I'm Looking For A New Church

[ScottHere]

I've been going to a baptist church for a while, but now I'm looking for another one because it seems as though this church is spiritually asleep, dead, or dying. The preacher is awesome, but the church as a whole isn't that great. So, I'm wondering if you can suggest any other denomination? I've been studying other denominations for a while to see which one I should check out and maybe become a part of. So do you think you could post why you like your particular denomination and the teachings therein? Thanks.

[Nebmaatisus]

I know a couple of ex-Baptists. They are Orthodox now. It´s a big change, though ... What are you exactly looking for? We are an extremely old-fashioned Church, with a lot of carryovers from Old Testament and practically no changes for some 1600 years. We adhere strictly to the teachings of first Christian generations, but usually we are not narrow-minded: there´s room for all kinds of people in our Church. Unity, not uniformity. Of course there´s always differences between parishes, but this is what we basically are. Come and see. The webpages of Orthodox Church in America you find in www.oca.org (http://www.oca.org).

Jeremy.

[SecretOfFatima]

http://www.ourcatholicfaith.org/thechurch.html



May The LORD bless you
and keep you;
May the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
May the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.

[christianmomof3]

It seems that with so many different denominations and Christian groups, that many people go church shopping like they go grocery shopping. They have a list of beliefs that they want matched and practical matters that they want addressed such as having good children or college-age groups or whatever.
While those things are nice, I do not think that is what we should look for first in a church.
I think what we should look for first is Christ.
I think that before picking up the phone book or searching online or even asking neighbors or whatever, the very first thing someone should do when searching for a church to meet with is PRAY. Pray and ask the Lord to lead you to His people. Consecrate yourself to Him and ask Him to lead you to His church where you will best be able to grow in His life.
Surely He will answer such a prayer.
It is His will for you to gather together with others in His name and be built into His church and He will lead you to His Body.
Pray, pray, pray. :prayer: :prayer: :prayer:
Ask the Lord and He will bring you to His church.
I also pray that the Lord will guide you and lead you to find a group to meet with. :prayer:

[Rick Otto]

but Scott is looking for a congregation that is isn't "spiritualy asleep or dead".

I'm a little confused. Not just what he means by asleep or dead, but is he lookin' for a new church, or a new BAPTIST church?

Personaly, I'm looking for THE Church, not A church.
I understand it's built of living stones and has no specific address, other than on this planet & IN Christ.

[christianmomof3]

Personaly, I'm looking for THE Church, not A church.
I understand it's built of living stones and has no specific address, other than on this planet & IN Christ.
That is wonderful! Praise the Lord! :clap: If you pray, the Lord will lead you to THE Church.

[MrJim]

I've been going to a baptist church for a while, but now I'm looking for another one because it seems as though this church is spiritually asleep, dead, or dying. The preacher is awesome, but the church as a whole isn't that great. So, I'm wondering if you can suggest any other denomination? I've been studying other denominations for a while to see which one I should check out and maybe become a part of. So do you think you could post why you like your particular denomination and the teachings therein? Thanks.

Are there any Grace Brethren or Brethren in Christ churches in your area?

[ScottHere]

Nebmattisus, I'm looking for a church that brings glory to the LORD, no matter what the denomination.

Christianmomof3, I am looking for a Christ centered church. I imagine if the church is Christ centered, everything will pan out.

Rick Otto, I feel that the baptist church I have been attending is dying. People are leaving the church and they just don't seem to have a "fire" for Christ. I'm also not looking for a specific denomination, I'm looking for a Christ centered church, with sound doctrine. What do you mean by THE Church and not A church?

Menno, that's interesting. I've never heard of those denomoination before. I will certainly look into it.
Thanks.

[Assisi]

So do you think you could post why you like your particular denomination and the teachings therein? Thanks.

When I hear people talking about the way church should be, it is usually a checklist of a whole lot of things that the Catholic church is. I bleieve that the Catholic Church is THE Church.

I have a number of reasons for being Catholic. I wouldn't be able to explain them all here.

1. Unity and diversity. We are one church, we worship together etc. but we are all different and the atholic Church accomodates this. My best friend is Charismatic, I am not, but we can worship side by side. (I am often judged in Pentecostal churches for not 'worshipping' just because I don't have my hands in the air. Basically, a Catholic can be a good many things. There is no such thing as a typical Catholic.

2. Authority. I know, I know, an ugly word. But basically, everyone seems to have their own interpretation of scripture. You can get the Bible to say almost anything you want. If God wants us to know the Truth, then He would provide the means. The Bible alone is demonstrably not enough to know the Truth. The Catholic Church provides this and backs up her traditions with scripture and history. Even anti tradition churches have tradion, they are just newer traditions than ours.

3. the Catholic Church takes the whole Bible seriously. It does not ignore any passage, and it does not explain away obvious passages according to new theologies.

4. The Catholic Church has the Eucharist (although we are not the only ones). And I can't begin to explain the amazing difference receiving the Body and Blood of the Lord makes to my relationship with Jesus.

I could go on and on. It is my experience that most Christian churches, no matter what their denomination, are very focused on Jesus and full of wonderful, holy people. I hope that God leads you to the church where you belong.

In deciding, I recommend reading the descriptions of the early Church in Acts, and then reading how the Church progressed by reading the early Church Fathers. Many of these men knew the Apostles personally and were taught by them. They give accurate accounts of the Church in the first few decades and centuries after Christ. How did those who were taught by the Apostles interpret the Bible? Very interesting reading.

[catlover]

When I hear people talking about the way church should be, it is usually a checklist of a whole lot of things that the Catholic church is.
-------------------------------------------

That's not the case here.

[Assisi]

When I hear people talking about the way church should be, it is usually a checklist of a whole lot of things that the Catholic church is.
-------------------------------------------

That's not the case here.

???????

I was simply answering the post, and quoting from my experience...

[christianmomof3]

Nebmattisus, I'm looking for a church that brings glory to the LORD, no matter what the denomination.

Christianmomof3, I am looking for a Christ centered church. I imagine if the church is Christ centered, everything will pan out.

Rick Otto, I feel that the baptist church I have been attending is dying. People are leaving the church and they just don't seem to have a "fire" for Christ. I'm also not looking for a specific denomination, I'm looking for a Christ centered church, with sound doctrine. What do you mean by THE Church and not A church?

Menno, that's interesting. I've never heard of those denomoination before. I will certainly look into it.
Thanks.
I am sorry that the church that you are meeting with is not meeting your needs.
It may be that it is time for you to leave it, but before doing so, I still suggest that you go to the Lord in prayer about it.
Perhaps He may wish to have you help revive it.
No matter if you stay or go, just be sure to pray and follow the Lord's leading.
I cannot answer for Rick, but I have my own understanding of THE Church, although it may not be the same as his. THE Church is the Body of Christ and it consists of all of the members of Christ, all of His regenerated believers.
It is universal in nature and includes all the believers and it is also local in practicality.
Here is a site explaining the group that I meet with http://www.local-church.org/ (http://www.local-church.org/) and also this http://www.lordsrecovery.org/history/index.html (http://www.lordsrecovery.org/history/index.html) is interesting.

I am praying for you to find the Lord in His Body so that you can find a group of Christ centered Christians with whom you can be built up together in His Body and grow in His life and in His love. :prayer:
I believe that if you persist in prayer, the Lord will lead you to the group that is the best one for you to gather together with in His name.

[Nebmaatisus]

We do give glory to God. See if you like it. We also praise the wonderful things God has done in the lives of His saints, but the one really praised is God, not His human vessels. There is but one who is Holy, and the holiness of the Church stems from Him. Keep praying and try to find a church that meets your needs. Also bear in mind that not all nice and "living" churches are good for your salvation. Stick to the truth expressed in the Bible.

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

Go live with the poor, you'll find Jesus and Church right there. Or your money back!

[Rick Otto]

Is a body of believers that doesn't distinguish itself from anything but the world, and identifies with nothing but its only head, Jesus Christ.
:cool:

[catlover]

Go live with the poor, you'll find Jesus and Church right there. Or your money back!
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Unusual sabbatical sends Rhode Island bishop to the streets to discover 'we are all homeless'

http://www.dfms.org/3577_19834_ENG_HTM.htm