Churchless :(

[Karliah]

I am a relatively 'new' Christian so I do not have a particular Church that I have been with for a long time. In addition to this, recently I have moved around lots and so haven't had the chance to stay at one particular church for a length of time. I am so happy that I have found Jesus and devoted my life to God, and I want to be a part of a church to celebrate this and continue my learnings. I have settled into an area of my city and won't be moving for a long time so I am ready to start looking for a church. There are a few churches that appeal to me and with whom I share their values and beliefs, but I'm too scared to just rock up to a church alone I hate being a newcomer, it causes me so much anxiety. I have prayed to God to give me courage to attend a new church alone and meet some new friends but I just can't bring myself to do it. I don't know where I have this fear and where it comes from and I know it's silly. I just feel so alone, I have no friends who share the Christian faith with me so I will have to begin this journey alone... well, I know God is always with me but I feel alone and scared. I don't know what to do. Has anyone been in a similar situation?

[Indueseason]

I can relate to this feeling Like you, I move around a lot and often find myself the new person in church. Right now I'm attending my local church for convenience, but I've only been attending about 4 months, and I'm shortly about to move again, so another new church is on the horizon! I too hate walking into churches myself, I know it's silly, but I get nervous the first time I go What I have been known to do,and I did it with the church I'm in now, is to attend the prayer meeting or bible study first. It is usually a much smaller group,and everyone's always happy to see me! Then once I know a few faces from there, I feel much more positive when Sunday comes around. I know the folks from the bible study/prayer meeting are looking out for me, and usually one of them invites me to sit with them!

Maybe you could look into doing something like that?

blessings to you

[Karliah]

Hi Indueseason,

Thank you so much for your response It's nice to know that other people have been through the same thing and felt the same way.

I have the same problem, in that I get really nervous! I've been thinking about attending the prayer meeting/bible study first. I have a fear of not being welcomed though. I don't know why I just hate being new to things! A couple of churches I've investigated have newcomers afternoon teas and such, so I might look into attending one of those.

I'm still really nervous though, and it is hard bringing up the courage to take the plunge...

[dillonsgreene]

Isaiah 41:10 says "

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Don't be scared to go somewhere new and try to worship with them. There's always a fear of fitting in at first, but He won't let you down, especially if you are trying to do something like join a Bible study group

[Claire]

Too bad they don't rate churches on Yelp like restaurants; then you could find out which ones are friendly.