Fellowship and Friendship

When I meet Christians who are part of a church or a group it is hard to establish a relationship with them. They are either overwhelmingly intrusive or do not want to know you. Outta sight outta mind. However if they need something like money or your time, they will know how to reach you. I find it hypocritical and hurtful. My father was sick and lonely and died recently. No one from the church in Australia came to visit or call him. They didn't care. When he passed they came out of the woodwork like worms. My father had been in Australia for the last 29.5 years.
I hope God will take away from me this bitterness and sadness and hurt. That God will love me so much that this pain will go away.
Note to Christians: Please remember to say hello to someone you don't know. Come out of your comfort zone and remember that person. Don't use excuses like your family or a busy schedule to ignore someone. You never know how you will bring joy or save someone. And don't just do it once or twice but again and again. You don't see them around, ask about them and call them, pay them a visit - get to know them. You see a stranger in your midst, talk to them and show in your actions that the God of Israel, Jacob, Abraham and your heart, cares and loves them also. There is a verse in the New Testatement (Phillipians I think) that says think of noble things but also to do them. So do it and give Glory to our Mighty and loving God. Ask the Holy Spirit to inject you with wisdom so that you will work in His might and wonder.
Blessings to all of you
Aloha999

"When I meet Christians who are part of a church or a group it is hard to establish a relationship with them. They are either overwhelmingly intrusive or do not want to know you."

I understand and agree. Here's my view on this because I completely understand what you're saying. You know how God is "no respecter of persons?" Well I try to incorporate that same type of thinking also. I have learned not to pre-judge or think too much into what a person is all about, for instance, being a "certain" person, whether he/she is a Christian, any other religion, or a non-believer, etc. If I do, then I end up making an image of them before I even get to know them. I just try to always keep my mind open, clear, and remember that they are who they are, and I am not going to change them. Only the Holy Spirit can change a person.

So to answer your question, regardless of whether a person is a Christian or not, we all have our nuances within our personalities and there isn't anything that you or I can do about it. As the old saying goes, "Pick your friends wisely" because even as Christians, not all of you will be my friends. Don't assume that just because they're going to church that you're going to be friends. That is life. And unfortunately as American's, we have incorporated a bit of our arrogance into our Christianity. You can go to the same church as "that group" for years, but "that group" may not accept you.

I began going to a new church in 2004 until 2010 and quit because I got tired of the indifference and failure to find any friends myself. I even offered my home for Bible Study and they just stared at me like I was from another planet. Very odd. I changed churches and within weeks I knew a few people, chatted, made friends. Every church has its own culture so don't feel bad if you need to change and go to another one.

People are people,,,don't let it bother you and take your time. You'll end up with good friends. God will help you.

I know this can happen particular in the large monocultural churches. I go to one where I live and I am off a different ethnicity and culture and sometimes feel like that. But i decided to join their small groups which meet weekly and its very different, they are warm and loving and very much welcoming. i think we sometimes perceive things in the wrong way but we must also step out of our comfort zone. To meet the needs of everyone who walks through church doors is very difficult, you need to go to small group gatherings, or church training or some events where you can get on a more one on one. I agree every church has a different culture.

Hi. Aloha and blessings to you ...I am so sorry to hear that your father recently passed away .....I'm quite sure that must be very difficult for you and your family... I pray that God will bring his peace and his comfort to you all and cover you and be there for you in your time of need..... I find that when I join a small group at church is when I get to know people and start forming relationships but without being a part of any groups or going to any events there's no common interests to build upon, so I can completely understand what you are saying there.