To not want to go to church

[Mailfuckoff]

I've been going to my church for 15 years, I was married there and my dc were christened there. I have been taking my dc each Sunday and they have a kid club to go to. We had a few weeks off over the summer and I don't really want to go back. I don't have any friends there anymore and I'm not feeling enthusiastic about it. The kids club has new management and I don't feel my ds with special requirements is being cared about. Also I've been pulled of the activity I enjoy and asked to help out at something I'm not good at. Should I just walk away for a time?

What are you going to church for? If the answer isn't obvious it might be worth trying a few other places to see if that helps clarify that. I went through a few dry periods in the church we were at for many years and it was the Eucharist that kept me going back. There is a book by Thomas Green called 'When the Well Runs Dry; Prayer beyond the beginning' which I found d really helpful.

Thanks, I went because I felt something there in the fellowship but since Feb its all gone. Everything changed and ds got a bad diagnoses and I feel like no one cared, we have had no support and I'm really low. I just want to hide away instead of going to a place I don't feel welcome

Did something happen in February?

I had a dry spell when I felt that church was not meeting my needs and that I had nothing to offer. It was to do with a very stressful family situation. I stepped back a little for a while, but deliberately kept the link alive with occasional visits. Than it all fell back into place.

I would pop in on a less committed basis, and try other churches at the same time. See what happens.

There is a discipline in working through the tricky times in your own church, but sometimes the call is to go elsewhere. Just be sure you aren't running away from something instead of dealing with it.

We got my sons diagnoses in Feb, so I think that's the trigger. I feel we have been on our own and can't see God's plan.

Faith is a journey, not a destination. It’s ok to have peaks and troughs.

It’s fine to reassess whether this particular church family is still working for you.

Decline the activity.

Perhaps take a break and then when you are feeling up to it investigate other churches in your area.

My best friend switched churches (and in fact denomination) because her church no longer provided what her family needed. It was a tough decision for her but has turned out very well.

I think a diagnosis can bring clarity and perspective. You have a better idea of the future -it isn't going to improve if you change his diet or it will improve now he's got meds type of thinking. So it is natural to re-evaluate with that in mind. Maybe that Church is no longer the one. Can you chat to leadership team about how you are feeling?