two churches first one slow second one i had a spiritual connection with the holy spirit

Someone said Church is not a Country Club for Saints but rather a hospital for sinners...and I agree.

Hi. That's a tough situation you are in, although I have known a number of people over the years who could tell the same story. So at least you are not alone and are not making too much out of the problem. Not at all.

Is one of these considerations close to being non-negotiable for you--your friends, your husbands preference in churches, or something else? Is there some way to get around them if you choose the other church? Or not?

If you cannot do without one or the other of these, you probably will choose on that basis. If not, you will probably wind up being unhappy for having chosen the other church.

But if you really can see yourself as being in the middle and can go either way, I would suggest two approaches:

1. Give it time and go to both churches as often as you can. For awhile. This will be something of a burden in the short run, but the decision is important, I think we can agree. Choosing a church can be somewhat like dating. First impressions are often misleading, but in time you get to know the real situation. Avoid choosing a church without giving yourself the time to become really familiar and comfortable in both of them.

2. Pay attention to the doctrine and the effectiveness of the worship and the sermons, etc. I place a lot of value on what you said about feeling the Holy Spirit, etc. in that one church. See if that remains the case over the next few visits or if it gradually subsides.

At two levels in this issue:
1. As a believer in Jesus Christ, you are automatically a member of His Body, the authentic church ... and therefore free, indeed encouraged, to worship with any and all believers wherever they are, or whichever service they attend. This kind of membership you receive through Christ Himself, and man-made church organisations have no say in it. No human organised church can give you this membership. By going to two "churches" you are not committing any moral wrong, if your motive is to worship Christ together with other believers. Indeed you could become a valuable link between two sets of believers, both of whom belong to the Body of Christ as seen from His perspective. And He wants unity, not antagonism or competition, among His people.

2. Many local churches want a more administrative/bureaucratic "membership." The reasons may be several, including wanting to make public claims of "success" or "growth," but perhaps (in some juridictions) because regulations require membership lists. Or for other organisational/denominational reasons. Whatever the reasons, they often lead to the church claiming "ownership" at least of your loyalty, but also gives the sense that they can judge your conduct as in line with their doctrine, and impose sanctions on you - if only indirect and verbal. Many think that they can also then expect/demand/require services of some kind from you - and here there can be many variation (tithes, participating in service groups, etc.). Some churches have both "membership" and "associate membership" in which associated membership means you can retain membership in another church, that you may be temporarily away from.

What is important to you? Is Administrative membership very important to you? If so, you will be bothered by your own conscience because you are setting yourself up for divided "loyalties." But if your real loyalty is to Jesus Christ, then keep it there, and listen to Him. He may (or may not) affirm that you should worship together with your husband; He may draw you one way or another through you particular preference in true worship; He may want you to alternate for a while; He may want you to form bridges between the two. I am not able to say one way or the other.

I am bilingual. I am now regularly attending two evangelical churches that belong to two affiliations of local congregations. Their doctrine in all important issues is almost identical. One is full of young families (I am "old") and I don't fit well, but as a congregation they filled an important role at a particular time in my life, and I participate actively in their work. I wish to remain loyal and active to the extent they will allow me to be. It's services are held in the national language here, and if there is a need for translation, it is usually me who is asked to provide it. The other congregation has more stimulating Bible studies, the kind of praise I like, and is held in my mother tongue. Its "membership" is much more international, and much more like those churches I grew up in, so I feel very "comfortable" there. The pastors in both know that I attend the other; neither has questioned my participation in the other. I have ALWAYS made it clear that my first loyalty is to Jesus Christ, and that membership in His Body prevails over any and all denominational of administrative "membership." I guess I am very fortunate. Certainly I am grateful to Christ for the freedom, and the benefits, of association with two very different communities of believers.

I tend to think that husbands and wives should usually be in the same church family. So I am wondering how much you have discussed the whole situation with your husband? If you are uncomfortable with that church's position on some issues, you need to talk about that with him. Why is he not looking at the other church with you?

You said one of the two churches are open towards LGBT, in what way? Are they accepting the lifestyle or just open for all kinds of sinners to seek the face of Christ and repent?

A "church" that is accepting that sort of lifestyle, sin, will face judgement in some way. I don't mean to be too harsh about it but the Bible is clear about sin. If the people in the church are LGBT and open about it without conviction of any sin = You and your husband better go, RUN to the other church. A biblically based church has to be the foundation in which church you choose... Christ bless you sister!

SerenityRiver said:

i have a bit of a problem at the moment , am going to two churches one because my husband likes going to it and i have friends there second one i started to go to because they did praise and worship music and in kinda a bit more now a days than the first one
in the morning we go to the one where i have friends and my husband likes but its LGBT friendly and has slow music but my friends are all there
the second one i hardly know anyone but last week at the new church i felt like Jesus was with me through out the service and i got a warm feeling that i have been getting when i pray of late but it was more than ever i believe the Holy Spirit was with me Jesus was with me
the pastor of the old church says i should stay at the first one because my friends love me

the second one i know no one and am unsure if they will like me i dont want to stop going to the first one but my pastor dont seem to understand why i want to go to the second one

am kinda at a loss i want to keep everyone happy i dont want to lose my friends

Click to expand...

So, first you need to determine for yourself whether it was Jesus and the holy Spirit or not.

If you can answer that, and decide clearly and completely, if G-d was directing you to make a change... then nothing else matters.

Do you follow me? If G-d himself, is telling you to go to a different church.... then none of your other concerns matter. G-d is directing you to go to a different church. That's all you need to know.

Which matters more: G-d or making everyone happy?
Which is the higher authority in your life: G-d, or all your friends?
Which is your help in times of trouble: G-d, or your husband?

What matters more, G-d who offers you eternity, or a Church that will only last the years of your life?

So, first determine where G-d wants you to be... and then live that out. If he wants you in the first church, then stay there, and don't go to the other anymore.

If you he wants you to be in the second church, then go there, and don't go to the other anymore.

Whatever you do, you need to find a resolution. Going to two different churches at the same time, is the same as being unfaithful to both. Pick one. And go.