What is the difference (churches)

[saddleup4jesus]

I'm actively looking for a church in my area and am so confused. Can someone please explain the differences between these types? I'd appreciate it!

Non-Denominational
Pentecostal
Evangelical
Bible
Bretheren

Thanks,

Chris

[TheListener]

I would just find a Bible-teaching Church & not get too involved until you can read the doctrinal statements of each Church you are interested in and then pick one.

I would personally be suspicious of some Churches until you know what it is you are dealing with.

I know it sounds complicated but unless you wish to stray away from Jesus & start preaching some bizzarre doctrine in 10 years time I'd be very careful about your initial steps :)

God Bless

[talitha]

Some characteristics that set each of these apart, from my observations:

Non-Denominational -- emphasis upon the priesthood of the believer and nonsectarianism (1 Peter 2:9; John 10:16)
Pentecostal -- emphasis upon the manifestations of the Spirit (I Corinthians 12:7-11)
Evangelical -- emphasis upon the Gospel and winning souls (Proverbs 11:30)
Bible -- emphasis upon Biblical scholarship and doctrinal correctness (2 Timothy 3:16)
Brethren -- emphasis upon humility, mercy and personal holiness (Philippians 2:5-7; James 2:13; 1 Peter 1:14-16)
I've personally belonged to all of these except a Bible church at one time or another, and I did attend a daily teaching time at a Bible church during one period -- so what I say is based more upon experience than statements of belief.

I hope this helps.....
bless you big
tal

[saddleup4jesus]

That helps immensely talitha. As thelistener said, one must be careful. I don't want to be jumping from church to church as many of my friends do. So I just wanted an idea of the differences. Thanks!

[DIVA_for_Christ]

Hi saddleup4jesus,

In your seeking of a church, ask God to reveal to you where He wants you to be fed. Also know that just because He has you in one church doesn't mean that later on He wont tell you to go somewhere else.

[If Not For Grace]

Sometimes the difference is as small as one letter of the alphabet.

I like a Bible Based Church with a Teaching emphasis. (They talk alot about the Greek, Hebrew, etc.)


A Note: Ihave NEVER found a church/temple etc that I was in 100% agreement nor disagreement with. Read and study yourself...and STILL go to a church of your choice, visit many---the advice to choose wisely will not steer you wrong.:thumbsup:

[twistedsketch]

Some characteristics that set each of these apart, from my observations:

Non-Denominational -- emphasis upon the priesthood of the believer and nonsectarianism (1 Peter 2:9; John 10:16)
Pentecostal -- emphasis upon the manifestations of the Spirit (I Corinthians 12:7-11)
Evangelical -- emphasis upon the Gospel and winning souls (Proverbs 11:30)
Bible -- emphasis upon Biblical scholarship and doctrinal correctness (2 Timothy 3:16)
Brethren -- emphasis upon humility, mercy and personal holiness (Philippians 2:5-7; James 2:13; 1 Peter 1:14-16)
I've personally belonged to all of these except a Bible church at one time or another, and I did attend a daily teaching time at a Bible church during one period -- so what I say is based more upon experience than statements of belief.
Yes, and not all of these are mutually exclusive either. Many non-denominational churches (such as mine) are also evangelical. A good church will actually have a good balance of all of these, good luck with that though. It seems that most of the time, "Pentecostal" and "Bible" as Talitha has defined them are antagonistic. I'm sure there are exceptions, though.

[talitha]

I agree, they are not mutually exclusive - I was just trying to get REALLY simple here.

Right now I go to a non-denominational/charismatic church; the one before this one was a Mennonite church that became a cell-based evangelical church, left the denomination, and joined the Radical Churches Network.

So I'm saying there are definitely blurred lines between these, and I'm glad of that.

My personal opinion is that there are different kinds of churches because there are different needs in the Body of Christ. Look at the ministry gifts listed in 1 Corinthians and in Romans - the Bible church does the ministry of teaching, and the evangelical church, well, obviously it does the ministry of evangelism, etc......

blessings
tal

[Simonline]

I'm actively looking for a church in my area and am so confused. Can someone please explain the differences between these types? I'd appreciate it!

Non-Denominational
Pentecostal
Evangelical
Bible
Bretheren

Thanks,

Chris

As a young and immature believer you should not be in this predicament. You should be being discipled by a mature believer who is able to lead you by example into Christian maturity. As a part of that discipleship you should be fellowshipping with the local body where your spiritual mentor fellowships. If you do not have such a spiritual mentor then you need to seek the Lord that he my lead you to one so that your discipleship might begin in earnest.

Simonline.

[talitha]

From my observations, most people never have a mentor. Don't feel bad if you don't.

blessings
tal

[ChessCastle]

From my observations, most people never have a mentor. Don't feel bad if you don't.

blessings
tal

I'm glad to hear this because I don't have one, it would be nice but I'll have to do without one for now.