What kind of church do you attend?

[Alpine]

What do you like/dislike about it?

[cyberlizard]

i don't attend a church, i belong to a church. At the outset if we cannot rightly define church, then we are doomed to a lifetime of rubbish doctrinal position.

We are a congregation of around 50 in the UK, some of whom are strongly pentecostal in outlook (first evidences and all) some are mild WoF'ers (but not intentionally), and some are charismatic.

Myself I would define as charismatic with strong messianic undertones (nowadays) (if you read some of my other posts you'll know what I mean).

The meetings are quite open, and we have no full time or part time paid pastor (i.e. professional Christian). We do have a number of elders who oversee the church, but in a hands off kind of way.

What do i like about it.... There are other Christians like me, the very spiritual and the not so spiritual like me. We are a definite mixed bag. Musically we are mixed, my friend Scott used to be in the band firefly (an offshoot from seventh angel) whereas I prefer my worship more contemplative, quiet and relaxed. Loud music doesn't do it for me.

My wife likes it (particularly at the end of the meeting) as she gets to keep practising on the shofar.

The best thing about our congregation is they do not think I'm nuts with my Hebrew roots stuff.


Steve

p.s, what do i dislike about it... it is a 10 minute drive away. If I could move it into my village I would be exstatic as I am really into the idea of 'church' being local.

[JAS4Yeshua]

Someone here has classified Calvary Chapel as "bapticostal" which was the first I heard that. I agree with that assessment. I believe it is a balance between what I view as extreme views one way or the other.

What I love is the focus on the Word of God, and how it reveals Jesus Christ. Everything we believe is fully backed up by Scripture. I know some might argue the interpretations, but that doesn't matter to me, because I agree with the interpretations. ;)

We are a charismatic church, in that we believe hte gifts of the Spirit are available to believers, and in use today. We believe that the baptism of the Spirit is a completely separate event from salvation, and is usually delivered by the laying on hands of an elder while praying for the gifts to be manifested.

I love the worship, I love the teaching, and I enjoy the fellowship. I'm involved in the Children's Ministry, and I really love being able to work with the children, leading them to the Lord, and helping to share Jesus Christ with them.

As for what I dislike? I can't say for certain. I don't look at dislikes, personally. I believe you can always find fault if you are looking for it.

[ANM29]

I attend Calvary Chapel. I love the fellowship too.

Quite extreme in some ways ( like I heard someone say ), but I love the teaching. I think I enjoy my Pastor teachings so much that really is the only reason I attend.

Not crazy about worship service at times. You can't dance and praise God. I go to another church when I need to get loose. I am only here for a season though, I will be changing churches shortly.

[JAS4Yeshua]

True, you can't dance, but you can definately praise God. I know I do. ;)

[ANM29]

I know right..That is the only thing I really don't like about it. I do like the worship songs, etc...

[JAS4Yeshua]

I have a little more reserved personality, so I prefer the not dancing in the service. I went to a Vineyard once, where they had the flag worship, and I kept getting distracted by the flags. I didn't have a problem with it, I just wasn't used to it. I'm glad there are differing types of services for the differing types of personalities. :)

[ANM29]

I see. :)

I guess 'at times' I want to dance ( not all the time )..At times I have felt the presence of the Lord so strong and wanted to yell out "Hallelujah" and you almost can't. People are kind of 'stiff' and I have to quench the spirit. I don't like that, which is why I have to attend another church when I need that release.

[JAS4Yeshua]

I find the "stiff" comment funny because I was raised Catholic. The way worship is done in Calvary is far less "stiff" than they way most Catholic churches are. :D

I do see your point, though. While I wouldn't say it was stiff, you would probably be more comfortable in a Vineyard church as opposed to Calvary Chapel, due to the way the Spirit moves you to worship. ;)

[ANM29]

Oh, it is pretty stiff in there. I mean I am almost afraid to sing along too loud with the worship. I sometimes think I might get handcuffed and pulled from service if I do. :o

It is pretty close to Catholic style worship, the are well on the way. Hardly anyone even raises their hands in worship. Over four thousand people are in one service, you may see 20 people standing and worshiping..( After he says, "you may be seated" this is while they are still in worship service and singing. ( the praise team )..:scratch:

[JAS4Yeshua]

I don't know which Calvary you attend, it sounds like a large one. I've attended Harvest Christian Fellowship, Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, Horizon Christian Fellowship, and now Calvary Chapel Monterey. I've also attended a couple other Calvary Chapels in Southern California here and there. All of them encouraged singing, lifting holy hand, and didn't stop anyone from standing (except during teaching, of course ;)). Yes, if someone stood while others were seated, some in the congregation might look at that person a little unusually, but we shouldn't be worried about the other person when we are worshipping the Lord.

When I used to attend Harvest, a mega-church Calvary Chapel in Southern California, I worked in the Jr. High Ministry. At camps, I used to love seeing the kids stand and raise their hands in worship, while their peers were sitting down, or in some cases, not worshipping at all.

[ANM29]

Calvary Chapel of Ft.Lauderdale ( South Florida ). It is huge, and they are in the process of building another building. This is the first and last I would attend. I do enjoy the teaching and fellowship. This is what keeps me coming back. But I am big on worship and this is starting to get to me.

I guess you can' get everything you want from anything..another life lesson. :)

[JAS4Yeshua]

I had a feeling that might have been the church you attended, when you mentioned its size. I've heard that they do have some great teaching there. :)

[cyberlizard]

someone said I went to a Vineyard once, where they had the flag worship, and I kept getting distracted by the flags my little boy Zak (2.5 years) loves our flags, the highlight of the meeting for him is to run with one in each hand and then run to the front of the meeting. on the floor is a very long flag which is blue (supposed to represent the river of God?). Zak likes to climb under it and see if he can get from one side to the other.

The good thing, no one cares. In fact if it was left to the rest of the congregation, Zak would no doubt run the meeting. They love him. He is like a child on amphetamines, he just does not stop.

p.s. in our house it is like death by hillsong (michael card doesn't get much play with catrin (zaksmummy) around.

[JAS4Yeshua]

I said that, and I also said right after that. "I didn't have a problem with it, I just wasn't used to it." Every worship service is different, and each have their place. I'm not saying any one is better than the other, just what I prefer. ;)

[Alpine]

Thanks for the replies guys. My answer to my own question is I do not have a church now, but I am looking! It's tough not having a home church!

[JAS4Yeshua]

The Lord will lead you to the right one for you. Trust Him for that, and keep looking. :)

[Alpine]

The Lord will lead you to the right one for you. Trust Him for that, and keep looking. :)


I will! The problem for me it seems, is that I can't decide what is more important, good worship, or good bible teaching? (and a service that doesn't go longer then an hour! :-)

[JAS4Yeshua]

Get one that has good worship AND good Bible teaching. I think that would be the best way to go. ;)

[Redheadedstepchild]

I joined a non-charismatic Methodist church. I struggled with it for awhile...to be honest it wasn't my first choice. The music gets on my nerves, they have a great children's program but no children's church, I wasn't sure about how I fit in with the church community...stuff like that. But, I had a real strong sense that it was where God wanted me to be. And all those issues I mentioned are probably areas I need to grow anyhow. I stopped struggling with the choice once I accepted God's will in the matter (which I guess stands to reason).

[Alpine]

I joined a non-charismatic Methodist church. I struggled with it for awhile...to be honest it wasn't my first choice. The music gets on my nerves, they have a great children's program but no children's church, I wasn't sure about how I fit in with the church community...stuff like that. But, I had a real strong sense that it was where God wanted me to be. And all those issues I mentioned are probably areas I need to grow anyhow. I stopped struggling with the choice once I accepted God's will in the matter (which I guess stands to reason).

To be honest, that would be so hard for me. Then again, I've been going to AOG/Pentecostal churches since I was 11. (Was baptised a Lutheran...went to a Lutheran church up to 11)

It'd be so hard for me to go back to a mainstream church...they tend to be sooooo traditional.... :)

Get one that has good worship AND good Bible teaching. I think that would be the best way to go.

I seem to have no luck in finding a church that has both.

[Redheadedstepchild]

Yeah, I understand that. I was brought up Methodist so I thought that I was looking for that same traditional feel. Then I found myself in an IPH church, which I loved, but it wasn't the right place for me. The UMC I'm at now is "blended"...kind of traditional but with a contemporary feel (if that makes any sense at all).

I know you'll find the place that's right for you.

[synger]

I attend a liturgical, confessional Lutheran church. Very traditional.

I love the focus on the cross, the gospel preached at every sermon, the balance of the Law and the Gospel. I love that we use a lectionary, so I know what we're going to be hearing about on Sunday, and I can prep my six-year-old ahead of time. I love the music, all 800 years of it.

I love that the children do not have a separate program during the service, but sit and participate in divine service with their families. I love that we have vibrant young people, and a wizened old German lady who remembers when the services were in German. I love that we have a bluegrass trio on the same Sunday that we chant the Psalms. I love that our Pastor was an army chaplain, and he never compromises the Word, yet keeps it simple and straightforward.

I love that, even though it's not a charismatic church at all, Pastor speaks of Satan and his demons as real and palpable enemies, and that even though I'm probably the only self-identified charismatic in the congregation, nobody looks at me twice when I raise my hands in prayer (though I've always been more a hands-at-the-waist person than a hands-in-the-air person anyway).

I would like the church to be more active in prayer ministry, and in outreach. I would like more people to be involved in adult Sunday School between the services. But I've studied every major denomination and most of the smaller branches, and after years as a Presbyterian (ordained elder, even), I am convinced that sound doctrine is key. So I ended up Lutheran. Never thought I would... never even considered it in my studies, really.

But there you have it. God draws us as He will, for His good purposes.

[ANM29]

I had a feeling that might have been the church you attended, when you mentioned its size. I've heard that they do have some great teaching there. :)

Yes, that is the one. :)

I do love the teaching. That is why I have stayed. Pastor Bob Coy is our pastor.

[onelamb]

I attend an Assembly of God church=and have for quite a while, no one would get upset if you danced. I am not a dancer though-and that's ok. I like it a lot but I do wish the Spiritual gifts would move a little more freely than they do. I like the contemporary worship and the love the people have for one another.

[Izdaari]

My church is Assemblies of God, though it wasn't easy to find that out. It isn't on the sign, the bulletin or the website. Probably a wise decision, since had I known, it probably would've turned me off. I had a bad impression of AoG from my time in Florida. The members I had known there were very judgmental, legalistic and old-fashioned. Luckily, my church isn't like that. I'm sure the region plays into that. Seattle is known for being liberal (politically too much so IMHO), tolerant and polite.

Our pastor is a teacher, not a preacher, and a very good one. I always enjoy his messages, and always learn something new. The congregation is very open, welcoming and loving. My preferred service is the evening youth service, which is very come-as-you-are casual with a rock praise and worship band. My impression is that this particular church puts less emphasis on the charismatic stuff than is usual for the denomination. It's present, but seems toned down to about a Calvary Chapel "bapticostal" level. I'm new to the whole charismatic thing anyway, so that's comfortable for me.

[Redheadedstepchild]

My church is Assemblies of God, though it wasn't easy to find that out. It isn't on the sign, the bulletin or the website.

This was also true of the Pentecostal Holiness Church I attended for awhile...they did have the IPHC symbol on their sign, but that was it. I thought it was strange, but wondered if it was done on purpose.

[Alpine]

This was also true of the Pentecostal Holiness Church I attended for awhile...they did have the IPHC symbol on their sign, but that was it. I thought it was strange, but wondered if it was done on purpose.

It is done on purpose. The AOG started doing this awhile ago. In fact, a church I went too, World Harvest, you would never know it was AOG unless you asked the pastor. It wasn't on any signs, documents, anything.

[FaithfulRemnant]

I worship with an Evangelical Lutheran congregation.

[synger]

Welcome! Glad to see another Lutheran in these waters. *grins*

[Inspectorclouseau]

What do you like/dislike about it?

I meet in the housechurch! We like to sing and to bang on the walls. Also sometimes to have speaks about the gospel of luke and John and to pray.

We can help one anoter when we know one anoter, this is easier in the homechurch to get to know all the people!

[Lead0By0Fire0Of0Jehovah]

I meet in the housechurch! We like to sing and to bang on the walls. Also sometimes to have speaks about the gospel of luke and John and to pray.

We can help one anoter when we know one anoter, this is easier in the homechurch to get to know all the people! I know Oneness Pentecostal church do jump off the walls I know is call holy dance, but do you believe in the trinity? In the church that I attended dose not jump off walls, we do shake, jump, shaking head, movement of arms, bent up and down and even side ways that move so quick, running, spinning around real fast, the movement of shoulders,:clap: that’s the church I go that I visit at Pentecostal Church of God Ebenezer which is spanish not a english speaking church, we don’t believe in dancing or dance in the flesh but dancing in the spirit and my home church is a non-denominational church which is Right Now Ministries but is still consider a Pentecostal in away, they just don't want to label Pentecostal lol but there not as extreme as the Spanish church that I go to and I know my church they don’t really dance in the spirit that much, that why you wont see me looking like I’m in the club dancing around in the flesh but I do take a little move but not like break dancing like some folks do in my home church^_^ lol but I do a little slide or I do a praise break, know that’s mostly what black church do, but at my home church mostly young people in my church but I still love my church they still love the lord and don’t really think is all that wrong to dance but they can sometimes carried away a bit and that stuff maybe kind of remind them of being in the world and going to a club but they all go for fun, I believe church not a post to be fun it is serious then that, church in fellowshipping is about joy not no fun but I learn that from the Spanish churches but it is mostly Puerto Rican style type atmosphere and those congregation are no joke at all but they really cool :cool:

[Jeffwo]

I attend a non-denominational church. Approxiamtely 300 regular members. We also have a Christian private school.

We have powerful praise/worship and great preaching/teaching.

It gets pretty wild around there sometimes but all is done decently and orderly.

[raingirl]

i'm at a spinoff of morningstar fellowship out of charlotte, nc. the group i meet with is small and intimate and i love it very much. free to worship loud or quiet. it makes no difference. it's not a performance, which i love so much. the main church, pastored by rick joyner, is much much larger and a wonderful church. i'm there sometimes too, but it's a farther drive :)

[LeadWorship]

Non-Denom with Apostolic oversight.

[WaterAndFire]

I attend Souls Harbor FPC (United Pentecostal) in Belleview, Florida. We believe in Jesus Name baptism, the Oneness of God and being filled with the Holy Ghost.

Thanks
Steve

[lismore]

Since I parted ways with AOG a week ago Im in a housefellowship of one:D