Why do some christians always feel the need to turn everything into an outreach?

[Allboxedin]

I was brought up in a very strict christian home. stopped going when I was in my late teens and ran wild....very wild.
Been going back to church for a year now. Moved here about a year or so ago so didn't know anyone, was a bit lonely being a mum of two. I wanted friends, just to talk to and share. I also wanted to go back to church.
So we have going a little group of mums which I go to but everything seems to be turned into a prayer meeting or outreach idea to get people to come to church etc.
I have no problem with evangelising or helping people seek out God but it almost seems some christians are scared that if they don't pray or try and convert people every time they ahve a social meeting or event they will slip away.
I find it irritating. I consider these other mums my friends. they have been good to me but they want to get other people to come along who are not christians.....I suggested we try and do things together sometimes that doesnt necessarily involve church and Bible, just talk, have a coffee etc but I don't seem to be heard.
I understand the mission, I really do and christians trying to be all cool and trendy irriate me too, So that is not what I mean but sometimes can't we just enjoy time together like any other friends do?

Sorry rambling on again......
What do you think?

M

"I suggested we try and do things together sometimes that doesnt necessarily involve church and Bible, just talk, have a coffee etc but I don't seem to be heard."
It does not sound as if this group operates as friends, just as a church group. Have you tried approaching them individually, just asking one person to come round for coffee?

Because they're inadequate losers who know, deep down, that their imaginary friend is imaginary and are trying to convince themselves by convincing other people, that it's not a crock of shit.
THing is, rational people do not want to hear about someone else's primitive mythology, unless they themselves are inadequate, so it becomes a vicous circle of misery, rejection, wasted time and annoyance.

WHy not take up sport, or amateur dramatics, or some other type of hobby that doesn't involve harassing people who do not want to be bothered?

Join your local CofE church, they'll be too busy fundraising to fix the roof to do any evangelising. The vast majority never mention religion except on Sunday mornings and not all of them believe in God anyhow.

hehehe errm not the responses I was expecting but food for thought!! Thanks :)

i agree with you, All - it's important not to put too much pressure on people at these things to be churchy.
yes, mention it every now and then and make it clear its available, but don't make it into a service

:)

where yes, they do sometimes and one of them is similar to myself, otherwise even when its just two of us I still get prayed for after coffee!

I can relate to this. Sounds a bit like my church. I tend to stay on the edge of it.

Like someone else said take up another hobby as well. I find the people in my church stick together and don't seem to socialise with people out of the church but they are really nice and very supportive.

I suppose they think that they have to be salt and light at all times but sometimes it can be very heavy handed.

It sounds like your little group of mums is a church group, so it is not surprising that there is prayer and outreach. You joined this group, didn't you, so outreach worked for you. How does this group fit in with the various ministries in your church?

Now that you have friends, meet up with them outside of this group. Have the ladies over for coffee, lunch. If there are lots of children, invite them all over for a rummage through your house playdate.

The church is successful when people make friends.

No the group was set up after I started going there David. I went of my own accord after finding it on the internet closest to my home. We takes it in turns where we meet so they often all come around here too kids galore which is not a problem. (and yes I am fine with them turning my hosue upside down)

I really would like to start other stuff on my own alemci. I used to play music but its just getting time away from the kids as hubby works late.

what I was tryng to say above was that even when we do meet outside the group we always have to pray or sing etc be it in a coffee shop, macdonalds or somewhere else. I am fine with the group being for this, its just why everytime we meet it has to be the same.

Tell them to poke off and find some friends who care about YOU not THEM (they could be any religion or no religion)!

thats true dad, tbh most of my best friends have been non religious or of other religions even though many a time faith has come into the conversation. I also think that as a christian people should be able to see that through you.
I saw this quote somewhere today about friendship 'A friend is the person who knows all about you and still likes you'

I can relate to this as i found this irritating when I went to more trendy, Pentecostal churches. I am a Christian, I believe in God, but I don't need praying over all the time! I moved to a progressive local CofE before we had DD (now 13months) and have found them very non-pushy. We meet socially and whilst church may come up occasionally , it's not the be all and end all. In the end I suppose it comes down to how much it irritates you and if you'd be willing to go somewhere else. Good luck - we tried loads of churches and nearly lost heart, but have been so happy since joining the one we are now part of.

the christians in our church are really nice but if I find them a bit insular and shallow at times. I didn't go for ages and only one person stayed in touch but then alot of people can be effort regardless of their religious persuasion.

It is hard when the kids are little boxed in but believe me it does go very quickly.

The atheists in my life are a really accepting bunch and accept me completely for what I am!

west, it is a charasmatic/pente church I do actually have some questions I am asking myself about their doctrine of speaking in tongues at the same time and was thinking of trying a more middle of the road one.
Very true, friendships can be difficult whatever the person believes, I think it's human nature. My husband doesnt go, think he had similar exp in the past and since I met him he has been quite anti church. Yes I have many atheist friends and they have really enriched my life too even through conversation they can bring you to your senses and give a different point of view. It is very easy to get sucked into one way of thinking if attending a specific church and being open minded about people you speak with can be really rewarding. I think its dangerous not mixing with people outside groups which can become cult like.