Why is it so hard?

To just go to church? I am set on going on the 1st. The house right next door to me is the house they use for my local non-denominational church to hold meetings and group events. I checked out their website and really like it. They have invited us to Sunday sermon/church so many times and I keep thinking okay I'll go, but every time I get too nervous and don't go. Wish me luck that I will just do it this coming Sunday. I think I could really use some religion/church in my life. It is just so hard to go from atheist to where I am at now. I am feeling lost and need some guidance..

:hugs: It's always hard to do something new, to change your habits, you know? And with going to a new church, you're really putting yourself out there. I always get nervous going to a new church. I feel like I totally stick out as the "newbie." :)

My church is now my family. I love the people there and some of my best friends are at my church. I love it and it's my lifeline. I hope that you can find a great church where you can feel accepted and to be able to serve. :)

I think it's one of those things that you just gotta do, and once you do it for the first time, and get over the initial newness of it, it gets easier. I, too, get nervous going to a new church. I get nervous going to any social situation for the first time. Good luck!

Just go check it out!! It definitely can make you nervous the first time you go, but remember...they WANT you there. And if it isn't for you, that's OK too. You never know unless you try!

I'm gonna pray that God gives you the courage to walk through those doors. I even have a hard time going to something new, like a bible study or something where I don't know anyone the first time. But just know that God will reward your faithfulness by going. I have made some wonderful friends that have (and are) carried me through difficult times.

Its hard enough for a long time Christian to go to a new church. I can totally understand why it would be more difficult for you since you are going through such a change in your life. When I went from agnostic to Christian it was hard for me, too. But, you can do it! The other girls gave some great advice. I will pray for you also. :hugs:

It is really hard to put your defenses down and go to church when you've been in a place that was so far removed from religion of any kind. I have been there. I felt like people were going to pay too much attention to me or not enough or they'd see " I'm a big huge SINNER and used to do XYZ!" tattooed on my forehead! It is even hard for me now to go to a new church. I will pray for you too. Good luck and God Bless!

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Originally Posted by mrsbabyhead

I felt like people were going to pay too much attention to me or not enough or they'd see " I'm a big huge SINNER and used to do XYZ!" tattooed on my forehead!

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I hope you ended up going! I was raised going to church every Sunday (had to have a pretty good fever to get out of going) and in college I had a roommate who kept encouraging me to go with her so for the most part, I have gone very consistantly through life.

I feel TERRIBLE when people come to visit church (or worse, feel like they CAN'T visit a church) because they feel like they are being judged. The beauty of church is that we're ALL sinners. I am a sinner. Not just in the past because I used to do XYZ, but I still am today. For me, that's all the more reason I NEED church.

Anyway, I hope you went!