I hestiatate to discuss this but my friends don't understand
why I'm upset about not being able to join a church - they are members. They don't understand that I just want the same for myself.
Off and on over the last few years, I've wanted to join a Christain Reformed Church and be baptised. Unfortuenately, due to my mental health I am not able to go in front of the church congregation to profess faith nor attend church regularly.
I've tried everthing that is within my power, taken all the classes - arranged for by private tutoring, done all the manuals, met privately with the minister. More than one church - I think I lost count - I was very determined. Brought letters from my pdoc and fdoc stating that I can't go in front of the conregation nor attend church regularly.

In the end, I'm always told no. At first when I start the manuals and such they say "we'll see", giving me some hope. I spent 1.5 yrs with one church, just to be told no. That church said "come back when you feel better and can follow the protcal".

My purpose with this posting is to ask for advice and support on a way to actually accomplish my goal of being baptised in the church of my faith.
(I tried one Baptish church but was turned down do to my inability to regularly attend church.
I'm not "rant and raving", just want to achieve my lifetime goal.

Thank you for any advice you could offer.

[SeptemberMorn]

Do you think if you asked Jesus personally to allow you to follow Him and His desciples, He would put those conditions on you?? Maybe you're looking to join the wrong churches...

Thank you SeptemberMorn.. I never really thought about that. I have kept asking God in my prayers to help me to do what is needed to join a CRC church. Rather than saying "I want to follow you, please help me to find a place to do that" - kinda rough prayer but I can work on that... Wow what a difference another prespective can make.
When I ask that ? of my friends and ministers - they say what does it matter - you can still worship God, you don't need to join a church. Which is true in my faith but I have still longed for baptism.

Thank you for offering a new path.

[SeptemberMorn]

You can still be baptised. I was baptised by a minister of a very, very small church. He never asked me if I was going to become a member or how often I was going to attend. He simply allowed me to follow Christ's example... in a river... so cold it took my breath away!

[biplol]

Freewill, I agree wiht Sept (well I ususally do anyways, lol)
But seriuosly, you don't have to prove to anybody here in earth, how much you love God, You are already a memeber of his church; doing all the stuff you have been doing over the years.
I think you are ready for some muhc needed peace on this.
What an isnpiration you are~

You guys are the BEST!!! My broken heart can be on the mend.... Thank you.

[TYMBERWOLV]

I agree with Sept and Bip I was recently baptised and I wasn't a member of the church ... There are many ways to be Baptized a minister can come to your house to baptize you by pouring water over your head .. The immersion is what everyone thinks about while being baptized but there are other ways ... When you find the right home the Lord will tell you ... and much happiness to you

Tymber

[FaithisAlive]

The Lord would never turn you away from His church... and what the others say is true... there are ways to be baptized without having to be in front of a church.

As for a church to join.. I found myself being led to the Assembly of God church although I resisted for a long time... once I gave into what God wanted of me, I found my church family....I hope the same for you one day...

It is good to fellowship and to have a church family you can turn to in your times of need... this is why the bible teaches us to do gather among believers... to strengthen one another...

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.... Faith

[bebop]

I totally agree with the others on this. I know most churches want to welcome you into their family by having you stand up front and maybe have other members come up to shake your hand and welcome you in but I have never seen a church tell someone no before. to me that is disturbing. how can anyone turn away a child of God? Keep looking at other options. and may I say "welcome to the family"

[Perna]

I'm an anabaptist and know what you're going through to not be able to get up in front of the church. I worked up my courage and managed as there were others in my class and I just made sure I was in the "middle" and didn't say the quote I had memorized or anything like I'd wanted to, just went through the baptism. The idea of looking for a smaller church or a "special" (mine was evening) service with fewer people or a church/pastor who will baptise you without so much fuss is a good idea.

[hartford19]

I agree with everyone. You should be able to find a church who will love you and support you in want to be baptized. Don't give up. God knows what is in your heart. Do you live near water? I am near Lake Michigan and most baptisms are done in the lake near a beach. Less people come to witness it that way too. I pray that you find a church who will welcome you into their family as you are longing for. Good luck.

[(JD)]

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due to my mental health I am not able to go in front of the church congregation to profess faith nor attend church regularly.

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How I understand!

My church is so large that the new members sit in the center front of the congregation, and just stand up together facing the front (altar and choir and minister) to allow the congregation to approve the decision. I'm sure for special considerations, an allowance can be made.

I think this borders on an area I have long been trying to sift out and write about( not here though): the misunderstandings religious ppl have about mental disorders. Unfortunately they feel, especially about such a big committment/decision before God of joining a church, they think God is bigger and you "just" have to trust him... etc.

I was about to come and ask for prayer about a similar item; not about joining, but how my disability prevents my active participation in my church. Though my heart yearns to do so, I just can't (for various reasons.)
When my son asks about church, I allow him to assume that I am active. In my heart, I am.



Church membership is not required for entry into heaven in many Protestant faiths. Neither is baptism. But I know how doing those helps to serve and feel closer to God.

Please allow God to be God. HE fully knows where you are, why you are there, what you are doing, and what you want to be able to do. Ask Him to allow you to do these things, and when He decides you may, He will give you His strength. Until then, rest in His wisdom and understanding. TC

[jennie]

My advice is . . . don't give up asking questions and trying.

There are all types of churches. Within specific denominations, individual churches may govern differently, depending on church elders, board members, etc. . . . some may be progressive and some more traditional. Just because one church doesn't open its arms open wide to you, doesn't mean all churches will do the same.

Have you tried discussing your issues online from one of these Christian Reformed websites? http://members.aol.com/mariostz/chri...ronic.html#top

Maybe you can find an advocate to assist you in the process of becoming a member of the church? The advocate could help educate the church leaders the nature of your disability. As a disability accommodation, you could be given more time.