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LynnSmith

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Working on getting my relationship with the Lord on the right track. Spent the last 8 months or so just giving up, not trying and pulling away. Big life changes, big move, work changes and so on. I need to find a church home. Where to start is overwhelming. I want to find a spirit filled church but don’t believe one most speak in tongues. I do not believe that is a sign of salvation. I want sound teaching. I don’t want to hear a pep talk each week. Love sermons that are full is scripture. Bible study is very important. I don’t know where to start looking in ways of denominations that are charismatic but what follow what I believe. If that makes sense lol Guess Im asking what are considered the charismatic denominations. I find it all scary in a sense as I never attended a charismatic church and don’t want to land somewhere with false teaching or things that lead to confusion.
 
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com7fy8

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Hi, Lynn :) Welcome to Christian Forums :) We are pleased to meet you :)

I am Bill :) God bless you :)

One thing I think of is read a scripture verse by verse so you can't skip things God wants you to feed on. If we jump around to string together verses to prove what we believe, this can have us missing very nutritional things. For example, start at the beginning of a Gospel or letter or other book in the Bible and go verse by verse, and trust God to have you see and benefit from what He has for you.

Then, as you share in churches or a church, you can see if and how the messages and people are feeding on everything, and not only repeating a few fingerprint beliefs over and over in how many different ways of promoting what makes them different from others.

The Bible can give us so much more and better than ones who are comparing and competing (2 Corinthians 10:12). But mature Christians can be in the same place as ones who are trying to look like they are the greatest. And you need to learn how to love the hypocrites and the show and tellers and the growing ones who are not sound examples < these can be with ones who love and care for them in prayer and have hope for them. You can do well to be in the number of the ones who do not give up on ones with problems and who are problems . . . their own main problems, yes.

Love "hopes all things" > in 1 Corinthians 13:7. Jesus died on the cross, with hope for any evil person, at all. So, rest in how Jesus does not give up on us. But this is our example to follow, isn't it? :)

As you become more committed to this, God will connect you with others who are committed to loving any and all people. And you even can discover pastors who openly talk in their sermons about how God has been correcting them, so their example can help you, too, to get real correction which our Heavenly Father is able to do in His children.

God's correction changes us to become like His Son Jesus > Romans 8:29. This makes us more and more pleasing to God, like Jesus is, plus submissive to our Father in His own peace > Colossians 3:15 > plus loving one another as Jesus wants us to relate in His love > Ephesians 4:2, Ephesians 4:31-5:2, Ephesians 5:21, 1 Peter 5:3, 1 Peter 3:8-9.

You say you like to have studies with lots of verses. With you in mind, I think I will now start a thread in the "General Theology" section, about our basic Christian calling and what is included in this. And you are welcome to join us there and share :)
 
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LynnSmith

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Hi, Lynn :) Welcome to Christian Forums :) We are pleased to meet you :)

I am Bill :) God bless you :)

One thing I think of is read a scripture verse by verse so you can't skip things God wants you to feed on. If we jump around to string together verses to prove what we believe, this can have us missing very nutritional things. For example, start at the beginning of a Gospel or letter or other book in the Bible and go verse by verse, and trust God to have you see and benefit from what He has for you.

Then, as you share in churches or a church, you can see if and how the messages and people are feeding on everything, and not only repeating a few fingerprint beliefs over and over in how many different ways of promoting what makes them different from others.

The Bible can give us so much more and better than ones who are comparing and competing (2 Corinthians 10:12). But mature Christians can be in the same place as ones who are trying to look like they are the greatest. And you need to learn how to love the hypocrites and the show and tellers and the growing ones who are not sound examples < these can be with ones who love and care for them in prayer and have hope for them. You can do well to be in the number of the ones who do not give up on ones with problems and who are problems . . . their own main problems, yes.

Love "hopes all things" > in 1 Corinthians 13:7. Jesus died on the cross, with hope for any evil person, at all. So, rest in how Jesus does not give up on us. But this is our example to follow, isn't it? :)

As you become more committed to this, God will connect you with others who are committed to loving any and all people. And you even can discover pastors who openly talk in their sermons about how God has been correcting them, so their example can help you, too, to get real correction which our Heavenly Father is able to do in His children.

God's correction changes us to become like His Son Jesus > Romans 8:29. This makes us more and more pleasing to God, like Jesus is, plus submissive to our Father in His own peace > Colossians 3:15 > plus loving one another as Jesus wants us to relate in His love > Ephesians 4:2, Ephesians 4:31-5:2, Ephesians 5:21, 1 Peter 5:3, 1 Peter 3:8-9.

You say you like to have studies with lots of verses. With you in mind, I think I will now start a thread in the "General Theology" section, about our basic Christian calling and what is included in this. And you are welcome to join us there and share :)
Correction from God is always good. Can’t say I have ever been in a church where a Pastor has said the Lord has corrected him. Thank you for this reply, will keep an eye out for the post you said you would place in the other forum.
 
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com7fy8

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Can’t say I have ever been in a church where a Pastor has said the Lord has corrected him.
I asked Jesus to save me, then I got into various problems, losing my so-called faith and being critical of anybody and everybody. But then I got more stable and I was going to different churches.

There was a pastor who seemed gentle and with it, more than some number of others. Then during his sermon he said something about how he had been wrong, in some way. I was stunned, amazed that a more mature and sound preacher would tell us about something that was wrong with him, right in public!!

I had been told not to criticize preachers; yet, this man had criticized his own self!!

Was that what a preacher was supposed to do? I asked in myself. I was puzzled, one to want to figure things out. I guess, for once, I was discovering how I did not know as much as I thought I did :)

Another pastor who seemed more with it shared in Bible group how the Lord cautions him about how he is toning his voice while at home with his family. I understood this meant God wanted him to speak kindly and humbly, not harshly and critically. So, he a mature person in Jesus was being dealt with more closely, even about how he toned his voice. This can be good to tell us, how God will bring us to better standards, of how to love and relate, as we grow in Jesus.
 
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LynnSmith

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I asked Jesus to save me, then I got into various problems, losing my so-called faith and being critical of anybody and everybody. But then I got more stable and I was going to different churches.

There was a pastor who seemed gentle and with it, more than some number of others. Then during his sermon he said something about how he had been wrong, in some way. I was stunned, amazed that a more mature and sound preacher would tell us about something that was wrong with him, right in public!!

I had been told not to criticize preachers; yet, this man had criticized his own self!!

Was that what a preacher was supposed to do? I asked in myself. I was puzzled, one to want to figure things out. I guess, for once, I was discovering how I did not know as much as I thought I did :)

Another pastor who seemed more with it shared in Bible group how the Lord cautions him about how he is toning his voice while at home with his family. I understood this meant God wanted him to speak kindly and humbly, not harshly and critically. So, he a mature person in Jesus was being dealt with more closely, even about how he toned his voice. This can be good to tell us, how God will bring us to better standards, of how to love and relate, as we grow in Jesus.

That’s beautiful to hear.
 
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Alithis

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Ask God.. He will lead you
He doesn't actualy tell us to join any church..
But as we seek him.and live him to do his will and start doing as he tells us ..he will lead us into fellowshiping with others who are busy obeying him ..
And that may not be(does not have to be) ANY Sunday building organisation..
Iv not attended one in years.. But the lord brings us into fellowship with many wonderful believers who actually DO the word of God rather then just hearing it ,singing about it and going home then repeating it in a week.
Follow Jesus .
 
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LynnSmith

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Ask God.. He will lead you
He doesn't actualy tell us to join any church..
But as we seek him.and live him to do his will and start doing as he tells us ..he will lead us into fellowshiping with others who are busy obeying him ..
And that may not be(does not have to be) ANY Sunday building organisation..
Iv not attended one in years.. But the lord brings us into fellowship with many wonderful believers who actually DO the word of God rather then just hearing it ,singing about it and going home then repeating it in a week.
Follow Jesus .
This is what I’m doing. Praying, reading , listening, going to be fasting. I would love a church building to go to. I went a few times when we move here this past summer. Huge, like a rock concert and then a pep talk. Many multi campus churches in the area and even just one location thousands of people. I’m use to maybe 100 lol But if God shows me at some point I need to be somewhere like that, then I need to listen.

I was just talking to him before I got out of bed about if I put aside some beliefs to find a church. I believe God still heals, I believe in tongues and the other gifts. Even something like laying if hands during prayer. I was praying and crying to my Father yesterday saying to please even have someone show up at my door to pray for and with me. I’m a very emotion person. I cry a lot during prayer, happy and sad and whatever other emotions. I cry when singing my heart out in praise to the Lord. Not all the time but enough.

I have been to many churches trying to find where I belong. Had some very bad experiences, which I’ve gotten past but my husband hasn’t and that keeps him from wanting anyone to do with God.

It will be interesting to see where I’m led. When I’m led and what happens.

Maybe a church building, maybe not. I just know we weren’t meant to take this journey alone and it’s very hard when we are.
 
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mourningdove~

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Working on getting my relationship with the Lord on the right track. Spent the last 8 months or so just giving up, not trying and pulling away. Big life changes, big move, work changes and so on. I need to find a church home. Where to start is overwhelming. I want to find a spirit filled church but don’t believe one most speak in tongues. I do not believe that is a sign of salvation. I want sound teaching. I don’t want to hear a pep talk each week. Love sermons that are full is scripture. Bible study is very important. I don’t know where to start looking in ways of denominations that are charismatic but what follow what I believe. If that makes sense lol Guess Im asking what are considered the charismatic denominations. I find it all scary in a sense as I never attended a charismatic church and don’t want to land somewhere with false teaching or things that lead to confusion.

Hi Lynn. I'm happy for you, that, as you say, you are now getting your relationship with the Lord on the "right track." :blush:

This forum may not be the 'best place' on CF in which to ask for advice about churches, as it seems a large number here are not presently in churches, for one reason or another.

It can be difficult, finding a church to call "home." It can take some "trial and error," least that has been my experience. So, please do not become discouraged if it takes you awhile to find the church where you are most comfortable. It's not uncommon at all, to need to try several churches to find the one that will most meet your needs, and where you can best use your gifts to serve others.

The Assemblies of God is a charismatic (Pentecostal) denomination. I attended one, worked at one, for awhile … there was no "scary" stuff happening at the one I attended. However, at any church, a lot depends on the pastor and the leadership staff, as to how the church operates.

As someone else commented here, there are nondenominational churches that are charismatic. You might enjoy visiting them.

I hope you will find soon find a church to call home. But whether in or a church or not, it is vital to our lives as Christians to develop a regular and consistent Bible reading and prayer life of our own. When we do this, the Holy Spirit can guide us to where we should be, what we should do, etc. He is our Guide on this journey of faith.

When I visit a church ... or forum or online fellowship, for that matter … I have learned to look to see how members "treat" one another. If the Spirit of God is at work in a church or fellowship … there will be spiritual fruits evident:

Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence).


I'm not saying that the church should be "perfect" … no church is ...
just that there should be "fruit" …
indicating that God is at work there, in the hearts of the people.


May God bless your journey.
 
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LynnSmith

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I asked Jesus to save me, then I got into various problems, losing my so-called faith and being critical of anybody and everybody. But then I got more stable and I was going to different churches.

There was a pastor who seemed gentle and with it, more than some number of others. Then during his sermon he said something about how he had been wrong, in some way. I was stunned, amazed that a more mature and sound preacher would tell us about something that was wrong with him, right in public!!

I had been told not to criticize preachers; yet, this man had criticized his own self!!

Was that what a preacher was supposed to do? I asked in myself. I was puzzled, one to want to figure things out. I guess, for once, I was discovering how I did not know as much as I thought I did :)

Another pastor who seemed more with it shared in Bible group how the Lord cautions him about how he is toning his voice while at home with his family. I understood this meant God wanted him to speak kindly and humbly, not harshly and critically. So, he a mature person in Jesus was being dealt with more closely, even about how he toned his voice. This can be good to tell us, how God will bring us to better standards, of how to love and relate, as we grow in Jesus.

Going to take my time for sure. No rush. I’ve got to keep an open mind and open heart. Have to remember no church is perfect because it’s made up of sinners just like me.

Have been listening and watching some sermons I’m finding online from local places. Have some emails out to get some more information.

Lots of prayer and time in the Word.


Thank you for the encouragement. :)
 
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com7fy8

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Many multi campus churches in the area and even just one location thousands of people.
Well, I know there are TV preachers who have their own church where they record their broadcasts, plus a TV pastor might have "satellite campuses" of people at other locations, who watch his or her live Sunday broadcasts.

And if you have more than one of these big churches in an area, I can see how they can attract ones who go for entertainment. And then the small really Christian people's churches might not get those extra visitors; and so they don't get enough in collections to keep their small places going. And so you may not have smaller, really Christian groups who have Sunday churches. This is just my opinion.

But I would say I have been in Christian churches which were smaller but they had enough people to give financially what was needed for building rent or care or both. But also there are church groups who rent space of another church. So, you might not see them named on a sign outside. And the real ones might be the renters.

In ours, we have the ones who I would say are for real, but they alone might not provide enough funds to keep the building going. But we have others who are more Sunday-only, but they do give . . . as far as I know. Our giving is over budget.

I used to be a giver but not for real; so I can see how funds might come from the less for real people. Now, in case I have matured, I give more of myself and time and work, and not only directly for a church with a building.

But even if we have ones not for real wherever we go, we can use a place for fishing for men, for Jesus :)

And make sure we do what is "first of all" > 1 Timothy 2:1-4. It used to be I first of all would spot what I found to be wrong, then criticize. But now . . . more and better, I would say > I "first of all" do what 1 Timothy 2:1-4 says, and have compassion with hope for wrong people >

"He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness." (Hebrews 5:2)

Love "hopes all things" (in 1 Corinthians 13:7)
 
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LynnSmith

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And if you have more than one of these big churches in an area, I can see how they can attract ones who go for entertainment. And then the small really Christian people's churches might not get those extra visitors; and so they don't get enough in collections to keep their small places going. And so you may not have smaller, really Christian groups who have Sunday churches. This is just my opinion.

But I would say I have been in Christian churches which were smaller but they had enough people to give financially what was needed for building rent or care or both. But also there are church groups who rent space of another church. So, you might not see them named on a sign outside. And the real ones might be the renters.

In ours, we have the ones who I would say are for real, but they alone might not provide enough funds to keep the building going. But we have others who are more Sunday-only, but they do give . . . as far as I know. Our giving is over budget.

I used to be a giver but not for real; so I can see how funds might come from the less for real people. Now, in case I have matured, I give more of myself and time and work, and not only directly for a church with a building.

But even if we have ones not for real wherever we go, we can use a place for fishing for men, for Jesus :)

And make sure we do what is "first of all" > 1 Timothy 2:1-4. It used to be I first of all would spot what I found to be wrong, then criticize. But now . . . more and better, I would say > I "first of all" do what 1 Timothy 2:1-4 says, and have compassion with hope for wrong people >

"He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness." (Hebrews 5:2)

Love "hopes all things" (in 1 Corinthians 13:7)
There are a number of churches here that broadcast from one location to others. I’m basically in Orlando but not the city but people will still refer to it as Orlando.

I’m searching hard for the smaller churches, finding a few. I have found a small handful that seem to actually meet more than on Sunday. Bible study during the week, prayer meetings. I find that very important.

The large churches have small groups and all that but to me still not the same. But who knows where I will end up. Well, God does :)

I can imagine it must be harder for the smaller churches to stick around with so many large churches.
 
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com7fy8

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@LynnSmith It might be kind of like a K-mart taking over for smaller businesses. But this does not work if the smaller churches are real and the big ones more a marketed thing. Sheep can tell the difference.
 
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LynnSmith

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@LynnSmith It might be kind of like a K-mart taking over for smaller businesses. But this does not work if the smaller churches are real and the big ones more a marketed thing. Sheep can tell the difference.
The marketing around here is crazy. Till I moved here I had never seen billboards for churches
 
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GodLovesCats

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I never joined a small church. My favorite church is a megachurch. The only time I went to a small church it did not feel right at all because the sanctuary is a dual-purpose room, so I decided big churches are the better size for me.
 
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com7fy8

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I was praying and crying to my Father yesterday saying to please even have someone show up at my door to pray for and with me. I’m a very emotion person. I cry a lot during prayer, happy and sad and whatever other emotions. I cry when singing my heart out in praise to the Lord. Not all the time but enough.
I think it is good to have feelings and emotions. I can perhaps be too quiet; but there is quiet which is godly > 1 Peter 3:4. Yet, on the other hand, we had a lady who could be very expressive, but it seems she could be wrong and very expressive, at times . . . making too much of things too quickly, instead of being still and sensitive with God.

So . . . yes . . . you might find someone or a place which fits every thing you are looking for. But, even so, make sure with God. We humanly can fall head over heels for something or somebody, but later find out that indeed we fell when we need to be growing to where God has us going. So . . . prayer for you and all of us :)

Have to remember no church is perfect because it’s made up of sinners just like me.
I offer I understand we all are "sinners". But in Jesus we do grow stronger so we do not give in to certain things which spoil us and get us hurt and have us even hurting others > better and better, we grow. So, keep seeking how our Father alone is able to deeply correct our nature so we become more and more free in Jesus, able to handle anyone and anything >

"Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain." (Philippians 2:14-16)

It can be humble to say we are "sinners", but this also can be a sneaky way of making excuses. And ones say oh God loves us unconditionally and He only sees Jesus when He looks at us. But this can have us missing out on how our Father is able to correct us into the image of His Son > Hebrews 12:4-11, Romans 8:29.

A group can be overly soft on correction, or ones can be demanding but not according to the standard of how our Father corrects us. And less sound ones can be in the same church, with really sound preaching and teaching. So, it is good to know our standard, and be good examples who are samples :) And have hope for the ones who are not with it like we all need to become. Jesus never gave up on any of His disciples . . . even while they could be fighting and competing to be the greatest. So, even really saved people, I consider, can give in to trying to look better than others. But if we are growing and doing better, this is what can be a difference between ones just playing church and ones who are growing and maturing.

But I do understand you need to have leadership who are qualified by the standard of 1 Timothy 3:1-10. There might be less mature ones, but we need the seniors who have grown in Jesus for decades, and they have not only refined their charm and smiling act.

But also there are church groups who rent space of another church. So, you might not see them named on a sign outside. And the real ones might be the renters.
I have visited with Hispanic, Spanish, Haitian, Island, Russian, Cape Verdean, and Portuguese churches. Some were renting. And where the preaching was not English or bilingual, ones would come to me and offer to personally translate for me during sermons. I was blessed with them, but I would say God moved me on to where He has had me now for a while.

The only time I went to a small church it did not feel right at all because the sanctuary is a dual-purpose room,
I offer I can feel what you are feeling; I would not want the kitty litter box in the middle of the kitchen where I am cooking!

But what does matter is if we have mature examples helping us to get more real with God and finding out how to relate in His love. Any size church can have people like this. We need ones who are mature and they can see through us and help us.
 
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:) forgive me...allot of "I's" in that. It is truth we seek yes? We die daily. I understand what your asking..but.. do you want what YOU I I I ME ME ME wants or Him? :) I mean this in all love and respect. Not sure where this "tongues" means saved comes from. We ask the Father as in Luke 11 13 and the Father gives the Holy Spirit. Tongues is just apart of it. Has nothing to do with salvation :)

Ask Him to open the doors to a Church.. WORD CHURCH (believes all the word) or bible study... HIS will..what He knows you need. Have faith for HE will give you what is best and it will be the best you ever had or can get. We tend to always get in His way and He will not say a word still we move :)
 
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