[ad_1]
“Why are so many people reluctant to go to church these days — and should I say anything about it to them?”
A pastor in Washington is weighing in for individuals who want to return to church once more on a common foundation within the New Year of 2024 or who’ve pals or members of the family in that place — individuals who maybe have held back for the reason that COVID-19 pandemic, and even earlier.
At this vacation time of yr, stated Pastor Jesse Bradley of Auburn, Washington, “people are especially appreciative of, and receptive to, attending a church service with others.”
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS: NO REASON WHY THESE CAN’T INCLUDE FAITH GOALS, SAYS PASTOR
He added, “Attendance soars and many individuals are interested by Jesus and experiencing a time of inspiration.”
The actuality, he famous, is that some folks might have “experienced past hurts” relating to church.
“You might ask people a question like: ‘What were your experiences with faith as you were growing up?’ Or, ‘have you had some negative experiences at church?’” (iStock)
Bradley shared ideas and recommendation in feedback to Fox News Digital about how to deal with these conditions.
Listen to others
“You might ask people a question like: ‘What were your experiences with faith as you were growing up?’ Or, ‘have you had some negative experiences at church?’”
Said Bradley, “That is a relatively safe way to give them an opportunity to share with you. Some people will just begin to tell you their story without any questions. Just listen. Don’t judge them. Don’t interrupt them. Don’t start preaching to them.”
FAITH DILEMMA IN FOCUS: ‘IT’S SUNDAY AND I HAVEN’T GONE TO CHURCH — WHAT DO I DO?’
Rather, he stated, “listen with your heart, mind and ears. Listen as long as they want to talk. Listen by asking additional questions, such as how it made them feel. There might be some deep scars,” he added.
“If they open up with you, it reveals they belief you. It’s an honor they’d allow you to into this a part of their lives.”
A pastor shares ideas about returning to church once more on a common foundation within the New Year — or serving to others who need to return. “Just walk with them, and be available for any questions or further conversations,” he stated. “You might be able to share your own journey and story, too, about the hope you have found.” (iStock)
Compassion is required, stated the pastor of Grace Community Church, who can be a husband and father.
“Listening is how you love people. Listening brings healing. The Bible says to be quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19). Listening is a way to honor someone else, and it’s hard to find good listeners,” famous Bradley. “Listen well.”
Share data and sources
Bradley stated that he himself “never grew up going to church or reading the Bible.”
But when he was in school at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, “the professor directed us to the Gospel of John as an assignment in our religion class,” he advised Fox News Digital.
“At the same time, I began to have spiritual conversations with Christians for the first time in my life in my dormitory.”
“Over time, it becomes clearer to them that God still loves them — and that He is very different than their negative experiences might have been.”
He stated that others shared what they believed and “why they believed it. And both are significant.”
At that point in his life, he stated, he “wasn’t ready to attend church, but I wanted to learn more about Jesus. There are millions of people in America who are very curious about God but not ready to attend a weekend church service yet.”
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: ‘BIBLE MEMORY MAN’ SHARES TIPS FOR MEMORIZING THE BIBLE
So — “simply go to where people are and meet them where they are with faith.”
In school, his pals “gave me some books I could read and research the historical evidence about Jesus. Facts lead to faith.”
Said one pastor, “There are millions of people in America who are very curious about God but not ready to attend a weekend church service yet.” (iStock)
Said Bradley, “You can provide websites, books and videos that provide insights and content that others can review in their own time and in what they consider to be a safe place.”
Do not rush or “put pressure on people,” he suggested.
“Just walk with them and be available for any questions or further conversations. You might be able to share your own journey and story, too, about the hope you have found.”
Be obtainable to assist as you’ll be able to
“When someone has had negative experiences in church such as hypocrisy, abuse or harsh comments, I first just try to understand,” stated the pastor.
TEXAS TODDLER’S SWEET INTERACTION WITH VIRGIN MARY AND BABY JESUS NATIVITY GOES VIRAL
“Sometimes I grieve with them sincerely if it has been very traumatic,” he added.
“In their healing journey, people begin to separate Jesus from the people who harmed them.”
Bradley stated, “There are some conversations I’ll have about what made Jesus angry and sad, too. Jesus is against sin. In their healing journey, people begin to separate Jesus from the people who harmed them — after they initially might have combined God, church and mistreatment.”
The religion chief stated that “over time, it becomes clearer to them that God still loves them — and He is very different than their negative experiences might have been.”
NEW JERSEY RABBI SAYS JOSEPH’S STORY IN GENESIS IS A REMINDER TO PUT FAMILY FIRST
In his expertise, he stated he is “walked with people for years who eventually are ready to return to church. They ask me where they should attend, if they live in another city at that point. I really try to research the churches in the area and help them find a solid place and healthy culture. It’s important to be discerning.”
He went on, “Choosing a church is a prayerful decision.”
Know that it is ‘always positive to draw near to God’
Bradley stated that many individuals who have not attended church usually lately “haven’t had a negative experience, but simply drifted these last few years since the pandemic.”
People bow their heads in prayer throughout a Sunday night service at Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, on Jan. 17, 2016. Said one pastor, “It’s good to remind [people] that they can return [to church] without shame.” (NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP through Getty Images)
He stated, “They have just become comfortable in a weekend routine that doesn’t include church. It has been convenient on the weekend to sleep in, watch sports, exercise or catch up on work.”
Said Bradley, “When you have a habit of missing church, it takes some intentionality and often an invitation to return. Many of these people have unintentionally wandered and carry some sense of guilt. So it’s good to remind them that they can return without shame.”
He continued, “It’s always positive to draw near to God.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
Others might share, he stated, “that they miss the community, a church family, the sacraments and hearing others sing in worship. Also, they might express that their kids have been missing these things, too. Simply welcome them with open arms.”
He identified, “Church should be a place of hope and joy. They might feel very refreshed and closer to God.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Attending a church service “in person is ideal and is a different experience than just watching a service online,” stated Bradley.
“Church is a place where there should be hospitality, truth, inspiration — and a chance to serve others and use your talents, too.”
For extra Lifestyle articles, go to www.foxnews.com/way of life.
[ad_2]
Source hyperlink