{"id":8985,"date":"2024-01-09T10:56:26","date_gmt":"2024-01-09T15:56:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/christnewstoday\/?p=8985"},"modified":"2024-01-09T10:56:26","modified_gmt":"2024-01-09T15:56:26","slug":"pastor-shares-tips-on-how-to-get-back-to-church-every-sunday-in-the-new-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/christnewstoday\/2024\/01\/pastor-shares-tips-on-how-to-get-back-to-church-every-sunday-in-the-new-year.html","title":{"rendered":"Pastor Shares Tips on How to Get Back to Church Every Sunday in the New Year"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Christin Lola\/Shutterstock.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWhy are so many people reluctant to go to church these days, and should I say anything about it to them?\u201d A pastor in Washington recently weighed in for those who want to go to church again regularly in 2024 or who have family members or friends in that position, people who may have held back since the pandemic or even earlier.<\/p>\n

At this time of year, said Pastor Jesse Bradley of Auburn, Washington, \u201cpeople are especially appreciative of, and receptive to, attending a church service with others. Attendance soars, and many people are\u00a0curious about Jesus\u00a0and experiencing a time of inspiration. He noted that the reality is that some people may have \u201cexperienced past hurts\u201d regarding church. Bradley shared tips and advice about how to handle these situations in comments to Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n

His first tip is to listen to others. He said, \u201cYou might ask people a question like: \u2018What were your experiences with faith as you were growing up?\u2019 Or, \u2018Have you had some negative experiences at church?\u2019\u201d Bradley believes this is a relatively safe way to give them an opportunity to share with you. Some people will just begin to tell you their story without any questions. Just listen. Don\u2019t judge them. Don\u2019t interrupt them. Don\u2019t start preaching to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instead, he said, \u201cListen with your heart, mind and ears. Listen as long as they want to talk. Listen by asking additional questions, such as how it made them feel. There might be some deep scars. If they open up with you, it\u00a0shows they trust you. It\u2019s an honor they would let you into this part of their lives.\u201d Bradley noted, \u201cListening is how you love people. Listening brings healing. The Bible says to be quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19). Listening is a way to honor someone else, and it\u2019s hard to find good listeners. Listen well.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A post shared by Jesse Bradley (@jessejbradley)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n