Church - Blue Springs,MO

I am Catholic and you would think we are the most judgmental group out there. Sure the structure is judgmental but the people aren't. Thing is every one of us was raised with Catholic guilt. We can't help but feel guilty for being happy when others are not so we tend to also be compassionate as well.

What I would suggest, and look at my posts and take it for what it is worth, go to a Catholic mass, sit towards the back, watch the people. Find the people that sing all the hymns but their eyes glaze over during the lecture, I mean the homily. :) Those are the people who's faith is strong and they don't need to look down on people to prove it. Say hi to one of them.

I am not sure where Blue Springs is but, my advice would be to find a Christian Church in your area that has more of a contemporary type service (I think your older children would enjoy it more).

As far as not being accepted because of past mistakes.............we are ALL broken people. We have all made mistakes. That is what redemption is all about. :) God's Grace is perfect! Visit some are church's until one "feels right". You will never regret it.

Geography lesson: Blue Springs Missouri is Kansas City, but on the Missouri side :-)

J. - you will find both judgement and acceptance in many places - please don't let that sway you from taking action you feel might be helpful.

Here in the middle of the Missouri there are churches that are considered "recovery ministries" - I googled and it looks like "Cornerstone Church", "Gateway Church" and "Heartland Church" all seem to have this basis and are right in Blue Springs would fit this category.

These churches tend to be non-denominational Christian and many are based in the philospohy of *salvation*, which is essentially washing away your past, experiencing forgiveness and being "reborn" or "born again" into a new life with a clean slate.

I can't recommend any of them (and I don't go to church myself) but looking at their websites I would try Heartland church first. Go and see if you like it. If it's not a good fit..... go somewhere else.

I'm not sure what kind of *mistakes* you made, but I believe the fundamental premise of Christianity (and most religions) is that the world is full of sinners. So, you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, make ammends or reparation and start all over again.

Good luck to you and your children.

Good for you! I think you won't regret looking in this direction. I would agree that you could start by asking around- neighbors, other kids parents, etc, to see what they know about churches in the area. Or just jot down the names of ones that are close to you. Then look online to see if these churches have websites. Bigger churches often have lots on their websites, including some of the sermons. Smaller churches may not be able to do that.

I know different denominations have reputations for being different ways, but it usually comes down to the people in the church and the pastor/priest. We are Catholic, and I know one church we attend is super open and non-judgmental. Another is more conversative and traditional and may not be a good fit.

If you have the time, narrow your search and plan to attend a service at each of the 'finalists' until you find the right fit.

Good luck- and good for you!

Gosh, I think it's great you're looking into this. Please don't feel that no church will accept you and judge you.

Churches are not made up of perfect people by any means.

We attend a United Methodist Church and I find it to be a very forgiving religion that accepts all. I was not raised in a Methodist church, but really like it. Most bigger churches will have good Sunday School programs for all your ages of children.
Whatever denomination doesn't really matter, as long as you find some place that you feel comfortable and supported in and there will be one out there. We visited 3 different churches and denominations until we found one that was a right fit for us.

I'm not in MO but comomom has good advice. However, I do go to a non-denomination church and always have. We found a church that we have been going to since Aug and LOVE it. We immediately felt good when we went for the first time. I have become friends with a younger woman who has been attending for the last 2 years. She has 3 kids by 3 different dads, 3 different marriages and I believe she's 27 (I'm 46). Due to some poor choices on her part, all 3 of her girls have been taken away from her and she' has limited supervised visitation with them. She faithfully attends church and has been taking steps to make positive changes in her life and things have been getting better for her. Don't let the "what if's" stop you. There are judgmental people everywhere and church is NOT filled with perfect people, that is for sure. Just go and check out some in your area and see how you feel. Good luck.

You won't know if you don't try! It is great that you are trying to rebuild your life and are reaching out for a spiritual element. Do you have friends that go to a church that you might like to visit? Ask them about the church or just plan to visit. Many churches have websites that you can view on line. Google churches and the name of your city or the name of a local town. You may get a feel for the church by looking at some of their programs or by listening to some of the sermons on line. What is their mission statement? Are they welcoming to new people? Are they Bible-based? You might have to visit a few churches before you find the right one. Maybe someone on Mamapedia will let you know about one in your area.

I just did a bible study about how God uses less than perfect people for HIS purposes to grow his kingdom. It is called "It's Not Too Late" by Tony Evans. From the cover, "For every mistake there's forgives. For every false start there's a new beginning. For every failure there's hope. Because with God it's not too late." Good luck to you!

Not far from Blue Springs is a church in Raytown, which has an amazing ministry, easy to get to and I know some people who go there, though I haven't yet attended myself, and I live less than a mile from there. It offers much of what you are looking for and here is their website. www.rivercentral.org

You can also check it out on a "live stream" for their 9 am and 11 am service on Sunday's, or listen to Pastor John Wiley on the radio.

He is responsible for buying the old Park Lane Hospital several years ago and is transforming it into a River of Refuge for people (families) trying to get back on their feet. He is so passionate and dedicated in his mission and very inspiring. I certainly don't think you would be judged at this church and people don't have to dress up to go there.
The church is about 15 miles from Blue Springs.

I know you're trying to straighten out your life, but really, why would you feel less than worthy to go to a church? Churches are filled with people who have made mistakes.

If you go to a congregation who thinks they are better than you for ANY reason, it's not the church for you. You do not have to talk about who your babies' fathers are. It's not their business.

There are conceited and rude people in churches, just like out in the world. Just because you go to a church doesn't mean that the people in it are good people. You have to find a congregation who isn't judgmental.

Visit different churches. If you know right away that it's not the right one, try another. If you think you like it, go back for at least a month.

Church can't "fix" you, mom. Making your life work better is something you have to do on your own. God isn't just in a church - you can find God in your heart.

Sometimes we just have to use common sense in our lives to help turn things around. If you are using or drinking, don't. If you have a lot of men in your life, let go of that. Concentrate on your kids and your job. Be very organized in your life and in your home. When you see how much you've progressed, you'll feel really good about yourself. This is just as important as finding a church is.

Good luck!

J.,
You will not be judged at our church. It is Church of the Harvest in Olathe, Kansas (148th and Black Bob). I know it is far away from where you are, but if you are wanting to give it a shot please come by. I have been attending my church for 6 years now. The people there are great in my opinion. No one is perfect, far from it in fact. We all make decisions in our life that we are not proud of, but it is never too late to turn it around. You and your kids' salvation depends on it! Good luck and you are doing the right thing by trying to find a church for your family!