Post-Christianity Depression

[iitb]

Has anyone else experienced this? I stopped going to church a couple of months ago as I no longer agreed with what they were teaching. However, I now find that I'm a little depressed! I think that I'm in a state of mourning; after all, I did just give up a lifestyle I've had for 28 years. It probably doesn't help that I'm the only single person in my new congregation...

On top of this, I'm starting to feel distanced from my Christian friends. I have no problem with theological discussions, but I don't want to end up in the verbal equivalent of a Jackie Chan fight scene, and the conditions always seem right for that to occur. So, to avoid defending myself against large groups of Christians, whenever someone asks about my "church," I tend to say "I'm attending a Messianic congregation," and leave it at that. My evasiveness seems to be building a wall between my friends and me, but I'm really unsure of what to do.

Thoughts, advice, etc.?

[Achichem]

I have been there, and it is hard, I do not know really what to tell you.

I really hope you find somthing, its so hard to be with out fellowship.

Anyways best of luck,
God Bless,
DaTsar

[Pray4Isrel]

Has anyone else experienced this? I stopped going to church a couple of months ago as I no longer agreed with what they were teaching. However, I now find that I'm a little depressed! I think that I'm in a state of mourning; after all, I did just give up a lifestyle I've had for 28 years. It probably doesn't help that I'm the only single person in my new congregation...

On top of this, I'm starting to feel distanced from my Christian friends. I have no problem with theological discussions, but I don't want to end up in the verbal equivalent of a Jackie Chan fight scene, and the conditions always seem right for that to occur. So, to avoid defending myself against large groups of Christians, whenever someone asks about my "church," I tend to say "I'm attending a Messianic congregation," and leave it at that. My evasiveness seems to be building a wall between my friends and me, but I'm really unsure of what to do.

Thoughts, advice, etc.?
My being a Gentile, it's even more strange when people ask where I attend and I explain that I go to a Messainic Synagogue. I then get strange looks and people say "I didn't know you were Jewish" I then reply, "I'm not Jewish but I feel that the Messianic Synagogue falls in line Biblically with what I believe". And then, of course, no matter how hard I was try to avoid it, the discussion turns into a form of debate.

I can definitely relate. I am only glad that I have a supportive family that seems to understand but as far as the rest of my friends and people I encounter, there is still awkwardness. Your state of mourning I am sure is very normal. I would assume that all the people in the Synagogues we attend have been through the same thing. Is there anyone in your Synagogue you can go out for coffee and talk to about this? Also, with your Christian friends are there a couple that you could share how you feel?
Either, way I will pray for you :) I think we can all relate.

[Mr.Cheese]

Man, I've never fit in with anybody anywhere for my whole life.
lol, I feel like a step-child of the church.
But Jesus is cool. What is helping me out is realizing that I'm just some guy like everyone else. We're nothing more than human.

[iitb]

My being a Gentile, it's even more strange when people ask where I attend and I explain that I go to a Messainic Synagogue. I then get strange looks and people say "I didn't know you were Jewish" I then reply, "I'm not Jewish but I feel that the Messianic Synagogue falls in line Biblically with what I believe". And then, of course, no matter how hard I was try to avoid it, the discussion turns into a form of debate.I'm in the exact same boat. When I decided to "go Messianic," I ended up in a long e-mail debate with a friend of mine. To top that off, it wasn't a traditional scriptural debate:

"You say you're pretty much practicing Judaism, do you still accept Christ as Messiah?" "Yes"
"Where are you going to have a sense of community?" "Well, it's not like these people sit around and do nothing! When did community become more important than growing in God, anyway?"
"But where will you go to be celebrated as a unique individual?" I think I avoided this question; it just seemed kind of weird.

I do have a couple of Christian friends that have remained loyal, but different circumstances have prevented us from getting together lately, hopefully that'll change soon.http://www.christianforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Pray4Isrel]

Man, I've never fit in with anybody anywhere for my whole life.
lol, I feel like a step-child of the church.
But Jesus is cool. What is helping me out is realizing that I'm just some guy like everyone else. We're nothing more than human.
Amen :)

[Pray4Isrel]

I'm in the exact same boat. When I decided to "go Messianic," I ended up in a long e-mail debate with a friend of mine. To top that off, it wasn't a traditional scriptural debate:

"You say you're pretty much practicing Judaism, do you still accept Christ as Messiah?" "Yes"
"Where are you going to have a sense of community?" "Well, it's not like these people sit around and do nothing! When did community become more important than growing in God, anyway?"
"But where will you go to be celebrated as a unique individual?" I think I avoided this question; it just seemed kind of weird.

I do have a couple of Christian friends that have remained loyal, but different circumstances have prevented us from getting together lately, hopefully that'll change soon.http://www.christianforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gifI hear ya. Those discussions are exactly what I experience except my not being Jewish really throws people for a loop! :)
A lot of people think I am in some sort of cult or something for worshipping on Friday evenings instead of Sunday morning and also because I celebrate the Jewish Feasts such as Passover, Purim, etc...
And I also do have a couple of friends that have come to understand and have even visited the Synagogue with me which was cool because they ended up telling me later on that they believed it was most Biblically sound out of any "church" they had ever visited :)

[SonWorshipper]

JH, I don't know how your congregation is but mine is full of loving people. That aside they are a bunch from every walk of life, and most have deep wounds from family, friends, spouses, or even a previous church. When we come together it is Mishpocha, family, more family than I have ever had in my life. There are no judgments and if someone starts that it is quickly quelled by the leadership. WE are there to build each other up and in doing so built up the temple of the L-rd!



WE are told to carry each others burdens, and in my congregation that is what happens. Now this is not to say that we aren't still growing and evolving ( in a good way http://www.christianforums.com/images/smilies/wink.gif ) because we are. We are growing and learning together with the guidance of the Ruach HaKodesh. We have been talking recently about pro-active evangelism, going out into the community, and believe me you really have to know what you are doing to do that as a Messianic congregation. http://www.christianforums.com/images/smilies/wink.gif But I believe our uniqueness will attract many. I am sure we will have many battles to work through (with the L-rd to lead us) and I wouldn't be surprised if we don't have a lot of interference from the "Anti M's " http://www.christianforums.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif but the L-rd is calling us to this. We are located in the center of the Jewish community as well as surrounded by three colleges/universities and this will be our near future goal, to reach out on the campuses.



Our upcoming endeavor though is hosting a concert by Messianic Artist/Psalmist Marty Goetz.



I guess what I am basically telling you is that the more you grow comfortable with your calling (to be part of the Messianic community) the more your feelings will change. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen. It is a great way to witness too, don't always think about how you feel, G-d calls us to work for him outside our comfort zone, because that is where he can use us the most and shine through the most. Your congregation should become your family, if the L-rd has called you there it is for a reason, and it is His spirit in each of those members that He has called to a purpose, to work in harmony with each other to serve His will. To uplift one another and become a light in the community. That is what the Messianic movement is all about I believe. A bringing together of small "cells" of believers, both Jew and Gentile, and growing strong together and reaching out to others from that point, to unite the whole world in his love!



He told his Talmidim,



Love one another



and this goes for us today, by our love towards each other, He will be made manifest. You have been called out, to walk in the path that He has shown you, it may be uncomfortable at first but know that if He has called you out and wants you were you are, He will never desert you, nor forsake you for it is in His plan for you to be there. Just open yourself up to His leading, and rest in His Shalom! http://www.christianforums.com/images/smilies/clap.gif

[yod]

Our upcoming endeavor though is hosting a concert by Messianic Artist/Psalmist Marty Goetz.




I love Marty Goetz! Where are you?

I was messianic for 5 years before I started going to a church so I have the same experience only backwards! http://www.christianforums.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

I did that for a few years and now I'm back in a messianic mode for the last 3 years. Honestly, I don't recognize the artificial barriers that people build between the two. We are all One in Him, right?

So when people ask me where I go, I just say, "I'm messianic!". There is no reason to say "messianic jewish" or even "messianic gentile". It doesn't matter. If they are interested in hearing more they let me know.


When I was first born again, I started going to a messianic congregation. I had a Baptist uncle who thought I had joined a cult. It was funny that he never witnessed to me until then....

One day he says, "You know why we go on Sunday?" and even though I do know the answer I let him answer. "Because that is the Lord's day" he said.

Then I said, "you know why we go on Saturday?" and he replied, "because it's the Sabbath?"

And I said, "No, we go on Saturday so we don't have to leave early for the football game like the baptists do"

he never judged me again.....http://www.christianforums.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[KelsayDL]

Then I said, "you know why we go on Saturday?" and he replied, "because it's the Sabbath?"

And I said, "No, we go on Saturday so we don't have to leave early for the football game like the baptists do"

he never judged me again.....

rofl...

[Pray4Isrel]

Yod, I appreciate your sense of humor! Sometimes we need that around here! ;) :D

[SonWorshipper]

Yod , the concert is being held in Bethlehem, if you are around there you will know, Pm me for more details, tickets are going fast at only $10 apiece, What a way to spend Erev Shabbat!

I didn't get to enjoy much of his music at the Messiah 2003 because they didn't get him onstage until 9 and I had to be in the Marketplace by 9 so I only stayed late to hear a few songs.

He is the black sheep ( only believer) in his family so keep them in your prayers. :(

[yod]

Bethlehem????

The last time I was there we were deserted by our "tour bus" for about a half hour and it got really, really scary.

When they finally came back (in 2 old toyota vans instead) we were surrounded by a crowd of people selling trinkets and posters. I bought some stuff but not enough for one guy....he followed me into the van and wanted to start a fight when I wouldn't buy his poster. I got rid of him for $2.

It's terribly desperate in the Palestinian areas. They need peace in the worst way but their so-called leaders know this would end their reign if people started noticing how bad they are at running a nation. Arafat is embezzling all monies sent to help these people.

But the moral of this story is;

DON'T GO INTO BETHLEHEM UNTIL THE INTIFADA IS OVER!!!!

What booth did you work at the Messiah 03 marketplace?