Fundamentalist's in Liberal Churchs

[Nova Scotian Boy]

Iam a Fundamentalist that is a member of a very Liberal church. It seems to me that that in the Liberal Churchs eyes the word funamentalist is something that is almost used as a insult. Within my church i find that Fundy's are very muched looked down on, and there is always some negative talk about them. Is there any one else here in similar situation of being in a Fundamentalist in a Liberal church?

[jangnim]

Iam a Fundamentalist that is a member of a very Liberal church. It seems to me that that in the Liberal Churchs eyes the word funamentalist is something that is almost used as a insult. Within my church i find that Fundy's are very muched looked down on, and there is always some negative talk about them. Is there any one else here in similar situation of being in a Fundamentalist in a Liberal church?

I am a Fundi Methodist. It is true that there is always temptation by a group to put down the other. I've run into situations where several folks have outright challenged my Christianity because of my beliefs. It is very hard to stay in a church where you are unappreciated, yet IF God places you in a place, you must do as He says. Pray for your Liberal bretheren.

Father God, I ask that NSB be at peace with where he is, and I ask for peace to permiate your church, in every denomination and group. Help us to indeed be the body of Christ. In Jesus name I pray. :amen:

[Nova Scotian Boy]

Well i was brought up in a Liberal church, but when i was about 11 i stopped going, i drifted alot then, but from between the ages of 23 and 16 i attended a Christian Camp put on by Fundy's It took me a while but over those years i came to accept Christ. When it came to going to church again, for some reason unknown to me i that day ended up at the church i grew up in as a child. Since then ive struggled with going to another church but a few months ago after an exsperience, i feel that the Liberal Church is were im called to be for a time. As much as i dislike that at times. God knows best.

[jangnim]

Well i was brought up in a Liberal church, but when i was about 11 i stopped going, i drifted alot then, but from between the ages of 23 and 16 i attended a Christian Camp put on by Fundy's It took me a while but over those years i came to accept Christ. When it came to going to church again, for some reason unknown to me i that day ended up at the church i grew up in as a child. Since then ive struggled with going to another church but a few months ago after an exsperience, i feel that the Liberal Church is were im called to be for a time. As much as i dislike that at times. God knows best.


Sounds like you might have been placed there for a reason.



Why am I in a liberal church? Because I was sent there.:)

[crossrunner]

God bless you both. No doubt that He has placed you both in your churches for a reason and that He will use you. I pray that you will continue to submit your wills to Him and that we all can learn from your experiences.

[Sevryn45]

God is using Bible believing Christians for a reason, were passionate about our faith and were not afraid to stand up for the Gospel; I think that tends to be the problem in liberal Christianity, their faith has been replaced by politically correct routine.

God is using u my friend don't be afraid, let your voice be heard.

[Nova Scotian Boy]

Thank you all, its good to hear this. Ive been spending the last months trying to find people like myself in my denomination. In hopes that we may be able to get together, and do something. After all 2 hands are better then one. Ive met a few but its hard, I know it wont be easy, but sometimes its hard to understand that God has choosen me for such a task. A few weeks ago i was atttending my churchs annual Maritime conference.

And i was haveing a hard time finding common ground among so many Liberal thinkers. And i was very afraid to speak my views. i prayed and God helped me see i wasnt alone, whitch gave me bravery to speak up. And while in discussion detween Church youth and Elders, i brought up many of my Fundamentalist views and ideas. I didnt think they would fly well but, afterwards i was aprouched by people and told that there needed to be more Fundy's in the church and that we were needed.

So there are some people within even the liberal churchs who crave the fundamental ideas, but many have never known anything but Liberal thinking, and they have been tought to fear and look down on Fundamentalists.

[I <3 Abraham]

Thank you all, its good to hear this. Ive been spending the last months trying to find people like myself in my denomination. In hopes that we may be able to get together, and do something. After all 2 hands are better then one. Ive met a few but its hard, I know it wont be easy, but sometimes its hard to understand that God has choosen me for such a task. A few weeks ago i was atttending my churchs annual Maritime conference.

And i was haveing a hard time finding common ground among so many Liberal thinkers. And i was very afraid to speak my views. i prayed and God helped me see i wasnt alone, whitch gave me bravery to speak up. And while in discussion detween Church youth and Elders, i brought up many of my Fundamentalist views and ideas. I didnt think they would fly well but, afterwards i was aprouched by people and told that there needed to be more Fundy's in the church and that we were needed.

So there are some people within even the liberal churchs who crave the fundamental ideas, but many have never known anything but Liberal thinking, and they have been tought to fear and look down on Fundamentalists.

Everyone should speak their mind to their church, if it is at an appropriate time. However, you must respect your pastor, they have chosen a life in God that a parishioner has not and for that reason alone you should listen to them, not just try to convince them you are right. If you find that you understand the bible so strongly that the pastor's words ring hollow, then perhaps you have missed your calling and should be spreading the word "full time".

[Nova Scotian Boy]

I actually am planning on becomeing a Ordained Minister so i will be going into full time ministry, and of course spread the word as much as possible while i study.I would never blatently inturupt while a person was preaching or talking about there faith, but when asked my own opinion, i would not hold back, not so much in saying outright that there wrong but explianing the way i look at things and why i deem them correctly.

[constance]

Hi Nova Scotty!

My husband is becoming an ordained minister with a semi-liberal bible-based denomination called Disciples of Christ (Christian Chruch). I am a fundy.

We currently live in Chicago where most of the churches are on the "liberal" end of their denomination - so it's hard to find a conservative church.

I enjoy going to church in a mixed congregation (while our church is multi-racial, I meant conservative/liberal), it helps bring a broader picture to the conversation.

Constance

[Lynn73]

I was going to ask why a fundamentalist would choose to go to a liberal church but thought that maybe it's because you'd rather stay and try to change things? Or am I off base? How do you do it without compromise and wouldn't there come a time when you'd have to move on if the teachings of that church went against the Bible?

[jangnim]

I was going to ask why a fundamentalist would choose to go to a liberal church but thought that maybe it's because you'd rather stay and try to change things? Or am I off base? How do you do it without compromise and wouldn't there come a time when you'd have to move on if the teachings of that church went against the Bible?

In order to answer this, it is necessary to ask a question from history. I am not equating liberal churches with natziism but many people chose to remain in contact with Jews during the war, leading them to freedom where they could. So why didn't they just move on when the going got tough? Instead they kept their beliefs, and did all they could to preserve lives, even at the threat of their own.

This is why I remain. So that by chance I might be given the opportunity to make a positive change, perhaps lead a lost soul into the presence of the King of kings.

No, you are not off base and some of us remain in spite of the heresies that are present in some churches. It is only time to move on when God tells you to move on. Don't worry that you won't hear Him, you'll know in no uncertain terms.

[constance]

I live in Chicago. I can't swing a cat by the tail without hitting a unitarian. (I wouldn't really swing a kitty, it's an expression). Also, my husband was Catholic when we married, he has since converted, but he's not quite "fundamentalist". Since he feels a call to be a minister, we've had to find a denomination where we both feel welcome.

Constance

[Nova Scotian Boy]

In order to answer this, it is necessary to ask a question from history. I am not equating liberal churches with natziism but many people chose to remain in contact with Jews during the war, leading them to freedom where they could. So why didn't they just move on when the going got tough? Instead they kept their beliefs, and did all they could to preserve lives, even at the threat of their own.

This is why I remain. So that by chance I might be given the opportunity to make a positive change, perhaps lead a lost soul into the presence of the King of kings.

No, you are not off base and some of us remain in spite of the heresies that are present in some churches. It is only time to move on when God tells you to move on. Don't worry that you won't hear Him, you'll know in no uncertain terms.


This was very nicely put. And sums up why myself stay, along with the fact that its were i feel God wants me. Any body can leave a church but sometimes there needs to be people to stand up and try to stand firm when the church starts to float on the dangerous parts of the sea that lead away from the lighthouse that is Christ.

I look it in the way that, if i leave then there will be peopel that may never know the truth and will never know Christ. I feel that my Denomination is getting dark and God has called me and others to shine the Light of Christ back into it.

[e=mv^2]

I can't swing a cat by the tail without hitting a unitarian.

ROFL!

So I am guessing by the responses here that you guys think that you can be a member of a church and disagree with the doctrine that it teaches?

So then being a member of a given church does not give the appearance/impression that you are in agreement with that church?

If you told the minister before becoming a member that you disagreed with thier doctrine would they allow you membership?

[jlujan69]

ROFL!

So I am guessing by the responses here that you guys think that you can be a member of a church and disagree with the doctrine that it teaches?

So then being a member of a given church does not give the appearance/impression that you are in agreement with that church?

If you told the minister before becoming a member that you disagreed with thier doctrine would they allow you membership?

I've been to the websites of a couple of well known liberal churchs and noticed that their doctrinal positions appear fine for the most part. They no doubt decided to officially retain the historical (and biblical) "statements of faith" of their respective denominations, but how they interpret and, especially, apply these doctrines is very unbiblical. For example, they give intellectual assent to holy living as God commands, but that's as far as they go with it. Practically, it's do whatever you deem to be right, so long as it's "in love, with compassion, etc". Officially, they believe the Word, practically, they tickle the congregants' ears with modernist philosophical mumbo jumbo. So, somebody who's trying to determine the church that's right for him based on each's "statement of faith", needs to look a little closer to see if they truly preach what they officially believe and hold themselves accountable for living according to those same teachings.

[Nova Scotian Boy]

So I am guessing by the responses here that you guys think that you can be a member of a church and disagree with the doctrine that it teaches?

So then being a member of a given church does not give the appearance/impression that you are in agreement with that church?

If you told the minister before becoming a member that you disagreed with thier doctrine would they allow you membership?

Of course someone can, there will deffinetly be some trouble most likely, but i know in my denomination they, can, although they've been known to leave at one point.

As for the second part no i dont.

As for the third part, yes, in my denomination, there is no single set of belief, i went to a get together, one person didnt believe half the bible nor the trinity, another person belives Mary wasnt a virgin and that jesus wasnt the Son of God, another would believe that all religions lead to heaven, and then me the fundamentalist. People tend to frown down apon any "Norrow minded fundamentalists". There has been fundamentlsits in my church before, in the 50s my church was considered, the biggest, Fundamentalist Evangecal church in canada. Then things changed many of the people holding onto the Fundamentalist views, came together to form a organization to try to combat the rizeing liberalness in the church, thousands apon thousands joined to try to turn back from were they were going, but the church governance pretended it was an idol thing that would not work, they were wrong and the church very much become split in half, those with the fundy's and the ones that were for liberal thinking. The UCRF as the Fundy's in the church were called, foght against many of the liberal changes, and they were able to slow them down, in the end how ever the church thrrow a big blow to the UCRF, and those thousands and thousands of Fundy's left for other denomination, feeling that things were now unchangable. There is now only 300 UCRF in the whole of Canada, and without the wight and numbers we once had, the church is very very liberal with no competition to fight it.

My own minister knows my views, and although she is extremely Liberal she tolerates me, the church is so varied now in its beliefs, that it would go against there own thinking not to let a Fundy in, but they make it so that it is very hard for us to Preach any thing but liberal Christian thought.

lol, that answers your question on my side, and also a history lesson.lol

[e=mv^2]

thousands and thousands of Fundy's left for other denomination

What does that tell you?

My own minister knows my views, and although she is extremely Liberal she tolerates me, the church is so varied now in its beliefs, that it would go against there own thinking not to let a Fundy in, but they make it so that it is very hard for us to Preach any thing but liberal Christian thought.

SHE knows your views eh? Wowzers.

I think I would personally move on rather than give the appearance that I endorsed that type of thing. That is just me tho.

[jlujan69]

What does that tell you?



SHE knows your views eh? Wowzers.

I think I would personally move on rather than give the appearance that I endorsed that type of thing. That is just me tho.

Funny, that word stood out to me as well. The exclusive male leadership in my church fellowship is one thing which gets us into trouble with other Pentecostal denominations.

[constance]

SHE knows your views eh? Wowzers.

Hehehehehe!

My husband is becoming a minister (it's a long process, he's all but done) in a moderately liberal congregation in a moderate denomination. Many people have told me that they're expectantly waiting for me to put my hat in the ring too. I just stare at them blankly, not quite knowing what to say...then I say, rather delicately, "I don't feel I have the call to be an ordained minister". My husband is usually in the background making the "cut it out" gesture to the inquirer...hoping that they won't ask "Why? you're so GOOD at it!" and then get to hear my reply...Oh, I may never stand at the pulpit, but I've got preacher's blood!

:)

Constance

[Nova Scotian Boy]

I think I would personally move on rather than give the appearance that I endorsed that type of thing. That is just me tho.

As i said before, if it was my choise i would leave. But as far as i am concerned its Gods will that i remain. As for the Ordination of women, it is one of the few things i somewhat agree with my church on. Iam very much however on the fence with that issue but tend to lean closer to feeling there is nothing wrong with Ordianation of Women, however i understand and respect other to belive otherwise. It is bad however, that was the first liberal act my church ever made, it was the first Denom to ordain a women, sadly enough though it opened the gate to go even further then that. and was the beginning of what the church is today.

[xapis]

To you, Nova Scot...

I admire your stance greatly. You've actually softened me up a bit after reading your posts in this thread. My first instinct would have been to say, "GET OUT!" However, I feel you may truly be there for a reason... or for many reasons. I'll say now, don't let those who disagree with you make you feel uncomfortable. In fact, be more cordial to them than anyone else there! If you make them sweat a little, the Spirit will start to speak to their hearts.

Keep your feet planted firmly on the rock of Truth, dear brother. You are salt and light... an ambassador for Christ.

Shalom,
Lane

[e=mv^2]

I guess the questions you have to ask are:

Am I helping to make a change here?

Is being here having a negative effect on me?


If you are going to stay there:

Do not be silenced.

Do not compromise.

Do not give up.

Do not give in.

[jangnim]

I guess the questions you have to ask are:

Am I helping to make a change here?

Is being here having a negative effect on me?


If you are going to stay there:

Do not be silenced.

Do not compromise.

Do not give up.

Do not give in.

This is easier to write than to follow for certain, but it sums up my credo.

[e=mv^2]

This is easier to write than to follow for certain, but it sums up my credo.

It is easier to write, sing, dance, twirl various pointy objects and juggle cats all at the same time sometimes.

[Nova Scotian Boy]

Yes that was put very well, it can be hard, but it would be something to remember.