Looking for a new Denomination

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I was raised in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I don't agree with all their theology anymore. I was raised heavily in its culture. I am still caught up in it. I still eat vegetarian. I find it difficult to navigate normal culture outside the SDA church. I am trying to find a new church, but is difficult.
First, I live in New England, a liberal area. It is the most unchurched part of the USA. Next, most of the churches are very liberal. They are often sell-outs to popular culture, being permissive in order to please society.
I have been to some churches that were friendly, but I didn't like the music. They were contemporary services with words on a screen. I would rather have hymns and hymnals. I liked being able to hold a book in my hands, leaf through it and see what other hymns are in it. I also like to be able to play the hymns on a musical instrument. With a church that only uses words on a screen, I have no such privilege. And people call that being "innovative" and "cutting edge".
It does irk me that many of the churches seem to be geared to married couples with children, adolescents and young collegiate aged adults. There are so many "couples nights", "couples retreats", young adult groups (18-30), mother's groups, and the like. It is frustrating for me because I am 36 and not married and have no children. It's likely that it won't happen for me. I want to be able to fit in without having to get married and have a baby.
*I want a church that upholds the BIBLE. I don't want a church that has sold out to mainstream culture.
*I don't want a church that thinks it is OK for women to be pastors.
*I don't want a church that thinks women are only good for having babies and staying at home.
*I don't want a church that has a contemporary service.
*I don't want a church that controls people's lives too much.
*I don't want a church that forces people to give money to them.

I think that's it for now. :)
 

Albion

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Hi. I believe what you say about the nature of most of the churches in your area, and it sounds to me as though the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod (not the Ev. Lutheran Ch in America) would come very close to what you're thinking of, depending of course upon the usual variances from congregation to congregation that most denominations have. It's hard for us here to know which have gone in more for the couples' clubs, and which are mainly older people, etc. The LCMS will be somewhat more ceremonial than you're used to, but it's not exotic or oppressive, and you might find it to be dignified.
 
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Albion

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I would warn that many LCMS churches do have contemporary services, though many are starting to recover a more traditional liturgy. Another possibility maybe, and Albion check me if you disagree, would be the ACNA or a similar Anglican group.
The best bet there would be one of the Continuing Anglican churches and, yes, they could work. ACNA, on the other hand, does have women priests, although not many, and it does tend towards contemporary or mildly charismatic services. Thinking back, I probably didn't make mention of any Anglican parishes because they are not nearly so numerous as LCMS congregations.
 
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Arcangl86

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The best bet there would be one of the Continuing Anglican churches and, yes, they could work. ACNA, on the other hand, does have women priests, although not many, and it does tend towards contemporary or mildly charismatic services. Thinking back, I probably didn't make mention of any Anglican parishes because they are not nearly so numerous as LCMS congregations.
Thank you. I'm not really clear on the differences so thanks for the correction.
 
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Albion

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Thank you. I'm not really clear on the differences so thanks for the correction.
Ooooh. For anyone who's interested in this, the Wikipedia entry on "Continuing Anglican movement" is pretty accurate and does give a listing of church bodies.

The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) is not considered to be a Continuing Anglican church because it is of much more recent origin and has more liberal stances on a number of matters, including the Prayer Book and Women's Ordination. It is, however, similar in some ways to the Continuing Anglican bodies and is definitely more conservative than The Episcopal Church from which it broke off.
 
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GracetotheHumble

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Light of the East

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*I want a church that upholds the BIBLE. I don't want a church that has sold out to mainstream culture.
*I don't want a church that thinks it is OK for women to be pastors.
*I don't want a church that thinks women are only good for having babies and staying at home.
*I don't want a church that has a contemporary service.
*I don't want a church that controls people's lives too much.
*I don't want a church that forces people to give money to them.

How about one more little item? How about a Church which worships and believes in the same manner as the Apostles and the men they trained? Would that be a good idea? I've spoken with a few people over my many years who have stated that such a church is what they are really looking for.

I have a suggestion, but I will hold off on it for now until I hear from you.
 
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chevyontheriver

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I was raised in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I don't agree with all their theology anymore. I was raised heavily in its culture. I am still caught up in it. I still eat vegetarian. I find it difficult to navigate normal culture outside the SDA church. I am trying to find a new church, but is difficult.
Which have you tried so far?

I think the conservative Lutheran (LCMS) or continuing Anglican or Catholic or Orthodox might be worth a look. These would all be liturgical, which could be a challenge to you as well as a breath of fresh air. They would all have a care for Biblical truth.

You might have too much baggage to try any of these. But it might be an eye-opener if you can just get your courage up.

If you decide to try a Catholic Church:
There is some variety and some aren't going to appeal to you as much as others.
When I travel I don't have lots of time to research which might be the best pick for me.
So I look for those which have perpetual Eucharistic adoration.
Those seem to be by far the more prayerful and reverent places.
No guarantee they will be perfect, but my track record is good so far.
And my interests in a place of worship agree pretty well with yours.
No screens, no contemporary rock concerts, no flaming liberal ....
So first I check out http://www.therealpresence.org/states/perp.htm
I select a parish near my destination that has perpetual adoration.
Then with data from that I check http://masstimes.org
It provides times and a link to the parish web site.
I check that out for times and other clues.

Just as an example say I was looking around Sandwich MA.
http://www.therealpresence.org/states/perp.htm has a listing for Corpus Christi parish on 245 Quaker Meetinghouse Road.
I enter Sandwich MA into Masstimes.org and it gives me several options including Corpus Christi.
I then find the link to their parish web site, http://www.corpuschristiparish.org/ and I surf around.
I'd go to this one, that is if I was ever going to be in the neighborhood.
 
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chevyontheriver

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My first thought also was Roman Catholic.
And not because I am Roman Catholic (came back from a Baptist Church btw.).
A Catholic parish would fulfill your points pretty well.
It would be logical. It looks like it would fit her bill of requirements. At least if she finds an average or better parish.

But considering the extreme nature of SDA anti-Catholicism, it would be a huge emotional and intellectual undertaking. Friends and family might well turn on her. She would have to start out in secret until she could weigh the cost accurately. I did recommend it, but it should not be done without care. A few visits would be good, and it is advantageous that Catholic churches often have Saturday evening and even Sunday evening services, and for that matter daily services. It IS easy to drop in inconspicuously. If those visits have whetted an appetite a more formal discernment is possible. We don't rush it at all.

One thing to add. The Catholic Church would not seek to rebaptize her. The Anglican and Lutheran options bandied about wouldn't either, at least I don't think so. All of those would accept the baptism she has been given as an Adventist. And that's a good thing.
 
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Esdra

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But considering the extreme nature of SDA anti-Catholicism, it would be a huge emotional and intellectual undertaking.

Yes, I agree. I originally wanted to write, "You won't like what I will advise you, but my first thought also was Roman Catholic." :)

I do hope that she'll find a loving new church home.
 
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Albion

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My first thought also was Roman Catholic.
And not (only) because I am Roman Catholic (came back from a Baptist Church btw.), but because a Catholic parish would fulfill your points pretty well.

Here's what our inquirer--who comes from a Protestant background and wasn't opposed to it except as the list indicated--gave us to work from:

*I want a church that upholds the BIBLE. I don't want a church that has sold out to mainstream culture.
*I don't want a church that thinks it is OK for women to be pastors.
*I don't want a church that thinks women are only good for having babies and staying at home.
*I don't want a church that has a contemporary service.
*I don't want a church that controls people's lives too much.
*I don't want a church that forces people to give money to them.

Clearly, a conservative or traditional Protestant church of some variety is going to be the kind best positioned to meet the expectations. It's just a matter of identifying the right one. Switching from one extreme to the opposite end of the Christian spectrum is not what's called for.
 
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Esdra

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- The Roman Catholic Church DOES uphold the Bible. - At least since Vatican II. - There are more and more bible groups arising and also the priests are preaching the bible in their homilies more and more often. Furthermore the whole mass consists more or less of bible quotes. (It also took me some time to realise that though.)
- Well, and I am also not sure, if the SDA not also "controls people's lives", maybe even more than the Catholic Church does.

But I agree, a conservative, traditional protestant church is also a possibility for her.

I would advise her, to have a look at all three: Roman Catholic, Traditional Protestant (like LCMS and Continuing Anglican) and Orthodoxy (mentioned by chevyontheriver above).
 
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Albion

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- The Roman Catholic Church DOES uphold the Bible.
That's open to question, but let's consider the orientation of our inquirer. There is hardly a denomination that is more critical of Catholic theology than the SDA, so do you seriously think that your interpretation of that line in the listing is the same as the inquirer's? Most often, people who say that they want a church that goes strictly by the Bible are Protestants. Obviously. In addition, the Catholic Church is much involved in social and political activism.

Well, and I am also not sure, if the SDA not also "controls people's lives", maybe even more than the Catholic Church does.
Apparently, that IS what the inquirer thinks of the SDA, but the remedy would not be to move to another church that has a similar reputation.

But I agree, a conservative, traditional protestant church is also a possibility for her.
It's the possibility that's most likely to work out, in fact. That's the idea.
 
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chevyontheriver

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*I want a church that upholds the BIBLE. I don't want a church that has sold out to mainstream culture.
*I don't want a church that controls people's lives too much.
We have been increasingly resistant to mainstream culture as that culture slips away from having a Biblical basis. Never accepted abortion as right. Not accepting and performing gay marriage. Actually profoundly Biblical in a way that some people just don't see because they think they already know better.

Nobody is telling me that I have to tithe, that I have to be a vegetarian or not eat pork, nobody is taking attendance. Nobody grills me on the creed or reports me for drinking a beer. Nobody has turned up in my bedroom to file a report. I've never had the pastor seek me out for my failings.

I'd say the Catholic Church meets the criteria she posted. Maybe she has other criteria not mentioned that will (obviously) exclude a Catholic option. But for what was actually mentioned, it does fit her criteria. It would be a big change for her. But it's up to her. I mentioned conservative Lutheran and continuing Anglican and Catholic and Orthodox. I didn't suggest she steer clear of anything. Now you get all special and try to remove options.
 
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Albion

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Nobody is telling me that I have to tithe
No, but how many churches feature an appeal for money in almost every sermon, along with publishing for all to see the annual giving amounts for each member of the parish?

And tithing isn't the only way of pressuring people to give, not to mention that most Protestant churches do not practice tithing. Certainly it's not required in the ones already mentioned.

that I have to be a vegetarian or not eat pork, nobody is taking attendance. Nobody grills me on the creed or reports me for drinking a beer. Nobody has turned up in my bedroom to file a report. I've never had the pastor seek me out for my failings.
OK. Let's scratch all the churches to which that list of objections would apply. You still have most Protestant churches, including the one already recommended on this thread.

BTW, I won't be responding to any more such posts because this is not a forum on which debating is supposed to occur. At least, I hope not to do that and believe it's inappropriate.
 
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chevyontheriver

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No, but how many churches feature an appeal for money in almost every sermon, along with publishing for all to see the annual giving amounts for each member of the parish?
I have no idea. We get a small handful of appeals for money each year. Maybe three a year. And I've never seen an annual giving report on ANY member of the parish.
BTW, I won't be responding to any more such posts because this is not a forum on which debating is supposed to occur.
Fine by me. I didn't go critical on anybody's suggestion.
 
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Albion

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I have no idea.
Well I do, and the abbreviation that's often used is "RCC." The point again is not that there are no other denominations which put the bite on their members all the time and very pointedly so, but that our inquirer here said that getting away from such a thing is what mattered.
 
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