Are there liberal/moderate Non-Denominational Churches?

[tpirob]

I've been looking for a liberal/moderate church with contemporary praise/worship services here in NH.

Anyone have luck finding such a church?

-Rob

 

[EdmundBlackadderTheThird]

Depends on what you mean by moderate. If you are using it in a political sense then you are looking for a church with the wrong criteria. You should be looking for a church based on proper teaching of the Gospel without putting any weight on political issues. My church would be moderate overall but very conservative on social issues. However there is room in the Lord's house for everyone. We have memorialists, real presence geeks, evironmental activists, computer nerds, people opposed to the war and people that support it. Things like the war are not addressed from the pulpit and the last time politics was mentioned it was in the context of praying for our leaders whether we agree with them or not. Politics is no way to look for a church. Look for a church that preaches the Gospel and then find the group of people in that church you fit in with.

 

[kamikat]

I recommend looking for an Independent Christian Church/church of Christ. These tend to be less conservative than the non-instrumental churches of Christ, but since they are all independent, it would vary from congragation to congragation. I currently attend an ICC/coC and feel very comfortable, eventhough I'm quite liberal. Our minister made a point of saying he didn't want to tell us how to vote nor did he want to know how we voted, during the election. I know my politics differ from many in my church, but noone ever commented on the bumper stickers on my car.
kamikat

 

[talitha]

I know I'm generalizing here, I find contemporary P&W music to be the music of people who are on fire for God and want His presence and holiness in the NOW in every aspect of their lives. Somehow that seems to me to conflict with liberalism, because it seems to me that liberals tend to avoid His presence and His standards. Please feel free to correct me where I'm wrong -- you may have a different definition of "liberal" than I do?

blessings
tal

 

[Lutherrunner]

I've been looking for a liberal/moderate church with contemporary praise/worship services here in NH.

Anyone have luck finding such a church?

-Rob

It's funny that you ask.....I used to think non-denom churches were somewhat like the non-denom chapel we would have at scout camp or something that would be middle of the road and ok for Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, etc.....back when I was a kid.....but upon going to my GF's church, it turns out that most of them, only in my limited experience, mind you, are pretty much fundamental in their beliefs, meaning inerracy, etc.....and more than likely politically conservative too.....although I think you really meant liberal/moderate in the theological sense, didn't you?

If that is the case, then the other poster's rec...kamicat I believe, was probably along the lines of what you were looking for.....more liberal theologically....

I'm going to have to say this, and I hope I don't ruffle the non-denoms feathers, but it just surprised me that a church with a conservative, fundamental theology would have a bunch of pierced and tatooed rock musicians playing music......it just seems like a contradiction....but, oh well....

 

[tpirob]

Lutherrunner,

Yes, I did mean liberal theologically. You do make a good point about the folks you see in "conservative" churches, but that's just superficial stuff. It's what in the heart that counts!

-Rob

 

[talitha]

Amen, it's the heart - you don't have to be tat-free to be on fire for God!

blessings
tal

 

[EdmundBlackadderTheThird]

I'm going to have to say this, and I hope I don't ruffle the non-denoms feathers, but it just surprised me that a church with a conservative, fundamental theology would have a bunch of pierced and tatooed rock musicians playing music......it just seems like a contradiction....but, oh well....

Take a look at my profile pic, I AM a fundie, what you don't see in that pic is the 30 tats I have...

 

[Entertaining_Angels]

I'm wondering what the difference is between a 'liberal', 'moderate' or 'conservative' church. I'm attending a Calvary Chapel. Where would that fit? Not that it matters but I have a tattoo so does that skew things for me???

 

[Lutherrunner]

Lutherrunner,

Yes, I did mean liberal theologically. You do make a good point about the folks you see in "conservative" churches, but that's just superficial stuff. It's what in the heart that counts!

-Rob

Oh, I know....it's just puzzling....a contradiction.....it's like the "Opposite" episode of Seinfeld.......

 

[Lutherrunner]

I'm wondering what the difference is between a 'liberal', 'moderate' or 'conservative' church. I'm attending a Calvary Chapel. Where would that fit? Not that it matters but I have a tattoo so does that skew things for me???

I think you already know the answer to that question......

 

[Warrior Poet]

Well then lets be a realist... the Church as a whole I am including everyone ( please dont make me define Church ) will always hold a conservative stance on social issues, and moral issues, though thats the very reason the church and state remain spererate. I consider myself a liberal christian yet hold dear to the principals of theological conservatism. Liberal in the sense that I am open to others theological views even if I dont agree... and still accept them as an intricate piece of the Church..... I find this often pits me againist many christians.

Any church that is out right liberal/moderate IMO has an agenda... their own.

Warrior Poet

 

[Entertaining_Angels]

I think you already know the answer to that question......

No, I really am curious. I have some folks who label me as conservative because of some of my political views and others who label me as liberal because of some of environmental views. I think of myself as a moderate in many ways but that's on the political spectrum (well, technically I think of myself skewing more into the libertarian side of things in many respects). Anyhow, this thread is 'theologically speaking' and, believe me, I have absolutely no clue what others think a Calvary Chapel would fall under.

 

[kamikat]

Anyhow, this thread is 'theologically speaking' and, believe me, I have absolutely no clue what others think a Calvary Chapel would fall under.


Warrior Poet

I think of Calvery Chapel is a good Christian church, not conservative, not liberal. Calvery welcomes all to fellowship in the Lord. If there was one closer than an hour to me, I'd go. Now, I just attend a Calvery Chapel when visiting my in-laws. They welcomed me the first time I went, purple hair and black clothes, and they welcomed me the most recent time I went, in natural colored hair and denim skirt. The one I've been to, most of the congragation are bikers, covered in tats and many with ZZ Top type beards. People came to worshi in ripped jeans and leathers. That's fine with me. Their teaching is sound and they preach to everyone. That's how it should be.
kamikat

 

[Entertaining_Angels]

I think of Calvery Chapel is a good Christian church, not conservative, not liberal. Calvery welcomes all to fellowship in the Lord. If there was one closer than an hour to me, I'd go. Now, I just attend a Calvery Chapel when visiting my in-laws. They welcomed me the first time I went, purple hair and black clothes, and they welcomed me the most recent time I went, in natural colored hair and denim skirt. The one I've been to, most of the congragation are bikers, covered in tats and many with ZZ Top type beards. People came to worshi in ripped jeans and leathers. That's fine with me. Their teaching is sound and they preach to everyone. That's how it should be.
kamikat

Kami, I agree. Everybody should be accepted no matter how they look when they enter a church. I don't even do double takes. Hey, if they'll accept me, they'll accept anybody. Praise God for that.

Thanks for the answer. Still puzzled about what a liberal church would be though.

 

[Warrior Poet]

kam I never said that... you quoted the wrong person... or used the wrong content.

Warrior Poet