I have a lonely to say the word life. I moved because I had not much choice. I thought has I came from a large church I would be ok. I knew some folk where I am now moved from another.

I go in a morning when well been here 6 months. My son found his church where he’s happy and has 3 friends he went school with when we was here before.

I’m a wheelchair user so I can not access a home group well.

Have suggested that be at the church instead of my house. Dought people who have a car would come anyway!

I have to get on a bus to church.

A ladies tea came up I thought here I could at least try to make conversation. Sadly up steps to get in.

I no I’m saved I pray everyday for change of finding me a church that’s a bible believing church on my doorstep I can go on my chair.

I joined a Christian charity too. To help raise awareness that all churches need to be inclusive to all sinners. Either with additional needs or not!

How can a church grow if say I invite a nonce belivers I have but they come and don’t return regularly because they realise!

I’m also autisic I brought a person from other group I attend in the community. I would like to invite more but if no change it’s hard.

I got a sensory box I have asked for the drums to be has drums in the back ground.

I found also in the evening children was sticking fingers in there hears I emailed the church about this drum kit heard nothing.

If church the people too busy and doing other things seems like there’s no real trained pastoral care either.

Usually I’d let folk no I’m not well but this time I left it.

I see more people from miles away where I use to live more times than I hung out with brothers and sisters.

I’m just doing everything bible lesson on line often praying and reading my bible daily.

So now I’m waiting a sign. To point me in the right direction.

Giving is not just about tithes offerings. It’s about friendships we will be in heaven with who are our brothers and sisters. And encouring others in our churches.

I’m vunruble and banging out with none believers can lead astray so I just see in groups and community choirs.

I sit at home all other times. At Christmas not long after I moved I had COVID so me and my son was in alone all Christmas we had no Christmas dinner or support.

New year’s Day no church service so I thought I go to the see front lots there! I got a cob and a seagull came down and stole it!

I drove home to make a sandwich and went to bed and found a church service online.

I been in hospital no visits. No one visited hospital you have to drive bus train or taxi. No one asked if I needed anything. My son who has his own needs came in a taxi costing 80 pounds there and back! Because I needed few bits and my wheelchair he struggled and forgot some important bits! And I left in a taxi alone in them blue gowns alone nothing eles on! He did not understand.

That week out budget ran out the window with bills. We lived on sandwiches and tin bits a week or 2. Awful time.
Every one has to drive or people who can not drive needs taxis to go miles when you live in a place everything spread out.

I look fawards to being with my support worker and carers such a lot. They listen rare id find a Christian.

So I joined none Christian band to play my guitar. And a 2 none Christian choirs. Um…. Just so at least I’m doing something or I will be isolated too.

The bibles tells stories Jesus left no one out! Gathered disciples from different backgrounds.

Luke 5 even shows some friends I assume believed in Jesus a none believer up on a roof and lowered him down to meet him on a stretcher maybe to crowded to get him in or the doors to narrow.

So lowered him through the roof he forgave the man. And said take up thy bed and walk!

Jesus even said let the little children come to me. Too so even if there’s a child adult who has development issues can still or should be included in churches too. Disabilities blind deaf health mental everyone has a rights to go to church hear the word and be saved baptisted. And be used how ever educated or not uses gifts even a smile at a door is serving. And have rights to Access more even a friend or to to guide us in our walk. And we grow. If we not growing and seeing odd families lots of older people and singles but we should go in a cafe need up speak to others out and about and re grow our churches.

There’s a reason behind everything if you ask me!

Bless you. I moved Southerly for Southern Hospitality found total utter rejection for not liking football, and being a childless homemaker. Oh and most unforgivingly nasty cat preference over dogs. Churches divided into age groups. Which is surefire to way to cause antifamily, disrespectful atmosphere. So much noise pollution and blinding lightshows. This total nonscense. Church is now a joke in my opinion so don’t expect Church to thrive let alone survive. I don’t have it in me to withstand it anymore.

The fact that you and your wife know the struggle is a spiritual one is a great advantage.
Try ‘6 for supper’.3 couples/3 homes/
3 months until all have enjoyed dinner
together. No agenda. Just sharing and
getting to know one another. Repeat!

That’s wonderful that you feel comfortable hosting. I have trouble getting organized and feel nervous about doing so. I did host recently, and it went well, so maybe I’ll try to do it more. Otherwise, I call friends and chat, invite them for a walk or for an outing. I’m sure your guests had a lovely time. They just may have insecurities about hosting “successfully.”

Their own needs are met and they are comfortable. Don’t need any more friends. They have achieved a level of satisfaction that they like – education, career, family, perks, look good in the neighborhood – including church membership. Matthew 23:27-8: “whitewashed tombs which outwardly appear beautiful but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”
It just feels so good because everyone they know is like them. We should kneel and ask God to not let us be so, but with humility, not like Luke 18:11. Disabled people laugh at those who disdain them, calling them Temporarily Able Bodied, as they once were. God has His plan to make us like Him, and worth something to the Kingdom.

Lisa – your thoughts are just gut wrenching, and sadly the norm. The last church I visited was very small. They all pounced on me upon arrival making me feel very welcome. After the service I overheard many of them discussing where they were going to eat afterwards. I was thanked by many for coming, yet I went home alone, having not been invited out to dinner. That was a year ago and I haven’t visited another church since.

If you think an old time member has accepted you, wait until they turn on you. That’s when you discover who your official chaser-offer is.

Once the church starts declining in size, old timers usually intensify chasing off newcomers while there is still time.

If you have stuck it out for 15 years, you are still considered a newcomer.

These are some reasons why some people attend regularly but never join.

Please, let us just accept our identity as being sinners saved by Grace, not of ourselves, but of the gift of God in Christ Jesus. Preach on heart sins, make people uncomfortable. Better to have 10 on our knees in honest, tearful contrition than 100 in the pews enjoying comfort. God will not be mocked: we will reap what we sow.

Yes!. Im on the Pastoral Council at our church and have heard many times from our Pastor that they dont teach leadership in Seminary or even through the Parish. How can a Pastor of 7000 lead if they dont know how?