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What do I do if I don't like my Church?

I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this, but idk what other pages or forums I can use to ask this question.

What do I do if I don't feel "at home" at my church?

For some context, my family are chinese and we have been attending a Chinese Christian church since I was a child. However, I've never felt comfortable there as, Asians in general, tend to judge, compare and stuff. The songs are old-fashioned and I can only half understand the sermons there. (I often zone out as well since it's so long and slow paced). There's also no bible study group for teens. It's just a full on class with a presentation. I want to be proactive, not stagnant in my faith. After the sermons, people gather round to talk. But idk why, most of the adults get on my nerves. I understand that I'm not that good in my faith yet as I probably shouldn't be feeling these things. But sometimes I don't feel welcome there as hardly anyone talks to me.
Also, back when I was a child, I used to be quite overweight. I would be reminded of that fact every Sunday at Church.(I'm obviously not anymore). Granted, they obviously meant it in a light hearted and joking way but boy did it affect me. I just don't feel the presence of God in this church and obviously the church is still a work in progress but I feel kind of alienated...and I also feel like I'm only there for appearance purposes. My mom is upset with me not wanting to attend church anymore but I really dislike the atmosphere and practices there.

I can't go to another church as no one can bring me and my parents wouldn't trust me to go on my own (I'm 18) and tbh rn I'd much rather just stay at home and read the Bible on my own for now. I'm looking forward to (hopefully) attending university in the UK (I'm not from the UK) next year and I hope that I'll be able to find a better church community and bible study group. But I feel so bad for abandoning Jesus right now by not attending Church. It's kind of cliquey and I don't know how to explain it but I just don't vibe with it.

What should I do?

Ps. I've also been to Christian camps in the UK before and that was when I fully felt the presence of God in the room with us. I've just never felt the same thing in my own local church. I really would like to attend the camp again this summer but it's quite expensive so I'm not going :frown:

Reply 1

Original post by Coeoe
I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this, but idk what other pages or forums I can use to ask this question.
What do I do if I don't feel "at home" at my church?
For some context, my family are chinese and we have been attending a Chinese Christian church since I was a child. However, I've never felt comfortable there as, Asians in general, tend to judge, compare and stuff. The songs are old-fashioned and I can only half understand the sermons there. (I often zone out as well since it's so long and slow paced). There's also no bible study group for teens. It's just a full on class with a presentation. I want to be proactive, not stagnant in my faith. After the sermons, people gather round to talk. But idk why, most of the adults get on my nerves. I understand that I'm not that good in my faith yet as I probably shouldn't be feeling these things. But sometimes I don't feel welcome there as hardly anyone talks to me.
Also, back when I was a child, I used to be quite overweight. I would be reminded of that fact every Sunday at Church.(I'm obviously not anymore). Granted, they obviously meant it in a light hearted and joking way but boy did it affect me. I just don't feel the presence of God in this church and obviously the church is still a work in progress but I feel kind of alienated...and I also feel like I'm only there for appearance purposes. My mom is upset with me not wanting to attend church anymore but I really dislike the atmosphere and practices there.
I can't go to another church as no one can bring me and my parents wouldn't trust me to go on my own (I'm 18) and tbh rn I'd much rather just stay at home and read the Bible on my own for now. I'm looking forward to (hopefully) attending university in the UK (I'm not from the UK) next year and I hope that I'll be able to find a better church community and bible study group. But I feel so bad for abandoning Jesus right now by not attending Church. It's kind of cliquey and I don't know how to explain it but I just don't vibe with it.
What should I do?
Ps. I've also been to Christian camps in the UK before and that was when I fully felt the presence of God in the room with us. I've just never felt the same thing in my own local church. I really would like to attend the camp again this summer but it's quite expensive so I'm not going :frown:

I think you should talk to your parents about it and see what they say.

Reply 2

Original post by Azariah14
I think you should talk to your parents about it and see what they say.

I've told them countless times. They just say that the church is a work in progress and that it needs more people to join so we can grow...but I don't think that's how spiritual and church growth works?? They mostly dismiss my claims anyways

Reply 3

A couple of things stand out from your post - You want to proactive and not stagnant in your faith this is perfectly in line with Christ's will.
From what you say, the issue is not with you or not being 'good' at your faith. The bible says we are to continue the transformation of our hearts. This is a process that continues until death. Absolutely no one if perfect or reaches perfection, that why Christ says, 'Come as you are'.

You have picked up on some very important things that define a good church and they are lacking in your church it seems.
There is no engagement with the youth and even worse they makes jokes about your weight. The church is meant to be loving and reaffirming who you are in Christ. Christ is not looking for 'beautiful skinny people' he is looking for the contrite and humble in spirit. The church is supposed to be a place where you can get away from the world's expectations and can just be yourself. Instead of building you up they seem to tearing and wearing you down. You need to find a new church as the one you are at is not the supportive loving Christ filled environment where you can thrive. You say you can't go to another church as there is no one to take you...can you expatiate a bit more? are you far away from any other church? are you forbidden from going out on your own even if it is to church?

I don't know about churches in China but I know a very good Chinese church in London that i believe has a vibrant youth group and things targeted at your age group. I have a Chinese friend who is a member of this church Emmanuel church, London, and teaches Sunday school. Pls feel free to contact the church via their website or if you wish, I can put you in touch with my friend.
(edited 9 months ago)

Reply 4

Hiya! I'm sorry to hear about your experiences with your Chinese Christian church. It sounds like you're very disenfranchised - and understandably so, for the reasons that the poster above me mentions.

Not wanting to attend your current church is understandable and not necessarily a bad thing. From your post, it sounds like you're keen to (re)connect with your faith and develop your spirituality/grow spiritually. These are good and healthy things, that all Christians should be striving for! :yes:

I'm sorry to hear that church-shopping (as I call it. Basically looking for another physical church to attend!) isn't an option for you. Are you able to access YouTube? I'm sure there must be some interesting channels/Christian speakers on there, and perhaps one of those would resonate with you more. Reading your Bible often and maybe having some kinda Bible reading plan/Bible study plan to follow, could be useful too. These are things you can do on your own at home, without going to church.

Hope you can find a way forward - from a Christian who doesn't attend church (for different reasons) :yep:

Reply 5

Original post by Coeoe
I've told them countless times. They just say that the church is a work in progress and that it needs more people to join so we can grow...but I don't think that's how spiritual and church growth works?? They mostly dismiss my claims anyways

Oh. Then what about staying at home and telling your parents I want to try to understand the bible by myself and see what they say or you stick up for yourself when they say those uncomfortable things.

Reply 6

Original post by Azariah14
Oh. Then what about staying at home and telling your parents I want to try to understand the bible by myself and see what they say or you stick up for yourself when they say those uncomfortable things.

That's what I want to do, but they say that part of being a believer is to connect and worship together with other believers. I'll try tho, thank you!

Reply 7

you're welcome

Reply 8

Original post by Coeoe
I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this, but idk what other pages or forums I can use to ask this question.
What do I do if I don't feel "at home" at my church?
For some context, my family are chinese and we have been attending a Chinese Christian church since I was a child. However, I've never felt comfortable there as, Asians in general, tend to judge, compare and stuff. The songs are old-fashioned and I can only half understand the sermons there. (I often zone out as well since it's so long and slow paced). There's also no bible study group for teens. It's just a full on class with a presentation. I want to be proactive, not stagnant in my faith. After the sermons, people gather round to talk. But idk why, most of the adults get on my nerves. I understand that I'm not that good in my faith yet as I probably shouldn't be feeling these things. But sometimes I don't feel welcome there as hardly anyone talks to me.
Also, back when I was a child, I used to be quite overweight. I would be reminded of that fact every Sunday at Church.(I'm obviously not anymore). Granted, they obviously meant it in a light hearted and joking way but boy did it affect me. I just don't feel the presence of God in this church and obviously the church is still a work in progress but I feel kind of alienated...and I also feel like I'm only there for appearance purposes. My mom is upset with me not wanting to attend church anymore but I really dislike the atmosphere and practices there.
I can't go to another church as no one can bring me and my parents wouldn't trust me to go on my own (I'm 18) and tbh rn I'd much rather just stay at home and read the Bible on my own for now. I'm looking forward to (hopefully) attending university in the UK (I'm not from the UK) next year and I hope that I'll be able to find a better church community and bible study group. But I feel so bad for abandoning Jesus right now by not attending Church. It's kind of cliquey and I don't know how to explain it but I just don't vibe with it.
What should I do?
Ps. I've also been to Christian camps in the UK before and that was when I fully felt the presence of God in the room with us. I've just never felt the same thing in my own local church. I really would like to attend the camp again this summer but it's quite expensive so I'm not going :frown:

Sounds to me like they have already abandoned Jesus, or more probably they never knew him . . .

Many people will be sacrificing their time "going to church" today and offering their best, and have been most of their lives, but as David says:

"Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened" (Psalm 40:6)

Quoted in Hebrews 10:5:
"Sacrifice and offering you would not, but a body you have prepared me"

The body is Jesus Christ which contains everything God desires, you enter that body by the baptism in the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13, Acts 1:4-8, 2v4 etc.)

My advice is contact this Worldwide church in Asia, (incl. China) . . . . you can meet people your own age. True church is not a Sunday meeting but a gathering of 2 or more people who have the above, so you could just meet in a park or cafe! Hopefully see you when you get to the UK!
(edited 9 months ago)

Reply 9

Original post by Makro
A couple of things stand out from your post - You want to proactive and not stagnant in your faith this is perfectly in line with Christ's will.
From what you say, the issue is not with you or not being 'good' at your faith. The bible says we are to continue the transformation of our hearts. This is a process that continues until death. Absolutely no one if perfect or reaches perfection, that why Christ says, 'Come as you are'.
You have picked up on some very important things that define a good church and they are lacking in your church it seems.
There is no engagement with the youth and even worse they makes jokes about your weight. The church is meant to be loving and reaffirming who you are in Christ. Christ is not looking for 'beautiful skinny people' he is looking for the contrite and humble in spirit. The church is supposed to be a place where you can get away from the world's expectations and can just be yourself. Instead of building you up they seem to tearing and wearing you down. You need to find a new church as the one you are at is not the supportive loving Christ filled environment where you can thrive. You say you can't go to another church as there is no one to take you...can you expatiate a bit more? are you far away from any other church? are you forbidden from going out on your own even if it is to church?
I don't know about churches in China but I know a very good Chinese church in London that i believe has a vibrant youth group and things targeted at your age group. I have a Chinese friend who is a member of this church Emmanuel church, London, and teaches Sunday school. Pls feel free to contact the church via their website or if you wish, I can put you in touch with my friend.
Hey, thank you for your reply!! Firstly, while I do indeed want to be proactive in my faith...it's tough, super tough. The world and flesh is just so distracting and I don't know if I'm doing things right. But it's reassuring to know that we're all growing at our own pace, though I just feel like I'm not doing good enough...

Secondly, I agree with what you have pointed out. However, I do have to mention that asian people, particularly chinese people, are more straight forward and usually just point out stuff without regards to feelings. This happens especially if you're close. That is unfortunately the culture that my parent's generation have grew up with so I'm also in the wrong for being so sensitive and taking it too far I believe. As you've mentioned, no one is perfect!

To expand on me not being able to go to another church... I would definitely require a car to get to other churches in my area, and also, the other churches are a bit different to ours. Maybe I should've made myself clearer in my original post, but I'm actually from Ireland haha, but I can see why everyone thinks I'm from China. Our church is the only chinese church in the area, and while I'm not opposed to attending other churches, I just find it a bit daunting...very daunting. Many churches (this happened even at christian camp in the UK), already have their own cliques, and its very hard to feel at home when you feel like an outsider. They already know each other and tend to stick with one another, but that's just human nature. Thanks for the recommendation! I've heard of Emmanuel church from my UK friends actually. I've definitely seen some of their youths at the camp for sure. I also won't be attending Uni (if i get in) in London, but thank you once again for the rec!

Just to clarify, our church does have a sunday school, but I feel like resources are put into the kid's sunday school more so than our teen's sunday school. I'd love to do a deep bible study each sunday with the group, but my suggestion has been knocked down many times due to lack of resources etc. The church is still a big work in progress and I feel awful for bashing them but I genuinely don't feel like I can grow much there.

Reply 10

Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd
Hiya! I'm sorry to hear about your experiences with your Chinese Christian church. It sounds like you're very disenfranchised - and understandably so, for the reasons that the poster above me mentions.
Not wanting to attend your current church is understandable and not necessarily a bad thing. From your post, it sounds like you're keen to (re)connect with your faith and develop your spirituality/grow spiritually. These are good and healthy things, that all Christians should be striving for! :yes:
I'm sorry to hear that church-shopping (as I call it. Basically looking for another physical church to attend!) isn't an option for you. Are you able to access YouTube? I'm sure there must be some interesting channels/Christian speakers on there, and perhaps one of those would resonate with you more. Reading your Bible often and maybe having some kinda Bible reading plan/Bible study plan to follow, could be useful too. These are things you can do on your own at home, without going to church.
Hope you can find a way forward - from a Christian who doesn't attend church (for different reasons) :yep:

Hi! Thanks for your reply and tips! Haha I like the term "Church Shopping". Honestly, like I've mentioned in my previous reply to another user, church scares me sometimes and it's even worse when it's a very large church ahah.

I'll give youtube a try, thanks! Sometimes though, I feel like some of the things some people post there aren't entirely true...or it doesn't feel right? I'm just scared I'll end up stumbling in the wrong direction so I've been a little hesitant. I may give it another go sometime! As a fairly newbie christian (even though I was raised christian), committing to reading the Bible can be so hard! Some of the books/chapters are just about family names and long-winded things that don't make much sense to me, but hopefully I'll be able to attend a smaller bible study group next year at uni to discuss the Bible with others to make Bible studying more engaging.
Thanks once again and God bless!

Reply 11

Sounds to me like they have already abandoned Jesus, or more probably they never knew him . . .
Many people will be sacrificing their time "going to church" today and offering their best, and have been most of their lives, but as David says:
"Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened" (Psalm 40:6)
Quoted in Hebrews 10:5:
"Sacrifice and offering you would not, but a body you have prepared me"
The body is Jesus Christ which contains everything God desires, you enter that body by the baptism in the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13, Acts 1:4-8, 2v4 etc.)
My advice is contact this Worldwide church in Asia, (incl. China) . . . . you can meet people your own age. True church is not a Sunday meeting but a gathering of 2 or more people who have the above, so you could just meet in a park or cafe! Hopefully see you when you get to the UK!

I wouldn't be so harsh and say that, but that's my fault, I made it sound really bad in my original post. Like I've mentioned to another user, them pointing out I'm fat is just part of the culture...however, as I was raised with a different culture and am a tad bit sensitive, I took it really badly. I'm sure they know Jesus, but no one is perfect...so it's ok.

Do you mind expanding on what Psalm 40:6 means? I'm having a hard time comprehending it, thanks.

I actually live in Ireland, so I'm just waiting to hopefully move to England in a few months time...contingent on my results of course. Thank you so much for your reply and recommendations! I'm excited at the prospect of meeting with other christians my age as my church is definitely made up of more people who are my parent's age. Hopefully and thank you!

Reply 12

Original post by Coeoe
I wouldn't be so harsh and say that, but that's my fault, I made it sound really bad in my original post. Like I've mentioned to another user, them pointing out I'm fat is just part of the culture...however, as I was raised with a different culture and am a tad bit sensitive, I took it really badly. I'm sure they know Jesus, but no one is perfect...so it's ok.
Do you mind expanding on what Psalm 40:6 means? I'm having a hard time comprehending it, thanks.
I actually live in Ireland, so I'm just waiting to hopefully move to England in a few months time...contingent on my results of course. Thank you so much for your reply and recommendations! I'm excited at the prospect of meeting with other christians my age as my church is definitely made up of more people who are my parent's age. Hopefully and thank you!

The Church I'm with used to be in Dublin, they are now in North Kerry.

Ps 40:6, David perceived that old testament sacrifices and offerings were not God's solution to man's sin. They showed those that has eyes to see that man is stuck in a cycle of sin, sacrifice and forgiveness.
When Jesus appeared John the Baptist said "behold the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the World".
We get that liberty from sin when we receive the Spirit that Jesus had.

Reply 13

go to a traditional latin mass:smile:

Reply 14

Original post by Coeoe
Hi! Thanks for your reply and tips! Haha I like the term "Church Shopping". Honestly, like I've mentioned in my previous reply to another user, church scares me sometimes and it's even worse when it's a very large church ahah.
I'll give youtube a try, thanks! Sometimes though, I feel like some of the things some people post there aren't entirely true...or it doesn't feel right? I'm just scared I'll end up stumbling in the wrong direction so I've been a little hesitant. I may give it another go sometime! As a fairly newbie christian (even though I was raised christian), committing to reading the Bible can be so hard! Some of the books/chapters are just about family names and long-winded things that don't make much sense to me, but hopefully I'll be able to attend a smaller bible study group next year at uni to discuss the Bible with others to make Bible studying more engaging.
Thanks once again and God bless!

I get you, I struggle with churches too (for different reasons) and find them rather overwhelming. And reading the Bible and getting one's head around it can take a while sometimes too.

It's true there are all kinds of weird people on the Internet (be that TSR, or YouTube!) - so one should always exercise caution. There will be people happy to just pray for you - and there will, on the other side of the spectrum, be people willing to prey (not a typo) on you. Be careful and on guard! :yep:

Wishing you all the best with your hopeful move to England! It's an exciting and stressful thing, so be kind to yourself in the run-up and during the move. Don't be in a rush to do everything at once :nah:

Reply 15

Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd
I get you, I struggle with churches too (for different reasons) and find them rather overwhelming. And reading the Bible and getting one's head around it can take a while sometimes too.
It's true there are all kinds of weird people on the Internet (be that TSR, or YouTube!) - so one should always exercise caution. There will be people happy to just pray for you - and there will, on the other side of the spectrum, be people willing to prey (not a typo) on you. Be careful and on guard! :yep:
Wishing you all the best with your hopeful move to England! It's an exciting and stressful thing, so be kind to yourself in the run-up and during the move. Don't be in a rush to do everything at once :nah:

Thank you very much!! I really do appreciate it 😊 and will do! All the best to you!

Reply 16

The Church I'm with used to be in Dublin, they are now in North Kerry.
Ps 40:6, David perceived that old testament sacrifices and offerings were not God's solution to man's sin. They showed those that has eyes to see that man is stuck in a cycle of sin, sacrifice and forgiveness.
When Jesus appeared John the Baptist said "behold the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the World".
We get that liberty from sin when we receive the Spirit that Jesus had.

oooh, I'm not from those places unfortunately. Wow that's a big move though.
Ohh I see, thank you!

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