I am planning to return to church after a absence of about a year.?

I suspect most of them, by posing such a question, are merely curious and not being judgmental. Maybe some are.

They should simply say, instead, that you were missed and welcome back. But you're right. It'll probably be asked.

Just tell them the truth which is, likely, that the commitments and pressures of (job/family/other/all) had been taking more and more of your time and you just decided you needed to re-evaluate your priorities.

That's an easy one to get trapped in. Sometimes there aren't enough hours in the day/week but His Word says to not forsake the assembling of the saints.

God bless you.

Contrary to the previous answer, lying in church is bad!!! You can just tell them the truth. It seems to me that you didnt attend church because you needed to do soul searching on your own. Church is a wonderful place to learn about god and fellowship with christians, but to find out for yourself if you are a believer and how you feel about that is up to you. You should not feel anxious about church, if you do maybe you dont feel comfortable with the congregation. It is possible that you should look for a different church. I wish you the best with your situation.

Try going to another church. You may also might want to try just telling people you had some business to take care of

Quote the parable of the Prodigal Son or say you were wandering in the wilderness living off locusts and wild honey... Jesus avoided straight answers to tough questions by speaking in parables, you can too.

Tell them the truth..."The fire died and I fell away, but The Lord touched my heart and welcomed me to return." Don't worry about the congregation, if their hearts are in the right place, they will welcome you with open arms. If they don't, remind them of the Parable of the Prodigal Son...that'll shut them up, if not, turn them over to Jesus. But GO!!! I challenge you to walk in courage, and restore the broken....I know Jesus will rejoice. Come home, you are a loved member of OUR family. Maranatha!

Just be honest without giving any details that make you feel unconfortable. You might say something like "I needed to get myself straight with God for a while and now I'm back" or something like that.

i have a similar experience.

what i did was just smile and say " i'm here now. the past don't matter."

never let anything or anyone stand in your way. you go to church to worship God. and would mean worship Him no matter what's the circumstance.

what people say or ask should not move you in any way.

Tell them you've been volunteering in soup kitchens during that time instead, and have realized that church is more important than helping the needy, and so you're returning to church.

I'm the same way. As a matter of fact, the longer I'm away the harder it is to get back.

Don't go to the church is better option 4 u because if u do go u will get insultation from others