Recent comments in /f/springfieldMO

Shadow11Wolf50 t1_jcknbqe wrote

Reply to how do i convince my parents to go to another church? by dominicfox09

Hi, I am very familiar with JRA and know the in and outs of all the buildings out in their Ozark location. I got bored and i chose to wander instead of listen to them for their youth services when i was a teen. They didnt like it when i questioned things. Now, jokes on them Im a norse pagan lol.

You need to get a list of your parents morals and values. From there do some digging into JRA. If you really would rather be going to another church, find one that's better (bonus if they offer transportation). Gather everything up on your findings and present it to your parents on why your choice is the better one. You could even open your rebuttal with that you feel your chosen church will help you build a closer relationship to god.

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Mysteroo t1_jckklmk wrote

Reply to comment by dividendDog in how do i convince my parents to go to another church? by dominicfox09

I know I should expect nothing less from Reddit, but this thread probably isn't really the place to advertise atheism

OP is trying to leave one of the most broadway-spectacle, disingenuous churches around to find a more genuine crowd. There are OBJECTIVELY better places to go in that respect.

He's talking about the people being fake, not the religion or the theology. If you want to talk about Christianity being "fake" then that's a different discussion OP's not asking for right now

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Mysteroo t1_jckjtce wrote

Reply to how do i convince my parents to go to another church? by dominicfox09

The really sucky thing is: you can't. There is no surefire way to convince anyone of anything. People are complex and often their emotions are more in control of their perspective their logical thought is.

In fairness, I've heard of a lot of good things happening at JR during the past year, but largely I'd be inclined to agree. James River has made it a bit too easy to criticize them over the past decade that I've been around.

Based on their response to you, here's my advice: They aren't hearing you say "let's try another church," they're hearing "I don't want to go to church." Thus they think your salvation is in jeopardy and they think they're saving you by making you go to James River.

SO INSTEAD - ask them if you can go to other events or services at other churches. Then perhaps when they see how much more you get out of those, they will let you go there instead.

I for one have found Praise Assembly to be the most refreshing change of pace I've experienced anywhere in years. And I say that as a pastor's kid. It's a place that's genuine and doesn't make a spectacle out of everything. They're some of the kindest people I've ever known. Frankly - this is the first time I've ever found myself actually excited to go to church. Up until now it's always been a bit of a chore

They have youth Sunday Nights and you can always tell them a local friend invited you

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Maxwyfe t1_jckjjtv wrote

Reply to how do i convince my parents to go to another church? by dominicfox09

What you're feeling is part of growing up. You are in the process of creating your own identity apart from your parents. But yeah, JRA is pretty shallow for the most part.

You may not be able to convince your parents to change churches but you might have a friend who goes to a different church and go with them?

My parents go to Ridgecrest and it's pretty nice - big church, lots to do and they have an active youth ministry.

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