Is it a sin to attend more than one denomination?

SpiritSong said:

I'm asking on the basis of any denominations.

Click to expand...

It's not about "any" denominations.. some denominations are far from God, so it depends on whether your attendance is at a compatible denomination or not.

Since as a member you might vote on various church policies or take on various responsibilities within the church like leading prayer in women's Bible study groups or leading and teaching childrens Sunday school classes or help out with vacation Bible school etc. etc. and the list goes on..

there is reason to be concerned about a member not being around half the time and attending another - possibly antithetical - church.. what if your picking up heretical teachings and then later pass them onto innocent kids?

Plus, what are you missing at the church you are a member of, with various church needs like prayer requests and more.. what if member x had a financial need and a special offering was taken up for them to meet that need, and you missed it.

Membership is for a reason - and that reason is to act like the community of believers in many varying ways, not only to hear a sermon and take off.

So whether it's a sin depends on many things, but most certainly your church has reason to be concerned with this behavior.

SpiritSong said:

In essence, are we not all (on this Forum) visiting with the beliefs of others' churches, by all of us conversing with one another? When I've asked a question like this, for instance, the answers I am getting vary widely. I can sort of get an idea of what denomination the person is speaking from, even if they have not placed it on their badge.

Click to expand...

Converse on here long enough and you should, if you know the Bible, notice a plethora of heretical-type beliefs..

Is it a sin to speak with, be freinds with even, people from other denominations as yourself?

No.. or not necessarily I guess it depends on who they are and if they are in open sin...

but your talking about taking your time away from the local church your in membership with, on a very regular basis, instead of devoting your time to your local congregation..

That's a different issue than sin... the concern would be due to the issues I listed above you in my former post..

SpiritSong said:

A dear friend invited me to her church and I have been attending it and also the one I belong to, which is a different denomination than hers.

I enjoy both churches and feel closer to God by doing this.

I have opened up a bit about this to both churches and have not gotten any outright opposition about it, but there is kind of an undertone from a few members of the church I belong to. For instance, last week someone came up to me and told me she was taking me to church next week and left no room for discussion. I agreed, since I had planned to go to that church anyway, but what if I had planned to attend the other instead?

We all worship the same God and the same Jesus and Holy Spirit. I don't feel as if I am doing anything wrong. I don't see anything in the Bible that would say this is a sin. I think something else is going on here, but I don't quite know how to describe it. For instance, the church I belong to does not own me, does it? GOD owns me since He created me, as far as I can see it! I feel His presence at the church I have been visiting. I should think that is all that matters.

What do you think?

Click to expand...

It may cause you harm (sin) if you worship at more than one church, it also may not. This is because of the various spirits at the different churches other than the Holy Spirit. This factor only comes into play if you're super sensitive to stuff like that.

Otherwise it is missing the mark (sin) if a church tries to own you.

Beginning to sound like sporting events where loyalty is demanded to one team only, but more so for my church is bigger than your church. All miss the point. There are no denominations in the Kingdom, so why here if we claim to follow it's ways? Could it be that denominations are part of man's game, not God's, and the people haven't learned to think beyond the flesh? Still creating division by putting forth their will rather than God's.

SpiritSong said:

A dear friend invited me to her church and I have been attending it and also the one I belong to, which is a different denomination than hers.

I enjoy both churches and feel closer to God by doing this.

I have opened up a bit about this to both churches and have not gotten any outright opposition about it, but there is kind of an undertone from a few members of the church I belong to. For instance, last week someone came up to me and told me she was taking me to church next week and left no room for discussion. I agreed, since I had planned to go to that church anyway, but what if I had planned to attend the other instead?

We all worship the same God and the same Jesus and Holy Spirit. I don't feel as if I am doing anything wrong. I don't see anything in the Bible that would say this is a sin. I think something else is going on here, but I don't quite know how to describe it. For instance, the church I belong to does not own me, does it? GOD owns me since He created me, as far as I can see it! I feel His presence at the church I have been visiting. I should think that is all that matters.

What do you think?

Click to expand...

No, it's not sin. Sin is something that breaks God's law, and no where in His law is it written that you can't visit more than one fellowship because of their beliefs. In fact if you're fellowshipping with a group that tries to tell you that it is, or makes a big deal out of you visiting other groups, I'd leave them. They're lost.

.There's a difference between attending with a friend on a rare occasions, or for a special event night or other such thing, to literally no longer being a real member or acting like your no more than a visitor of the church where you hold membership..

you financially support, fellowship with, pray for and with, support in times of need, visit the sick and infirm, potentially teach or otherwise help out, vote etc. at the congregation you hold membership with...

when you turn into a visitor, it's noticeable, and makes people wonder if your leaving, what kind of worship or teachings are being espoused at the other church your in attendance with in case it might effect the membership congregation etc.

Let's face it, the OP is refusing to say what the two churches are and likely for good reason.

SpiritSong said:

A dear friend invited me to her church and I have been attending it and also the one I belong to, which is a different denomination than hers.

I enjoy both churches and feel closer to God by doing this.

I have opened up a bit about this to both churches and have not gotten any outright opposition about it, but there is kind of an undertone from a few members of the church I belong to. For instance, last week someone came up to me and told me she was taking me to church next week and left no room for discussion. I agreed, since I had planned to go to that church anyway, but what if I had planned to attend the other instead?

We all worship the same God and the same Jesus and Holy Spirit. I don't feel as if I am doing anything wrong. I don't see anything in the Bible that would say this is a sin. I think something else is going on here, but I don't quite know how to describe it. For instance, the church I belong to does not own me, does it? GOD owns me since He created me, as far as I can see it! I feel His presence at the church I have been visiting. I should think that is all that matters.

What do you think?

Click to expand...

What denominations are they? Your description is vague. I suggest that you pray that God will show which one he wants you to commit to. Being part of a church is more than just attending it. It's a commitment to that church. Which one can God use the gifts he has given you more effectively? Commitment means that you are wholeheartedly involved in its ministry.

Hazelelponi said:

.There's a difference between attending with a friend on a rare occasions, or for a special event night or other such thing, to literally no longer being a real member or acting like your no more than a visitor of the church where you hold membership..

you financially support, fellowship with, pray for and with, support in times of need, visit the sick and infirm, potentially teach or otherwise help out, vote etc. at the congregation you hold membership with...

when you turn into a visitor, it's noticeable, and makes people wonder if your leaving, what kind of worship or teachings are being espoused at the other church your in attendance with in case it might effect the membership congregation etc.

Let's face it, the OP is refusing to say what the two churches are and likely for good reason.

Click to expand...

Well, I mean regardless the OP asked if it was sin - and it's not.

SpiritSong said:

I want us to go on principle here, not on preconceived notions or partial knowledge about one or other of the two.

Click to expand...

Good for you. There is too much division in the US as it is without feeding the flames

Devin P said:

Well, I mean regardless the OP asked if it was sin - and it's not.

Click to expand...

well, it really depends on the church..

I was invited to a church once by someone that I had been freinds with, and I walked out of her church after being there only a little bit into the worship service, and broke off the entire friendship with her, so demonic was that church.

There are times it could be considered questionable, I'm fairly certain.

But it really depends. If she's in membership at a Lutheran church and is attending a neighboring Presbyterian body, it's no issue just not as polite to her home church body perhaps as it could be.

My issue was that when asked, she refused to say what denominations.. and I think that can make a difference.

If she's off for demon worship three times a month then that straight laced Baptist church has a right to be concerned, for example.

Hazelelponi said:

If she's off for demon worship three times a month then that straight laced Baptist church has a right to be concerned, for example.

Click to expand...

True but isn't your imagination running a wee bit wild?

SpiritSong said:

A dear friend invited me to her church and I have been attending it and also the one I belong to, which is a different denomination than hers.

I enjoy both churches and feel closer to God by doing this.

I have opened up a bit about this to both churches and have not gotten any outright opposition about it, but there is kind of an undertone from a few members of the church I belong to. For instance, last week someone came up to me and told me she was taking me to church next week and left no room for discussion. I agreed, since I had planned to go to that church anyway, but what if I had planned to attend the other instead?

We all worship the same God and the same Jesus and Holy Spirit. I don't feel as if I am doing anything wrong. I don't see anything in the Bible that would say this is a sin. I think something else is going on here, but I don't quite know how to describe it. For instance, the church I belong to does not own me, does it? GOD owns me since He created me, as far as I can see it! I feel His presence at the church I have been visiting. I should think that is all that matters.

What do you think?

Click to expand...

Sin? Not at all. The Church is not in a denomination or a brick and mortar building. The Church encompasses the Body of Christ. They are the true Christians who know the voice of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

John 10:27-28
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

SpiritSong said:

A dear friend invited me to her church and I have been attending it and also the one I belong to, which is a different denomination than hers.

I enjoy both churches and feel closer to God by doing this.

I have opened up a bit about this to both churches and have not gotten any outright opposition about it, but there is kind of an undertone from a few members of the church I belong to. For instance, last week someone came up to me and told me she was taking me to church next week and left no room for discussion. I agreed, since I had planned to go to that church anyway, but what if I had planned to attend the other instead?

We all worship the same God and the same Jesus and Holy Spirit. I don't feel as if I am doing anything wrong. I don't see anything in the Bible that would say this is a sin. I think something else is going on here, but I don't quite know how to describe it. For instance, the church I belong to does not own me, does it? GOD owns me since He created me, as far as I can see it! I feel His presence at the church I have been visiting. I should think that is all that matters.

What do you think?

Click to expand...

No, it is not a sin. Your church doesn't own you, Jesus does. If they teach that, leave. There is no law or biblical mandate requiring you to attend one particular gathering of Christians or preventing you from visiting multiple denominations. Besides, we are not under the law and even if it was a sin, it was forgiven at the cross, along with all your other sins. Go where you go. The Holy Spirit goes with you. Furthermore, Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them (Matthew 18:20).” This "gathering" can take place anywhere, regardless of denominational affiliation, and it could be just you and Jesus; that makes up two. Trust Him to speak to you if He believes you should settle in one place. Be well.

If a denomination guilt-trips you for attending another one, that's probably a bad sign.

Some say, I am of Catholic; others say, I am of Protestant; or I am of Orthodox; or I am of this, another I am of that: Is Christ divided? was Catholic crucified for you? or were you baptized in the name of Protestant? for while one says I am of this, and another says I am of that are they not yet carnal and still walk in the conformity of this world?

lastofall said:

Some say, I am of Catholic; others say, I am of Protestant; or I am of Orthodox; or I am of this, another I am of that: Is Christ divided? was Catholic crucified for you? or were you baptized in the name of Protestant? for while one says I am of this, and another says I am of that are they not yet carnal and still walk in the conformity of this world?

Click to expand...

Sounds good until you say something pro-Protestant in your Catholic church and vice versa. Tell your Baptist pastor how you love to pray the "Hail Mary". You will find that few people can accept all of you.

Peter J Barban said:

People in either group will not fully trust you.

Click to expand...

I have had that happen when the teaching is somewhat different. There were two women that were friendly for the most part but they did not like the other church I attended and the pastor ended up putting a gag order on me and I was prohibited from teaching because they were afraid that other churches beliefs would find their way into their church.

I also had a problem when I attended my wife's church but I was still going back to the church I was attending before we got married. The pastor there told me to get all the way in or get out. He did not want me attending two different churches. So we left and started to attend another church of the same denomination. This was not an issue for the pastor there. He was just glad to see us whenever we showed up for their worship service.

SpiritSong said:

A dear friend invited me to her church and I have been attending it and also the one I belong to, which is a different denomination than hers.

I enjoy both churches and feel closer to God by doing this.

I have opened up a bit about this to both churches and have not gotten any outright opposition about it, but there is kind of an undertone from a few members of the church I belong to. For instance, last week someone came up to me and told me she was taking me to church next week and left no room for discussion. I agreed, since I had planned to go to that church anyway, but what if I had planned to attend the other instead?

We all worship the same God and the same Jesus and Holy Spirit. I don't feel as if I am doing anything wrong. I don't see anything in the Bible that would say this is a sin. I think something else is going on here, but I don't quite know how to describe it. For instance, the church I belong to does not own me, does it? GOD owns me since He created me, as far as I can see it! I feel His presence at the church I have been visiting. I should think that is all that matters.

What do you think?

Click to expand...

It depends on the churches. For instance, the Roman Catholic church would probably view attending Orthodox or Confessional Lutheran services as a schismatic act. There isn't one single answer to it.