deciding between churches

[janny108]

Hi, I love the worship and teaching of Calvary Chapel but don't know too much about the church itself. I know I went there for 6 months and did not know anyone except for the pastor/assistant. There is no sunday school or classes to speak of, and no dinners or BBQ or anything like that.

Then....I also attend a southern baptist church mainly for fellowship.I'm not too thrilled with the music and teachings. Seems like they teach a lot of the Old Testament, not that there is anything wrong with that. I'm trying to get a feel for both churches. There is something about the people who ex. are Pentecostal, baptist, etc. I can't put my finger on it.

Anyone care to comment??
Jan

[Asaph]

Hi, I love the worship and teaching of Calvary Chapel but don't know too much about the church itself. I know I went there for 6 months and did not know anyone except for the pastor/assistant. There is no sunday school or classes to speak of, and no dinners or BBQ or anything like that.

Then....I also attend a southern baptist church mainly for fellowship.I'm not too thrilled with the music and teachings. Seems like they teach a lot of the Old Testament, not that there is anything wrong with that. I'm trying to get a feel for both churches. There is something about the people who ex. are Pentecostal, baptist, etc. I can't put my finger on it.

Anyone care to comment??
Jan

If there is a Vineyard near you, check it out a few times.

Asaph

[repoland2]

Hi, I love the worship and teaching of Calvary Chapel but don't know too much about the church itself. I know I went there for 6 months and did not know anyone except for the pastor/assistant. There is no sunday school or classes to speak of, and no dinners or BBQ or anything like that.

Then....I also attend a southern baptist church mainly for fellowship.I'm not too thrilled with the music and teachings. Seems like they teach a lot of the Old Testament, not that there is anything wrong with that. I'm trying to get a feel for both churches. There is something about the people who ex. are Pentecostal, baptist, etc. I can't put my finger on it.

Anyone care to comment??
Jan

Janny, I would like to tell you my personal method for finding the best church for me.

Eventually, there comes a point where I am so hungry for the word, the Lord puts on my heart, a desire to go to church. When this desire arrises, I pray and I pray whole heartedly that the Lord Almighty take His wing of protection, and His guiding light and show me the path to the church that would BEST suit my needs.

Suffice it to say, He ALWAYS ALWAYS provides, and I always end up at a church that I just LOVE going to, where the Spirit of the Lord just DWELLS in all His beauty.

Prayer is the most powerful thing we have. Be CAREFUL what you ask God for, because when it comes time to get what you asked for, you will GET it and you may find you didn't want it to begin with... (not so with the church thing, that's just an extra I've found out along the way) also, be specific with the Lord, He LOVES communication with Him, just as we LOVE communication with our family or wives/husbands, children.... friends. Imagine your BEST friend in the whole world, how you have that unspoken desire to spend time with and relish in their company. That is how the Lord feels for us, and wants time with us.

[New_Wineskin]

There is no need to decide between associating with assorted siblings . Be with some one day , others another , and still others another . Why choose between them ?

[repoland2]

There is no need to decide between associating with assorted siblings . Be with some one day , others another , and still others another . Why choose between them ?

Because the Lord does not bless EVERY church with His amazing presence. The idea is to find the churches that please the Lord and aren't 'DEAD' buildings.

[New_Wineskin]

Because the Lord does not bless EVERY church with His amazing presence. The idea is to find the churches that please the Lord and aren't 'DEAD' buildings.

A building is not a church . There is only one Church . And , the Lord is always present with me wherever I am and whatever I am doing .

Regardless , even in your way of thinking , what is stopping someone from finding several groups that meet *your* standards of pleasing the Lord and spending assorted time with people from each ?

[repoland2]

A building is not a church . There is only one Church . And , the Lord is always present with me wherever I am and whatever I am doing .

Regardless , even in your way of thinking , what is stopping someone from finding several groups that meet *your* standards of pleasing the Lord and spending assorted time with people from each ?

I am in complete agreement that the Lord is with each of us every where we go, however would you not agree that if you go to a place that merely mocks the Lord in a worship style enviornment, does that not essentially drain your spiritual reserves?

Why go to a place that is empty with the Lord's spirit? What constructiveness does that do as a place of FELLOWSHIP, when there is no REAL fellowship at all. It defeats the purpose of calling that group a church, therefore utterly useless. The Lord cannot do His work when the fellowship is closed to His spirit as a whole.

[New_Wineskin]

I am in complete agreement that the Lord is with each of us every where we go, however would you not agree that if you go to a place that merely mocks the Lord in a worship style enviornment, does that not essentially drain your spiritual reserves?

Why go to a place that is empty with the Lord's spirit? What constructiveness does that do as a place of FELLOWSHIP, when there is no REAL fellowship at all. It defeats the purpose of calling that group a church, therefore utterly useless. The Lord cannot do His work when the fellowship is closed to His spirit as a whole.

I think that calling a group or a place a "church" misrepresents what The Church actually is . They are groups ,organizations , and clubs - not churches . I won't get into the idea that some groups won't meet *your* expectations . I am attempting to show that *if* several groups are around that you *do* approve , then showing favoritism to *one* group over the others violates the Law of "not forsaking" that people continually spout .

[repoland2]

I think that calling a group or a place a "church" misrepresents what The Church actually is . They are groups ,organizations , and clubs - not churches . I won't get into the idea that some groups won't meet *your* expectations . I am attempting to show that *if* several groups are around that you *do* approve , then showing favoritism to *one* group over the others violates the Law of "not forsaking" that people continually spout .

I see. To be quite honest with you, I try to follow the Lord's will for me as best I can. If He wishes me to go to one specific group and forget the rest, then that is what I do. I leave the favoritism and foresaking to the Lord so that He can take care of me the way I need it.

[jasperbound]

I think that calling a group or a place a "church" misrepresents what The Church actually is . They are groups ,organizations , and clubs - not churches . I won't get into the idea that some groups won't meet *your* expectations . I am attempting to show that *if* several groups are around that you *do* approve , then showing favoritism to *one* group over the others violates the Law of "not forsaking" that people continually spout .

I'd be all right with the "club" term if we described all churches, even home churches and gatherings, as clubs. Otherwise, it seems rather insulting. What about calling oneself a church? The bride of Christ does not consist of only one person.

As for showing favoritism because I attend one group and not the other, using that logic, one can say we show favoritism if we do not travel the world and attend as many churches as we can. I really doubt God expects us to be omnipresent and attend as many churches as humanly possible.

[New_Wineskin]

I see. To be quite honest with you, I try to follow the Lord's will for me as best I can. If He wishes me to go to one specific group and forget the rest, then that is what I do. I leave the favoritism and foresaking to the Lord so that He can take care of me the way I need it.

Ah ... me too . :)

[New_Wineskin]

I'd be all right with the "club" term if we described all churches, even home churches and gatherings, as clubs. Otherwise, it seems rather insulting. What about calling oneself a church? The bride of Christ does not consist of only one person.


I agree . I call them all clubs as there is one Church which is all of His people .

[quote]
As for showing favoritism because I attend one group and not the other, using that logic, one can say we show favoritism if we do not travel the world and attend as many churches as we can. I really doubt God expects us to be omnipresent and attend as many churches as humanly possible.[/QUOTE ] That wouldn't be using my logic . I *was* however , attempting to show how hypocritical those saying that one *must* "go to church" because of the nonforsaking Law but then also claim that one must be an exclusive member to a singular group which is the epitome of forsaking .

I am not for the Laws - only for showing the inherent contradictions of two favorite doctrines . They condemn those who don't "go to church" because they are forsaking and then condemn those who "church hop" and assembling with too many .

[Entertaining_Angels]

Really pray about it. I don't believe the Lord puts us all in the same church building and while you may have a CC in one town that is awesome, doesn't mean it will be in the next town. Seems as if modern churches are trying to be seductive by luring people in with a lot of activities and skits and activities and the like but sometimes I feel like those are the churches missing the bigger picture. If you keep praying and seeking the Lord's will in your choosing of a church, you'll find it.

[Asaph]

Really pray about it. I don't believe the Lord puts us all in the same church building and while you may have a CC in one town that is awesome, doesn't mean it will be in the next town. Seems as if modern churches are trying to be seductive by luring people in with a lot of activities and skits and activities and the like but sometimes I feel like those are the churches missing the bigger picture. If you keep praying and seeking the Lord's will in your choosing of a church, you'll find it.

Or it will find you...:D

Asaph

[janny108]

Part of this depends not only with me, but with my husband and kid too. It's where they want to be as well.

Jan

[Asaph]

Part of this depends not only with me, but with my husband and kid too. It's where they want to be as well.

Jan

Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you. :thumbsup:

No worries.

Asaph

[jasperbound]

I agree . I call them all clubs as there is one Church which is all of His people .

But your own profile says that YOU are the church and not a club.

That wouldn't be using my logic . I *was* however , attempting to show how hypocritical those saying that one *must* "go to church" because of the nonforsaking Law but then also claim that one must be an exclusive member to a singular group which is the epitome of forsaking .

I am not for the Laws - only for showing the inherent contradictions of two favorite doctrines . They condemn those who don't "go to church" because they are forsaking and then condemn those who "church hop" and assembling with too many .

And yet, not all people interpret that law as "You must go to church at a physical building and you must go only to that one and that one alone." In fact, although I'm sure there are churches that do have such an interpretation, this is the first time I have heard it.

[New_Wineskin]

But your own profile says that YOU are the church and not a club.

Yes . I said ,


I agree . I call them all clubs as there is one Church which is all of His people .

I am one of His people ... *I* am the Church ... *You* are the Church ... *We* are the Church .


And yet, not all people interpret that law as "You must go to church at a physical building and you must go only to that one and that one alone." In fact, although I'm sure there are churches that do have such an interpretation, this is the first time I have heard it.

Of course , not all people interpret that in that way ... otherwise , I wouldn't be saying something different . :)

I didn't say that all people did interpret the building idea , either . As far as the membership to a group , it is the predominant idea that I have heard . They use the term "church hopper" as a derogatory term for people who do not regularly attend or become a member of a singular group . Other people use terms such as "umbrella" to signify that one must be under a particular human authority or authority structure .

[Asaph]

I have decided my "church". Actually, it was decided for me. I am a part of the body of Christ.

From there I pray I get the opportunity to edify, encourage, and comfort my brethren.

Not one thing matters but that.

Asaph

[goDaisy]

I'm new here and appologize for not reading through this entire thread, but going back to the original post, I've been going through the same thing lately. I've been trying to find a church for the last month, and it was an intimidating experience just because my mom's church back in TX is the only one I've ever really attended and I've never gone to a new church by myself. I searched around online and found 3 non-denominational churches I was interested in, then came across one that looked just like what I wanted, so I finally decided to go. Nothing against denominations, I was raised Nazarene and I really like my mom's church, but I don't think Christians should be split up and labeled by their denomination - Christian is Christian, good is good. Anyway, the first day I went I was really nervous and just hoped someone would talk to me...not only did someone talk to me, about 20 people came up and introduced themselves to me that day, including the pastor, & I was invited to lunch with a group of about 10 of them, ended up spending the entire afternoon with them. This is a new church with probably only one or two hundred members, and they hold services in a school auditorium (no a/c). But the great thing about it is the people are so friendly and welcoming, they all seem very involved, and I see so many opportunities to get involved and be an important part of this church, rather than being a number. I'm really excited about it, so yeah, just thought I'd share my story. I hope you find/found a church you can feel a part of. :thumbsup:

[Asaph]

That's cool goDaisy. Without giving any geographical information, what is the name of the church you found? (if the name of the town is part of the name of the church, just leave that part out.)

Asaph

[Entertaining_Angels]

I think goDaisy's church sounds great but I want to caution others to be careful about choosing a church because of its welcoming atmosphere (and this really isn't directed at Daisy's church at all but a general warning of sorts to others).

If you are looking for a welcoming, loving church, you could wander into a Church of Latter Day Saints and feel at home. The love in that church is amazing and the way they treat their own can be amazing at times. However, they are a pseudo-christian denomination. And, having come out of cultic-type churches, this is generally how unsuspecting individuals are lured in. They are just loved and welcomed and "Christ's love" comes shining through..but is it really Christ's love?

I just urge caution and not let a welcoming atmosphere necessarily be your litmus test. Again, lest anybody think I'm accusing Daisy of joining a cult :) , I'm not. I'm just urging caution for others.

[repoland2]

I think goDaisy's church sounds great but I want to caution others to be careful about choosing a church because of its welcoming atmosphere (and this really isn't directed at Daisy's church at all but a general warning of sorts to others).

If you are looking for a welcoming, loving church, you could wander into a Church of Latter Day Saints and feel at home. The love in that church is amazing and the way they treat their own can be amazing at times. However, they are a pseudo-christian denomination. And, having come out of cultic-type churches, this is generally how unsuspecting individuals are lured in. They are just loved and welcomed and "Christ's love" comes shining through..but is it really Christ's love?

I just urge caution and not let a welcoming atmosphere necessarily be your litmus test. Again, lest anybody think I'm accusing Daisy of joining a cult :) , I'm not. I'm just urging caution for others.

Well put, I am in complete agreement.

[goDaisy]

It's called Fusion Church fusionchurch.com
From what I understand they began as a group who branched off from another non-denominational church in the area and are geared more toward the younger, more contemporary crowd.