Obstacles to going to church. (also, going alone)

[Linna Heartbooger]

When I was a new freshman, there was an organized plan of, "Meet at this spot on campus on Sunday morning and find someone to walk to this or that local church with."
Each week I thought, "Maybe I'll do that."
But every Sunday, I didn't.

Because there was so much unknown.
Would I have to dress up? ("Ugghh.. don't want to.")
What would it be like?
I didn't even think about the possibility of ending up in a bad church, but just of being a very uncomfortable fish out of water.
When two friends invited me to come to church with them, there was no way I was NOT taking them up on the offer. I wanted that - I just had no idea how to decide. (?)
Once I got inside that first church the first day, there was no way I ever wanted to miss a single Sunday. (admittedly, it was one very very suited to me.)


I remember moving to a city with a very different culture and going to a church there which had a lot of deadness. (but where we thought we belonged)
I remember how it was such a fight every Sunday morning to go. (and not drag my heels and show up incredibly late.)


And I remember when I changed churches.
I was projecting all kinds of things on to the new people I was meeting, and judging them.
Plus I had to readjust to a new culture - both different ways of relating to each-other, and different language.


And then there's going to church alone. It feels very very different than going with friends or family. I have a few close friends who are far away and I talk to on the phone every so often. And I always want to encourage them to "go find a church." I know it's really hard, especially if they'll be going to church alone. (which they probably will be.) What gives?


Anyone else?