A little shy about going to church

[PowderedGold]

There's a Lutheran church in my town where I would like to attend services on Sunday, but I'm a little hesitant to do so. I've never been to a church service where I wasn't specifically invited and accompanied by a member of that church. I've never just shown up one day.

I'm a little shy about meeting new people and being in an unfamiliar setting. I'm afraid no one will talk to me. I'm equally afraid that too many people will talk to me, too much, about things I'm not ready to talk about. With something this important, I'm not a dive-in type of guy. I'm a one-toe-at-a-time type of guy.

I was thinking maybe I could get in touch with the pastor, who might be able to connect me with someone else, perhaps close to me in age, who I could talk to before attending. That way, I'd at least know someone.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated.

[xrayx]

I have no real advice to offer but I just wanted to let you know you're not the only one in this situation.

I guess it just comes down to going one Sunday morning and hope for the best.

[TheGuide]

There's a Lutheran church in my town where I would like to attend services on Sunday, but I'm a little hesitant to do so. I've never been to a church service where I wasn't specifically invited and accompanied by a member of that church. I've never just shown up one day.

I'm a little shy about meeting new people and being in an unfamiliar setting. I'm afraid no one will talk to me. I'm equally afraid that too many people will talk to me, too much, about things I'm not ready to talk about. With something this important, I'm not a dive-in type of guy. I'm a one-toe-at-a-time type of guy.

I was thinking maybe I could get in touch with the pastor, who might be able to connect me with someone else, perhaps close to me in age, who I could talk to before attending. That way, I'd at least know someone.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated.
Your hesitation might be because that is not the church the Lord intends for you. You may want to consider buying a church journal, get the scheduled services of several churches in your area, then pick a Sunday for each to go and take notes. If the pastor doesn't break open his Bible then that may not be the church for you. Not that there's anything wrong with this if you already have strong Bible knowledge, but you still want to be fed God's word.

A sound Bible teaching ministry is a safe bet for continual attendence, but to identify one you have to do your research by attending several different churches (non-denominational and denominational ministries) so you can compare them. Jotting down notes will give you something else to focus on while you're there so you won't have to be concerned about being shy.

May the best notes win your continual attendence!

God bless you,

The Guide

[Jerrell]

There's a Lutheran church in my town where I would like to attend services on Sunday, but I'm a little hesitant to do so. I've never been to a church service where I wasn't specifically invited and accompanied by a member of that church. I've never just shown up one day.

I'm a little shy about meeting new people and being in an unfamiliar setting. I'm afraid no one will talk to me. I'm equally afraid that too many people will talk to me, too much, about things I'm not ready to talk about. With something this important, I'm not a dive-in type of guy. I'm a one-toe-at-a-time type of guy.

I was thinking maybe I could get in touch with the pastor, who might be able to connect me with someone else, perhaps close to me in age, who I could talk to before attending. That way, I'd at least know someone.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated.
Picture Jesus being at your side, inviting you into his Church.

[dimwhitt]

Go

[jazzypooh]

There's a Lutheran church in my town where I would like to attend services on Sunday, but I'm a little hesitant to do so. I've never been to a church service where I wasn't specifically invited and accompanied by a member of that church. I've never just shown up one day.

I'm a little shy about meeting new people and being in an unfamiliar setting. I'm afraid no one will talk to me. I'm equally afraid that too many people will talk to me, too much, about things I'm not ready to talk about. With something this important, I'm not a dive-in type of guy. I'm a one-toe-at-a-time type of guy.

I was thinking maybe I could get in touch with the pastor, who might be able to connect me with someone else, perhaps close to me in age, who I could talk to before attending. That way, I'd at least know someone.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated.

that sounds like a good idea that you already have. or just talking to the pastor might help with those feelings as well. that's what i did, and i felt a little better knowing that i had already talked to the pastor and she knew i was coming. and her words alone were an encouragement to me.

about 3 weeks ago, i was in you very same shoes. the Lord had led me to another church and so the time came for me to actually get up and go. the church wasn't gonna come to me, right? and all the time that hesitation is not that God doesn't want you to go there. sometimes it could be the devil fighting you too. like it was in my case.

but anyway, i had all type of thoughts come through my mind about what may or may not happen. the same things you're experiencing. but i had to muster up the courage to just GO! i really knew that the Lord had laid it on my heart to join this church, so i had to take Him at His word and just go and do what He said. and it was a fight. i missed the service like 3 weeks in a row due to various obstacles standing in my way. like not having a ride, getting there too late, etc. can you imagine how embarrassed i was by showing up late to a church where i knew no one and had never even been there before?

but in every case and every attempt that the enemy made to steer me in another direction, i had to keep remembering what God had already said. so i eventually made it to the service... on time, and it was so wonderful. it was nothing like the crazy thoughts that the enemy kept sending to me of what might happen. all of that was so far from the truth. that's why you can't depend on any of that stuff. if you feel like the Lord wants you to go, then just go. the worst thing that could happen is it's not the right church for you. and if that's it, you just leave and don't come back.

so just go and see what God says. dont pay any attention to those crazy thoughts that the enemy is sending to you. just go and if it's God's will for you to join, He'll let you know. if not, He'll let you know. either way, you can't lose with God.

God bless you!

[Tangeloper]

There's a Lutheran church in my town where I would like to attend services on Sunday, but I'm a little hesitant to do so. I've never been to a church service where I wasn't specifically invited and accompanied by a member of that church. I've never just shown up one day.

I'm a little shy about meeting new people and being in an unfamiliar setting. I'm afraid no one will talk to me. I'm equally afraid that too many people will talk to me, too much, about things I'm not ready to talk about. With something this important, I'm not a dive-in type of guy. I'm a one-toe-at-a-time type of guy.

I was thinking maybe I could get in touch with the pastor, who might be able to connect me with someone else, perhaps close to me in age, who I could talk to before attending. That way, I'd at least know someone.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated.

I think your idea about meeting the pastor before attending service is a great one, if you are worried about just "showing up". That way you can also ask any questions you may have about their services, ministry offerings, or the pastor's beliefs as well.

In my experience while "church-shopping" a few years back in a different location was that people who acknowledged my presence, if any, simply said hello and introduced themselves -- no questions. Several churches whose mass/services I attended didn't even notice there was a "new person" within their midst (granted these were larger congregations).

The church I ended up becoming a member at was one of the friendlier churches. I spoke with the pastor after the services, and we only discussed -- briefly -- my past history (i.e. past denomination) and he only suggested I may like to attend the more traditional service they offered vs. the one I had attended which was more "modern".

No matter what you choose, I wish you luck in finding a good church that meets your needs! :)

~~ Tangeloper

[Ishida]

Chances are you can talk to someone beforehand, at least by going and asking for information.. I doubt you won't be accepted. I was kind of the same way..

[searchingforpeace]

I would call or email the Pastor. I am in the process of doing this, finding a church. I like to if I can email the Pastor, ask questions and find out more. Once I get a basic feel for what is going on in the church, then I talk to the Pastor. Most I have spoken with are very encouraging, eager to make me feel comfortable, but have had a few that from the emails and conversations, will never visit the church because of the responses they gave. If the Pastor knows you are coming, it does help with walking in the door the first time and feeling a bit more comfortable.

[PowderedGold]

I decided to take that first baby step and emailed the pastor of my local ELCA church. I haven't heard back from her yet, but I just told her a little bit about my situation and asked what I could expect from my first time attending their services. Wish me luck.

[searchingforpeace]

That is great you took that step. You should be very proud of yourself. Keeping you in prayer.

Dianna

[StacieA]

That was a great idea PowderedGold! And if the Pastor doesn't get back to you, call the church and make an appointment. When I went to the church I'm attending (for the first time about 3 weeks ago, alone!) they set me up with someone my age, who sat with me during church and introduced me to people.

Keep us informed!! :hug:

[PowderedGold]

Stacie, that's the kind of thing I'm looking for as well. Hopefully the pastor has dealt with this kind of issue before and can guide me through it.

[KennyVaughan]

There's a Lutheran church in my town where I would like to attend services on Sunday, but I'm a little hesitant to do so. I've never been to a church service where I wasn't specifically invited and accompanied by a member of that church. I've never just shown up one day.

I'm a little shy about meeting new people and being in an unfamiliar setting. I'm afraid no one will talk to me. I'm equally afraid that too many people will talk to me, too much, about things I'm not ready to talk about. With something this important, I'm not a dive-in type of guy. I'm a one-toe-at-a-time type of guy.

I was thinking maybe I could get in touch with the pastor, who might be able to connect me with someone else, perhaps close to me in age, who I could talk to before attending. That way, I'd at least know someone.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated.
Let me give you some advice based on something that happened to me.

A few years ago, I was feeling upset, and I just wanted to be in a Church I guess, I dont specifically remember, but in the middle of a weekday i just walked into a Church, they rreally werent doing much, and someone working there approached me and very nice, he made me feel welcomed, and shared what the church is like to me, perhaps you could try that? getting to know the church and people there before you go there? Do yu nkow anybody else that could be in need of going to Church? That could help break the ice.

[Proph]

Brother, GOD will not send Fear to stop you from going to Chruch, only SATAN!

Let’s pray! Father I pray in the name of your son Jesus, that this fear leaves his life now! In Jesus Name Amen

2 Timothy 1:7 (King James Version)

7: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

[ANurseInChrist]

There's a Lutheran church in my town where I would like to attend services on Sunday, but I'm a little hesitant to do so. I've never been to a church service where I wasn't specifically invited and accompanied by a member of that church. I've never just shown up one day.

I'm a little shy about meeting new people and being in an unfamiliar setting. I'm afraid no one will talk to me. I'm equally afraid that too many people will talk to me, too much, about things I'm not ready to talk about. With something this important, I'm not a dive-in type of guy. I'm a one-toe-at-a-time type of guy.

I was thinking maybe I could get in touch with the pastor, who might be able to connect me with someone else, perhaps close to me in age, who I could talk to before attending. That way, I'd at least know someone.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated.
I think that would be a great idea! I am looking at attending a Lutheran church this sunday for the first time as well. I am scared, but I've been praying and God knows my heart.

[StacieA]

So how's it going PowderedGold?

[s41nn0n]

hey all I can say is everybody had to start somewhere.
God will be with you all the way, just ask for strength. There will always be hard times in youre life.
God puts them there for a reson.

[LilLamb219]

I'm wondering how it went with the OP?

Lutherans don't bite. Just walk in and smile. Someone is bound to smile back...and if they don't, forgive them but don't leave. A lot of churches have greeters at the door before the service. Elders are usually seen hanging around the doors with bulletins or doing last minute things before the service, so if you can't find the pastor to talk with, an elder would GLADLY help you out!

Many Lutheran churches are liturgical in style and if you aren't used to it, watch someone else to know what page to turn to in the hymnal or whether to stand or sit. Usually it's all printed in a bulletin. Don't feel as if everyone is judging you because you don't know the ins and outs of things. No one is doing that. They're just glad you came to hear God's Word :)

[marke]

There's a Lutheran church in my town where I would like to attend services on Sunday, but I'm a little hesitant to do so. I've never been to a church service where I wasn't specifically invited and accompanied by a member of that church. I've never just shown up one day.

I'm a little shy about meeting new people and being in an unfamiliar setting. I'm afraid no one will talk to me. I'm equally afraid that too many people will talk to me, too much, about things I'm not ready to talk about. With something this important, I'm not a dive-in type of guy. I'm a one-toe-at-a-time type of guy.

I was thinking maybe I could get in touch with the pastor, who might be able to connect me with someone else, perhaps close to me in age, who I could talk to before attending. That way, I'd at least know someone.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated.
Read the New Testament instead of jumping into a church so you can understand if the preaching is correct. Any church that still supports "W" after six years is sick and you should stay away. Any church that tells you to get involved with politics is sick and you should stay away.

Always remember, anyone can call themselves a Christian, but the NT tells you HOW YOU CAN DISCERN a true follower. You know them by their fruit. Lies, deceit, killing of innocent people have nothing to do with Christianity other than as a means of discerning who is NOT a Christian. Birds of a feather flock together. Beware of the wrong flock in churches today.

God bless.

God bless.

[visionary]

Ask God to sent you the right person for this part of the journey. The person sent will not be what you expect, but it is exactly what you need as a spiritual mentor.