Can I get some direction?

[clmanning]

Please bear with me as I feel that I need to inform you with a little of my past history, my testimony if you will, before I can ask the questions that I intend to ask.

As a child, I was raised with a rather diverse religious background. My mother is Methodist. My father was Catholic. My aunt was Lutheran. My uncle was Episcopalian. All, at best, very hypocritical in their practice but emphatic about indoctrinating us with their beliefs. I went to a Catholic school, attended Catechism, had my first Holy Communion, fairly regularly attended the Methodist, Lutheran and Episcopalian churches.

As I neared my teen years, I seriously rebelled against everything that I had been taught. I got involved in street gangs, in drugs, in sexual promiscuity and in occult activities. However, now, I can see that God had His hand on me even before I drew my first breath. Were this not true, I very probably would not be here today as many of my friends are not.

In the spiritual realm, my life can be seen as a long series of God drawing me toward Him, while I tried as I may to run away from Him.

When I was 16, I was involved in the "Jesus People" movement of the late 60s, early 70s. During this time, I know that God called me to be an Evangelist. I did not want to do this. I wanted to become a doctor and make a lot of money. I got involved in more and more activities on the wrong side of morality and the law.

Yes, I have done time in prison. I have done time for sales of narcotics, theft, fraud and other activities.

But, strangely, even while I was engaged in illegal and immoral activities, I have always been drawn to reading Scriptures. In fact one time while imprisoned, I read through the Scriptures over 30 times in one year. No brag, actually I am ashamed that I kept reading Scripture even while participating in activities that were against everything that I knew about God.

Finally, about 5 or 6 years ago, I surrendered everything to God. And, have been trying my best to follow Him. However, I still have this burning drive to become an evangelist and pastor, that I do not know how to go about doing.

Many of my beliefs would not be considered "orthodox" in most of todays denominations. And, in studying the basic doctrines of todays various denominations, I find that I cannot find any that do not contain some doctrine that is not found Scripture, or at best, is vaguely extrapolated from verses taken out of context.

If I were forced to describe myself utilizing the vernacular of todays denominations, I would have to call myself a Messianic Seventh-Day Southern Baptist. However, such and entity does not exist. And, if it did, I am sure that it too would have some false doctrines within its teaching just as all the other denominations have false doctrines that they subscribe to.

Essentially, I believe that all the organized denominations that we have today are identified in Scripture by Rev. 17:5.

Now, I do not have any desire to establish another denomination, there is enough confusion already. What I am looking for is the True Church, the Body of Christ, the congregation of the Living God. Something inside me tells me that the True Church does exist, but somewhere outside the organized religions that are known. Somewhere between Orthodox Judaism and Orthodox Christianity is true religion, worshiping God in Spirit and in truth.

Can anyone give me directions on where to find the True Church?

 

[vespasia]

Can I suggest that you find yourself a spiritual director or mentor that you can chat with about all this.

The real church is made of falliable people who do their best to follow a perfect Christ. You will not find the perfect 'true' church in this world but you should be able to find a place where your relationship with God can grow and bear good fruits.

Spiritual directors tend to give you much needed space to think and pray in and many people have found this to be helpful when they are seeking Gods answers at points in their lives.

You may also fin it helpful to contact the forum chaplains [see ask a chaplain or the 'staff' section under 'chaplaincy team'.

Hope that i of som help.

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

I agree with the previous post and seeking counsel with a spiritual leader.

I'm wondering if you've considered a non-denominational church that may be closer to your views or beliefs? You might want to check out the congregational areas to seek information and fellowship as well.

I don't know how to direct you, other than to look for the church that you feel is closest in line with your beliefs and see if you can live with the things that are not in line with your beliefs.

 

[drich0150]

I belive as you do. there isn't a single "true church" although, I know I, like many others in various congergation are a member of the body.. your problem is a unique one, a Shepard with out a flock. (The fields are ripe for harvest...)
rest assured if this is god's true calling for you (I have no reason to think otherwise your more than well qualified, Look at how many years you spent in "collage" It sound like you have your doctorate in the nature of sin)
But like i was saying If this is gods will that you shepard one of HIS flocks, then doors will open and the path will be layed out when the time is right..
Like you said before You tried to run away when you were younger but years later look at how close you are now.. Your need (Gods will) to be close to God was full filled, but in the 60's and the 70's the time wasn't right. now it is, and here you are. Let me know when your time has come, and where. I'd love to actually sit in a place that represents where my heart has to known as home.

Goodluck and Godbless

 

[libertybelle]

I don't know what more I could add to the previous posts. I too, come from a very diverse background. My grandmother's family hid themselves under catholicism. They were Jewish. My grandfather's family- seventh day adventist. My mother a practicing satanist. The youngest uncle- scientology. And everything imaginable in between.

However, the Lord was always with me. He delivered me at a young age of five or six. I was detested in my family structure because of my intense belief in Him. I challenged right from wrong and would not be persuaded to believe as they did. I was ridiculed and mocked at every turn.

I struggled my teenage years, also falling into drinking, drugs, occultic practices and what not. However I could not practice them very long. I tended to keep coming back to Christ. I played this yo-you game for my teen years until 25 years of age.

After I seriously committed my life to Christ, I agreed to go and do whatever His bidding called me. I was lead to a baptist church. I ran away. I went instead to a non-denominational church. There I poured over Scripture and began to practice prayer. The Lord connected me with with a couple believers, who also were wanting to be more like Him; wanting a deep, personal relationship.

After three years, I was moved back to the baptist church I ran away from. Here the Lord presented me with people who had desired a personal relationship with Christ, had gone through the pain of being crucified with Him, and come out on the other side.

During this time in my life it was dark and deep. The Lord walked me through Isaiah and reveled to me how I looked, who I was, and who those around me looked and were. I was given a wonderful mentor. She guided me through many a painstaking account of my past sins.

I also was given a group of individuals who were loving enough to challenge strongholds in my life and helped me overcome through the power of Christ. This then led me tp be able to help others as Christ would help them. Not through dogma, but through the power of the Word, the Holy Spirit, and the Father.

In my own process of becoming like Christ, I crucified myself to my own lofty images that were set before Him. That which was put before Him, in attitudes, beliefs, ideas, or personal practices. All these things were presented by the Holy Spirit through prayer and constant attention to the Scripture. The results have been fantastic.

By His grace and healing I have overcome so much that is humanly impossible. I don't concern myself with religious dogma, although I am accutely aware of the different dogmas around. I have yet to be placed in a church that the Spirit of God did not minister and help others to grow with those around me. However, I have never been in a church where I did not gain some wisdom, knowledge, and teaching. Either through the arrogance and policies of the beliefs, the misconceptions of who and what Christ is, or where my own pride and arrogance have tripped me up.

I don't know what to say concerning your situation. If you have had a calling to preach the Good News, I would begin to first pray about finding a church He wants you to attend. Then I'd be open to dealing with everything that offends you concerning the church.

Chances are the offenses are offenses you are demonstrating in your own attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors. OR the offenses are opportunities for you to grow and be prepared for something that is coming up.

And just to let you know, my walk through Isaiah was long before Beth Moore.

shalom

 

[clmanning]

Thanks for the advise. The idea of finding a mentor is a very good one. However, how do you find a mentor when you feel as though you are an outcast.

Generally, I attend church on a fairly regular basis, work and my wife's health sometimes gets in the way. I attend both a Seventh-Day Adventist Church and a Southern Baptist Church. The SDA Church because my wife is a member and because it is the only local church that keeps the Scriptural Sabbath and the SB church because their beliefs are fairly close to my own, with some exceptions.

I will consult one of the CF chaplains, hopefully they may be of some help.

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

I believe that God will provide you with a mentor. He takes care of our needs and gives us the strength we need in the mean time.

I will be praying for your guidance, and for Him to place a mentor in your life to help you find His place for you.