“Why are so many people afraid to go to church these days? Should we say something to them about it?”
The Washington pastor said people who want to return to church regularly in the new year of 2024, or who have friends or family members in such a position – people who have likely held back since the COVID-19 pandemic. has become a spokesperson for Or even before that.
Pastor Jesse Bradley of Auburn, Washington, said that each year around this holiday, “people are especially grateful and welcome to attend church services with others.”
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He added: “Attendance has skyrocketed, and many people are taking an interest in Jesus and experiencing a time of inspiration.”
The reality, he noted, is that some people may have “past hurt experiences” with the church.
“You might ask people questions like, ‘What experiences did you have with your faith when you were a child?’ Or, ‘Have you ever had any negative experiences in church? ?” (St. Petersburg)
Bradley shared tips and advice in comments to Fox News Digital on how to handle these situations.
listen to others
“You might ask people questions like, ‘What experiences did you have with your faith when you were a child?’ Or, ‘Have you ever had any negative experiences in church? ?”
Bradley says, “This is a relatively safe way to give them a chance to share with you. Some people will start telling their story without asking any questions. Just listen. Don't judge them. Please don't interrupt them, Don. Don't start preaching to them. ”
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Rather, “listen with your heart, mind, and ears. Listen as long as they want to talk. Ask follow-up questions and listen, such as how that made them feel. There may be deep hurts.” he added.
“If they open up to you, it shows they trust you. It's an honor for them to have you in this part of their life.”
A pastor shares his thoughts on returning to church regularly in the new year, or helping others who want to return to church. “Walk with them and be available for questions or further conversation,” he said. “You may also share stories about your own journey and the hope you’ve found.” (St. Petersburg)
The pastor of Grace Community Church, a husband and father, said compassion is needed.
“Listening is a way to love others. Listening brings healing. The Bible says to listen quickly and speak slowly (James 1:19). Listening is a way to honor others. But it's hard to find good listeners.” Bradley. “Please listen carefully.”
Share information and resources
“I never grew up going to church or reading the Bible,” Bradley said.
But while attending Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, “my professor taught us the Gospel of John as an assignment for a religion class,” he told Fox News Digital.
“At the same time, I started having spiritual conversations with Christians in my dormitory for the first time in my life.”
“As time goes on, it becomes clearer to them that God still loves them and that God is very different from their negative experiences.”
He said others were sharing what they believed and “why they believed it. And both are important.”
At the time, he said, “I wasn't ready to go to church, but I wanted to know more about Jesus.'' There are millions of people who don't have one.” Service is not yet available. ”
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In other words, “Just go where the people are and meet them in faith.”
In college, his friends “gave me some books to read and study historical evidence about Jesus. Facts lead to faith.”
One pastor said, “There are millions of people in America who are very curious about God but are not yet ready to participate in weekend church services.'' (St. Petersburg)
“You can offer websites, books, and videos that provide insight and content that others can review on their own time and in a place they feel is safe,” said Bradley.
He advised not to rush or “put pressure on people.”
“Walk with them and be open to any questions or further conversation. You may also share stories about your own journey and the hope you've found.”
I will help you as much as I can.
“When someone has a negative experience in church, whether it's hypocrisy, abuse, or harsh comments, the first thing I do is try to understand,” the pastor said.
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“If it's something very traumatic, I sometimes really grieve with them,” he added.
“During the healing journey, people begin to separate Jesus from those who have hurt them.”
“We're also going to talk about some of the things that made Jesus angry and sad,” Bradley said. “Jesus is against sin. On the healing journey, people started out together. “Maybe, but we start separating Jesus from those who have harmed us.” God, the Church, and Abuse. ”
The faith leader said, “As time goes on, it becomes clearer to them that God still loves them, and that God is very different from their negative experiences.”
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In his experience, “I have walked with people over the years who were eventually ready to return to church. They told me where they should attend if they lived in another city at that point.” “I'm seriously looking into churches in the area.” And help them find a solid place and a healthy culture. It is important to find out. ”
He continued, “Choosing a church is a prayerful decision.”
Know that “drawing closer to God is always positive”
Bradley said many people who haven't been attending church regularly in recent years “haven't had a negative experience, they've just been adrift over the last few years since the pandemic.”
People bow their heads in prayer during Sunday evening worship at Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, on January 17, 2016. One pastor said: [people] that they can go back [to church] Don't be shy. ” (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images)
“They're just getting comfortable with a weekend routine without church,” he said. “Weekends have become convenient for sleeping, watching sports, exercising and getting work done.” Ta.
“If people have a habit of missing church, there needs to be a degree of intentionality and often encouragement to come back,” Bradley said. So it's good to remind them that it's okay to go back and not be embarrassed.” . ”
“Getting closer to God is always a positive thing,” he continued.
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“Some may share that they miss their community, their church family, the sacraments, and hearing others sing in worship. They may also share that their children miss these things as well. You might say, just welcome them with open arms,” he says. ”
He pointed out that “church should be a place of hope and joy. They may feel very refreshed and closer to God.”
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Bradley said attending a church service is “ideally attended in person and is a different experience than just watching the service online.”
“The church is a place where there should be hospitality, truth, inspiration, and the opportunity to serve others and develop one's talents.”
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