Can you recommend a denomination for me?

[stillsearching]

I wanted to know if maybe some of the more knowledgable of you out there could recommend a denomination for me. I'd like to go to church this Sunday and I'm thinking about going to an Episcopalian church, maybe those of you who are Episcopalian or similar, could tell me if you agree I'd feel comfortable in that enviroment. Here is a little about myself and what I am looking for.

1. I don't take the bible literally. I think there are a lot of metaphors in the bible, such as the creation story. I don't really believe everything was created in seven literal days, but rather that this number is representitive of a longer period of time, not to mention highly symbolic as it is used throughout the bible.

2. I don't have a very strict interpretation of the bible. In other words, I believe dancing, alcohol, holidays, women wearing pants to church, and all that, is okay.

3. I'm a private person, I don't like being around agressive and pushy people. If I'm new some place, I'm not comfortable being bombarded with offers to visit my home or to visit another persons home. I'm very cautious about allowing other people into my life or getting involved with others. I don't want to feel obligated to attend or do anything outside of church or anything related to it.

4. I am politically moderate and socially progressive. I won't always attempt to stop someone who I disagree with, from following their right to change the system, that is the joy of being an American and I don't neccesarily think my way should be everyone elses way. I don't believe in imposing my beliefs on others, and vice versa. I'm both a registered Democrat and Republican, so that gives you an idea of where I stand.



5. I wouldn't do good in a church where people fainted, wailed, swayed, and all that. I think it would scare me, no offense.

6. It's important to me that whichever church I attend cares more about my relationship with Jesus than how much money I give them or how often I show up to church. It's also important that they hold some type of bible study and are open to any and all questions I may have about it.

7. Last but not least, I'm looking for loving, openminded people. I'm looking for people who will be enthusiastic that I'm attending their church, I want to feel a sense of community and not get lost in the masses. I want to feel comfortable going to my pastor or inviting him or her over for dinner.

Hope I'm not being too picky and ridiculous! Ultimately I want a church that believes in the word of God, that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that the bible is the word, and that we can only be saved through faith in Christ, etc.

Thanks!

P.S. I'm looking into Protestant churches.

 

[sracer]

I wanted to know if maybe some of the more knowledgable of you out there could recommend a denomination for me. I'd like to go to church this Sunday and I'm thinking about going to an Episcopalian church, maybe those of you who are Episcopalian or similar, could tell me if you agree I'd feel comfortable in that enviroment. Here is a little about myself and what I am looking for.

1. I don't take the bible literally. I think there are a lot of metaphors in the bible, such as the creation story. I don't really believe everything was created in seven literal days, but rather that this number is representitive of a longer period of time, not to mention highly symbolic as it is used throughout the bible.

Please be careful. There are proper and consistent methods for interpretting the Bible. If you (rather than the context) pick-n-choose when to interpret literally, you are going to run into problems. There are some "Christian" groups who believe that Jesus wasn't literally resurrected from the dead...that it was symbolic.

2. I don't have a very strict interpretation of the bible. In other words, I believe dancing, alcohol, holidays, women wearing pants to church, and all that, is okay.

Strict interpretation of the Bible doesn't result in those things. Improper interpretation does! Again, when taken and interpreted in a literal, historical, and grammatical manner, the Bible allows those things.

3. I'm a private person, I don't like being around agressive and pushy people. If I'm new some place, I'm not comfortable being bombarded with offers to visit my home or to visit another persons home. I'm very cautious about allowing other people into my life or getting involved with others. I don't want to feel obligated to attend or do anything outside of church or anything related to it.

I'm that way too. It is natural for many of my fellow Christians to see a new face and want them to know that they are genuinely welcomed. Coming from NY (and previously a Catholic), I was a bit taken aback by that. But the church that I attend isn't pushy...

4. I am politically moderate and socially progressive. I won't always attempt to stop someone who I disagree with, from following their right to change the system, that is the joy of being an American and I don't neccesarily think my way should be everyone elses way. I don't believe in imposing my beliefs on others, and vice versa. I'm both a registered Democrat and Republican, so that gives you an idea of where I stand.

A good church will simply teach the word of God. Your political view will (or should) reflect your values as a Christian...but a good church won't tell you how you should vote or think on an issue.

5. I wouldn't do good in a church where people fainted, wailed, swayed, and all that. I think it would scare me, no offense.

hehe, me neither. That typically happens mostly in hyper-charismatic churches.

6. It's important to me that whichever church I attend cares more about my relationship with Jesus than how much money I give them or how often I show up to church. It's also important that they hold some type of bible study and are open to any and all questions I may have about it.

Absolutely!

7. Last but not least, I'm looking for loving, openminded people. I'm looking for people who will be enthusiastic that I'm attending their church, I want to feel a sense of community and not get lost in the masses. I want to feel comfortable going to my pastor or inviting him or her over for dinner.

Amen! (but not quite sure about the "openminded" part... )

Hope I'm not being too picky and ridiculous! Ultimately I want a church that believes in the word of God, that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that the bible is the word, and that we can only be saved through faith in Christ, etc.

Thanks!

P.S. I'm looking into Protestant churches.

Good luck in your search. I have found such a church... non-denominational and teaches straight from the Bible....book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. I highly recommend that you look for a local Calvary Chapel and talk with a pastor there. I attend Calvary Chapel of Prescott and it is indeed a blessing to be fed God's word... "straight up"...all natural... no man-made ingredients.

 

[stillsearching]

Thanks for replying, I was getting worried!

Thinking over my own ideas I think you are right, I cannot believe that the universe was not created in seven days and think in the same thought that Jesus really did physically resurrect from death. It doesn't make any sense to think this way, so I know this is something I have to and study on.

You're right, there is a difference between strict and improper interpretation. Thanks for making that more clear! When I say openminded, I mean I don't want to be around people that look at someone dressed like a goth or someone that is very pierced who listens to rock music, and make assumptions about those people. I'm not into attitudes like that because I grew up in a liberal area where a lot of the best Christian kids I knew dressed like punk rockers and other 'alternative' styles. I myself am not like this at all, but that's just an example of what I'm talking about. I don't want to feel like I have to listen to a certain type of music or dress a certain way, etc.

I'll be sure to read up about Calvary Chapel!

 

[Force]

What city (or state if you dont feel comfortable) are you in?

 

[nyj]

...

 

[stillsearching]

What city (or state if you dont feel comfortable) are you in?

How will that make a difference which denomination to look into?



I am in PA and not near a Calvary Chapel (I looked into it) but I am looking at churches in my area. There are a ton of Lutheran churches (mostly ECLA) and well, that's the biggest around here!

 

[stillsearching]

...

Did I say something wrong?

 

[nyj]

Did I say something wrong?

Nope, I asked a question but found the answer to it in another post of yours.

 

[Force]

Oh I just was wondering because I know some good churches in a couple of different states....not so much PA though sorry. I myself am AG (Assemblies of God) they are the closest I have found that I agree with (getting into doctrine and all that). still not fully perfect but I mean NO CHURCH IS. My advice is just every week go to a different church you see within a couple miles of your neighborhood, and test the waters....most churches have a bulletin or something that state their beliefs and you can get a feel for the pastors etc. while you are there at service.........

Just don't be afraid to leave one, or stay at another. An understanding church won't fight over you, but will want you to find the best place to grow closer to the Lord. Like the Bible says....Wherever two or three are gathered in his name he will show up........So you have a lot of options.

 

[ukok]

5. I wouldn't do good in a church where people fainted, wailed, swayed, and all that. I think it would scare me, no offense.

QUOTE]

, that was funny.


I do sincerely hope that you find your journey successful.

 

[stillsearching]

Just don't be afraid to leave one, or stay at another. An understanding church won't fight over you, but will want you to find the best place to grow closer to the Lord.

Thank you for saying this! I think my big fear for searching for other churches in my life, has been the fear of upsetting people or having people try to convince me to stay. I'm not a very strong person when it comes to things like that and it would make me very nervous! That's why I said I don't want a church with pushy people, it would really scare me. That's why I'm looking into more popular denominations, I don't want to end up in some 'cultish' church.

 

[Force]

Yeah I don't really like it when churches are pushy....I mean I don't mind the occasional call (to say they are praying for you or to see if you enjoyed your visit) If I didn't particularly like the church or something I just tell them thank you for calling and how much you appreciate it but I found another church that I am going to. Then most will say ok. Cause it is the truth...I mean as christians it is supposed to be about reaching people, not so much having all christians to yourself you know (in a particular church) I mean in the end we will all be together anyway.... Just remember that part.

I have gone and still go to a couple of different AG churches (because I go to different ones with different friends) but I have the main one since I was little. Thats kind of like my home base.

Just go where you feel fed...thats the important part.

 

[sracer]

...When I say openminded, I mean I don't want to be around people that look at someone dressed like a goth or someone that is very pierced who listens to rock music, and make assumptions about those people. I'm not into attitudes like that because I grew up in a liberal area where a lot of the best Christian kids I knew dressed like punk rockers and other 'alternative' styles. I myself am not like this at all, but that's just an example of what I'm talking about. I don't want to feel like I have to listen to a certain type of music or dress a certain way, etc.

Ah, I understand. And I can say that at the local Calvary Chapel I see Jr. High, High, and College age members covering the whole spectrum of dress. I interract with quite a few of them, and regardless of how they dress, they're very fine Christian adults.

 

[Sharky]

I'm currently not much of a denominational person. I go to any church but currently i'm in a pentacoastal one. IT's jumpy and stuff.

 

[BarbB]

I was saved in an Episcopal Church which described itself as high Episcopal with Evangelical and Charismatic leanings - perfect. I like the liturgy itself - it's very calming - but it is NO replacement for the Holy Spirit!!! I don't live near that church so in Florida I go to a Methodist church at the contemporary service and in NJ I go to a Christian Missionary & Alliance church. Same when I visit friends in Canada. Great music, Biblical teaching, warm people.

Absolutely, go where you are fed! Begin at the Episcopal church where the liturgy will feel comfy and familiar. But if it is too liberal, you will not be saved there. You need the spirit and the spirit is not politically correct.

Keep searching!!!!! and God Bless You,

Barb

 

[BarbB]

I'm currently not much of a denominational person. I go to any church but currently i'm in a pentacoastal one. IT's jumpy and stuff.

I love jumpy - it's great!!!!

 

[aggie03]

Have you ever thought that maybe a denomination is not the place to be because they aren't mentioned in the Bible?

 

[dldjr86]

I agree with aggie03. Where in the Bible can you find Jesus founding the Lutheran, or Pentecostal, or Catholic, or any other denomination in the Bible. Jesus can to establish HIS church (Matt. 16:18). It was not meant for all these denominations to arise.

 

[Peter]

P.S. I'm looking into Protestant churches.

Too bad, you'd make a swell Orthodox.
BTW, your list was my list until I found Orthodoxy.

Peace.

Peter

 

[weblord]

there are no denominations in Christ only He is the way, the truth and the life ( John 14:6)
try this revival.net

there is also a church browser on this site; http://myzoe.org

try reading some of my devotions: http://share.myzoe.org