But I'm kinda scared. Doing something new like that is really hard for me. I wasn't raised to know anything about God...so everything is new to me. I have been reading the bible for a couple months now, and have been really struggling w/ changing some of my behaviour which of course w/ ADD isn't all that easy. I want to go to Church...I know what Church I want to go to...I drive by it every day...and yet I keep driving by and not going in. I know there is nothing to be afraid of. But I still can't do it. I get that paralyzed feeling. Has anyone else just started going to church?

What church is it? I would just call the church and say "I want to visit your church, but I'm a little nervious." I bet someone will come and get you and sit with you, probably take you out to lunch.

Be warned, your ADD will make church very difficult to sit through. All discussion of religion aside, it doesn't seem designed to be ADD friendly in ritual.

geemenez Christmas,
I'm almost afraid to post, almost:) Thinking this thread might be banned or something.

Struggling I think this is a great, absolutely fantastic feel-good thing for you to do for yourself!

If you do end up feeling anxious know that you can leave at any time. And if this church doesn't make you feel absolutely welcome try another.

I think andocrates idea is perfect call and leave a message if you have to. There are probably other days of the week when different groups meet also.
Everyone in that church is going for the same reason as you to be guided and feel good about themselves.

Best of luck to you let us know how it goes!

in the past, i've wanted to join a church as well. looking back though, what i really wanted was to feel like part of a community. somewhere i fit in and was accepted as-is. so, while i like the *idea* of belonging to a church, nurturing spiritual growth, etc., i haven't found a good fit yet.

so, try. make the call to the pastor of that church you keep driving by. but, be prepared to try again, if necesary.

peace, wheezie

Hey struggling,

I know what you mean about wanting to go to church and just can't get yourslef to go. I was like that for a long time and then I got really involed with one church and even got married at that church and then the priest decided to get married and he left that church and that one church I have not gone back too. I have joined another church however and I was going nonstop when I did not have kids and even when my oldest who is going to be 3 was born I was going every weekend with him and now that my youngest was born and he is almost 2 years old now I have not gone to church that much.

I wish I could get myself back into going because it makes me feel like I am part of something but I still don't feel like I am that important to that community of the church but for some reason it makes me feel really calm and really good inside when I do get to go.

I really miss going and one day I will be back into going every week. I have gone to other churches with my friends and for some reason thier churches always feel better than mine doo. I really like to go and listen to the music. It really helps me understand things.

mickey

Be warned, your ADD will make church very difficult to sit through. All discussion of religion aside, it doesn't seem designed to be ADD friendly in ritual.

clam is right. i went to church with my parents from the time i was a baby until about 18/19. Everytime we would get out of church, my mom would ask, "what was the sermon about?" I could remember a story the pastor told or a brief bible passage. My inability to sit though, and remember anything dealing with church should have been a major sign to my parents that i had adhd. However, i had to find out myself :rolleyes:

the philosophy of religion, and beliefs interest me, but i dont have the patience to sit though services. i can talk to people fine about it. i dont mind the reading of it either.

strangely, a close female friend of mine gave me one of *HER* rosaries recently. she presented it to me the other night, basically, i have something for you. i was happy about it since it was from her. i didnt know it WAS hers, which makes it that much more important to me. we are both going though some difficult situations, and for whatever reason she gave me it. i was surprised, i never asked. i didnt think she was catholic either, we talked more along the lines of eastern religions, and agnosticism. so she brought up the question of "would you want to read about religion?" the other day (mind you my grandparents were roman catholic). i stated i would. im not 100% sure why she gave me the rosary, but considering who it is from, ive carryed it with me, or worn it everyday since.

Struggling sitting thru church is not an issue, finding a church that will accomodate your special needs is. For years I struggled with my faith due to my inability to learn anything from sermons and from the stares of those around me who just couldn't understand that I wanted to sit still and listen but found it impossible.

I agree about calling ahead of time but there are a few more options out there for you. Instead of just up and going to church one day take it one step at a time, what you need is a foundation so call ahead and ask if there are any beginner bible classes available just explain that you were not raised with a strong Christian faith but would like to build your relationship with the Lord. Most churches offer beginner classes and most priest's, pastor's, etc. are more then willing to meet with you on a private level until you feel comfortable attending the larger ceremonies.

My church is very small (about 30 members) so we are very close knit and accepting of other members faults. We also have a welcoming commitee that will meet you at the door, show you around and sit with you until you have met and gotten to know everyone and feel relaxed. Worshipping in a relaxed atmosphere makes opening your mind and heart to the Lord's word much more easy and enjoyable.

Remember the most important lesson of all...you only have to take the first step, he'll carry you the rest of the way until you can stand on your own. So, call and meet with different church officials until you find THE ONE who leaves you with the sense of peace...THAT's your church.

Good luck!!!!

I enjoy going to church every week. THe church that I attend is the one that my Mom and Grandparents took me to since I was born. I did have problems attending for a few years because of my husbands' unwillingness to go with me. But I finally decided I would go without him. It's about 4 years now since I have been back in church. I am a leader of service (praise team worship music as I sing). The only times I can't attend is when I am feeling so badly I can't, or when I am on vacation. The last couple years though, I have taken to leaving after service is over with so I can be there on Sunday mornings.

Futs had some great suggestions. Call around, find a church who has Bible lessons. Easier to communicate in smaller groups. Good luck!

Thank you for everyone's response! :)

I never thought about calling first and attending some beginner classes. I also never thought about being able to sit through the service! I bet I would have a problem w/ that. I could sit through it ok...but it would go in one ear and right out the other. I would zone right out. This is a problem.

The church I am thinking about going to is huge...very intimidating...but I asked my friend who is a strong Christian and he asked his Pastor the best church for me to attend in my city and this is it. I don't even know how to tell the difference in all the available churches. So I wouldn't be able to make a decision on which other church to even go to!

Also...I am obviously new to this, but i am very open to it, and I am sure that I want to do this...but having virtually no experience in this...how do I know that it's the Christian faith I should follow? I don't even know all the differences in all the different faiths?

It's all very overwhelming.

(also...I don't know why this thread would be banned? :confused: )

It would be banned because it mentions god, everything else you want to talk about is OK but mention god and people freak out. But the poster of that comment was mistaken.

I believe in this section you may speak of any religious belief freely.

I have one other suggestion...Most large churches have daycare with the sermon piped into the room. I find I actually hear and retain more of the sermon working the daycare because my body stays active and I'm not using all my brain power to control my actions. You cannot listen freely without interuption and concentrate on sitting still at least I can't.

This section and the poetry section are exempt from the mention of God!

*chuckles* I think you just said we can't speak of God in this section...or I'm reading wrong.

"This section and the poetry section are exempt from the mention of God!"

Wow!

I believe she meant that nobody will get reprimmanded for speaking of personal religious beliefs in the Spirituality and Poetry sections. Thank God the admins thought of everything!! *smiles*

Thank you for everyone's response! :)

I never thought about calling first and attending some beginner classes. I also never thought about being able to sit through the service! I bet I would have a problem w/ that. I could sit through it ok...but it would go in one ear and right out the other. I would zone right out. This is a problem.

The church I am thinking about going to is huge...very intimidating...but I asked my friend who is a strong Christian and he asked his Pastor the best church for me to attend in my city and this is it. I don't even know how to tell the difference in all the available churches. So I wouldn't be able to make a decision on which other church to even go to!

Also...I am obviously new to this, but i am very open to it, and I am sure that I want to do this...but having virtually no experience in this...how do I know that it's the Christian faith I should follow? I don't even know all the differences in all the different faiths?

It's all very overwhelming.

(also...I don't know why this thread would be banned? :confused: )

I think that you have done the best thing that you can in seeking counsel about going to church and which on you could attend. I read all of the suggestions on this thread and the only good one that I did not see mentioned is to take notes on the teaching. It really helps me to pay attention and that way, if I can not remember what was taught I can look at my notes. Best of luck in your search.....

aww good one civ

The church that's best for you is the one you feel most comfortable in. Ask friends where they go to church and if they think you'd like it. You may need to go to a variety of services to see how they differ. Ask the friend if you could go with them next time they go to church. Many churches have more upbeat services these days with guitars instead of organ music, shorter sermons, and audio and video. Usually the difference between churches is the passion of the services. The scale runs from the "frozen chosen" to the "holy rollers". Whatever works.

Heh, holy rollers are nice. I am a very heavy advocate of Jesus. Through every struggle I've had, He has been the rock on which I have been able to stand. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is not only benificial to people with ADD/ADHD, but...well....the only way to heaven ^^,

I believe she meant that nobody will get reprimmanded for speaking of personal religious beliefs in the Spirituality and Poetry sections. Thank God the admins thought of everything!! *smiles*


That futs is exactly what I meant. In both this section and the poetry section mention of God is allowed. Otherwise.....we still wouldn't be posting! ;)

The only friend I have that goes to church lives 3 hours away, unfortunately.

I think I am gonna ask my mom to go w/ me this week, lol...when all else fails, make your mom do it w/ you :p ...I know that I will only go if I have someone w/ me, untill I feel comfortable going on my own.

Hi Struggling,

Nothing wrong with Mom. That is how I got back in church after failing to go for many years because of pressure being put on me by my husband. I finally decided I wanted to be at church. Mom and I made an agreement. We would go together...... I really miss her now, (she passed away in December 2002).

Hopefully you and your Mom will enjoy each others company and the fellowship together.

Thanks Mary. Sorry about your Mom. My mom is going through a bout of depression right now...so this will be good for her too.

Good luck Struggling, I hope you and your mom just happen to land in the right church at the right time.

I'm going to church on sunday! :D :D :D

Grats! ^^,

I'm going to church on sunday! :D :D :D

I am soooooooooooooooooooooo happy for you!!!!!! :)

I went! My mom and my daughter went w/ me. They had a special Remeberance day special...it was soooo awesome!!!

That is soooooo GREAT Struggling you may have started a family tradition!
Did your daughter stay with you or go into a bible study for kids class?
Care to give details about the Remeberance day special?

ps Thanks all on the clarification that it's ok to write 'God' in the Meditation & Spirituality threads.

[Struggling] I went! My mom and my daughter went w/ me. They had a special Remeberance day special...it was soooo awesome!!! [Struggling]

They didn't have sunday school for the kids today because of the special service...they wanted the kids to watch w/ their families. They had some military service men and women attend, there was a special bag-piper and bugler, and they had a slide show on a big screen. It's a huge church, and I really like it. It could probably seat hundreds of people, there's two levels. They are raising funds to build a highschool sized gymnasium and a bunch of other things. The Pastor shook my hand and said thanks for coming as I left. It was so nice.

That's cool ^^,

Glad ya liked it!