Stuck in WCSCOG for social reasons but I HATE the "studies." Need an excuse that works for a remote worker.
​
Hey everyone, looking for some advice on a weird situation I’ve gotten myself into.
I live in a country where religion isn't a big deal, so when I was invited to the World Mission Society Church of God (WCSCOG), I joined mostly for fun/curiosity. I actually like the social aspect—the people are nice and the atmosphere is okay—but the honeymoon phase is over.
They are starting to get on my nerves with the constant pressure to "study" their doctrines. I have zero interest in the theology, but I don't want to quit entirely because I’ve made friends there and I don't want to deal with the social fallout of a hard "exit."
The Problem:
They know I work online/remotely, so I can’t use the "staying late at the office" or "commute" excuse. Every time I say I'm busy, they suggest a Zoom study or a "quick" 15-minute session since I'm "already at my computer." They also know i live very close to their Zion
How can I set a boundary where I still show up for the social stuff/services but stop the constant pressure to do the one-on-one doctrine lessons? Has anyone successfully managed to stay "low-activity" without being harassed to do more?
What are some believable excuses for a remote worker that don't involve "working" 24/7?