Anyone else frustrated by the churches?

Rion · Jan 13, 2007

I suppose I technically count as a New Christian. Athough I've been in a church off and on for 12 years, and believe in Jesus as God's son, I only recently accepted Christ, rather than trying to keep myself in control.

In light of this, I've been trying to find a new church as mine is.. just a mess. Yet looking on here at the different faiths has hindered me more than helped. So many groups seem to hate each other, it's depressing.

Am I the only one who doesn't see one subset of our faith as heretics and evil? Seems like we spend more time fighting between ourselves than spreading the word, and I've even gotten caught up in it at times.

Robinsegg · Jan 13, 2007

Yes, this happens. What you need to do is find a church whose "doctrinal statement" lines up with what you believe. This is usually a denomination.
Then, you need to decide what kind of worship style works best for you (meditative or active), and make some phone calls/visits to those in the denomination(s) you've chosen to find out about their worship style.

It's not easy "shopping" for a church. But it's an important decision.

Rachel

Lisa0315 · Jan 13, 2007

PM me with your city and state and I will help you locate a church via my brother's contacts. I have done this many times for others. I will warn you that it will be very fundementalist.

Lisa

LJSGM · Jan 13, 2007

I don't belong to a church "building" with a "preacher" (having a piece of paper to show that he's attointed to lead) having authority over me, I don't just "worship" (although the proper definition would be praise) on Sundays. Although I have had people try and guilt trip me into doing these religious things, I don't feel bad about not doing them.

I do believe in spiritual authority, but God hasn't appointed anyone over me at this time. But if it was God's will I would submit

I do believe in "meeting together" but not as a law, but as it is beneficial to us.

I don't label myself, and I hate denominations, but I am interested in being a peacemaker among other Christians if that were possible.

My God is powerful enough to teach me and strengthen me through the Holy Spirit that he gives to those that believe.

I think the church is completely "unbiblical" in many of these areas. Just look them up. I can give you a few verses. I hope this helps your walk with Christ.

HumbleUnderdog · Jan 14, 2007

For one thing, you should know that most denoms agree on the major points of the bible, such as the trinity, the Fall, free will, etc. There probably isn't as much 'hate' as you think, at least around here there isn't. When I first became a christian, I was skeptical about going to any church, i had the belief that most churches were doing things wrong, but i quickly learned that my perception was off, and that I didn't even understand well enough some of the key doctrines that bible teaches. I personally studied scripture and thought long and hard about the key areas,what I call the Basics of Christianity, and prayed for God's guidance and assistance in learning His word. Well He did just that, and now I'm back at the church that I had left a few years ago when I was turning into a rebellious teen. I just started taking membership courses too. The irony just kills me.

For another thing, keep on praying to God for His guidance, ask Him to lead you to a place where He knows that you will feel comfortable, and where you can grow and mature in faith and truth. Ask Him to guide you to a healthy congregation.

Fireinfolding · Jan 14, 2007

Rion said:
I suppose I technically count as a New Christian. Athough I've been in a church off and on for 12 years, and believe in Jesus as God's son, I only recently accepted Christ, rather than trying to keep myself in control.

In light of this, I've been trying to find a new church as mine is.. just a mess. Yet looking on here at the different faiths has hindered me more than helped. So many groups seem to hate each other, it's depressing.

Am I the only one who doesn't see one subset of our faith as heretics and evil? Seems like we spend more time fighting between ourselves than spreading the word, and I've even gotten caught up in it at times.

All I can say is... I SO ~AGREE~ WITH YOU

I share the same observation as you. Theres only one Lord, one Faith and one Baptism.

Men divide, build their mini kingdoms and their own walls of divisions to keep it so. I see them as lies which reproduce the same bad fruit through those who believe them.

I thought when I became a Christian (and I had read the book of acts) concerning them having all things in common (touched by their love for one another) that I would find that when I got there...

Boy was I shocked

Weird when I need a freind or comfort I find it outside those walls hardly ever inside.

Something makes me think history is repeating itself and just as the Pharisees had a rude awakening and Christ doesnt change the ones at the top might be in for one. The table was full of *something* then, I cant see much difference. Whats inflated doesnt need to be built up but ripped down.

God bless us all in that HE ABASE the entire thing. Hopefully that will bring in the (much needed) humility (for receiving His grace) and the love (without which we are nothing) and which has obviously grown COLD.

But I think the first are always the last to know

Just my honest answer (I will duck now while I await the stones)

Peace

Fireinfolding

sistakrista · Jan 15, 2007

Rion said:
I suppose I technically count as a New Christian. Athough I've been in a church off and on for 12 years, and believe in Jesus as God's son, I only recently accepted Christ, rather than trying to keep myself in control.

In light of this, I've been trying to find a new church as mine is.. just a mess. Yet looking on here at the different faiths has hindered me more than helped. So many groups seem to hate each other, it's depressing.

Am I the only one who doesn't see one subset of our faith as heretics and evil? Seems like we spend more time fighting between ourselves than spreading the word, and I've even gotten caught up in it at times.

Rion,

There is a thread od really great teaching on the Church, here:

http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=24926798#post24926798

Please go & read the posts by BeLedByHisSpirit - but just the first 5 or 6 - the rest of the thread goes off-subject.

May God grant you understanding!

Sketcher · Jan 15, 2007

I've fought the denominational fight, and it can wear you down. I'm with you. Now, churches have all sorts of people, and you're bound to run into Christians that have serious issues with other denominations. But it doesn't mean that these churches are hate machines or anything. Some are, but many are not. We are all imperfect beings in the process of being made holy. And yet, you'll find true Christians in pretty much any denomination that is truly Christian.

AllTalkNoAction · Jan 15, 2007

Where are you Rion ?
Maybe someone can suggest a good church.

Elijah2 · Jan 15, 2007

He Rion,

Smack bang on mate!

Remember you go to church to worship and praise our Lord Jesus CHrist, and to fellowship. Now the fellowshipping business is the hardest thing of all in many churches.

Now the best measuring stick of a good church, is that, they: hold Holy Communion every Sunday; teach from the New Testament and feed meat, not milk; run Bible Study Groups once a week; and fellowship with their members at least monthly through breakfast meetings and social times.

Now when you find a church like that, will you let me know.

ozmum · Jan 24, 2007

Have you thought of home church ?

http://www.homechurchresources.com

soulsearching1 · Jan 28, 2007

I don't have any suggestions, but I did want to say that I understand your frustration. My church is in the middle of the whole "Anglican vs Episcopal" scandal (we were Episcopal and we broke away, and so now things are kind of a mess), and I've only been Christian since this summer. I don't align myself with any particular denomination because I feel that the message is supposed to be the same no matter where you go. And I think it's ridiculous that every denom thinks "we're better that this denom or that denom b/c of x,y and z" and I think that denominationalism sort of defeats the entire purpose. Humans are so pathetic we can't even get the church part right! So I try not to think about the things people say about other denoms and just focus on learning the basics.

Anwar · Jan 28, 2007

Robinsegg said:
Yes, this happens. What you need to do is find a church whose "doctrinal statement" lines up with what you believe. This is usually a denomination.
Then, you need to decide what kind of worship style works best for you (meditative or active), and make some phone calls/visits to those in the denomination(s) you've chosen to find out about their worship style.

It's not easy "shopping" for a church. But it's an important decision.

Rachel

non-denomational churches are best i believe the branches of christianity are the reason why its division in the churches

SymphonicaX · Jan 28, 2007

LJSGM said:
I don't belong to a church "building" with a "preacher" (having a piece of paper to show that he's attointed to lead) having authority over me, I don't just "worship" (although the proper definition would be praise) on Sundays. Although I have had people try and guilt trip me into doing these religious things, I don't feel bad about not doing them.

I do believe in spiritual authority, but God hasn't appointed anyone over me at this time. But if it was God's will I would submit

I do believe in "meeting together" but not as a law, but as it is beneficial to us.

I don't label myself, and I hate denominations, but I am interested in being a peacemaker among other Christians if that were possible.

My God is powerful enough to teach me and strengthen me through the Holy Spirit that he gives to those that believe.

I think the church is completely "unbiblical" in many of these areas. Just look them up. I can give you a few verses. I hope this helps your walk with Christ.

I like your way of thinking. I just don't see any biblical proof that there should be so many separate denominations! It is cool to see different churches hang out together though. Does that happen between lutherans and anglicans or methodists and baptists?

now I'm not judging anyone here and would never do that, I'm just concerned and confused as to why we have denominations in the first place. It just doesn't make sense to me. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

drifter5 · Jan 29, 2007

I think that all churches that join together should believe the same fundemental, basic ,gospel truths. That they should all be Bible believing Christians.

AllTalkNoAction · Jan 29, 2007

soulsearching1 said:
. . . So I try not to think about the things people say about other denoms and just focus on learning the basics.

I agree, can we agree on the basic need to be "born again" ?

When were the disciples born again ?

ozmum · Jan 30, 2007

HAve you thought of home church

http://www.homechurchresources.com

TheSuperNews · Feb 13, 2007

How to choose a congregation: You are really choosing a congregation of Chrisitan believers, as anybody who God has sent Holy Spirit to live inside of them as the result of their believing and confessing that Jesus is their Savior and Lord, is part of God's body, the church. Never the less, if the congreation basically believes in the "Nicean Creed" (google it) elements, and when you visit them, they show that they genuinely "love one another", that they are not some bunch of backbiters, secret sinners (sexually promiscuous, backbiters, gossipers, greedy money grubbers, racists etc) then go ahead and try them out. I would also say, don't fall into the head game that you have to "join" them formally in order to become a member. However, if you attend, and benefit from the teaching and preaching and the nice accomodations, do donate some money because the bible says that a teacher deserves to be paid for his/her work, but you are not bound to give a strict 10% because that was part of the old covenant way of doing things...If they insist on 10% of your income, leave.

Mickey1953 · Feb 13, 2007

AllTalkNoAction said:
I agree, can we agree on the basic need to be "born again" ?

When were the disciples born again ?

I needed to seek else where for scripture and info. on when the disciples were born again:
to see all of the article go to:
http://byonespirit.com/disciplesborn.htm

.......Jesus clearly states in Jn. 16:7 that his followers could not receive the Spirit of God until after he went away. In Acts 1:4,5, just before He ascended into Heaven (went away), He commanded His followers to wait at Jerusalem for the promise of the Father; which He plainly stated was the baptism of the holy Ghost. This agrees with Jn. 7:37-39, where we are told that nobody could receive the holy Ghost until after Jesus was glorified; meaning after He went back to Heaven and was glorified by the Father with the glorious body that the Apostle John saw on the isle of Patmos, and described in detail in Revelation chapter 1.

.........the disciples of Jesus received the Spirit of God and thereby were born again, after His ascension (His going away), on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem; where Jesus had told them to wait for the Spirit just a few days earlier. As He said before He ascended and went away: "... But ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost not many days hence" (Acts 1:6). And they weren't left to wonder about the experience, because every one of them were furnished by God with the divine sign, or witness, of speaking with tongues as the Spirit of God gave them utterance.

Good question. I hope this is helpful.
Mickey

Weasel7711 · Feb 13, 2007

Rion said:
I suppose I technically count as a New Christian. Athough I've been in a church off and on for 12 years, and believe in Jesus as God's son, I only recently accepted Christ, rather than trying to keep myself in control.

In light of this, I've been trying to find a new church as mine is.. just a mess. Yet looking on here at the different faiths has hindered me more than helped. So many groups seem to hate each other, it's depressing.

Am I the only one who doesn't see one subset of our faith as heretics and evil? Seems like we spend more time fighting between ourselves than spreading the word, and I've even gotten caught up in it at times.

no i accept everyone else provided they dont do heretical things like believe that Christ was only a man, or that he was only God, or something that goes against the base beliefs of the Christian faith
It is perfectly fine to express your faith differently, provided Christ is still the focus

But yeah, overall the Church has become a bunch of whiny babies, it kind of makes me sick. I am interested to see what Christ says when he gets back.

Anyone else frustrated by the churches?

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