My friend feels ashamed to go to church with me, because he hasn't gone to church for so long. He affraid that people will judge him, and look at him as an outcast. I told him it's nothing like that. They will welcome him. I don't know why he thinks this way. What should I say to him to convince him other whys?
2006-09-17 03:44:51 · 10 answers · asked by Dragonpack 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Why not tell him that its more of a test of your church than of him? Read him the parable of the prodigal son - that's how it should go. If the church does not welcome him back they've got it wrong - not him.
2006-09-17 03:50:04 · answer #1 · answered by anthonypaullloyd 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending upon the church you attend, his concerns may be legitimate. Quite a number of churches are very insular, or have negative reactions to those whom they believe are "outsiders" or "of weak faith".
On the other hand, if your church is *not* one of those, you might have a talk with your pastor about having a "welcome home" service specifically to speak to those believers who, for one reason or another, have not attended a church in quite some time. Kind of an outreach thing, if you will.
It might be easier to convince him that your church is a welcoming sort of place if they have a specific sort of service to do that sort of welcoming, and I don't know of any pastor who would think it a bad idea to allow a means to bring stray christians "back into the fold" more easily.
He's likely had a bad experience somewhere down the line with a less-than-friendly church, and doesn't want to repeat it.
2006-09-17 03:55:31 · answer #2 · answered by druegan2001 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I went through that myself. I quit going to church for a few years and when my wife wanted to start going I wasn't sure how I felt about it. We are both Christians yet were raised in different churches. She was raised Baptist and I was raised Mormon. She told me not to worry that this was a non denominational church and that no one would make me stand up alone to talk or point me out in any way. We sat in the back & she said if I was uncomfortable we could quietly leave. All of these assurances made me feel better and I ended up really enjoying it. We still go to that church. Just make sure you put him at ease and let him know what to expect before hand.
2006-09-17 03:55:01 · answer #3 · answered by vanhammer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have him meet some of your friends from church away from church at like a coffee house, or just some other social setting. Once he gets to know some people other than you that aren't going to live up to his fears, he should be more likely to join you on Sunday.
2006-09-17 03:51:56 · answer #4 · answered by hinoroam 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to tell you that even though I'm a religious person myself, I'm not a fan of most modern day churches, which I feel are pretty plastic and phony. With all due respect, I think that most churches should be the ones who should be embarrassed when a stranger enters, and not vice versa.
2006-09-17 03:48:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Backsliding is very common amongst Christians...if your friend is worried about judgement from other people, he should be, as those very people will be judged for judging him. Encourage him to know that it's not about what others think that counts, instead, it's the restoration of the broken ties between he and Jesus that is of paramount importance. The church should welcome him back with open arms and praise him for coming back to Christ!
2006-09-17 03:51:43 · answer #6 · answered by rasputin 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ever stop to think? That maybe he does not want to go, that he does not share the same religious values and convictions that you do, and is simply trying to nicely say he doesn't share your same opinions and values? Back off, quit pressuring him, as you clearly seem to indicate. He may not even be religious, whether he is or not, religion is a deeply personal point of view that should not be forced upon others despite our current govt efforts to do just that.
2006-09-17 04:06:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, he may be right. This is one of the biggest problems that I have found in bringing people. and If someone is already feeling guilty it will probably seem worse than it actually is. Tell your friend to ignore them and go for God not people.
Good Luck!!!
g
2006-09-17 03:48:52 · answer #8 · answered by ANGEL D. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Advice him not to go at all...its better 2 be afraid than to go to the church
2006-09-17 03:48:52 · answer #9 · answered by sand_wraith92 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He's probably right.
2006-09-17 03:50:24 · answer #10 · answered by lenny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋