Looking for a new church...

[MooCow]

I don't really want to bore you all with a long essay of my church-going experience so I'll just sum it up:

1) I was born into and raised to the age of 16 in a United Methodist church.
2) At the age of 16, I rejected God and became agnostic for two years.
3) At the age of 18, I let God back into my life but did not ever start going back to church.
4) Between the ages of 18 and 21, I have visited various churches:
----a) on a few occasions, I've visited the United Methodist church I grew up in (usually for the Christmas Eve service)
----b) a Pentecostal church upon a friend's invitation. The whole "speaking in tongues" thing and the whole congregation dancing around the room while worshiping scared me to death and I didn't go back
----c) a "Community" church upon a friend's invitation. The church reminded me of a Baptist church using the "Community Church" name, and the congregation numbered in the thousands--very impersonal experience and I didn't go back
----d) a second "Community" church upon a friend's invitation. While much smaller and more personal, the style of worship was contemporary (guitars/drums/electronic instruments) and I had a very hard time getting into the worship. A positive of the church was that the congregation was largely adults aged 20 - 45...people my age who could relate to my issues.
----e) Finally, an SBC Baptist church. The congregation is the largest in my city (Birmingham, AL), numbering nearly 12,000 people. Extremely impersonal due to the size, and full of rich people who, in my opinion, feel that they are better than other members of the church.I recently attempted to attend my childhood church again, but there are too many bad memories at that church. Additionally, many of the members are the same members who were going there when I was a kid, and it's just awkward for me to be an adult (as opposed to the kid they once knew me as) around these same adults now, plus the fact that they all know I haven't regularly attended the church since I was 16. It's just weird...hard to explain.

I had been looking at the Roman Catholic Church for a while, but several ideas turn me off to it: The need for a priest to forgive sins (only God can forgive my sins), the heavy focus on the Virgin Mary (last I checked, Jesus is the important figure!), the idea of an infallible Pope (I only answer to God--all humans are sinful in nature, unfortunately, including the Pope), and finally, praying to patron Saints to interlude with God on your behalf (again, I only pray to God--I don't need Saints to speak to God for me when I can speak to God himself).

So yea, I have been having a hard time finding a place to call home. I think it is very important for me to find a church in which I can grow in my Christian walk.

Any advice? :cry:

[progressivegal]

You might be like me and really enjoy an Episcopalian church or an Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA).
I have found that in some ways they are quite similar to the RC (the litergy for example) but no one is infaillible , and St.'s and the Virgin Mary are viewed in a little bit different way. Also, in some churches there is the option for confession, but it is not common.
Before you completely write off the RC though, you could talk to a priest about your concerns, he should be able to explain to you about why Catholics do certain things and what they actually mean.
The Roman Catholic church was not for me for alot of reasons, but I do have a love for it, having grown up there and having most of my family be RC. There where definitely things that bothered me, which is why I left, but if you are feeling led by God to look into it more than by all means you should.

[MooCow]

You might be like me and really enjoy an Episcopalian church or an Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA).
I have found that in some ways they are quite similar to the RC (the litergy for example) but no one is infaillible , and St.'s and the Virgin Mary are viewed in a little bit different way. Also, in some churches there is the option for confession, but it is not common.
Before you completely write off the RC though, you could talk to a priest about your concerns, he should be able to explain to you about why Catholics do certain things and what they actually mean.
The Roman Catholic church was not for me for alot of reasons, but I do have a love for it, having grown up there and having most of my family be RC. There where definitely things that bothered me, which is why I left, but if you are feeling led by God to look into it more than by all means you should.
Didn't the Episcopal church recently ordain an openly gay bishop? I definitely don't want to be a part of a church which believes homosexuality is acceptable.

That is the same reason I'm kind of turned off by the RCC, because of the pedophile priests :(

[ozmum]

Why don't you look for a home church or just home church on your own until God shows you where to go?

www.homechurchresources.com (http://www.homechurchresources.com)

[jsimms615]

I don't really want to bore you all with a long essay of my church-going experience so I'll just sum it up:

1) I was born into and raised to the age of 16 in a United Methodist church.
2) At the age of 16, I rejected God and became agnostic for two years.
3) At the age of 18, I let God back into my life but did not ever start going back to church.
4) Between the ages of 18 and 21, I have visited various churches:
I recently attempted to attend my childhood church again, but there are too many bad memories at that church. Additionally, many of the members are the same members who were going there when I was a kid, and it's just awkward for me to be an adult (as opposed to the kid they once knew me as) around these same adults now, plus the fact that they all know I haven't regularly attended the church since I was 16. It's just weird...hard to explain.

I had been looking at the Roman Catholic Church for a while, but several ideas turn me off to it: The need for a priest to forgive sins (only God can forgive my sins), the heavy focus on the Virgin Mary (last I checked, Jesus is the important figure!), the idea of an infallible Pope (I only answer to God--all humans are sinful in nature, unfortunately, including the Pope), and finally, praying to patron Saints to interlude with God on your behalf (again, I only pray to God--I don't need Saints to speak to God for me when I can speak to God himself).

So yea, I have been having a hard time finding a place to call home. I think it is very important for me to find a church in which I can grow in my Christian walk.

Any advice? :cry:
We both have a few things in common. I was raised in the Methodist church also. I tried recently to go back to it and realized that the worship style just wasn't for me anymore. It sounds like you know what you believe basically, but the style of worship and the size of the congregation are an issue for you. I have the same kinds of issues. You need to think through what things are absolutely vital to you for a church home and what are not. How big of a church do you need? What kinds of programs would you like to see in the church? What style of worship do you prefer? What doctrines are essential for you? What doctrines (i.e. speaking in tongues) are to be avoided? I would agree with you there by the way.
I'm looking for a church home also, but feel after 6 or 7 months of looking that we have it narrowed down. I couldn't go last week because I was working last Sunday.
By the way, make sure you try the Sunday school or Bible study times as much as the worship times. You need the fellowship of a small group.
J

[MooCow]

Why don't you look for a home church or just home church on your own until God shows you where to go?

www.homechurchresources.com (http://www.homechurchresources.com)

I can't find the downloadable Bible Study resources on that site...all I see are links to books that you can buy. Can you send a direct link to the free, downloadable material?

We both have a few things in common. I was raised in the Methodist church also. I tried recently to go back to it and realized that the worship style just wasn't for me anymore. It sounds like you know what you believe basically, but the style of worship and the size of the congregation are an issue for you. I have the same kinds of issues. You need to think through what things are absolutely vital to you for a church home and what are not. How big of a church do you need? What kinds of programs would you like to see in the church? What style of worship do you prefer? What doctrines are essential for you? What doctrines (i.e. speaking in tongues) are to be avoided? I would agree with you there by the way.
I'm looking for a church home also, but feel after 6 or 7 months of looking that we have it narrowed down. I couldn't go last week because I was working last Sunday.
By the way, make sure you try the Sunday school or Bible study times as much as the worship times. You need the fellowship of a small group.
J

Thanks man.

[g85]

I don't really want to bore you all with a long essay of my church-going experience so I'll just sum it up:

1) I was born into and raised to the age of 16 in a United Methodist church.
2) At the age of 16, I rejected God and became agnostic for two years.
3) At the age of 18, I let God back into my life but did not ever start going back to church.
4) Between the ages of 18 and 21, I have visited various churches:
I recently attempted to attend my childhood church again, but there are too many bad memories at that church. Additionally, many of the members are the same members who were going there when I was a kid, and it's just awkward for me to be an adult (as opposed to the kid they once knew me as) around these same adults now, plus the fact that they all know I haven't regularly attended the church since I was 16. It's just weird...hard to explain.

I had been looking at the Roman Catholic Church for a while, but several ideas turn me off to it: The need for a priest to forgive sins (only God can forgive my sins), the heavy focus on the Virgin Mary (last I checked, Jesus is the important figure!), the idea of an infallible Pope (I only answer to God--all humans are sinful in nature, unfortunately, including the Pope), and finally, praying to patron Saints to interlude with God on your behalf (again, I only pray to God--I don't need Saints to speak to God for me when I can speak to God himself).

So yea, I have been having a hard time finding a place to call home. I think it is very important for me to find a church in which I can grow in my Christian walk.

Any advice? :cry:
why dont you list your main beliefs so we can help you? :) that would be easier. We know the kind of worship you like, and some of your beliefs... but a few other beliefs would help!

[MooCow]

why dont you list your main beliefs so we can help you? :) that would be easier. We know the kind of worship you like, and some of your beliefs... but a few other beliefs would help!
Do you mean Biblical/theological beliefs or ethical beliefs?

[Moriah_Conquering_Wind]

I'm looking for one too, kinda sorta.
Maybe hoping something will fall in my lap.

I had a really radical notion though and I don't know how it will fit in with finding a church -- I posted it in my blog -- it's all new to me, this thought, this thinking. I need to pray about it.

[MooCow]

I'm looking for one too, kinda sorta.
Maybe hoping something will fall in my lap.

I had a really radical notion though and I don't know how it will fit in with finding a church -- I posted it in my blog -- it's all new to me, this thought, this thinking. I need to pray about it.
Not to rain on your parade, but for me personally...that train of thought is what led me to become agnostic for two years.

Because God never calls us on the phone and tells us in human terms what he wants from us, how can we ever know what we're doing is really what he wants?

Of course, after two years of drowning myself in that thought, I realized there is nothing we can do but pray and follow a Christian lifestyle as closely as possible.

Running across Romans 8:28 is what gave me that hope.


Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things
God works for the good of those
who love him, who have been
called according to his purpose."

[Moriah_Conquering_Wind]

You didn't rain on my parade but you did confuse me, because what you illustrated above has nothing to do with the train of thought in my post...... :confused: :scratch:

[Moriah_Conquering_Wind]

Ah, never mind, I thought I was in a different thread there.

I guess you meant the whole "fall into my lap" thing?

Friend, I'm twice your age, and coming to Christ after a history of devil worship for more years than you've been alive. I seriously doubt anything could make me agnostic at this point. Satan experimented with trying to make me an atheist but my attunement to the spirit world is too intense for that. ;) Besides it's hard to be an atheist when your chief motivation in that direction is a dark entity conversing with you. :D

[MooCow]

Ah, never mind, I thought I was in a different thread there.

I guess you meant the whole "fall into my lap" thing?

Friend, I'm twice your age, and coming to Christ after a history of devil worship for more years than you've been alive. I seriously doubt anything could make me agnostic at this point. Satan experimented with trying to make me an atheist but my attunement to the spirit world is too intense for that. ;) Besides it's hard to be an atheist when your chief motivation in that direction is a dark entity conversing with you. :D
Sorry, didn't mean to ignite a hostile response. :(

[holderz]

Blazersax, PM for you!

[MooCow]

Blazersax, PM for you!
I saw it already, thanks :)

The site is very unorganized, I can't tell where I should start.

[holderz]

I saw it already, thanks :)

The site is very unorganized, I can't tell where I should start.

helpful links in your PM box:)

[Moriah_Conquering_Wind]

Sorry, didn't mean to ignite a hostile response. :(
:confused:

I'm sorry -- I didn't mean to sound hostile! Hence the :D icon. It's a "warm chuckle of bemusement" tone, not a "let me tell YOU a thing or two" tone. ;)

Peace! :hug:

[Gwenyfur]

Well Blaze, the best advice you've already gotten apparently...
I found my 'place' by visiting churches and shuls...

Seriously, hubby and I pulled out the phone book and started visiting churches.

Allbeit, it does get interesting, I attend a messianic shul on saturdays, and church with him on sundays...but...it works...most of the time...

[Confess]

If you believe in:

1. The Triune God
2. We are all sinners in need of a Savior
3. Our works do not save us, which also means that we have no part in our salvation (choosing to be saved).
4. The Bible is inerrant
5. Law / Gospel sermons. The law showing our sins and bringing us to contrition while the gospel lifts us up and shows us our Savior
6. Baptism is Gods word plus water that adopts us into the family of God, it is not a work of man, but a work of God.
7. A Pastor cannot on his own forgive sins, but is given the authority by Jesus to PRONOUNCE the forgiveness of sins through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. IOW: The pastor does not forgive you, but Jesus forgives you. The pastor is the mouthpiece proclaiming to you what Jesus did for you.
8. There are 2 Sacraments that forgive sins. Holy Communion and Baptism. Confession and Absolution can also be thought of as a sacrament only in so far that there are forgiveness of sins.


If you agree with these doctrines then you agree with the historic Lutheran teachings ... that is NOT THE SAME AS THE ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America)! The ELCA has shied away from many of the doctrines that Lutherans have believed in for hundreds of years such as the inerrancy of the Bible by which all doctrines are subject to various interpretation.

IF you agree with these doctrines, then please review Luther's Small Catechism and the Book Of Concord.

[MooCow]

If you believe in:

1. The Triune God
2. We are all sinners in need of a Savior
3. Our works do not save us, which also means that we have no part in our salvation (choosing to be saved).
4. The Bible is inerrant
5. Law / Gospel sermons. The law showing our sins and bringing us to contrition while the gospel lifts us up and shows us our Savior
6. Baptism is Gods word plus water that adopts us into the family of God, it is not a work of man, but a work of God.
7. A Pastor cannot on his own forgive sins, but is given the authority by Jesus to PRONOUNCE the forgiveness of sins through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. IOW: The pastor does not forgive you, but Jesus forgives you. The pastor is the mouthpiece proclaiming to you what Jesus did for you.
8. There are 2 Sacraments that forgive sins. Holy Communion and Baptism. Confession and Absolution can also be thought of as a sacrament only in so far that there are forgiveness of sins.


If you agree with these doctrines then you agree with the historic Lutheran teachings ... that is NOT THE SAME AS THE ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America)! The ELCA has shied away from many of the doctrines that Lutherans have believed in for hundreds of years such as the inerrancy of the Bible by which all doctrines are subject to various interpretation.

IF you agree with these doctrines, then please review Luther's Small Catechism and the Book Of Concord.
Interesting, I agree with all of those except the inerrancy of the Bible. That is actually a topic which I am reading about and praying about right now.

(For instance, there are a lot of things in the Old Testament that, by today's standards, are completely immoral [owning slaves, beating your wife for disobeying you, marrying at age 14, etc.]