Christians only, what are your take on my experience returning to church after a long absence?

Question

I'm 18 years old. I was raised Presbyterian but for reasons outside of my control, I could not get confirmed.

So I thought about getting involved in church after a long absence and finding out what it would take to get confirmed.

So I picked the first Presbyterian church closest to me.

Sunday School at 9:45, Church at at 11

I get there at 9:30 and go through the front door and there's nobody there, no signs posted to where I'm supposed to go, so I start wandering around on my own looking for sunday school class when an old woman finally asks if she can help me

So she tells me where to go. I go to where she says and I enter the classroom marked College and Career, and it's empty.

So I go out and ask someone if I'm in the right place and I'm told the College and Career Class is on a camping retreat this weekend and I can sit in with the Middle Adults.

A bunch of people in their 40s and the whole class was devoted to the election. (3 to 1 for Hillary I'm guessing but the Trump Supporters weren't shy about telling us why Hillary is evil).

Then in the sermon which is about being a good worker so you wont be ashamed the pastor starts out by houw young people can only identify four of the ten commandments.

Let's see: Don't steal, don't kill, don't lie, don't commit adultry, don't covet-- that's about all I can get.

I left thinking I would have been better off getting to sleep in.

I want to get active in church again, but I'm not going back to that church.

Answer 1

I think you can give it another shot, if you like. Clearly that church rubbed you the wrong way, but there's lots of churches. Bear in mind you don't have to stick with the denomination you were raised in, necessarily. Can you tell me a bit about what you're looking for in a church? Maybe I can try (with my limited knowledge) to suggest a denomination that might suit you.



Of course, you don't *have* to, but I'm assuming this is more than just a casual fancy.

Answer 2

Well, obviously you don''t feel drawn to this particular church.

Try another one next week.

You want an "active" church, so you might try a big one. Talk to people and ask around. You can perfectly well say, politely, that you are looking for a church with activities for someone of your age; people understand that different people have different needs. If you find one that doesn't, so what?

Answer 3

Not sure what confirmation is, but I do know that when you accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, that your name was added to The Lamb s Book of Life, and there no greater confirmation then that. read Jude vs. 24 . For biblical guidance on finding the right church, read Revelation 12:17.

There is rejoicing in heaven over the thoughts you are having, and there a devil that was happy with you up to this point, and is doing all he can to accuse, criticize, and discourage, read 1 Peter 5:8 God does not all ways lead us to people and places for our needs but to people and places in need, pray for the members of the church you visited, continue to ask God to lead you to where He would have you, listen for His voice, read John 10:16



Rejoicing over you!

Your brother in Christ

Answer 4

This church sounds like it wasn't for you. Try another church. Not all churches are the same.

I've been to some churches with standoffish people and others that welcomed me with open arms.

Answer 5

You need to find a church that preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ and not a "social gospel". That at age 18 you are desiring to go back to church may be the Lord's urging in your life. In theory, you do not need to attend church in order to know the truth and get right with the Lord.



Here is the fundamental message of salvation through Jesus:



1. We are sinners: Romans 3:23 (NKJV, New King James Version), “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”

2. Sin and not believing in Jesus brings eternal condemnation: Romans 6:23 (NKJV), “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” John 3:18 (NKJV), “He who believes in him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

3. God loves us and has provided an escape from eternal punishment: John 3:16 (NKJV), “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

4. Jesus is the only way: John 14:6 (NKJV), Jesus answered, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

5. Salvation is by the grace of God through our faith: Ephesians 2:8,9 (NKJV), “For by grace are you saved, through faith - and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God - not of works lest anyone should boast.”

6. Salvation is the result of confessing that Jesus is Lord and that He was resurrected from the dead: Romans 10:9,10 (NKJV), “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

7. Jesus is waiting at the door to enter your life: Revelation 3:20 (NKJV), “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

8. Don't procrastinate, seek the Lord while He is near: Isaiah 55:6 (NKJV), “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.”



If you have the 8 points above correct, you are on the right path, the straight way and will enter through the narrow gate: Matthew 7:13. Here is a suggested prayer to help you acknowledge your decision to accept and believe in Jesus: “Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In your name, Amen.” And, as promised in 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV), you will not be disappointed: “But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those that love him.”



If you know Jesus as your Savior and Lord, then the next step is to find a church in which you will grow in God's Word as well as have fellowship with other believers.



One way you can find a church that will support your growth as a believer is to go to the church's website and look at their statement of faith. You should be able to (mostly) find the same scriptures as above in that statement of faith.

Answer 6

Presbyterians are heretics; Orthodoxy is the only true faith; forgive me.