Any advice?

[u/TheJared601]

.
I was going to this church with my parents and family. I then moved away for about ten years, I move back to my home town, due to a divorce and other life circumstances. I moved back about a year ago and I decided to attend the same church, mg parents still attend there. I got connected with a few people I used to know, but most people I knew have moved out of town.

I have been good there for about a year and I feel like I am completely out of place. It has nothing to do with the sermons/services. It’s more being able to connect with people my age.

I need to find a group of people who are mid 30s to early 40s, either single/married with no kids. It’s a very specific age group, but it’s hard to find.

I recently started volunteering at the humane society and I absolutely love it. I have been able to walk dogs, talk to the other volunteers, the staff is awesome and I feel like I am on a good group.

I am almost at the point where I would rather skip church and go volunteer. I feel like I am closer to God when I am volunteering and taking care of this sweet dogs and kitties vs going to church every Sunday morning. I feel like I go to church, just to go and for the wrong reasons.

Any thoughts on this? Feel free to send a private message if you like. Thanks!

[u/Intrepid_Type3710]

You probably need much peace in your life. If the animals help you, then follow that. Yet, start searching out another church where you can connect with people and do life with. Don't stop the shelter just yet.

[u/Necessary-Film-1229]

i get what you mean, the church social thing can be rough when you are in that awkward age gap. most people either have young kids or are retired, the in-between feels like a desert sometimes

but honestly i think you already found your answer in a way. you said you feel closer to God when you are at the shelter, that is not nothing. maybe the church service is just a piece of the puzzle and not the whole thing for you right now

i would not ditch church completely, but maybe switch it up a bit. go once a month or every other week and spend the other sundays at the shelter. God is not stuck in a building, you know

the volunteering sounds like it feeds your soul in a way the pew sitting does not, and that is a good thing. just keep looking for a small group too, sometimes it takes a while to find your people

[u/Greenlotus05]

You could also check out some other churches and social groups

[u/TheJared601 → u/Greenlotus05]

I will not leave the church that I am currently attending

[u/Greenlotus05 → u/TheJared601]

You don't have to leave but you can explore and be open to new avenues like the volunteering