If you have been following along on my journey to find a church for our family, I have an update for you (if you are finding it hard to follow this, find the thread entitled "church shopping" to bring you up to speed)

After many prayers and many Sunday services and many efforts to 'get involved' with the church we've been attending for a few months now, we have had ZERO communication with the members at the church. I have filled out a "how to get more involved' work sheet TWICE and handed it in. I put my phone number and email AND mailing address on it. I don't normally share that kind of information all at once, but I figured if I put it all out there, SURELY someone would respond. NOPE. NOTTA. ZILCH.

What is bizarre to me is that pastor says WEEKLY that they are needing volunteers and helpers and he encourages people to get moer involved and yet......I hear nothing. It's been THREE almost four weeks since handing my info in. Dh is just as discouraged as I am and so now...we're starting this all over again

This just tears me up. I just want to settle in and get rooted and have something my kids can also look forward to. Having to go through this is not just hard on us, but just as hard on them. I'm sure they are confused.

Last night, during dinner when the boys were saying grace, my four year old says "and God can you help mommy find a church". Now I feel badly that he is that involved in this! I didn't realize that my desire to find a church has trickled down onto him. I'm a bad mommy.

I think you are a good mommy for taking the time to look! JMO

It will happen when it is right. If it were me, I would write, as a family, a letter to the pastor at this church and tell them why you have decided not to join. He needs to know this stuff. You don't have to be mean about it, but I would let him know.

You're not a bad mommy! You're instilling in them how important it is to find the right church that fits your family, and how important it is to get involved and serve. I don't consider that being a bad mommy at all

I will continue to pray that God leads you somewhere you can get involved and find that connection you're looking for. I wish you lived here!! I think you would really like or church.

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Christy,
You are NOT a bad mommy!!!!!! I am sorry that you are having such a hard time finding the "right" church!
I do agree with Claire, about writing the letter.
((((((((((hugs girl))))))))))

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~Jill~

"Religion is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions" ~ Unknown

I think it is cute that he would pray a prayer like that. You're not a bad mommy at all! I agree though, write a letter to the pastor and let him know why you are continuing your search.

If you're still wanting to stay at that church, why don't you call them up directly and ask who needs volunteers and call them and tell them you're available, as opposed to waiting for them to call you...

I can empathize with you. We are in the same place right now. We joined our church because of the location to our home. We have since decided that it is not the right fit for our family. This was further confirmed by the letter we received recently "requesting" that each family contribute $40,000.00 over three years in addition to weekly offerings to offset the cost of building a new church. This is not by any means a small church.

I hope you find a place where you and your family can feel welcome and wanted soon. I don't think that it is a bad thing that your children are aware of what is happening. You may be helping them in ways that are yet unknown.

Finding the right church is so hard. We struggled with this too. Just don't forget that maybe God is calling you to a particular church b/c he wants to use you there. Perhaps you can encourage that church to reach out more to visitors. Or perhaps God has other plans for your family. Keep praying and hang in there! This too shall pass (eventually!!)

And you're not a bad mommy!!! It's a good thing that your son can see how important church is to you. Hopefully it will be that important to him when he's grown!

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Blessed beyond measure

Just a few thoughts for what they are worth....

Maybe the pastor automatically includes that invitation in his address to the congregation routinely - there are never enough people to be involved. One of the duties of a pastor is to keep his/her members involved - in the long run it keeps attendance higher.

Have you tried calling or speaking to the people in charge directly? They can't forget to respond or avoid you if you are right there.

It is possible with you being new, not from around there they are waiting to see if you plan to stick around? I lived in a small town for many years, that was the mentality of all the locals from the Fire Co. the church and PTG.

If all else fails approach the pastor tell him how eager you and your family are to get involved - how could he not get you into something quick!

Good luck!

I'm so sorry things are going better. Maybe this is a sign that this church isn't the one for you. Or, maybe they need someone to volunteer to contact volunteers! Have you spoken to anyone in person? I sure hope you find something soon.

And, as others said, YOU ARE NOT A BAD MOMMY! You are actually a FANTASTIC mommy for setting a great example that finding a church is something to take seriously!

Keeping you in my prayers . . .

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Homeschooling Mom to Daniel (13 Years), Andrew (10 Years), Stephen (8 Years) and Emily (4 Years)