I have a question and I’m confused

[Lærke]

If you don't know anything about any of the denominations or churches, you might try visiting one or two Sundays in each of the churches in your area, to get a sense of their beliefs, practices, and styles of worship.

Do you have any idea at the moment of what your theological beliefs are, or what style of worship brings you close to God? If you have a sense of either of those, I might be able to suggest a denomination that's a good fit for you.

Well, as I said, there’s one up the street and I’m very curious about their services and I would love to attend possibly next week Sunday. I don’t really have any specific questions I just want to go and see if it feels right for me. Thank you very much for your response. I do appreciate it!

 

[Soyeong]

I’m a Bible believing Christian. I would like to attend an actual church but I’m very confused on which one to attend since there are so many different denominations. There are a few different denominations in my area. What do I do? Can anyone offer me any advice? Thank you.

Churches often have websites with statements of faith that speak about what they believe as well phone numbers or email addresses that you can use to ask questions. A lot of churches also posts their sermons online so that you can listen to, however, even if you find sermons to be edifying, that doesn't necessarily means that you will fit well into their community, so to some extent you need to attend one to experience what they are like. You can learn a lot of value things from someone even if you strongly disagree with them in other areas of theology, so you don't need to find a church where you completely agree with every aspect of their theology.

 

[Lærke]

Churches often have websites with statements of faith that speak about what they believe as well phone numbers or email addresses that you can use to ask questions. A lot of churches also posts their sermons online so that you can listen to, however, even if you find sermons to be edifying, that doesn't necessarily means that you will fit well into their community, so to some extent you need to attend one to experience what they are like. You can learn a lot of value things from someone even if you strongly disagree with them in other areas of theology, so you don't need to find a church where you completely agree with every aspect of their theology.

Yes, I do agree with that as I said, I’m open to learning and I can appreciate many aspects of different denominations. There are SO MANY.

 

[Ivan Hlavanda]

I’m a Bible believing Christian. I would like to attend an actual church but I’m very confused on which one to attend since there are so many different denominations. There are a few different denominations in my area. What do I do? Can anyone offer me any advice? Thank you.

Once you get to a new church, make sure the teaching is all about Jesus, and the service is about God alone. Also the preacher better be preaching from the Bible, because there are too many that almost never preach from it, the service is all about you and how you feel. Also it is important if the Spirit of the Lord is present. If He is, the church will practice discipline, not tolerate sin and compromise, the pastor will find time to get to know you and people will be loving. If the church compromises, or there is a female pastor, or allow same sex gender marriage, won't teach from the scripiture, it's all about how you feel, never teaches about sin, repentance, hell, then run away.

 

[PloverWing]

However, I need to find something that’s close to me like within walking distance, and the only church that would be within walking distance is an Episcopalian church, which I have never been to to date.

Given that you like Catholic and Lutheran worship, I think the Episcopal church is worth a try, especially if it's the one within walking distance. The liturgy is similar to what you'd see in a Catholic or Lutheran church, and I think we follow the same lectionary that they use.

(I'm Episcopalian, so obviously I'm going to think the Episcopal church is worth trying , but also I think it could be a good match for you, given what you've said.)

Episcopalians find our unity in common worship, rather than in uniformity of belief. That means that you'll find some variation in beliefs among Episcopalians. This is a feature that I like very much, but you'll have to decide whether it's a feature that you like or dislike.

 

[DragonFox91]

Churches are theologically liberal or theologically conservative
Churches have a simple liturgy like non-denominational or very liturgical like Roman Catholic

Do some Bible reading (& study from extra-Biblical sources), talk to believers, talk to God, find out what you trust is God's truth, & go from there. May take some trial & error.

 

[Lærke]

Once you get to a new church, make sure the teaching is all about Jesus, and the service is about God alone. Also the preacher better be preaching from the Bible, because there are too many that almost never preach from it, the service is all about you and how you feel. Also it is important if the Spirit of the Lord is present. If He is, the church will practice discipline, not tolerate sin and compromise, the pastor will find time to get to know you and people will be loving. If the church compromises, or there is a female pastor, or allow same sex gender marriage, won't teach from the scripiture, it's all about how you feel, never teaches about sin, repentance, hell, then run away.

Yes. I have had a lot of runnings with bad churches in the past of certain denominations, so I am very well-versed in singling out the bad apples.

 

[Lærke]

Given that you like Catholic and Lutheran worship, I think the Episcopal church is worth a try, especially if it's the one within walking distance. The liturgy is similar to what you'd see in a Catholic or Lutheran church, and I think we follow the same lectionary that they use.

(I'm Episcopalian, so obviously I'm going to think the Episcopal church is worth trying , but also I think it could be a good match for you, given what you've said.)

Episcopalians find our unity in common worship, rather than in uniformity of belief. That means that you'll find some variation in beliefs among Episcopalians. This is a feature that I like very much, but you'll have to decide whether it's a feature that you like or dislike.

Sounds great. Thank you!

 

[Lærke]

Churches often have websites with statements of faith that speak about what they believe as well phone numbers or email addresses that you can use to ask questions. A lot of churches also posts their sermons online so that you can listen to, however, even if you find sermons to be edifying, that doesn't necessarily means that you will fit well into their community, so to some extent you need to attend one to experience what they are like. You can learn a lot of value things from someone even if you strongly disagree with them in other areas of theology, so you don't need to find a church where you completely agree with every aspect of their theology.

Yes, I agree and I’m very open to learning from other people even if we do have differences I see that there’s value in that-you just take what you like and leave the rest.

 

[Ivan Hlavanda]

Yes. I have had a lot of runnings with bad churches in the past of certain denominations, so I am very well-versed in singling out the bad apples.

I'd say the denomination doesn't matter as long as the worship is according to God.

I for instance go to a Church that teaches different things on millenium to what I believe. There is paedobaptism, but I do not know whether or not that's Biblical, but despite our differences in some teachings, we love one another and God is glorified.

 

[Lærke]

I'd say the denomination doesn't matter as long as the worship is according to God.

I for instance go to a Church that teaches different things on millenium to what I believe. There is paedobaptism, but I do not know whether or not that's Biblical, but despite our differences in some teachings, we love one another and God is glorified.

Sometimes I just go because I just want to hear them talk & see what they have to say & if it passes my own test then I may continue going there. I’m not really sure how I feel about all those other complicated topics. I try not to think about them because everybody has so many different opinions, so I just try to read what it says in the Bible about the topics brought up.

 

[The Liturgist]

It’s a tossup because I like the style of a Catholic Church. I like the feeling because I was raised Catholic BUT I also like the Lutheran style AND also at the same time, I like more of a strict Bible believing church BUT I like the Pentecostal music. I’m confused about what church I should attend based on all those leanings. That’s about as much as I can think of at the moment.

Most Episcopalian churches are somewhere in between the Catholic style and the Lutheran style, so my guess is you would like it, and I would suggest trying it. The only problem the Episcopal Church has in my opinion is that many parishes have very liberal clergy, whereas others have more traditional clergy, and some are middle of the road, and a few are very conservative (like St. John’s in Detroit, and some in Louisiana and Virginia), although a large number of the conservative parishes left to join ACNA or the Continuing Anglican churches. But there are still a fair number of traditional parishes, some with exquisite liturgy like St. Thomas Fifth Ave. Therefore, there is a very good chance the Episcopal Church in close proximity to you will be quite pleasant. I must say, if I had an Episcopal church in walking distance to me, I would try it.

 

[The Liturgist]

Sometimes I just go because I just want to hear them talk & see what they have to say & if it passes my own test then I may continue going there. I’m not really sure how I feel about all those other complicated topics. I try not to think about them because everybody has so many different opinions, so I just try to read what it says in the Bible about the topics brought up.

I have a feeling you will like the Episcopal Church based on your Catholic and Lutheran background. If you don’t, I feel you kind of answered your own question in that the next thing to try would Be the nearest Catholic and Lutheran church. Despite my rejection of liberal theology, I still love the Episcopal Church and routinely watch many services from Episcopal parishes and cathedrals across the US, and other Anglican churches around the world. Also, in Las Vegas I was surprised by the fact that the local Episcopal church has very good relations with the Continuing Anglican parish of St. George, despite the fact the Continuing Anglicans separated from the Episcopalians in 1979 over the issues of theological liberalism. And indeed, one Episcopal parish in Detroit I was convinced was Continuing Anglican, until I visited their website (that being St. John’s), so the Episcopal Church is a very broad church, and I think unless you are very unlucky you will likely like their parish.

As I said, I would be very happy to live in walking distance of an Episcopal Church. And regarding correct Bible Doctrine, even some of the liberal Episcopalian clergy are still extremely theologically well-trained, for example, some of the priests at St. Thomas Fifth Ave. are liberal, but in terms of doctrinal theology their views are in accord with Lutheran and Episcopal teachings. So like I said, unless you are very unlucky and live next to one of the more unusual parishes, the chances are it will meet with your needs, at least in the short term.

Especially, I should add, in the Midwest, where they tend to be more traditional than say, Southern California or New England.

I myself absolutely love the Episcopalian parish in St. George, Utah, by the way, were given that the city is filled with Mormons who are very nice people but a little strange, visiting the Episcopal Church one gets the sense of returning to normality, and that the congregation there and the other local Christians are the sane ones keeping St. George running smoothly despite the forces of Mormonism.

 

[Daniel Marsh]

Well, I have been to Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, Nondenominational, Unity & Pentecostal churches in the past. However, I need to find something that’s close to me like within walking distance, and the only church that would be within walking distance is an Episcopalian church, which I have never been to to date. I’m extremely open to different denominations, but they all seem fine to me when I have attended them but then I start to wonder if these are churches are something I should be attending. I don’t want to attend something that I shouldn’t. Not trying to offend anybody who attends these churches it’s just that I have a great need to find something for me that feels completely right. I hope that this makes sense.

I am sure you know that Unity teaches false doctrine, avoid them.

 

[Daniel Marsh]

It’s a tossup because I like the style of a Catholic Church. I like the feeling because I was raised Catholic BUT I also like the Lutheran style AND also at the same time, I like more of a strict Bible believing church BUT I like the Pentecostal music. I’m confused about what church I should attend based on all those leanings. That’s about as much as I can think of at the moment.

Evangelical Prysbtarian is your answer.

 

[concretecamper]

I am sure you know that Unity teaches false doctrine, avoid them.

I'm sure they would say the same about where you attend services. So where does that leave the OP?

 

[boughtwithaprice]

My advice would include scripture and prayer, but the one thing that I have not seen mentioned in this thread is history, and what do they teach?
I see people say, go where you feel is right. I am sorry if I misinterpreted others, but that is what I am hearing in this thread. I don't agree with that.
We should be ruled by reason and not feelings. If we pursue feelings, that leads to confusion and also what is known as cognitive dissonance. That is the sense that something is not right, but everyone is so nice to me, that I will ignore it, then the feeling of unease goes away. That is not a good plan. The scriptures say, study to show yourself approved, and also warns that in the last days, people will not endure sound doctrine, but want their ears tickled and get teachers to tell them what they want to hear. If we follow feelings, we will get trapped in that crowd.
Study the history of each denomination and its founder. How did they start and where are they going? Do they teach repentance and holy living, or do they just want to glad hand you and make you feel good theologically, but hit you with conscience when they want ten percent of your income?
There are sincere people that want to study and obey scripture, but for others its just a business. I would say, if you hear anyone preach the prosperity Gospel, run away. Anyone that will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. We are not greater than our Master. The world hated Him, it will hate us also.
A good place to start would be the history of America, as I believe that is where you are from. The Catholics were here first, but they were mainly missionaries that wanted to convert the natives, not set up colonies. The original protestants came to Jamestown in 1607 and Plymoth in 1620. They consisted of two factions. The Puritans, that wanted to purify the anglican church, and the pilgrims that did not like the Anglicans because they were too Catholic, so the Pilgrims eventually became congregationalists and the Plymoth Brethren that wanted to be as far from Catholic as possible. It wasn't because they disagreed with all of Catholic teaching, but they rejected the authority of the Pope. The Anglicans still had bishops and the king was the sovereign over the church. Congregationalists wanted complete independence. The problem with that independence is that the Churches were subject to the rules of democracy, which is the opinions of men, rather than an ecclesial authority. We see many of the strong doctrines "watered" down over time from the 1600s till now as each generation claimed to be making progress. Remember the wheat and the tares? Christ said to let the tares remain in the Church, but He never said to have the tares rule the Church. Satan loves democracy. He just sends his tares into a church to vote out sound doctrine, and the salt will lose its savor. Beware of that phenomenon.
We come to Church to learn from and obey God, not to feel good as a primary motive. Once our mind is subjected to truth, God will allow our feelings to follow. That is the peace that passes understanding. For me personally, I searched many different denominations and nondenominational i.e. congregationalist churches, but I never felt at peace. I thought that I knew better than everyone, and each denomination would have one flaw that would eventually become intolerable. Not that I was any better, I was a despicable person. A man most miserable as I convinced myself that I was right and everyone else was wrong, even when I returned to the Catholic Church. It was not until I submitted to the full authority of the Catholic magisterium, and received the sacraments in humility that the sin that so easily beset me was gone. Other congregations could make me feel good, but I was still a sinner, as they told me that I would never stop sinning in this world so don't worry.
That is not good advice. Christ calls all men everywhere to repent, and He will give us the power to do it if we ask Him. I believe that is Revelation 3:20 Message me if you want to talk, but I will pray for you in your journey

 

[boughtwithaprice]

Here is St Augustine’s talk on denominations


St Augustine's sermon On Pastors


The church, like a vine, grows and spreads everywhere


They are straying across the mountains and the high hills, they have been scattered over all the face of the earth. What does this mean, scattered over all the face of the earth? That they attach themselves to earthly things, the things that glitter on the face of the earth: they love and desire them. They do not want to die and be hidden away in Christ. Over all the face of the earth not only because they love earthly things but because across all the earth there are sheep astray. They are everywhere, but one thing, pride, is the mother of them all, just as Christians who are spread over all the world have one mother, the Church.


So it is not to be wondered at that pride gives birth to dissension while love generates unity. The Church is the mother of all, and everywhere the shepherd in her seeks those who are astray, strengthens those who are weak, cares for the sick and puts the broken together again. Many of them are not even known to one another, but she knows them all because she is merged with them all.


She is like a vine that has grown and sprouted everywhere. Those in love with earthly things are like sterile shoots pruned away by the grower’s knife because of their sterility, cut away so that the vine should not have to be cut down. And those sterile shoots, once they are pruned away, lie on the ground and stay there. But the vine grows over all, and it knows those shoots that remain part of it, and it knows the cut-off shoots that lie next to it.


But from where they lie she calls them back, for as St Paul says of the broken branches, God has the power to graft them back again. Whether you speak of sheep straying away from the flock or branches cut off from the vine, God is equally able to call back the lost sheep and to graft back the lost branches: the Lord, the true vine-dresser. They have been scattered over all the face of the earth and no-one misses them, no-one calls them back – no-one among the bad shepherds. No-one misses them – that is, no man does.


Well then, shepherds, hear the words of the Lord. As I live, says the Lord God… See how he starts. It is like an oath sworn by God, calling his very life to witness. As I live, says the Lord God. The shepherds are dead but the sheep are safe. As I live, says the Lord God. What shepherds are dead? Those who have sought their own interests rather than Christ’s. So what of the shepherds who seek Christ’s interests and not their own? Of course there will be such shepherds, of course they will be found: there is no lack of them and there never will be.

 

[The Liturgist]

If He is, the church will practice discipline, not tolerate sin and compromise

In general my view is that as far as the laity is concerned, the only cases where the Church might reasonably ”discipline” them are in cases involving them engaging in adultery or homosexuality or other perversion (such as we see in 1 and 2 Corinthians) or if they were found to have spread malicious gossip among the congregation, or confess to a heinous crime, or spread false or heretical teachings. This is apart from guidance or penances a confessor might give someone to help them overcome the Passions, but I reject on absolute grounds the Western Catholic view inherited by many Anglican and Lutheran clergy that confessors must issue a penance to those seeking absolution; I have yet to have that in the Orthodox Church after ten years of membership but have been greatly helped in the past decade by the spiritual advice of my confessors.

And regarding auricular confession, I regard it as spiritually healthy, but the congregational prayers for repentance and absolution one finds in liturgical churches are also adequate (I particularly like those found in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, and also the confiteor ante communionem often prayed aloud by the congregation in Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Rite Catholic Churches).

Recently several Fundamentalist denomination, for example, those in the 9Marks pseudo-denomination, have been engaging in severe abuses of members under the guise of “church discipline” for dubious offenses like failing to properly inform the church when relocating, or going on vacation, or in some cases for making legitimate complaints about the clergy that in other denominations would typically be heard by an independent authority. The Church of England has a very good program in this regard in the form of its Safeguarding Initiative which I view as something of a model to follow.

The early church had the equivalent in the form of numerous canons which protected, and in the case of those churches like the Orthodox, still protect, the laity, against abuse from their clergy. For example, a presbyter, bishop, or indeed anyone serving as clergy, such as deacons, cannot act as the managers of the finances or the estate of someone in their congregation. This common-sense rule ensures that one of the most common tactics of cult leaders, which is to persuade members of a cult to voluntarily surrender to them control of the members’ finances and legacies, cannot happen in any Christian church that follows the ancient canon law of the Early Church.

 

[Lærke]

I've decided to read the Bible & follow that. Forget about finding a church because there doesn't seem to be any denom for me. I will go at it alone & keep praying & reading. I've been purging more things out of my life as well.