Question

[Eby]

Hey, I was wondering if I could have a few opinions from my fellow Anglicans! :)

My question is: Is it important to go to a church where the christians there share the same beliefs you do regarding Christian lifestyle and other beliefs (eg whether excessive drinking is right or not, whether sex outside of marriage is right or wrong, whether all people get to heaven or not...etc) or is the basic belief in God and the gift of his Son enough?

I currently go to a church where it seems very few of the youth share my beliefs and a lot of the older generations differ greatly in their beliefs. Is this a good/bad thing?

[karen freeinchristman]

Hey, I was wondering if I could have a few opinions from my fellow Anglicans! :)

My question is: Is it important to go to a church where the christians there share the same beliefs you do regarding Christian lifestyle and other beliefs (eg whether excessive drinking is right or not, whether * outside of marriage is right or wrong, whether all people get to heaven or not...etc) or is the basic belief in God and the gift of his Son enough?

I currently go to a church where it seems very few of the youth share my beliefs and a lot of the older generations differ greatly in their beliefs. Is this a good/bad thing?
It might make things uncomfortable for you. It could make it more difficult for you to remain strong in your beliefs.
Sometimes God calls us to remain in a church where we disagree with the beliefs held by others, so that we can be used by him to help the faith of others. You will need to discern this carefully.

It will take prayer, listening, and awareness. And the courage that God gives. :)

[TomUK]

You're never going to find a church where everyone agrees with you- even a vast majority of people. Rather you should find a church where the sacraments are faithfully observed and discern whether this is a parish where God can use you. Prayer is the key.

[DeoJuvante]

Perhaps you could find a church where although people might disagree with you they still respect your point of view.

[ContraMundum]

...remember to be patient with those who may disagree or judge. :)

[Naomi4Christ]

Hey, I was wondering if I could have a few opinions from my fellow Anglicans! :)

My question is: Is it important to go to a church where the christians there share the same beliefs you do regarding Christian lifestyle and other beliefs (eg whether excessive drinking is right or not, whether sex outside of marriage is right or wrong, whether all people get to heaven or not...etc) or is the basic belief in God and the gift of his Son enough?

I currently go to a church where it seems very few of the youth share my beliefs and a lot of the older generations differ greatly in their beliefs. Is this a good/bad thing?

It is important to go to a church where you feel welcomed, valued, loved. It is also important that there is good teaching and prayer. The teaching should tackle these issues that you are concerned about and give clear moral guidance on them.

If official position of the church is clear and in keeping with a Christian lifestyle, the you can pray that discipleship works through these people. If the teaching is fuzzy, I'd be inclined to find somewhere else, tbh.

[Torah613]

The important thing is to go to church, to pray, to be a lamp on a stand for Christ, etc.

Sometimes we end up being called by God to serve in a church or community that doesn't hold our values. Yet there is a reason we are there. Just be open to God using you in the way that He needs you.

Joe Zollars

[gtsecc]

Your experience is typical, especially of Broad Church parishes. It is an over simplification, bt when anyone's God is King, it ends up that we make our own ideas and beliefs our God. Truth has been revealed to us, the believign community over thousands of years and billions of people. If you are interested in the teachings of this community, it is not too hard to find them. If they ahve been taught allways and everywhere, we can know they are the true teachings of the church.

Sex is a big deal.
Our society has made sex its God, and that has in places, affected the church, unfortunately.
ALL of us are called to celebacy, except for that time when some of us may be married.

ALL of us are sinners, and God has made a way for us, that you could say makes our sinfulness OK. But, we can't then say, sin is ok, or there is no such thing as sin.

[junegillam]

Love thy neighbor as thyself

is not the same as

love thy neightbor (only if s/he is the same) as thyself

came to mind to post here for you.

Patience and respect are key as have been posted above, in my humble opinion.

and

pray to discern if this is the place for you in God's plan for you.

june g.