by people who attend church rarely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, our church was packed this morning -- the flowers were lovely, the sermon inspiring, music beautiful. Maybe you were there -- maybe it was the first time in a while. It was so great to have you with us. Now, will you come back next Sunday? Why or why not?

No, I only go on easter and Christmas for the special music. Like many others responding here -- I'm not at all inclined to make it a weekly habit.

The sermon at the church I went to was aimed at children, saying how special it was that Jesus died for their sins, and like Jesus, they too can live forever, because they believe in him.

I know this is the standard Christian story, but it sounds just like another children's fairy tale when you don't hear it every Sunday. I wondered how many of those kids would still believe it when they were adults.

I know you don't mean it this way, but I find this line to be offensive.

It's not the "standard Christian story." It is the central and only reason for the Christian faith.

Since we regulars are being so careful not to offend our twice-yearly visitors, please remember when you do visit that people there believe and live this faith.

So riddle me this one, Batman:

Jimmy and Timmy are two little boys who go to church, and both agree they both believe in Jesus and that Jesus died for their sins. The boys are excited to live "forever" because when you're six, life is sweet.

And then Jimmy gets killed in a car accident. Or gets cancer and dies. So now he's dead. And Timmy is supposed to think .... what? That Jimmy lied to him about believing in Jesus, or that the whole "if you believe you live forever" thing is crap?

What you don’t understand is that Jimmy is more alive now than ever before. And though Timmy will miss and remember him for the rest of his life, they will see each other again.

in heaven -- that's what Christians believe. It is not a matter of "understanding" but belief.

And you believe something else. Nobody actually can testify to what happens when you die. Saying that "nothing" happens, you're just gone is a belief too.

Who said "nothing" happens?

Some things that we know are that the body stops breathing and decomposes. Everyone seems to agree on that much.

[Anonymous]

Then they aren’t Christians. You don’t get to pick your doctrine

This is my struggle with most self-proclaimed Christians who are this black and white to begin with. Very adamant that you don't get to pick your doctrine on some things! But curiously, these same Christians aren't kicking women out of the church who have remarried and proclaiming them to be practicing adulterers, even though that is exactly what Paul teaches in the Bible. This "still practiced" sin is conveniently overlooked because these modern day Christians don't want to offend their friends. But heaven forbid they make allowances for a gay person to love who he loves without calling THAT a sin!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, our church was packed this morning -- the flowers were lovely, the sermon inspiring, music beautiful. Maybe you were there -- maybe it was the first time in a while. It was so great to have you with us. Now, will you come back next Sunday? Why or why not?

Probably not. In our area being Christian means you have to be a Conservative, this is an open discussion amongst churchgoers and opposing political viewpoints are met with prayers for your soul.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, our church was packed this morning -- the flowers were lovely, the sermon inspiring, music beautiful. Maybe you were there -- maybe it was the first time in a while. It was so great to have you with us. Now, will you come back next Sunday? Why or why not?

No, I only go on easter and Christmas for the special music. Like many others responding here -- I'm not at all inclined to make it a weekly habit.

The sermon at the church I went to was aimed at children, saying how special it was that Jesus died for their sins, and like Jesus, they too can live forever, because they believe in him.

I know this is the standard Christian story, but it sounds just like another children's fairy tale when you don't hear it every Sunday. I wondered how many of those kids would still believe it when they were adults.

I know you don't mean it this way, but I find this line to be offensive.

It's not the "standard Christian story." It is the central and only reason for the Christian faith.

Since we regulars are being so careful not to offend our twice-yearly visitors, please remember when you do visit that people there believe and live this faith.

So riddle me this one, Batman:

Jimmy and Timmy are two little boys who go to church, and both agree they both believe in Jesus and that Jesus died for their sins. The boys are excited to live "forever" because when you're six, life is sweet.

And then Jimmy gets killed in a car accident. Or gets cancer and dies. So now he's dead. And Timmy is supposed to think .... what? That Jimmy lied to him about believing in Jesus, or that the whole "if you believe you live forever" thing is crap?

What you don’t understand is that Jimmy is more alive now than ever before. And though Timmy will miss and remember him for the rest of his life, they will see each other again.

in heaven -- that's what Christians believe. It is not a matter of "understanding" but belief.

If Timmy was told that he'd see Jimmy again in heaven when he dies, wouldn't that make him suicidal? So he could go hang with his best friend again?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, our church was packed this morning -- the flowers were lovely, the sermon inspiring, music beautiful. Maybe you were there -- maybe it was the first time in a while. It was so great to have you with us. Now, will you come back next Sunday? Why or why not?

No, I only go on easter and Christmas for the special music. Like many others responding here -- I'm not at all inclined to make it a weekly habit.

The sermon at the church I went to was aimed at children, saying how special it was that Jesus died for their sins, and like Jesus, they too can live forever, because they believe in him.

I know this is the standard Christian story, but it sounds just like another children's fairy tale when you don't hear it every Sunday. I wondered how many of those kids would still believe it when they were adults.

I know you don't mean it this way, but I find this line to be offensive.

It's not the "standard Christian story." It is the central and only reason for the Christian faith.

Since we regulars are being so careful not to offend our twice-yearly visitors, please remember when you do visit that people there believe and live this faith.

So riddle me this one, Batman:

Jimmy and Timmy are two little boys who go to church, and both agree they both believe in Jesus and that Jesus died for their sins. The boys are excited to live "forever" because when you're six, life is sweet.

And then Jimmy gets killed in a car accident. Or gets cancer and dies. So now he's dead. And Timmy is supposed to think .... what? That Jimmy lied to him about believing in Jesus, or that the whole "if you believe you live forever" thing is crap?

What you don’t understand is that Jimmy is more alive now than ever before. And though Timmy will miss and remember him for the rest of his life, they will see each other again.

in heaven -- that's what Christians believe. It is not a matter of "understanding" but belief.

If Timmy was told that he'd see Jimmy again in heaven when he dies, wouldn't that make him suicidal? So he could go hang with his best friend again?

No, if Timmy were a Christian, he'd know that suicide is a sin that would send him to hell instead of heaven. He must wait for a natural death, a murder or an accident in order to be reunited with Jimmy.

[Anonymous]

Yes I will go again next Sunday. I renewed my faith in Jesus and I am excited

[Anonymous]

I went for the first time in a long time

Was it inappropriate for me to take communion?

I didn't even know the words to say

Also, who were the people that witnessed Jesus after the resurrection? In the sermon today just one woman was mentioned

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, we just go on Easter and Christmas to shut up our parents. We don't believe in the religion and are not happy being there.

Same here. As I listened to the sermon, the more I realized just how much I don't believe. However, church on Easter and Christmas are tradition and I go for that reason.

[Anonymous]

I think people who come only on Christmas and Easter are more likely to be turned off by the crowds and the “extra.” Come see us in Mass on other weeks when we’re in the pews in our regular clothes, kids in sports uniforms, just being ourselves. I think that would be more appealing - worshiping with ordinary people living similar busy lives yet making time for their faith.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think people who come only on Christmas and Easter are more likely to be turned off by the crowds and the “extra.” Come see us in Mass on other weeks when we’re in the pews in our regular clothes, kids in sports uniforms, just being ourselves. I think that would be more appealing - worshiping with ordinary people living similar busy lives yet making time for their faith.

Odd that attending services on the Church'es most significant observances would be perceived as a turn off, while other days would not be perceived that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went for the first time in a long time

Was it inappropriate for me to take communion?

I didn't even know the words to say

Also, who were the people that witnessed Jesus after the resurrection? In the sermon today just one woman was mentioned

It's a story that varies in the telling. There's no proof of any of this. It's a matter of faith.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyway, I find myself wanting to believe. But now I'm just caught in the middle and trying to figure out if it's okay for me to just follow the teachings of Christ in terms of how to be a good person in the world without actually subscribing to some of the more wild claims. And I find myself teaching my children to love the way Christ taught us to love God and love others and avoiding the other trappings.

Yes, it's OK - and some Christian churches pretty much operate that way[i].

Recommendations? I'm really bad at finding the right churches for this.
Also complicating matters is that I'm a bit of a unicorn in my faith/politics alignment. I'm for compassion and kindness, but I'm not an angry warrior about most things. And I feel like no matter what church I go to these days, you have to either put on your pink pussy hat or don your Make America Great Again cap! I'm honestly not down with either one! Help!

Honestly most of your mainline protestant churches would probably fit that description. I was raised Catholic but have recently started attending our local Episcopalian church and really found it to be the perfect "unicorn" space - they take social justice seriously, but also respect and honor the traditions of the past. I spent a few months going to different churches each week, and every parish really has its own feel.

[Anonymous]

I would go more often if I could attend in a way that allows me to hang back and get a feel for the faith and practice again at my own speed and on my own time.

I do not go because I get aggressively greeted when I go -- if it's a place I've been before or if it is a new place. There seem to be people assigned (or self-assigned) to "make people feel welcomed." I don't. I feel pushed.

And when I read replies like some of the ones above, I am reminded all over again why I chose not to keep spending time with people like that in an organized way anymore, in the first place.

So I do the good work that I can within the life that I have, and I am the best person I can figure out how to be. And I am perfectly delighted that there are people who find support in those places I do not, and I wish you the very best with it.

Thank you for this. I am part of the membership group at my church, and I think we push the whole "greeter's ministry" too hard. I keep saying that some people are introverts, some are unsure of themselves or how long they want to keep coming, etc. and that our overly welcoming style is hard on certain people. Not everyone wants to meet and be "connected" with other church members immediately. I am going to bring your words to our next meeting. And I hope you find a church home, if that's what you seek.