I was recently saved, and I am trying to choose a christian denomination so that i can begin to go to church. I was wondering if anyone could offer me any assistance as to how to go about choosing a denomination? Thank you and God bless.
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Choosing a denomination
- Thread starter lowroller625
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You may want to ask this elsewhere, as I think this is really more for help regarding the site, but I'll answer anyway.
Be prayerful in your search, asking God to show you where He wants you. Try to find a church that you agree with enough that you can focus on God and not on the doctrine. At the same time, don't expect to find a church that you agree with 100%, because it'll be nearly impossible to find one. Above all else, be prayerful, and God will show you the way.
Be prayerful in your search, asking God to show you where He wants you. Try to find a church that you agree with enough that you can focus on God and not on the doctrine. At the same time, don't expect to find a church that you agree with 100%, because it'll be nearly impossible to find one. Above all else, be prayerful, and God will show you the way.
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Visit as many churches as you can and when you feel that you have found the right one you will experience a feeling of "right-ness"(is that a word?) and inner spiritual peace.
Pray heaps that God may lead you to the right one where you can grow spiritually.
Pray heaps that God may lead you to the right one where you can grow spiritually.
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lowroller625 said:
Start with the individual church, rather than the denom.
The first thing you have to ask is, do they preach the Gospel? Are they committed to teaching the Bible as God's word?
**NOTE: This should be non-negotiable**
Where do they stand on the essentials of the faith? What is the church leadership like? What is the leadership structure like?
How do they practice accountability to one another? Do they have a place where you can "plug in" and find a place to serve?
Then you're going to want to consider how it fits in with your personality: Are there people there your age? Do they offer programs for people in your age or social group?
What is the music like?
This is just off the top of my head so I'm sure that I've left out some questions you might ask.
Personally, I am a Southern Baptist, as I feel that that's where I feel most comfortable doctrinally. That's where God put me but it might not be where God decides to put you.
If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.
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rockwell said:
Honestly, I would stay away from the "burning in the bosom" philosophy. Feelings change from day to day and from circumstance to circumstance. Finding a church is too important to hang on something so shallow.
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Don't look for a denomination. Look for God. Jesus wasn't out to start a different religion. He just wanted us to accept & believe in him. I'm a non-denomination christian because in my search for different churches I'm came across beliefs that I didn't agree with. Some churches tried to teach me that you're not saved until you speak in tongues. I don't agree with that. I went to other churches that were more concerned with tradition than anything else. It doesn't matter which denomination you choose as long as the primary focus of the church is where it should be.
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Was there anyone in particular that led you to Christ? Find out where they go and tag along. If not, How about a family member or friend who is Christian? If you don't know any Christians, start with a neighborhood church. Find out if they have a pamphlet or something like that which describes their basic beliefs and make sure they line up with scripture. Most importantly, pray and trust God to lead you to a church home.
In His love,
Rob
In His love,
Rob
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seangoh
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basically u got some good responses there..they're right..look for a church that u're comfortable in and that you can grow in the knowledge of God.
As for me, i'm in the seventh-day adventist denomination because it's a church where i can practise what i believe and it helps me grow in a deeper relationship with God. But not all adventist churches would be suitable. Like for me in singapore, we have 7 adventist churches, but only 1 of them i find suits me. So it's not only beliefs that matter, it's whether you're comfortable in it and it helps you.
As for me, i'm in the seventh-day adventist denomination because it's a church where i can practise what i believe and it helps me grow in a deeper relationship with God. But not all adventist churches would be suitable. Like for me in singapore, we have 7 adventist churches, but only 1 of them i find suits me. So it's not only beliefs that matter, it's whether you're comfortable in it and it helps you.
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I started going to a small, Wesleyan church in October. The people are so friendly!
There was also a Baptist church I liked, but it was HUGE and I didn't know anyone. I went a few times and ended up crying because I was lonely and no one said anything to me, just "Is someone sitting here?"
With me... I think the type of church depends more. I like the small, friendly church more than the bigger one.. if I knew people, it'd be different.
I also like the youth group the Wesleyan church has.
Maybe not focus on denominations and focus on churches. Try some out. Then research the denominations and see if it's something you like! Worked for me.
I'm going to uni. in Sept. so now I need to find a church there now!
There was also a Baptist church I liked, but it was HUGE and I didn't know anyone. I went a few times and ended up crying because I was lonely and no one said anything to me, just "Is someone sitting here?"
With me... I think the type of church depends more. I like the small, friendly church more than the bigger one.. if I knew people, it'd be different.
I also like the youth group the Wesleyan church has.
Maybe not focus on denominations and focus on churches. Try some out. Then research the denominations and see if it's something you like! Worked for me.
I'm going to uni. in Sept. so now I need to find a church there now!
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Hello Lowroller! Firstly, welcome to the big, huge family of God! Welcome to the family bro! Alright, lets see now... Denominations... the advice that as been given to you is good, they are right to ask you to check out individual churches first, but it would be wise to do some checking up on different denominations first. Before you do that, write out a list of things you believe - ie. Righteousness by Faith, Second Coming of Christ, perhaps also Spiritual Gifts... look at your beliefs and compare them with what the various denominations believe and attest to. The Roman Catholic Church for example has a priest as a mediator between you and God - you go to a confessional and you confess your sins to someone; if you believe that then you should check out the Roman Catholic Church. For myself, I believe that Jesus is my mediator between me and God [1 Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus - NIV] so I don't see why I should confess my wrongdoings to another "dude on the street" who's in a box (forgive the pun). If you have beliefs of say, what happens after you dies and you find a church that teaches the same thing you believe in, there's a start~
Another element in choosing a church (we're straying away from 'denominations' here) is the worship. Worship is focusing on and responding to God. Find a church where you can really worship God. Music plays an important role, so do the worship leaders and as a worship leader/musician/youth pastor, I can attest to that. A good worship service helps you to focus on God rather than on the music and the rhythm, sure, good rhythm is good fun, but the ultimate objective is to focus on God. If the worship service helps you to FOCUS on God and helps you to RESPOND to Him in praise, I'd say that the worship service is good, despite the simplicity (if it's only a piano or guitar etc). Worship should be another point to take note of in joining a Church.
A friendly, spiritual church helps you to grow spiritually. If I were you, I'd look for a church that is friendly and makes me feel like I belong there when they do things and when they teach God's word. You won't grow unless you have a groupie that you feel comfortable around, that way you can grow spiritually too. A church with solid doctrines and great sermons might be good, but without the element of belonging, without true authentic relationships, the possibility true unlimited spiritual growth is tied down significantly.
Pray about joining a church, don't be 'roped in' by a church - some churches have tactics like continuously calling and emailing till you feel pressured to return (that shouldn't be the way now should it?) and you should not be pressured to join a church. I believe the rest has been summed up by what the other guys in the forums have been saying so far! Im sorry I can't post a longer one!
Please do update us on what you choose though! I'm praying for you brother!
In Christ always, Parkert`tR
Another element in choosing a church (we're straying away from 'denominations' here) is the worship. Worship is focusing on and responding to God. Find a church where you can really worship God. Music plays an important role, so do the worship leaders and as a worship leader/musician/youth pastor, I can attest to that. A good worship service helps you to focus on God rather than on the music and the rhythm, sure, good rhythm is good fun, but the ultimate objective is to focus on God. If the worship service helps you to FOCUS on God and helps you to RESPOND to Him in praise, I'd say that the worship service is good, despite the simplicity (if it's only a piano or guitar etc). Worship should be another point to take note of in joining a Church.
A friendly, spiritual church helps you to grow spiritually. If I were you, I'd look for a church that is friendly and makes me feel like I belong there when they do things and when they teach God's word. You won't grow unless you have a groupie that you feel comfortable around, that way you can grow spiritually too. A church with solid doctrines and great sermons might be good, but without the element of belonging, without true authentic relationships, the possibility true unlimited spiritual growth is tied down significantly.
Pray about joining a church, don't be 'roped in' by a church - some churches have tactics like continuously calling and emailing till you feel pressured to return (that shouldn't be the way now should it?) and you should not be pressured to join a church. I believe the rest has been summed up by what the other guys in the forums have been saying so far! Im sorry I can't post a longer one!
Please do update us on what you choose though! I'm praying for you brother!
In Christ always, Parkert`tR
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charligirl
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Some great answers here.
I have always chosen churches by praying first for God to show me where He wants me, for the right place where I can become and do all that He wants me to be and do.
Looking at the individual church is important, I have been a member of all sorts of denominations over the years. The vital things are that they believe in the basics, that Jesus is the Son of God who died for us and rose again and that they teach the uncompromising word of God.
A church which has unity and small groups where you can learn and grow in a supportive environment is also good.
I think the best advice I was given was to look at the 'front of the bus' talk to the pastor and find out his heart and where he is leading the church. if you don't like the sound of the destination then don't join that 'bus'.
For example, I knew when it was time to move churches when we had a new pastor and I found it hard that his heart was all for youth but missed out on other age groups, he was leading the church into an area that was not for me. The church I ended up in just had a destination of 'win the lost' on the front of it's 'bus'. They taught the word of God, had great unity and love for each other and their outreach was effective.
ANother good test that it totally biblical is to 'look at the fruit' a good tree cannot bear bad fruit or vice versa. If a church is growing, wining the lost and reaching out to the community in love then that's good fruit!
I have always chosen churches by praying first for God to show me where He wants me, for the right place where I can become and do all that He wants me to be and do.
Looking at the individual church is important, I have been a member of all sorts of denominations over the years. The vital things are that they believe in the basics, that Jesus is the Son of God who died for us and rose again and that they teach the uncompromising word of God.
A church which has unity and small groups where you can learn and grow in a supportive environment is also good.
I think the best advice I was given was to look at the 'front of the bus' talk to the pastor and find out his heart and where he is leading the church. if you don't like the sound of the destination then don't join that 'bus'.
For example, I knew when it was time to move churches when we had a new pastor and I found it hard that his heart was all for youth but missed out on other age groups, he was leading the church into an area that was not for me. The church I ended up in just had a destination of 'win the lost' on the front of it's 'bus'. They taught the word of God, had great unity and love for each other and their outreach was effective.
ANother good test that it totally biblical is to 'look at the fruit' a good tree cannot bear bad fruit or vice versa. If a church is growing, wining the lost and reaching out to the community in love then that's good fruit!
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I am in a similar situation in that I am trying to figure out which denomination/church I want to be a part of, so what i have done is to go to the websites (if they have one) and ask for their doctrine/statement of faith so that in the first instance I can be sure we believe in the same thing!
I think that after sorting out the most favourable one I will then attend different churches ( of that denomination ) until I find one that is comfortable for me.
I think that after sorting out the most favourable one I will then attend different churches ( of that denomination ) until I find one that is comfortable for me.
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People have offered some very good advice here. There is one thing I disagre with though.
That may be good advice for someone who has been a Christian for a number of years and is well grounded in the faith and knows false doctrine when he hears it. But it is not good advice for a new Christian who maybe doesn't know the most basic doctines of Christianity yet. A recently saved person might still believe things that are contrary to the Bible. Finding a church that agrees with those things would be a bad idea.
A better idea would be to find someone who has been saved for a longer time, preferably at least a few years, for example the person who led you to Christ. If that is not possible because he is no longer in your area for example, then try to find another mature Christian to help you out. If you don't know any other Christians then there are plenty of resources on the Internet. PM me and tell me where you are and I'll try to help you find somewhere to fellowship.
That may be good advice for someone who has been a Christian for a number of years and is well grounded in the faith and knows false doctrine when he hears it. But it is not good advice for a new Christian who maybe doesn't know the most basic doctines of Christianity yet. A recently saved person might still believe things that are contrary to the Bible. Finding a church that agrees with those things would be a bad idea.
A better idea would be to find someone who has been saved for a longer time, preferably at least a few years, for example the person who led you to Christ. If that is not possible because he is no longer in your area for example, then try to find another mature Christian to help you out. If you don't know any other Christians then there are plenty of resources on the Internet. PM me and tell me where you are and I'll try to help you find somewhere to fellowship.
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Sketcher
Born Imperishable
Pray for a good one. God has never failed to answer that one for me.
They must stick to the Bible. If they preach anything that is against it, that's a red flag. If they preach out of another book they consider holy (such as the Book of Mormon) that's another one. If they use scare tactics (some charismatics, not all, might tell you you're not saved if you don't speak in tounges), forget it.
They must stick to the Bible. If they preach anything that is against it, that's a red flag. If they preach out of another book they consider holy (such as the Book of Mormon) that's another one. If they use scare tactics (some charismatics, not all, might tell you you're not saved if you don't speak in tounges), forget it.
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