How Would You Feel ?

If that happened to me I would have felt very uncomfortable. When I first moved here I debated with myself whether I would attend the local church which is just at the end of my block, one minute's walk away. I kept coming up with reasons why I shouldn't go and I stayed away. One of the main reasons was that if I started going they would expect me to continue to go. One Sunday, I was up early and having coffee on my front verandah when a car pulled up in front of the church. I realised I had time to dress and so I did and I went. There were 2 elderly men, an elderly lady, another lady whose husband is not a churchgoer, a young couple with 3 children and an elderly couple . The priest is a Phillipino. When they took up a collection I was pleased that I had remembered to grab my small change...imagine my embarrassment when I realised it was all very small and only about a dollars worth and the collector counted it after he collected it. The sermon was okay but typical...the priest had put a lot of thought into explaining the particular gospel of the day and what its meaning was...I just didn't agree with it all. Afterwards the ladies all gathered in the little back room then produced the makings for a cuppa and one lady had brought cake...it was home made fruit cake and absolutely wonderful. It was explained to me that everyone took turns bringing stuff. Evedryone stood around and drank tea, ate the cake and talked about the weather. I realised later that I could not afford to attend the service and that I would not be good at providing goodies when it was my turn. I'm so embarrassed because the people are so friendly to me now when we meet but I can tell they are wondering why I went and why I haven't been back. I'm so embarrassed and wish I had stuck to my original plan and not gone.

Well, maybe the preacher just really wants to know why you haven't been attending the service. Some religious groups visit their members when these members start to be inactive. These members may have problems. But in your case, if he is already questioning your faith then I guess it is a different story. What is important is you keep your deep faith and live in accordance to God's commandments.

that is usually the protocol for the preacher to come checking on his flock, and in large areas when he comes personally people see it as an honor.

I don't like guilt trips for any reason whatsoever and that includes saving my soul. When I read in the thread that the guy was a Roman Catholic convert to Southern Baptist, I thought "Oh brother"! Being a Roman Catholic myself, I just can't help but think that that is a really weird conversion and he seems to embody the worst of both worlds....I definitely wouldn't go back.

well clearly he wasnt concerned with your health he was only nosey about why you hadnt been to church maybe he thought your soul was in danger and he as a preacher needed to act ASAP I think since his wife was your friend she should have been the one to check on you since he did and not her I have to think that she didnt know he was stopping by your house if he were at all worried about your health he would have just asked her since you two are friends but he snuck around behind his wives back and made himself look like an a$$

Probably his just checking you out and knowing if you're okay because he notice you been absent for several worship sessions. Let just focus on the positive points of his visit rather than the negative once.

I would not have been offended. It sounds like he was concerned and maybe he did not say anything to his wife. You would think that she would have, but maybe he noticed before she did.

It would have made me feel put upon! None of his business why you didnt go. LIke the missionaries that show up on my door step. Why do I need them when I am a member . I dont go to church but thats up to me. The Bishop lives right next door and he never says a thing about it. He respects the way I want to be. SOunds like this feller has no respect for you! and what you be;leive in adn just wants you to attend to keep up his quota huh? And good for you! hugs

I don't regularly visit church these days, while I can enjoy some services, I positively dislike being forced to go, or have God forced down my throat. It would really annoy me if this happened to me, I believe that you can be a Christian, and live by Christian Standards without being preached at OR having to go to church. I also believe that too many people go to church for the wrong reasons, or to pray selfishly.

Since you have been to the services for only a couple of months, that would not be any length of time to determine your lack of faith. If it was common for the preacher to visit new members, there would have been a notice on the bulletin board or you would have gotten a flier. I would say that he should have assumed that you were on vacation or that you were sick, not that you were just a church seat warmer. And then he should have had his wife with him.

I wouldn't have gone back for another two to three weeks. why do I have to be pressured to come to his church? It would have been different if he called or emailed and said this simple sentence. I have missed you at church these past two weeks , are you okay? that way it seems like he Really has your welfare at heart. But a improptu visit to test the amount of your faith? That would have the copmlete opposite effect on my. for each time I thought about it , that would be another week I wouldn't go. So knowing me, I wouldn't go back.

My friend you are a grown up and as such you owe no explaination to this man or anyone. I would have showed him the door and told him this is why I don't belong to any...If I wanted a babysitter I'd ...well I don't know but I would be highly offended! I would however tell him he was welcome to stay and chat about world issues...the weather...etc xoxoxoxoxo

I wouldn't have answered the door. I hate it when strangers such as him, even though he's not a complete stranger, to show up at my door unannounced that I won't answer my door if I'm not up to talking to them. It may be rude but if they don't know that I'm home then I see no harm in doing so. After all, it is your home. You should feel safe and secure to do as you please, not when someone shows up at your door for your undivided attention.

My husband is a pastor and there have been a few times that he didn't make it to see those who failed to show up for services (my hubby is bi-vocational.. he has another job besides being a pastor) sometimes he just REALLY doesn't have the time to visit. You wouldn't believe the people who get bent out of shape or mad or hurt if he doesn't visit them after they miss one service. Personally, I don't like anyone visiting me or even calling me if I feel bad.. If I'm too sick to be at church.. I'm too sick for calls and uninvited visits.. but that's just me!

I'm afraid it would no sit well with me.. his showing up and all alone.. I'm a stickler for proper appearances! And maybe a bit of a suspicious person to boot! Besides! No sense of humor! That's suspicious in and of itself..

I have one word for him FINATIC!!! There are those that are true to religion and those called Bible THumpers. He's a thumper girl!!!! First off I am not overtly religous. However I do know my bible and attend mass. Its my decision on how I worship and who I invite to share it as it is yours. THese people are trying to suck you in. I am sure of it. If nothing else, you must set boundaries. Maybe this is how they flow. The wife makes friends, invites them to church, and the husband takes over from there. please be careful. dl

I would have been very ? (don't know the word for it in English - but I bet I would be looking as a question mark). I agree that if it was your health he wouldn't have questioned your faith. I would never go to the service again if he acted like that! Sound more lika "you have to come to service or else you will end up in hell" sort of thing and that is not a part of my faith. I would tell his wife that it was unpleasent that he came by and did this. Take care and good luck!

ya i do go to temple often and worship for allthe people those who live in this god lived world and pray for them happy mylotting and feel very much enthusiastic after worshipping happy myloting

I will be offended, noone have the right to questions others belief.. for as long as your not doing harm and your believe in God..

it is nothing bad in him appearning in your doorstep, because the reason he has come to see you is due to your absence for the service and to know about your situation also. but at the same time his wife as she is your friend could up called you and asked about you. might be this has happened without his wife's knowledge. i will not encourage this if it was to me. who so ever he may be, he is a stranger according to me.