Looking for a church

[Kojikun]

So Ive been yearning for a church I can enjoy. Unfortunately within recent years I have become weary of older Christian's (im 32 so like 50s and 60s) I have a habit of butting heads with the heavily politicized church goer and unfortunately living in a small conservative midwest town I fear from entering any church here. I understand no church is perfect and I dont expect it to be. I just want a church I can be myself and not have to hide my hobbies or personality due to fear of judgement. I have a large selection in this town thankfully but a few had to be crossed off the list due to Doctrinal issues. There are also a few Catholic churches that are not an option. I personally would be content with an online church but I also feel people should be able to enjoy face to face conversations without being a million miles apart. If I cross off all the churches here I will be out of options as I do not drive. Are there any alternatives?

 

[Mii]

I bounce around and keep an open mind to people. People ARE the church.

I might find 1-2 people at the MOST that I connect with and I feel it is MY responsibility to network further and find fellowship and community with those people.

I feel like God sets up the happenstance that ends up in conversation and although I am sometimes lazy and expect things to be giftwrapped...it often is not. Still though I have a small circle of friends (like 2) and realize that traditional sunday "church" for 1-2 hours a week is not my cup of tea.

I have also realized that there are a lot of resources in churches and you can DIY things to a certain extent (like set up a bible study/discussion/hang out) using church resources as a base (a room for a set time for example).

YOU are the church. The church doesn't exist in an individual alone though so communal involvement is important. I'm pretty antisocial initially so it is hard but I'm pretty sure (like almost 100%) that God knows me and that doors will open if you are on the lookout.

Alas though, some of these doors require some awkwardness and it is uncomfortable initially.

I'm amazed at how many conversations I've had with strangers (and usually just for that one time) that are somehow more edifying and productive than I expected.



Idk man, I'm pretty anti sunday church some weeks and yet am still surprised when I do go. I don't have a "set" church family and I don't think it's wrong not to have one...you just can't forsake the assembly. If online church spots you...great. It doesn't me at all. Radio church? I actually like that quite a bit. I can sit at the lake and listen to the same sermon at the same time (sometimes) that maybe a few hundred people are listening to. I have reception issues and have to often drive someplace to find the right signal. God does meet me there I feel sure...and like I said, he knows me. I do feel like even though I'm something of an oddity still there are ways I can connect and fellowship/encourage/instruct/be instructed that are unusual but not unheard of.


I was blessed to grow up in a church that actually offered a lot of things that I didn't see as a child/teen but they were there. Some people that weren't ever at the sunday service (much) that taught a class or what have you. People have different styles and preferences and there's nothing wrong with that. Except of course ignoring the Lord's will for your own...but doing so on purpose...not misguided confusion or uncertainty in discerning his will.

Feel?