Many people fear judgment, or maybe fear isn't the right word, people dislike being judged by others. And why not? Others don't know you or your past experiences. So, any judgment they make is ill-informed and baseless, right? Maybe. The bible says in Matthew chapter 7 "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged...the standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged." (NLT)
Here is a question: is assuming that the people at church are going to judge you, judgmental in itself? And isn't it judgmental of me to assume people don't want to come to church for fear of being judged? A friend whom I respect very much and who is loved and respected by his community told me once. "The secret to my success in my community is that when I walk into a room I assume everyone likes me." I've spent many years thinking about that statement and I believe it's part of the answer to our problem of judgment.
Too often we assume other's thoughts towards us are full of malice, ill-intent, or at very least, critical. And so the house of our relationship is started with its foundation on sand. So, I can't promise I will never judge, though I will try, I do promise to do my best to assume the best about you, whoever you are, whatever you look like, sound like, smell like. And if you promise to do the same for me I think the two of us will become great friends.