How do introverts do church?

[silveryslade]

"23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth."

(Luke 11:23 KJV)

Was thinking about this since the end of last week. I don't attend any church services regularly, mainly just weddings, funerals and the occasional carol concert with small D.C. - each of these being a reasonably long time ago. However, I am Christian. I get by with prayers, devotionals and watching streamed services / preaching. I donate secretly to different Christian charities and share my beliefs when appropriate in conversations with people I am close to. So in some ways I do 'gather'. I'm sure I could be better at this, though.

I shocked myself with these thoughts, it filled me with fear and dread at thinking of attending any particular church regularly. I never have. Wasn't brought up doing so even though I am Christened. I am pretty much an introvert. Probably more since Covid. Although I do enjoy getting together with family and friends. I fill my time and enjoy being alone so much, I hate the thought of demands on my time and feeling pressurised into volunteering type responsibilities and events even though I have enjoyed volunteering in the past I don't like feeling pressured to do so. I also like to feel anonymous until I'm ready to share.

Was wondering how other people manage this.

Cathedrals are places where I find it easy to be annonymous. They have quite a few visitors I think. You could try evensong as well - I don’t think it has a ‘peace’ bit.

I am a Christian who is introverted. I know of only one church that I feel comfortable attending. However it's quite far away from where I live. I feel when I go there people don't judge me for being introverted.

I went to a really cliquey church that gave me a lot of anxiety going into church. Didn’t help when I moved churches, confided in a girl there who was very dismissive of it. COVID then hit, I moved and then I was out of church for basically a year. I was lucky that this new church had people in their 20s (10 people aged 22-30!) and an active welcoming group chat. One girl is very good at putting “who’s going tonight?” which has def helped knowing people I know will be there. I def had to build it up from running out the door to staying after, still don’t really want to get there early. I think you have to bring it to God really. I was walking up the street going “god please help me with this.” and promising myself to stay for 5 mins after the service. My best mate knew the situation and was praying for me to feel at home. It’s a horrible situation bc I’m def a lot less anxious going into non church events and you want to feel like it’s your home not dreading going through the doors.

I'm like this too. Much prefer the anonymity of larger churches. Had to attend a local smaller church for a while and was roped into all sorts of things after a while. Have used Covid as a reset and have gone back to smaller get togethers but often worship alone. I think I'd be an ace hermit 😂