Finding a Church

[waves16]

Hello. I've only very recently started to accept God into my life again, but I feel a little lost. I feel like I don't really know where to start until I have a church/ set of beliefs to follow. I've been reading about the different denominations, but there are so many that I get even more lost. I was hoping maybe somebody could help!

I was baptized and raised Roman Catholic, and my entire family is Roman Catholic. I liked a lot of things about it, but there were a few things I couldn't quite accept. I guess you could say I'm a little liberal. I'm not sure on the exact Roman Catholic views on these things, but I like seeing women involved in the church equally with men, and I just can't accept that homosexuality is wrong, I don't think it's a choice. That being said, I'm against things like abortion and divorce. The only other church I have experience with is the Salvation Army. I absolutely love their lively services and music, and their committment to helping others. I also liked seeing so many women leading in the church, and the involvement of everybody in the church.

I don't have a lot of experiences with any other churches, and I don't even know what many of them believe. I'm trying to learn more, but I'm a little overwhelmed. Does anybody have any suggestions?
Thank you all so much.

 

[JasperJackson]

Even within a denomination there can be quite a bit of variation across the individual churches.

My suggestion is to google the churches in your area. Any church that's relevant to people today should have at least a half way decent website. And check out their 'statement of faith' to see what they believe. Hopefully they back up their beliefs with scripture. Just remember you're not going to find a perfect church, but when you eventually find a good one go there with a humble attitude willing to be taught, rather than expecting them to conform with what you believe.

I wish you well on your journey to know God more, and let us know how you go.

 

[heymikey80]

There are plenty of denominations that will accommodate your views. On that point, though, your local church is there to help explain their thinking and listen honestly to your own, you're not separated from them because of your views. You're unified on something else -- faith in Christ.

The "tough split" is between abortion and homosexuality. Homosexuality is explicitly referred-to in Scripture as being wrong; so most churches following Scripture will find this an issue. On the other hand, their approach to individual homosexuals can be more toward redeeming the situation. Abortion is often considered "of serious concern" by mainline denominations, but that's generally lip-service: many actually allocate funding for abortion services from otherwise hard-pressed budgets.

 

[waves16]

Thanks for the advice. I know that I won't find a church that fits perfectly, I was just hoping to find something close to get started learning. I do enjoy going to church in general, regardless of the denomination. I live in a city with TONS of churches, so there's certainly no shortage of places to go. Until then, I have a friend who's willing to go to Salvation Army services with me, seeing as how he's very involved with that church. I'm pretty excited about it I'm just starting to get into my bible reading, but it's going to be pretty slow, since I'm following the year-long reading schedule printed in the front. Thanks for all the advice and encouragement, it's really helped

 

[heron]

Since you like the Salvation Army church, you could make that your home base while you visit other churches to see what's out there. I think it is sensible to invent your own training program of observing how different groups worship, going to some mid-week services.

All churches are part of the one Body of Christ, so you can dive in and worship wherever you are.

The Presbyterian church went through some division over homosexuals serving in the church, so the topic was in the forefront with varied views. Most Presbyterian churches encourage women in leadership.

Lutherans and Methodists are similar.

Anglican/Episcopal have similar liturgy and format to Catholic churches.

The nondenominational churches or Pentecostals tend to put more guidelines on how Christianity plays out, even though having no denomination implies they are more free. Some Pentecostal subdivisions are very purist, but not all.

The joy you found in SArmy comes from the people. That is something you can't predict by looking at the name over the door. Your main priority should be spiritual and character growth, finding people who live out Christianity well, having the support of people who will pray for you and give wise counsel, interacting in a healthy way with other believers, and hearing an undiluted, unchanged Word of God.

I think you have found that.

 

[Nathaniel Ellis]

The reason you are so comfused is because you are asking all the wrong questions. its not your foult. there is allot of deception out there.

Watch this youtube video How to Make JESUS CHRIST your Lord and Savior.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm8BIAEAR7k it will give you all you need to begin your relationship with Jesus Christ. there is a link to it on my page, just click on my name or just type the name of the video in on youtube.

When We Give our lives to Jesus Christ we should not pick a denomination. because we now bare the Name of Christ. Why Should we put on the name of a denomination? How can we posibly serve two masters? There are True Belivers that attend churches of all denominations, and there are wolves in sheeps clothing that also attend churches of all denominations. including non denomonational churches. What Makes you a Believer is that you Believe that Jesus Christ is the only Begotten son of God, That He died and Rose from The dead, and that He will return to earth to rule and to reign.

But there is one more thing you have to do to be a true Believer. becaus demons believe all of these things and they are not by any means serving Jesus Christ.

You must make an exchange. Everything you are, for everything Jesus Christ is. Than you will have eternal life. Read John 3:16 in the NASB

the origional Greek word translated Believe does not mean to mearly make intelectual assent to like it does in english. the origional Greek word means to make an exchange.

Read about the Wedding Feast in Mathew 22. in an american wedding we pritty much put on whatever and show up but in a Hebrew wedding the father of the groom would supply the wedding cloths for all the guests and the guest were expected to wear the clothing supplied to the wedding as a sighn that they were in agreement with the covenent being made.

I am a JesusChristholic
I am a Jesus Christ aholic
I am fully devoted to Jesus Christ

when you give your life to Christ you must put on the Mind of Christ. You cannot look for a church that fits your beliefs, you must comform your Beliefs to the truth wich is found in the Word of God. . . The Bible. Manny denominations keep people from a relationship with God because they have belifs that do not line up with the Word of God. You do not need a denomination, there is no moderator between man and God but our Lord JESUS CHRIST.

 

[KeenanParkerII]

Hm, a word of advice. Don't choose a Church based on how it lines up with your own beliefs. Rather, choose a Church you believe God leads and dwells in. Part of being Christian is understanding that our wants and desires often conflict with Gods, and we have to learn to be obedient to his commands.

Good luck and God Bless. Here's a site for Catholics who have strayed from the flock. Remember, Jesus loves the lost sheep.

Catholics Come Home

 

[Nathaniel Ellis]

You can private message me if you would like to ask me any quesitons about the catholic church, homosexuality, or anything else.

God works all things to the Good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

 

[waves16]

The reason you are so comfused is because you are asking all the wrong questions. its not your foult. there is allot of deception out there.

Watch this youtube video How to Make JESUS CHRIST your Lord and Savior.YouTube - How to Make JESUS CHRIST your Lord and Savior it will give you all you need to begin your relationship with Jesus Christ. there is a link to it on my page, just click on my name or just type the name of the video in on youtube.

When We Give our lives to Jesus Christ we should not pick a denomination. because we now bare the Name of Christ. Why Should we put on the name of a denomination? How can we posibly serve two masters? There are True Belivers that attend churches of all denominations, and there are wolves in sheeps clothing that also attend churches of all denominations. including non denomonational churches. What Makes you a Believer is that you Believe that Jesus Christ is the only Begotten son of God, That He died and Rose from The dead, and that He will return to earth to rule and to reign.

But there is one more thing you have to do to be a true Believer. becaus demons believe all of these things and they are not by any means serving Jesus Christ.

You must make an exchange. Everything you are, for everything Jesus Christ is. Than you will have eternal life. Read John 3:16 in the NASB

the origional Greek word translated Believe does not mean to mearly make intelectual assent to like it does in english. the origional Greek word means to make an exchange.

Read about the Wedding Feast in Mathew 22. in an american wedding we pritty much put on whatever and show up but in a Hebrew wedding the father of the groom would supply the wedding cloths for all the guests and the guest were expected to wear the clothing supplied to the wedding as a sighn that they were in agreement with the covenent being made.

I am a JesusChristholic
I am a Jesus Christ aholic
I am fully devoted to Jesus Christ

when you give your life to Christ you must put on the Mind of Christ. You cannot look for a church that fits your beliefs, you must comform your Beliefs to the truth wich is found in the Word of God. . . The Bible. Manny denominations keep people from a relationship with God because they have belifs that do not line up with the Word of God. You do not need a denomination, there is no moderator between man and God but our Lord JESUS CHRIST.

Thank you! That really helped. I think I was just feeling a little lost because when I grew up going to church was the only link I had to anything religious, so I felt a little lost not having a church. Your advice really helped. Instead of looking for a denomination, I've decided to join the Christian fellowship at my school. It has people from all denominations, and they meet weekly, as well as having small and large prayer groups. I think this will help me feel a little less lost, and help me make friends with similar interests to myself. I still want to go to church, just to be able to sing and pray and be closer to God, but I'm not too hung up on the denomination anymore. And of course, I'm still reading my bible. Thank you so much for your advice, it really makes sense to me Have a Merry Christmas!

 

[Nathaniel Ellis]

Most of the time well (any time) when we get comfused in seeking God it is just the demonic trying to stop us in our pursuit of Him. That is why it is good to ask questions and have fellowship with real Believers. No one can do it alone. The enemy is to smart for any one of us. that is why we need each other. I have brothers in Christ and a good relationship with my Pastor and His family and i would not be able to make it without them.

God bless. and Keep Seeking.

God is hiding for us not from us.

 

[heron]

Have a great Christmas day!

Instead of looking for a denomination, I've decided to join the Christian fellowship at my school. It has people from all denominations, and they meet weekly, as well as having small and large prayer groups. I think this will help me feel a little less lost, and help me make friends with similar interests to myself. I still want to go to church, just to be able to sing and pray and be closer to God,

That's a great idea. You can even ask people to teach you their favorite songs, and get a little singing into the meetings.

These small groups are similar to what the New Testament believers did.

 

[robert77]

I like your comments. I have a friend trying to get me to visit the church he goes to which is a seventh day adventist church. I don't care for joining a catholic church, or a church that go along with anything the apostles spoke against. The more I read the apostle paul letters to the churches of old, the more I just love that guy. Anyway, I may go ahead and visit my friend's church with a humble attitude and square their teaching with the bible.

 

[salida]

denomination finder
http://www.selectsmart.com/FREE/select.php?client=christiandenom

 

[PROPHECYKID]

I like your comments. I have a friend trying to get me to visit the church he goes to which is a seventh day adventist church. I don't care for joining a catholic church, or a church that go along with anything the apostles spoke against. The more I read the apostle paul letters to the churches of old, the more I just love that guy. Anyway, I may go ahead and visit my friend's church with a humble attitude and square their teaching with the bible.

Yes. As the bible says, prove all things and hold fast to that which is good.

 

[robert77]

I'm unable to send pm because I don't have a post count of 15. I'm sure I made the right decison. When I told my friend I wasn't coming back to his church, he thought it best if he, his pastor and some other brother from the church could come by my place and talk with me. I agreed to the meeting, and wasn't convinced by anything they had to say. This sda group believed we should keep the sabbath day holy just as the pharisees. They condemns all churches for not worshipping on the 7th day of the week. As for it ending at the cross, I meant we can't get right with God by keeping the law. Christ dying on the cross did away with trying to get right with God by keeping the Law, even the one of observing the sabbath day. So I have no doubt or question about what I did. In fact, I've planted seeds of doubts in my friend's mind about the church he's in. As for the many denominations out there, I could care less about that. I feel being drawn to Christ and his teaching, and glad I never took it upon myself to join a group in the past. I know God won't mislead me in joining a group that has gone beyond the teaching of the apostles.

 

[PROPHECYKID]

I think the wrong assumption most people share is that the purpose of the law before the cross was to get people right with God, or for justification or salvation. This was never the purpose of the law. Men were never saved by the law to begin with. David didn't keep the law in order to be saved at all. In fact, David who broke the worst of the commandments was called a man after God's own heart. However, the pharisees twisted the purpose of the law and were a self righteous people. Jesus had always pointed out that the problem with the pharisees were not their works but their heart. A heart of self righteousness will never be accepted regardless of what one does or does not do. Jesus kept his father's commandments because of his love and love is the motive behind the keeping of God's law as Paul says in Romans 13:11. As Paul tells us, by the law is the knowledge of sin. God gave the 10 commandments to Israel because they had lost their way in Egypt and needed a firm reminder. In fact, when God was giving the commandments they were breaking the first and second one. The apostle John says it best, that if a man says he loves God and keeps not his commandments he is a liar. If you have love for your neighbor you will keep the last 6 commandments. Paul states this very well in Romans 13. If you love God, you will have no other Gods, you will make no graven images and worship them and you will not take God's name in vain. Will you honor his holy time if you love God? We must prove all things.

Let us say that the law had ended at the cross. The Apostle John writes many years after the cross that sin is the transgression of the law. If the law was no more then why would he write this. Why would Paul also tell is that love fulfills the law and why would John stress so much on the relation of loving God and keeping his commandments. Revelation 12 and 14 also gives insight to God's people who keeps his commandments. It is something we must be sure about especially since Revelation speaks of it in a serious manner and do our own investigation.

 

[1watchman]

Right, Kid, the law as an ordinance ended, but not as a principle. It is interesting to see that all the Ten Commandments are found in the Epistles as God's expectations (not as law), except keeping the Sabbath, which is not given in the New Testament for the church. Why is that? It is because the Sabbath ordinance was only part of the Israelite religion which was done away.

- 1 watchman

 

[PROPHECYKID]

Right, Kid, the law as an ordinance ended, but not as a principle. It is interesting to see that all the Ten Commandments are found in the Epistles as God's expectations (not as law), except keeping the Sabbath, which is not given in the New Testament for the church. Why is that? It is because the Sabbath ordinance was only part of the Israelite religion which was done away.

- 1 watchman

There was nothing such as Israelite religion. God's standard was suppose to be for everyone. God had to use a people to bring in everyone else and that is why Israel was chosen. What God gave to Israel was not "jewish" and wasn't just for a particular race but for all peoples. The reason we do not sacrifice animals today is not because those laws were jewish and we are gentiles but because Jesus being our ultimate sacrifice has become to fulfillment of what these ceremonies were shadowing. Whether Jew or gentile we are all one and God's is not one of racial segregation. So to say that the Sabbath was apart of the Israelites's religion is not valid in my humble opinion.

 

[robert77]

YOU TOOK WHAT I SAID OUT OF CONTEXT, AND MY ISSUE WITH THE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST IS THAT I DON'T AGREE WITH THEM TELLING ME I NEED TO KEEP THE SABBATH DAY HOLY. My point to you and them is that we don't need to do THAT. JESUS IS THE FORFILLMENT OF THE PROPHECY AND THE LAW. The Holy Spirit guide and teach me to obey God's laws from the heart. With the love of God in my heart there is no room for breaking the law. I can worship God any day of the week and that is my disagreement with this group. I know you said that you knew sda that worship on sunday. Well not where I llive and they condemns other churches for worshipping on sunday. I simply know that keeping the 4th commandment does not apply to me. You may know more about the bible than me, but I know I don't need to keep keep the sabbath day holy to be in right standing with God.

 

[PROPHECYKID]

YOU TOOK WHAT I SAID OUT OF CONTEXT, AND MY ISSUE WITH THE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST IS THAT I DON'T AGREE WITH THEM TELLING ME I NEED TO KEEP THE SABBATH DAY HOLY. My point to you and them is that we don't need to do THAT. JESUS IS THE FORFILLMENT OF THE PROPHECY AND THE LAW. The Holy Spirit guide and teach me to obey God's laws from the heart. With the love of God in my heart there is no room for breaking the law. I can worship God any day of the week and that is my disagreement with this group. I know you said that you knew sda that worship on sunday. Well not where I llive and they condemns other churches for worshipping on sunday. I simply know that keeping the 4th commandment does not apply to me. You may know more about the bible than me, but I know I don't need to keep keep the sabbath day holy to be in right standing with God.

No need to capitalize. I won't miss it. We will have to agree to disagree when it comes to the Sabbath. If sin was the transgression of the law before the cross and sin is the transgression of the law after the cross then if Sabbath keeping is a command of God, then Sabbath breaking is still sin. Thats how I see it but of course you can disagree. I don't think Jesus' death on the cross changes what sin was and Paul tells us that the purpose of the law is to give us the knowledge of sin.