Considering visiting a local Presbyterian church soon

[JimfromOhio]

I took a "What is my Theological worldview" test and I got this....

My theological worldview are:
Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan 79%
Reformed Evangelical 79%
Fundamentalist 79%
Emergent/Postmodern 61%
Classical Liberal 54%
Neo orthodox 50%
Modern Liberal 50%
Charismatic/Pentecostal 29%
Roman Catholic 21%

It is interesting because my wife and I are looking for a new home church. I grew up mostly as a Baptist, in the last 10 years or so, as an Anabaptist. My wife grew up attending a Methodist church and most of her life as a Catholic because her ex-husband was a Catholic.

My wife and I got married in my parents' church which is a Pentecostal type of denomination.

Last sunday my wife and I have visited a local Mennonite church and we will visit again tomorrow. We have been considering visiting a Presbyterian church because we both believe what most Reformed Churches believes. We are considering visiting a local Presbyterian church next sunday.

We will continue to visit churches until the Holy Spirit convicts us which local church will be our new "home" church.

You can try this test......
http://quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=43870

List of my favorite Christian theologians from Presbyterians and similar denominations who hold to Reformed theology.
James Montgomery Boice
Jerry Bridges
D. James Kennedy
J. I. Packer
John Piper
R. C. Sproul
John Stott
Francis Schaeffer
much more...

 

[papakapp]

Or give a non-denominational reformed church a shot.

Ususally non denominational churches are more conservative and denominational churches are more liberal as far as orthodoxy goes.

Also, frequently in non denominational churches, the pastor is the founding pastor that planted the church in the first place. Those guys have more of a vision and direction from God than do some denominational pastors that are more or less a hireling of the local congregation. (at least that is what I have found)

what general region are you in?

 

[Jon_]

Or give a non-denominational reformed church a shot.

Ususally non denominational churches are more conservative and denominational churches are more liberal as far as orthodoxy goes.

Also, frequently in non denominational churches, the pastor is the founding pastor that planted the church in the first place. Those guys have more of a vision and direction from God than do some denominational pastors that are more or less a hireling of the local congregation. (at least that is what I have found)

what general region are you in?

I go to a nondenominational church, so I suppose I can't really speak ill of them, but I will say this: spend some time with the pastor before you become a member, or even before you decide to attend regularly. Nondenominational churches are all over the place in terms of doctrine these days. Even worse is that most of them do not have anything amounting to a real confession of faith or systematic list of subordinate doctrines. Shoot, ask some pastors what their eschatological position is and they'll give you a blank stare.

In short, don't base your decision solely on the service. Spend some time with the pastor and ask him questions. You might also talk to some of the elders of the church as well to make sure that they are consistent with the pastor. You certainly don't want to be moving into a church that is experiencing doctrinal dissention.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[goober3]

The only Presbyterian church in my town has a woman pastor. I won't be going there.

 

[AndOne]

Stay away from the PUSA (Presbyterian Churches of the USA) - as they are very liberal and might not be in line with what you are expecting. I suspect that the church in goober's town is of the PUSA variety. The PCA is pretty good - from what I have seen about them on their website.

I would also suggest a church that is part of "soverign grace ministries" - if there are any near your location. They might be right up your alley as they are charasmatic (employ the gifts) and are extremely reformed in their teaching/preaching - and are not ashamed to admit it.... They do not teach padeobaptism (infant baptism) however - just fyi.

 

[JJB]

Interviewing the Pastor is always a good idea, as has been already suggested.

One warning about infant baptism that I have had friends experience in our nondenominational church: once you have children you cannot have your children baptized because the church doesn't practice or believe in it. It is very disappointing and sometimes even a nagging disenchantment for the parents.

God bless you on your journey for a church!

 

[JimfromOhio]

The Presbyterian Church (USA) is a relatively liberal denomination whose name is often confused with the Presbyterian Church in America, a smaller and more conservative denomination.

The only hint in the statement that any difference exists between the two denominations is the passing mention that the PCA is largely comprised of those coming from the "conservative wing of the old Southern Presbyterian Church." While stating that the PCA is "conservative," while the PCUSA is "more diverse," it is quick to add that the PCA and the PCUSA "remain cordial."

Many of my favorite Presbyterian theologians are generally from Presbyterian Church in America. However, my wife and I will decide based on a "local" Presbyterian church and go from there. Next sunday, we will visit a local Presbyterian church that ties with The Presbyterian Church (USA). This church is only a mile from our house.

The nearest local Presbyterian Church that ties with Presbyterian Church in America is about 15 miles from our house.

 

[CoffeeSwirls]

Interviewing the Pastor is always a good idea, as has been already suggested.

That is always a good idea. If you do interview a few pastors, I encourage you to phrase your questions in light of what the church teaches, not just what they believe. Church websites usually have a list of beliefs that they espouse, and they seem to be just copy/pastes of other churches. You don't know if what you read will be what you are taught, however.

Church growth is the big thing right now, and you will want to be just a bit wary of any pastor who tries to find your viewpoint so they can agree with it. Be polite, but make it clear that you are on a fact-finding mission from the outset.

 

[Zorobabel]

I go to a Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) church. Great teaching, good theology, and loving people. It's a conservative (Biblically-speaking, not the American definition of "conservative" or "liberal") fellowship of churches.

 

[Rolf Ernst]

JimfromOhio--Remember that some Presbyterian churches are no longer reformed in doctrine. I spoke to the pastor of one Prsbytrn church I was considering attending, and when I asked him if they held to the Westminster Confession of Faith, he asked, "what is the WCF?"

There are quite a few Reformed Baptist Churches. The orthodox Presbyterians can be depended on to be fully reformed. Often, you will find that even if a pastor is not reformed, he knows enough about the churches in his area to tell you who holds to the reformation faith.