You might be thinking about attending church, but if your spouse doesn’t share your desire to attend church regularly, it can be tough to navigate. Approaching this situation with love, grace, and biblical wisdom is key. Here are some biblical principles to help you lead by example and understand how to approach this challenge, while honoring your own faith.

Pray for Your Spouse
The first and most important step is prayer. In 1 Peter 3:1-2, the apostle Peter writes:
"Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives when they see the purity and reverence of your life."

This passage reminds us that our actions and attitudes can have a profound influence on others, especially when it comes to our spouses. If your spouse doesn’t want to go to church, pray for them. Ask God to soften their heart and give them a desire for spiritual growth. Be patient and trust that God is at work, even when things seem slow.

For husbands, Ephesians 5:25-28 encourages a Christ-like love toward your wife:
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her... in the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies."

As you pray for your spouse, seek to show them Christ’s love, which can break down barriers and soften hearts.

Model Christ-like Behavior
Your personal example can be one of the most powerful tools for encouraging your spouse. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus said:
"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

If you are committed to attending church, let your actions reflect the joy and fulfillment that church attendance brings. Share with your spouse what you learn, how you grow, and the benefits of being in a community of believers. Let your love for God and His people be evident in your daily life.

While you shouldn’t pressure your spouse to attend (this isn’t always easy!), your behavior should naturally inspire curiosity. Sometimes, a spouse may be more likely to reconsider their stance when they see the positive impact that church has on your life.

Respect Their Personal Convictions and Timing
In Romans 14:1, Paul writes:
"Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters."
This principle can be applied to differences in spiritual practices, such as church attendance. If your spouse has reservations about attending church, it’s important to respect their position. Forcing them or arguing about it can cause further resentment, creating more distance between you. Instead, understand that their faith journey may be in a different place, and trust that God will work in their heart over time.

If your spouse is not yet a believer, it’s especially important to respect their journey. Galatians 6:9 encourages us:
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

The key is to be patient and give your spouse the space they need while continually offering love and support.

Encourage Joint Spiritual Growth
While your spouse may not want to attend church right now, there are other ways you can encourage spiritual growth together. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7, God instructs parents to teach their children and love Him with all their hearts:
"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Invite, Don’t Push
If your spouse has made it clear that they’re not interested in attending church, you may want to consider extending invitations without pressuring them. Sometimes, a simple, non-confrontational invitation can plant a seed. In John 1:46, when Philip invited Nathanael to come and see Jesus, Nathanael responded with skepticism, yet Philip didn’t argue. He simply said, “Come and see.”

Find Other Ways to Connect
Community groups at Crossroads can offer biblical wisdom and guidance tailored to your specific situation—and simply just build relationships. There are options to join a men’s, women’s, or couple’s group together! Sometimes, having an external perspective can help both you and your spouse understand each other better and find common ground.

Conclusion
When you desire to go to church, but your spouse doesn’t, it’s important to approach the situation with patience, prayer, and a heart full of love. Remember that God is at work, even if the changes you hope for don’t happen immediately. By modeling Christ’s love, encouraging spiritual growth, and respecting your spouse’s journey, you can create a healthy, loving environment that may eventually lead them to join you in worship. And always remember, your faithfulness to God’s will in your own life is a testimony that can speak louder than any words.

If you’re in this situation, be encouraged that God sees your heart and honors your commitment to both Him and your marriage. Keep praying, keep loving, and trust in His timing.

If you’re someone like me, who’s never really been a regular churchgoer and might be feeling a bit apprehensive about walking into a service alone, you're not alone in that feeling. It can be intimidating, especially if you don’t have anyone to sit with or talk to. But as I discovered during my first visit to Crossroads, church can be surprisingly welcoming and comfortable—even when you walk in solo. Here are a few tips to help ease the nerves and make your first (or any) visit a lot smoother:

Arrive Early
This might seem counterintuitive if you’re nervous, but arriving a little early can actually make things less stressful. You’ll have a moment to get the lay of the land, find a good spot to sit, and settle in before the service starts. Plus, early arrival means less pressure to find a seat in the middle of a crowded room.

Look for the Greeters
At Crossroads, smiling faces greet you at each entrance (the main door to the Community Centre and back door of the lower level). These folks love Jesus and enjoy welcoming people to our place of worship each week! If you’re unsure where to go, don’t be afraid to ask. It’s not a “church-y” thing, it’s just a way to create a friendly atmosphere, and you’ll likely feel a lot less lost if you take advantage of it.

Make Yourself Comfortable
Grab a cup of hot coffee or tea and sit wherever you’d like! One of the many great things about Crossroads is that no one is judging you. Come dressed any way you like and sit wherever feels right for you—whether it’s near the front to immerse yourself in the experience, or in the back. It’s your choice, and no one will bat an eye.

Don’t Worry About Fitting In
Here’s a secret: people aren’t watching you as much as you might think. Don’t stress about needing to look or act a certain way! I was surprised to find that the people around me at Crossroads didn’t seem to care whether I was a regular member or not.

Participate, But Don’t Feel Obligated
At the start of each Crossroads service is worship. This is a chance to connect with God. If you’re comfortable, join in! But if not, it’s totally okay to just observe. No one’s going to call you out for not singing. Do what feels natural for you in the moment.

Stay After the Service (If You Want)                                                                               
If you’re feeling like you want to meet people but aren’t sure how to start, hang around for a little bit after the service ends. Visit Crossroads Central on the way out or fill out a blue You Card to learn more about the church or get more deeply connected.

The best part about church, especially as a newcomer, is that it’s a space where you don’t have to have everything figured out. It’s about showing up, taking part in the moment, and finding a place of comfort—no matter whether you know anyone or not. So if you’re thinking about going but feel hesitant, take the leap! You might just find that walking in solo doesn’t have to mean feeling alone at all.

I’ll be honest: when I first became a parent, I imagined attending church with my kids as a peaceful, uplifting experience. But church can feel like a battle of the wills. I wanted them not to just come but want to.
As parents of teens, we’re often caught between respecting their growing independence and guiding them toward their faith. It’s tough. Here are some tips for making church a place where both you and your teens can grow spiritually, together.
Acknowledge Their Growing Independence
One of the hardest things about parenting teens is learning how to let go, even just a little. They want to make their own decisions, including whether to attend church. And while it’s tempting to guilt-trip them into coming with us (I’ve been there!), I’ve learned that respecting their independence goes a long way in maintaining a healthy relationship.

Instead of forcing it, I’ve found that fostering an open dialogue about faith and church has been much more effective. Talk to your teens about why you go to church. Share what it means to you, not as a “should,” but as a meaningful part of your life. Teens are more likely to attend when they see their parents are genuinely engaged, rather than when they feel it’s just another rule to follow.

Let Them Get Involved
Let’s be real: teens don’t always want to sit through a service with their parents. But they might be more willing if they can get involved in a way that speaks to them. At Crossroads, there is Crossroads Youth, the worship band, and other youth events throughout the calendar year for them to join.

Create Family Rituals
One of the most powerful things we can do as parents is to weave faith into our daily lives and lead by example. I’ve found that simple, consistent moments of connection can make all the difference.

Maybe it's praying together before a family meal, reading a Bible verse during breakfast, or even talking about your faith during car rides. I try to make sure that a relationship with Jesus isn’t confined to Sunday mornings but is an ongoing conversation throughout the week. These small, everyday rituals show my teen that faith impacts the way we live.

Find Your Own Spiritual Support                                                                          
Raising teens in today’s world is tough, and it’s easy to feel like you’re walking a lonely road. I’ve learned that having my own spiritual support system is essential for my own growth as a parent. At Crossroads, we have several meet-up events and community groups! This is a great way to build connection and find common ground with other members of our community.

In Conclusion: A Journey, Not a Destination
Parenting teens is not always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. At times, it may feel like your teen is drifting away from faith, but it’s important to remember that faith is a journey—not a destination. They may not always want to be at church, and they may question everything along the way, but by showing them love, respect, and understanding, we create an environment where they can safely explore and grow.

Through it all, my greatest hope is that my teen sees that faith is not just about rules—it’s about relationship. And even when they don’t have all the answers, I want them to know that they’re never alone on this journey. The same God who loves me, loves them too. And He’s with us, every step of the way.