I've made my decision.

[Diane_Windsor]

Greetings in the Name of the Lord Brothers and Sisters.

A Little Background: Recently I posted this poll/thread (http://www.christianforums.com/t1773368-form-of-church-government-and-doctrine.html) asking for guidance, and I posted this thread (http://www.christianforums.com/t1307436-help-me-im-considering-rejoining-the-faith-of-my-childhood-and-heritage.html) way back in March.

I have finally decided which denomination (see my new icon) that I would like to be a member of, and I must say that this decision did not come easily for me. I have prayed, studied, debated, wrestled with my decisions and emotions, etc. for nearly ten long years. I cannot, in good conscience, remain or call myself a Southern Baptist in intellect. Likewise, I could not, in good conscience, become a Roman Catholic because there is simply too much that I disagree with in both faith and practice. For me doctrine and practice do matter, and I cannot be a member of a denomination in which I have such a multitude of and/or grave differences over.

This decision saddens :( me greatly. I was born and raised in a wonderful Southern Baptist family, and my late grandfather was a deacon in his church. I have a tremendous amount of respect for my Southern Baptist upbringing. I especially treasure the hymns that I was taught as a child and still sing today at the Cyber Hymnal (http://www.cyberhymnal.org/). Then there were all those pot luck :yum: dinners and lunches we had! I wonder if the Methodists like pot luck?

I have found two wonderful UMC churches in my area, one of which is directly across the street from where I live. Please keep me in prayer as I make this transition. Also, please keep me in prayer as I continue to look for a full-time job.

Thank you to all who have replied to my two threads above, and have helped me along the way. Your reward shall be great in Heaven.

May the grace and peace of Christ Jesus Our Lord be with you.

Diane
Methodist by conviction, Christian by the grace of God

[Gold Dragon]

:wave: It has been a pleasure Diane. All the best in your new community and I hope we'll see you around these parts once in a while. I was thinking you would probably end up either in the Methodist or Lutheran traditions being a paedobaptist who had issues with Catholicism, Anglicanism and Calvinism.

[daveleau]

If that is where God is guiding you, then that is where you should go. God does not love Baptists any more than any other Christian, including Methodist. He has a purpose in your change and hopefully you will meet the need that God has sent you for. Remember that you are Christian above all. These silly denominational differences are only temporary. :clap: Prove all things with Scripture and never accept a denominational idea that is not grounded in Scripture.

[Flynmonkie]

Diane! Well I sure hope this doesn't mean you won't come around here and fellowship a bit?? :) I will keep you in my prayers on the employment situation. Just remember if you have not found something, God might be saying no for now. Job-hunting can be sooo frustrating! Keep looking up!

[White Horse]

Methodists ain't nuthin' but Baptists with a little fear of water, a little insecurity about salvation and an inability to keep women out of the pulpit. :clap: ^_^

Best of luck with your decision. :)

[Flynmonkie]

He did NOT just say that.......... :eek: :D

[Diane_Windsor]

Methodists ain't nuthin' but Baptists with a little fear of water, a little insecurity about salvation and an inability to keep women out of the pulpit.

Best of luck with your decision. :)

:o :P

Thanks for the replies thus far!

Diane
:wave:

[abbygirlforever]

Truly, the Methodist church isn't too awful different from the Baptist (and I'm speaking collectively here) church. I've attended both for significant portions of my life. I'm now ping-ponging between an ABC and a UMC, which makes things interesting (though I'm slowly but reluctantly phasing out the UMC thing :cry: ). I think you will be happy in a UMC.

[Crazy Liz]

My grandfather was Mennonite, but was ordained as a Methodist minister. Sounds like you've made a good choice, Diane.

[ZiSunka]

Diane,

It doesn't matter what denomination you go to, all that matters is that the church body loves the Lord, believes the Bible, and serves God. :)

Don't let your change keep you from coming to B/A often! We'd miss you an awful lot if we never saw you anymore!

[AshenK]

lol congratulations. I shall remain demoninationless after being baptist for a stale 18 years.

[arunma]

Well Diane, sorry to lose you. But I'm glad you found a denomination whose doctrine you can agree with in good conscience. I much prefer this to your remaining a Baptist despite contrary convictions. Just remember to hang out with us on this forum!

[RED that's ME]

I agree with Daveleau.
There won't be any denominations/faith groups in heaven just christians. Make sure what you are taught lines up with scripture. :angel:

God Bless :)

[arunma]

I agree with Daveleau.
There won't be any denominations/faith groups in heaven just christians. Make sure what you are taught lines up with scripture. :angel:

God Bless :)

No no, you couldn't be more wrong! Up in heaven, there won't be any infant baptisms! Hence, heaven will be an anabaptist paradise. :D

[Diane_Windsor]

No no, you couldn't be more wrong! Up in heaven, there won't be any infant baptisms! Hence, heaven will be an anabaptist paradise. :D

Have you ever heard of that joke where a man dies, and he meets St. Peter? Well Peter lets him inside Heaven and they start touring the Kingdom. They go to one room with where all the RCs are chatting with Mary, then they go to another room where all the Baptists are. This room is quite loud since the Baptists are all singing hymns *smile*. The next room is even louder with the Pentacostals speaking in tongues, etc. Then they get to the Church of Christ room, and Peter turns to the man and says, "Shhhhh, these folks think that they are the only ones here."

:D

Diane
:)