Church
I’ve noticed that a lot of people I talk to, whether or not they go to church now (as an adult), say they were “forced” to go to church when they were kids… And I find that so sad… Not that they were forced, but that they FEEL like they were forced.
When I was growing up, we went to church every Sunday morning, and every Wednesday evening, and my parents went to the Sunday evening service as well (though I don’t remember going myself). Not once did I feel forced to go. Now that I think about it, it was a requirement. We didn’t really have an option… But it didn’t matter. Going to church was just something we did. It was just a natural part of life, like going to school.
I also think it’s safe to say that we all (even the kids) enjoyed it. Sunday school was fun, and Kids Club on Wednesday night was fun… The church we went to in Roseburg had a potluck every Wednesday before prayer meeting, and that was awesome. Even as a kid, I enjoyed it so much.
That is probably why believing came to me so easily… Believing in the Lord comes as naturally as breathing to me, and it did as a child as well…
I like to read (or hear) other people’s testimonies. It’s interesting to hear how people found the Lord… I, myself, don’t have a very interesting one. I came to the Lord when I was 5, as soon as I understood that Christ died for my sins, so that I could have the gift of eternal life. I remember praying the sinner’s prayer in the hallway in our 1st house in Roseburg (the hallway of all places! *lol*).
For those of you who went to church as a child/teen… Did you feel forced? And for those of you who believe… How did you come to the Lord? I would love to hear your story!
Filed under: Julie
Growing up we didn’t really go to church. I remember going with a friend of mine once or twice but honestly I don’t think I realized the meaning of what Christ did. Now my boy’s on the other hand look forward to going to church. They will even remind us (like we would forget lol) that they get to go to Potter’s Kids (Sunday School)
Anyway my story I think you have read on my blog? The short of it is for a while I was angry with God and chose not to believe in him. Then I gave birth to my oldest son and I remember looking at him and thinking WOW this is so amazing and looking into his eyes and realized just what a miracle he was. Even then though I wasn’t fully aware of who God was. I knew there was a God but I didn’t know him. Later I became prego with my youngest and working at Cabela’s and a woman there started to talk to me about Christ. She never judged me just talked with me and if I had questions she answered them. So I had my youngest and things really started to click for me and it was then I knew God and realized just what Jesus did for me and my family. Soon after my hubby and I were both baptized!! There is other parts of the story but I don’t want to make too big of a comment LOL.
We went to church every Sunday. We helped out with all of the fundraisers. My parents were active in the church, and we were expected to be, too.
I didn’t feel forced, except when I was a teenager and wanted to sleep in on Sundays, after being up late on Saturday nights for work or from hanging out with friends.
It wasn’t that I felt forced to go to church, as much as forced to get out of bed.
Overall, I grew up feeling as if I knew God and had a personal relationship with him, but that was probably due to my parents having strong beliefs and living what they taught us.
I can’t say there was an exact moment or an interesting story for me. Sorry!
It was always expected we go to church … especially since my Dad was a pastor. But I NEVER felt forced. I accepted Christ at an early age … but it really became my own when I was a teenager.
Love ya!
I didn’t feel forced back then. I actually do feel that way more now that I am an adult who doesn’t go and who is informed by her parents every chance they get that she is disappointing them with that fact.
I never felt forced to go to church either. I accepted the Lord as my Savior when was 12 in my grandmother’s living room.
We went to church every Sunday and I never felt forced - my brother did though. I guess it’s just a difference in kids.
I went through confirmation classes when I was 11 or 12, but I think my Christian walk became more and meant more to me during and after our experiences with Carleigh.
Actually, because my dad was a pastor…going to church was just what happened. Not that I regret it by any means, but that’s the way life was. When my dad left the ministry….going to church was just what happened….it was apart of life. So was it forced upon me? Not really….I know that I had to go on sunday because that is what the parents did. But I actually enjoyed it. Although, I won’t lie….it is sometimes hard for me to get up and go to church now. But I still love the Lord.
I didn’t feel forced to go to church as a child. I attended with my parents most of my growing up years and although I loved the Lord I didn’t make that personal commitment until November of 1990. I don’t think it was ever really explained to me that I needed to make a personal commitment of my own… I just assumed I was okay because my parents were Christians and I went to church *lol*
I admit now however, that sometimes I find it really hard to go to church. Why? Well being 35 weeks pregnant and getting 3 littlies ready to go and out the door in time just doesn’t happen some Sundays!
We went to church when I was really young, it was quite a ways a way, and we would ride with friends usually. I always enjoyed going. When I was older, we didn’t go to a church, but would listen to a serman on tape every weekend, and once a year went to Colorado to a bible camp. That was always lot of fun too!! I never felt forced, even though I didn’t have a choice in the matter. I agree it is sad that people have gone away from God so much they have to “feel” forced, that they went to church.
As for being baptised, we didn’t feel like we should be till we reached the “age of accountability” which was 20, so on my birthday, when I was 20, I was baptised, and didn’t feel “forced” to do that either! I actually was insistant that it be ON my birthday, and not be before 4:30 in the afternoon, as thats when I was born. LOL I guess that once again proves how silly I can be.