Based on what I've read the Disciples of Christ churches would work for you IMHO. But, but but....they aren't known for their high regard for biblical inerrancy, doctrine, etc.
I totally agree with TimRout on what he stated...so do what the Holy Spirit leads you to do...you stated that you know your sexual preference(s) is indeed sin...that's conservative in my book. It's a matter of you finding that conservative, YET HELPFUL church in your area...it may take some time...but I trust the Holy Spirit will guide you to victory.
I'd honestly get the yellowpages in your area, and just make some phonecalls. Talk to some pastors, see what they say about what you're all about. Don't get discouraged either...many fundy/conservative churches will just blow you off when you mention the bisexual thing...BUT I believe in up front honesty. Joining a church too fast without you knowing about them, and they knowing a bit about yourself can lead to heartache and confusion in the long run.
Good luck sister.
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Have you looked into a UCC church? Don't confuse United Church of Christ(UCC) with Church of Christ..not the same,lol.
That's the denomination I attend the most. I bounce back and forth between Methodist and UCC. UCC is big on social justice and very open to homosexuality.
Good luck and God bless! I'm in the same boat. I haven't found the right fit. To complicate things, I have 3 children, one has special needs and an agnostic/nearly atheist husband. So finding a church that fits my family is a bit of a challenge,lol.
TimRout: As Aibrean said, I am leery of churches that come right out and say they're "conservative", because I know they will not be accepting of me and in many cases won't even want to help me change in any way -- just yell at me and throw bible verses in my face, as though they aren't sinners too.
You should run from churches where you are rewarded with judgement for being open and honest. You don't need any of that. You need a church where you are loved unconditionally. A church where you feel free to share openly. After all, as Jesus Christ Himself said "Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone." The fact that you accepted Jesus Christ as your saviour means that the Holy Spirit will lead you and gently shape you according to the Lord's will. It is not for people to try and change you - that's the Holy Spirit's business. He knows how to do this much better and gentler than any human being. So, just look for a Christian church where you are genuinely loved. That's all.
We're here to help Blue Plastic by answering the question she put to us.
She's asking for a denomination, BY NAME and the particular branch if applicable, in which she is likely to find what she outlined for us.
-free will -believer's baptism only -communion is symbolic only -a strong commitment to liberal social activism -a personal relationship with God (rather than overly ritualistic services?) -not without some official standards expected of all members -not judgmental on sexual orientation as some conservative churches are
The Disciples of Christ and the Quakers fit pretty well, but are not under consideration because of distance.
The UCC or the American Baptists or possibly the UMC seem to come close, and have all been mentioned. I myself am not sure now about excluding the UMC, as I initially did, because the "boring" issue the OP spoke of was based upon a childhood memory, and not even Blue Plastic thought this was certain to still be a problem. (Whichever church we attended as children, we are likely to remember as boring, right?)
But the smaller Wesleyan and Methodist churches are really quite conservative as has been acknowledged by several of us. That's part of their reason for being, in fact. The exception might be the Church of the Nazarene, I agree.
Last edited by Albion; 23rd July 2009 at 09:22 AM.
I've only personally been to UMC and Disciples of the ones Albion listed above (Never heard of American Baptists and I live in Illinois, maybe they don't state their affiliation much). I have to agree with Redhead on trying a UMC service. It mostly depends on the congregation but a lot of UMCs are pretty accepting of people and ideas that very from the norm, like Disciples so in that regard I'd say either would be a good match for you.
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I've only personally been to UMC and Disciples of the ones Albion listed above (Never heard of American Baptists and I live in Illinois, maybe they don't state their affiliation much).
It's probably just as well that you mentioned this. There are Southern Baptists...and then there are American Baptists, once known as the Northern Baptists.
The name was changed to American Baptist Churches in the USA. You're onto something when you said they probably don't state their affiliation much. Typically, Baptist congregations don't do that.
I'd be very much surprised if one of the American Baptist churches is not located near you, quite possibly the most prominent Baptist church in town. BTW, there is a also smaller Baptist group, officially called the American Baptist Association, more often termed "Landmark Baptists," and they're not whom I was speaking of.
It's probably just as well that you mentioned this. There are Southern Baptists...and then there are American Baptists, once known as the Northern Baptists.
The name was changed to American Baptist Churches in the USA. You're onto something when you said they probably don't state their affiliation much. Typically, Baptist congregations don't do that.
I'd be very much surprised if one of the American Baptist churches is not located near you, quite possibly the most prominent Baptist church in town. BTW, there is a also smaller Baptist group, officially called the American Baptist Association, more often termed "Landmark Baptists," and they're not whom I was speaking of.
Your probably right, there is large very popular Baptist church in town and that is probably their affiliation. Interesting.
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We do have an American Baptist church in town, called Calvary Baptist Church. They have a nice web site, which is a plus for me as well, because it shows that at least some people in the congregation are interested in technology and are probably relatively young -- up here in deepest darkest New England, there are a lot of churches (and other places) where everyone is 65 and older
-free will
-believer's baptism only
-communion is symbolic only
-a strong commitment to liberal social activism
-a personal relationship with God (rather than overly ritualistic services?)
-not without some official standards expected of all members
-not judgmental on sexual orientation as some conservative churches are
This may be a surprise, but at least some Assemblies of God churches fit those criteria pretty well. Mine does.
The only point that doesn't quite match up is liberal social activism. We are committed to ministering to the poor and the outcast, but not in a political way; we simply don't do politics, liberal, conservative or otherwise. But we do lots of missions work and community outreach, and we have a recovery ministry and a jailhouse ministry.
It's probably a long shot, as I'm sure my AG congregation isn't quite typical, being in a very liberal big city, but it's another possibility at least.
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It's a matter of you finding that conservative, YET HELPFUL church in your area...it may take some time...but I trust the Holy Spirit will guide you to victory. 
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