Should I start going to a new church?

Question

Okay, I have been a member of one church for over 10 years. I feel like I am supposed to find a new church home. The church is really big, so big that when I needed to talk with someone, no one ever calls me back or emails me back. I have stopped going consistently and no one ever called to find out why even though I was very active in the church at one point. I want to go to a church that not only teaches, but makes the members feel like they are important.
The biggest problem is the fact that my husband doesn't want to go to a new church. Although he gets the same feeling that we are not even missed, he feels committed to this church. I had visited another church by myself and loved it. He has never went with me. What should I do?

The church I am a member of now does not have any small groups and the Bible Study is for the whole congregation, not just groups. I went to the Women's Ministry Group and they don't even have you sign up so they don't know who goes and who doesn't. I went to a Marriage Ministry Group and no one contacts me about when the meetings are even when I emailed to ask.
I am kind of shy and meet people better in small groups. I feel lost or just like a "number" when I go to service.
I know you don't go to church to socialize, but I want to have some people I can talk to when I need to talk or fellowship.

I won't say the city or church. BUT, you can't make an appointment with the Pastor. You can only make an appointment with one of the ministers.

Answer 1

When you are a child of God, you are a part of a big family and family does take care of each other. Even Jesus said " A new commandment I give unto you that you love one another as I have loved you. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another". I dont think it does you any good to continue going to a church where you are not comfortable. You should enjoy being in church and not endure.
I say to you move on. Be in prayer about your husband. God still answers prayer.

Answer 2

Unfortunately the larger the church-the greater the disconnect with the people. It is physically impossible for a pastor or a staff of pastors to tend to everyone in a large church. It may not mean that the church is bad-just too big for the staff-which makes it "look like" it is too big for the people. Obviously the pastor does not "see" this problem. Maybe if you personally made an appointment with him to express your feelings it might help.
All churches should have a desire to grow, but at some point the church should purposely "split" and plant a new church instead of continuing to grow.
If I were you I would contact the pastor-in person- no phone calls or emails. If the pastor can not fit you into his schedule-then your feelings were right-you need to find another church.

By the way-can you say what city and denomination??

Answer 3

Church is a manmade institution, but in Heaven there are no churches - God and the Lamb are the center of worship (Rev. 21:22). We go to church to be with other Christians, and to grow in our learning and teachings, and to worship God. The main theme of any church should be the Gospel of Jesus and the Good News. We should leave any church where this is not the central point. I personally would not want to go to a church where my phone calls and emails are not returned. You should leave if you feel you want to be or need to be ministered to and you are not getting this. Although it is wonderful to attend church together as husband and wife, there is nothing wrong with going to separate churches or taking turns going with each other to each other's church. We are saved by the Blood of Jesus, not our church membership or attendance record. (Also sometimes God talks to us by placing on us an uneasiness or restlessness which is burdensome. It sounds as if He may be letting you know that it is time to move on through your uncomfortableness, but only you would know that for sure.)

Answer 4

if you cant count on your church family to call and see if your OK, then it is time to look for a church home. Try a smaller church (not 15 people small, but a smaller number than your current church), and as for your husband, talk to him about it a little more, and if he still refuses to leave than you continue to look at other Churches and tell him how much you enjoy the church, and invite him. He'll eventually come around. No one wants to be taught to when they feel insignificant.

Answer 5

It took us a few tries to find the right church home. We went to numerous services to get a feel for the pastor, congregation, and church life. My husband too was reluctant to live our "mega-feel-lost-in-the-crowd" church, to something smaller. But once he realized how much the smaller church needed our talents, letting go of the old was not difficult. Keep trying, maybe he'll attend one day and feel the same as you.

Answer 6

If you think this is God's way of telling you to go to another church, then you should. God is all about changes. perhaps you have done all you could there, but you could really benefit your time to another church who really needs you. perhaps going to another church will help you find a calling. perhaps there are children of God at another church who could use someone who will show them how to shine their light from Jesus. You never know. Pray for guidance. Make sure that it is God telling you to move on. Perhaps visiting other churches will help you with your decision.

Answer 7

Church is like a big family sometimes things are going great and sometimes not so great. You should stay. You should try and get involved again in different things the church is doing. 10 years means that this is your home and you should stick it out with your family.

Answer 8

screw him and go. if he wants to come, he will. if he doesn't , he won't. but you have to go to a church that gives you what you need. I understand you want to go as a family or as a couple, but why maintain loyalty to a church that doesn't have any loyalty or caring toward you? they didn't even notice you left, even though you are very active in the church? that is just wrong. start attending the other church straight away. do what you need to feel part of the church community, even if it means ditching one for another one. no point going to a church out of stubborn loyalty if it's no good anymore. if your husband doesn't understand, that is sad and a shame, but you should go for yourself and yourself alone.

Answer 9

if the church teaches the word and doesnt conradict the teachings of the bible than no i dont think you should especcially if your husband wiants to stay try getting into a small group or a bible study somewher its a small group of believers just getting togetther to share the word of god

Answer 10

look into each religion in the following report...

Largest Branches of Christianity in the U.S.
(self-identification, Pew Research Council)
In February and March 2002 the Pew Research Council conducted a survey of 2,002 adults. Questions about religious preference were included. People who identified their religious preference as Christian were asked about which branch of Christianity they belonged to.

The table below was published on page 49 of the Pew report at http://pewforum.org/publications/reports/poll2002.pdf:

Survey Response%, June 1996%, March 2001%, March 2002
Protestant 53 53 52
Catholic 23 23 24
Mormon
(Latter-day Saints) 2 2 2
Orthodox 1 1 *
Non-denominational 1 0 0
Something else (Specify) 1 * 2
Not practicing any religion 1 0 0
Don't know/Refused 2 3 2
TOTAL CHRISTIAN 84% 82% 82%

The percentages shown in this table reflect the number of members of each branch as a proportion of the total U.S. population, not just the Christian population. So the Catholic percentage of 24% for 2002 means that 24% of Americans identified themselves as Catholic in 2002.

This table matches data from Gallup, Barna, and other polling organizations, which all show that Protestants are clearly the largest branch of Christianity in the United States, followed by Catholics, who have about half as many members. Latter-day Saints (Mormons) are the 3rd largest branch, comprising about 2% of the U.S. population. Catholics, Latter-day Saints, and Orthodox Christians are all branches as well as denominational families, but the Protestant branch of Christianity comprises multiple denominational families. More detailed denominational family statistics are shown below.

This table was published in a study titled "Americans Struggle with Religion's Role at Home and Abroad", released on March 20, 2002.

The authors listed are:
Andrew Kohut, director of The Pew Research Center For The People & The Press
Melissa Rogers, executive director of The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life

Methodology:
"The nationwide survey of 2,002 adults, conducted Feb. 25 - March 10 by the Pew Research Center and the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life..."

People who identified their religious preference as Christian were asked about which branch of Christianity they belonged to:
"Q.19 Are you Protestant, Catholic, Mormon, Orthodox--such as Greek or Russian Orthodox--or something else?" (page 49)



p.s. to be fair I listed each religion in report. below..I Hope you find what you are looking for.....