When Your Stepchild Doesn’t Want to Go to Church: A Blended Family Approach

One of the challenges in a blended family is navigating faith, especially when a stepchild doesn’t want to attend church. This can be a tough situation, especially if church is a central part of your life. But before you go full preacher mode and start quoting Joshua 24:15 (“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”), let’s take a step back and look at this with wisdom, patience, and a whole lot of love.

1. Understand Their Resistance

First things first—why don’t they want to go? Is it boredom? Do they feel out of place? Are they struggling with faith, or do they just want to sleep in? Before assuming rebellion, take time to listen. Proverbs 18:13 reminds us, “To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.”

A simple conversation might uncover some deeper feelings. Maybe they feel like an outsider in the family and church makes them feel even more out of place. Maybe they had a bad experience with church before, or maybe they just don’t understand why faith matters. Understandi…