What are you looking for in a church?

[hairettic]

I would like sound doctrine teaching.
contemporary worship
guilt free attendance
comfortable setting
acceptance
coffee
no time restrictionsand what I don't want

guilt
judgement
garbage
tea
kids running wild
no structure
to be sitting there wondering why you came in the first place

[If Not For Grace]

Friendly Fellowship

Bible Based Teaching (Less Dogma)

Inspired Leaders

Educated Teaching

So far can't get it all in one place.

[PaladinGirl]

Guilt free attendance or non-attendance
Fellowship
Moderate theology
Open minds
Non-Creedal theology... I don't want to have to adhere to a specific set of beliefs... I want room to agree or disagree.
Coffee or tea
Snacks or doughnuts
Friendly people
Somewhat informal setting
No dress code... dress decently but no dresses and skirts required etcWhat I don't want:


Dogmatic theology
Unfriendly people
Fundamentalism
Fire and brimstone sermons

[jsimms615]

I do want:
Solid Biblical Teaching
Good fellowship
Activities for my kids
People my age to have fellowship with
small group ministry

Don't want
Judgmental attitudes
Argumentative spirits in the church
boring sermons
no activities for the kids or youth

[If Not For Grace]

We are about to get enough like minded people to start one :)

[hairettic]

I'll make coffee!

[TheAJKMan]

I'm looking for a place that spiritually speaking I can call home.

TheAJKMan

[hairettic]

that would be nice

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

What is church? Relationships.

The rest is just irrelevant.

Bite me ;)

[scoutswife]

I am looking for true love among the people
No backbiting, no noses in the air
equality among congregation
no discrimination
it doesnt matter to me about food or drink I dont go to church to eat or drink of worldly pleasures
A sound bible doctrine wouldd be nice
no taking out of the Bible just what you feel is relevant.

[yeshuaslavejeff]

simple

[Silent Enigma]

What??? Nobody wants judgmentalism???

You bunch of lukewarm so-called Christians!!!!

[yeshuaslavejeff]

simple

[Morgaine1205]

This is really an interesting thread for me right now - I haven't had to look for a church since I was a teenager, and we won't discuss how many years ago that was! :)

We recently relocated to a new city, and since I was raised in the Methodist church, we tried the closest Methodist church. It was really nice, nothing that wasn't expected, however, the age group was a bit older than my husband and I had hoped - we were hoping for lots of people our own age that we could make friends with and fellowship with (not that we can't do that with older folks, we just think it would be nice to have friends our own age too!). My husband was raised non-denominational, and last Sunday, we went to a local large non-denom church. The people seemed really nice and friendly - but wow, was the church huge! They have three services on Sunday mornings, and I just don't see how you can connect to anyone with it being so large. The pastor delivered a good message, and the music was upbeat, but it felt a bit rushed, the service barely lasted an hour.

What do you think, can you really connect with people in a mega-huge church?

[Rick Otto]

"You bunch of lukewarm so-called Christians!!!!"


Who woke you up?!
Go back to being silent!^_^

(How's that for non-lukewarmed judgementalism?):)

[Rick Otto]

What can anyone realisticaly expect from an already preprogrammed & presumably packed 60 minutes?
Swap e-mail addies maybe.
:cool:

[desmalia]

I'm really glad someone posted this one. I've been thinking about this for a long time. It has been a very long time since I belonged to a good church, and I'm very concerned that there may not be any in my area at all.

What I am seeking is this:

Light and Love as we read about in 1 John. The pure and holy truth of God, accompanied by love as defined in Corinthians and throughout the Bible.

Sermons that are "adult food" instead of "baby food". Leaders who are not afraid to speak the truth regardless of how un-PC it may be in our society. (As I say that I know what a tall order that is because I live in a country where parts of the Bible are now illegal to preach openly.) I am so tired of trying church after church where the message really isn't saying anything. God's Word is dynamic, powerful, and alive. Church sermons should reflect this! Preachers should not be afraid to dive deep into Scripture for fear that an unbeliever will be unable to understand and accept Christ. God is bigger than that, and the believers need real, mature, growing guidance.

Accountability. We are to love each other and forgive as God forgives us. But we are NOT to condone ongoing sin among our members. Basically I want to belong to a church where the members take an active role in encouraging each other's walk with God. The Bible outlines clear responsibilities as to how to deal with sin in the church, but I rarely see any churches that follow these principles (usually for fear that they will be labeled "judgemental").

A church that is devoted to ministry within its own family and the community. One that is more concerned with being a Bible-based church than being focused on what is attractive to modern culture. I believe that people come to Christ via the moving of the Holy Spirit, and His use of obedient servants.

A church that is friendly and kind to outsiders and new attendees (from all walks of life), not introverted and clicky.

A solid group of older people. Churches need seniors, and experienced elders. They bring an incredible measure of wisdom that no one else can.

I don't care if it's a big or small church. That is not what makes the difference in the end. I don't care if the music is "all that" as long as the lyrics are real and meaninful, instead of the chanting of the same two or three lines for hours on end. I don't care if they serve food/coffee or not, since I'm usually allergic to it anyway! lol. Denomination doesn't mean much in this day and age either. I'd rather be rid of them in favour of more discriptive titles for each individual church.

The closest church that I know of that personifies these attributes is across the border and over three hours away from us.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. It's good to put it in writing sometimes.

[yeshuaslavejeff]

simple

[Morgaine1205]

What can anyone realisticaly expect from an already preprogrammed & presumably packed 60 minutes?
Swap e-mail addies maybe.
:cool:
I can't argue with you! I'm not sure what I was expecting....

[Plainsman]

Looking for:

Small congregation
Doers
Sermons on biblical reality
Ethnically mixed
Solid kids' program
Willing to help in the local community
Based on Bible, not outside sources

[Plainsman]

Having been involved in only 2 churches(Conference Baptist and a non-denominational)in the last 12 years, my experience is not wide. Both congregations were much more excited about overseas missions than doing anything in the surrounding communities. While I sure don't object to sending money or people to help spread the Word, it has always seemed to me that we should also work in our own community for the elderly, poor,etc. I seemed to be in the minority on this.
Also I object to the heavy reliance on secular tools (Purpose Driven, etc.) I have found in these and some of my relatives' churches. Seems to me the Bible itself should be the main focus.
No offense intended, would welcome your thoughts.

[Rick Otto]

"I can't argue with you! I'm not sure what I was expecting...."

>>Don't make me feel bad!^_^

I didn't mean that pointedly,...
You have every right to expect affirmation of your faith in fellowship. Don't ever cease to want it, anyway.
You know what I mean.

When living stones get together, we can sense the cathedral rising around us.
:groupray:

[Morgaine1205]

"I can't argue with you! I'm not sure what I was expecting...."

>>Don't make me feel bad!^_^

I didn't mean that pointedly,...
You have every right to expect affirmation of your faith in fellowship. Don't ever cease to want it, anyway.
You know what I mean.

When living stones get together, we can sense the cathedral rising around us.
:groupray:
No, No! I didn't mean my post as sarcastic or anything either! It's true - I honestly don't know what I expected at that mega-church :) I really appreciate your posts! Especially, your last sentence - amen! :hug:

[Rick Otto]

http://www.trinityomaha.com/igsbase/uniquehome.cfm
I went to once.
Wow did they have great coffee & pastry. A realy well done reception for newbies. I must be a touch agraphobic or something. I like feeling like I know most everybody. I don't know if that's possible at a place that large, but a lot of nice people there.

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

It fascinates me that some peeps in my church actually feel like they need small groups in order to experience worship, discipleship, accountabilty, communion... whereas others among us live these things with whoever, wherever.

Each to their own I guess. Personally, I cant stand meetings and struggle to find Jesus any where other than on the streets.

[Rick Otto]

Yeah, I know what ya mean, but...
I don't get too bent when i meet Jesus & he's wearin' a straightjacket, a cassock, or an Armani. I just try & stay on my feet.
Even the street can become oppressive at times, with its own dress code etc.
Businessmen have copped attitudes on me & street people have copped attitudes on me. And both have cut me slack, so... it's always a challenge to keep it real.
Th street does have a way of leveling the playground, tho.

[yeshuaslavejeff]

.....
Each to their own I guess. Personally, I cant stand meetings and struggle to find Jesus any where other than on the streets.

simple

[genestealerbroodlord]

What i want from a church.

Bible based teaching, not just someones opinion.
Fellowship for everyone, not just those people in the clicky group.
Community work, not introverted, us and them mentality.
I dont care about the size of the church, as long as its full of love.
I would like it to be child friendly.
I dont want a Sunday only church, i want one that has stuff happening all week.
I want a church where members can do things for other members and the community as a whole, such as helping them with decorating there houses, doing gardening, basicly anything that we can do to help each other.

Cant think of anything else at the moment.

God bless

John