How did you find your church/faith family?

[Healing with Jesus]

How did you decide on which denomination to join? How did you find your specific church or faith group?

Personally, I am not affiliated with a church or denomination at the moment, but I am seeking one.

As C.S. Lewis said, "But it is in the rooms, not the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. The hall is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in." (Mere Christianity)

I've been in the hall a little too long my friends.

Also, to be clear: I am not looking for a theological debate on the best denomination or anything like that.

Looking forward to hearing your stories!!

(P.S. I had posted this in the Deeper Fellowship category a number of months ago, but am trying again here and hoping for a little more of a response)

 

[Doug Melven]

When my step-father died, my Mom was not going to church at the time so she did not have a pastor to do the funeral.
The funeral home recommended a pastor. This Pastor went above and beyond what he was required to do.
My Mom was so impressed with him that she decided to go to his church. Then when I got out of prison I started going as well. That Pastor has since retired and my Mom passed away a few years ago but I still go to that same church. It has become my church home.

I don't agree with everything they teach, but the essentials are right. And they have lots of love.
https://www.open-door.org/

 

[Healing with Jesus]

When my step-father died, my Mom was not going to church at the time so she did not have a pastor to do the funeral.
The funeral home recommended a pastor. This Pastor went above and beyond what he was required to do.
My Mom was so impressed with him that she decided to go to his church. Then when I got out of prison I started going as well. That Pastor has since retired and my Mom passed away a few years ago but I still go to that same church. It has become my church home.

I don't agree with everything they teach, but the essentials are right. And they have lots of love.
https://www.open-door.org/

Thank you for sharing your story. It is beautiful that your Mom found fellowship and support in her time of need. And I'd like to offer my condolences for your loss of her.

Part of what I'm struggling with is along the line of what you mentioned: having disagreements with some teachings. Right now, I'm feeling drawn to a church that doesn't have all the same beliefs I do. Nothing terribly serious, it's still a major branch of Christianity that teaches all the important things about Jesus.

For about a year, I did go a church that taught what I believe... on paper anyway. But the fellowship was just not right in a lot of different ways. The whole scene did a number on my spiritual life. I can't blame them, of course, and God is working everything out, in the genius way only He can. But, it's something I'm aware of now. I'm more inclined to go somewhere that seems like a good spiritual fit, even if it means the teaching isn't perfect. As long as it's not heresy or sacrilegious or straight up false teaching.

 

[All4Christ]

Hi Welcome to Christian Forums!

I grew up in the Pentecostal Church, but based on prayer and learning, I knew that wasn’t where I was supposed to be. I found my current Church after years of searching. I visited many different churches for awhile. That helped some. What helped most was when I looked at the writings of the Church up through the time Scripture was canonized. Based on that, I looked for a Church that has is closest to what I read about. God led me to the Orthodox Church, which I am very thankful for.

Blessings to you as you continue your search!

 

[Doug Melven]

For about a year, I did go a church that taught what I believe... on paper anyway. But the fellowship was just not right in a lot of different ways. The whole scene did a number on my spiritual life. I can't blame them, of course, and God is working everything out, in the genius way only He can. But, it's something I'm aware of now. I'm more inclined to go somewhere that seems like a good spiritual fit, even if it means the teaching isn't perfect. As long as it's not heresy or sacrilegious or straight up false teaching.

If a church has all the correct doctrine, but no love, don't go there.
But if they are off on some points, but have love, that is a good place. As long as the points they are off on aren't major. For me the major doctrines are salvation issues.

 

[Call me Nic]

If a church has all the correct doctrine, but no love, don't go there.
But if they are off on some points, but have love, that is a good place. As long as the points they are off on aren't major. For me the major doctrines are salvation issues.

Best advice I've ever read in regards to seeking out a church.

 

[Call me Nic]

I grew up in a small Baptist setting (when my mother would go to church that is), whether that's a good or bad thing I don't quite know. So, for me, that had shaped me into being used to a fundamental, conservative take on the Bible; however, I fell away from the faith during my adolescence due to family problems and worldly distractions with school and hobbies. However, when I was 20, I came back to the faith and didn't know quite know where to start, so I started with what I had already known from my childhood. However, I soon realized that much of what I had taken for granted during my childhood didn't quite pan out when I read the Bible for myself. You are an experienced Christian, more than myself, so you must already know that there isn't quite a good answer to your question other than what Doug said, because frankly, no church is perfect, and the one that is - don't touch with a ten foot pole.

 

[Lady Bug]

as far as "points that are off that aren't major," what do you guys consider those points?

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

I'd say if it is not in line with God's Word, don't accept it.

If the people serving Yahweh by faith in Jesus are not in a denomination but down meeting at the river, in a cave, or forest, or house to house,
and they remain in line with God's Word, you will know .....

 

[seeking.IAM]

I came to be compelled to leave my church family. I held the same faith affiliation for over 50 years, and had been a member of that specific congregation for over 20 years. I started a search for a place where I felt more engaged in a reverential worship experience. I decided to take one Sunday a month to visit churches of different denominations, while still attending my own church 3 Sundays a month. I was deeply moved by the reverential, participatory, and liturgical service of what slowly over time became my new church. Our worship opens with a procession, and I got chills that first visit seeing the Deacon process with the Gospel held high and lifted up. It was the only church I visited more than once. I kept being drawn back. It took me about 6 years before I became a confirmed member, mostly due to guilt over leaving the church of my lifetime. Now I regret not having made the decision earlier.

 

[Call me Nic]

as far as "points that are off that aren't major," what do you guys consider those points?

This might be something you have to decide for yourself. I could tell you what I think, but I'm not going to seeing as how I'm kind of a trouble maker around here and tend to *accidentally* derail threads.

 

[seeking.IAM]

...Part of what I'm struggling with is along the line of what you mentioned: having disagreements with some teachings. Right now, I'm feeling drawn to a church that doesn't have all the same beliefs I do...

Due to different moves, I've been a member of at least 7 different churches in my lifetime and was a regular attender of a few I didn't formally join. All I can say is that I have never found a church that has all the same beliefs I have. Never. Not once. But I'm at peace with that. For I believe that we are judged as individuals for what we believe and how we live, not for the place we choose to worship. If you can find a church that believes all you believe, you will indeed be a lucky person, but I suspect you have equal chances of finding a unicorn, the abominable snowman, or the Holy Grail. I further believe that every Christian faith group will one day hear the Almighty say, "You know you were wrong about that one thing, but you were faithful as you understood it, so come on in."

 

[sunshineforJesus]

We had went to a pentecostal church since thats where my dads mom(my nanny went) and
so when we moved to Ct we continued to and still go to a Church of God.

 

[Lady Bug]

This might be something you have to decide for yourself. I could tell you what I think, but I'm not going to seeing as how I'm kind of a trouble maker around here and tend to *accidentally* derail threads.

lol I understand.

what do you think of a church that seems to have almost all the right doctrine but they deny that any of the spiritual gifts exist today? should one attend? before anyone says anything, I'm not talking about tongues or even prophecy but things like wisdom, faith, and discernment of spirits. Even if the first two gifts didn't exist, I find it difficult to accept that any individuals, even if rare, don't have any of the latter three.

 

[Healing with Jesus]

Thank you so much for sharing your stories and perspectives. I really think that what everyone wrote here is so helpful. It's about where God is leading you, not about who's "right." I like what you said, Doug.

If a church has all the correct doctrine, but no love, don't go there.
But if they are off on some points, but have love, that is a good place. As long as the points they are off on aren't major. For me the major doctrines are salvation issues.

I also agree with you, Nicolaus.

... frankly, no church is perfect, and the one that is - don't touch with a ten foot pole.

My last experience in a church lasted for a year, and was difficult for me because it was quite fundamentalist and many things didn't sit right with me. I could rarely put my finger on the exact issue, which made it that much harder for me to justify leaving. I can relate to what you wrote, seeking. About the guilt and all those feelings of obligation.

It took me about 6 years before I became a confirmed member, mostly due to guilt over leaving the church of my lifetime. Now I regret not having made the decision earlier.

I am encouraged by your stories. Blessings and peace brothers and sisters.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

as far as "points that are off that aren't major," what do you guys consider those points?

Specifically,
(as important example from the past during the Russian death camps)
how tall the candles are
is not important.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

lol I understand.

what do you think of a church that seems to have almost all the right doctrine but they deny that any of the spiritual gifts exist today? should one attend? before anyone says anything, I'm not talking about tongues or even prophecy but things like wisdom, faith, and discernment of spirits. Even if the first two gifts didn't exist, I find it difficult to accept that any individuals, even if rare, don't have any of the latter three.

And healing - how about healing - "naturally" if not super-naturally.

So many (in churches and on the forum) are vehemently opposed to any healing, naturally or super-naturally,
it seems to me strange that they actually claim to have faith in Jesus.