How does one pick a denomination?

daveleau said:

Know that all denominations are flawed. None is wholly correct...

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Why not?

What are your denomination's flaws? If you don't know what they are, how do you know they exist? If you do know what they are, why don't you correct them?

I realize that every church's doctrine was written by imperfect people, but sometimes imoerfect people do perfect things. Some guy played an absolutely perfect game of PacMan a few years ago, despite being an imperfect person.

1. Do you want orthodoxy or heresy? That's the most important question. You don't need heresy. Pick a church that believes the basic creeds of the Christian faith and teaches the Bible. Avoid those that teach wacky doctrines like Galatianism or Anglo-Israelism, or just preach air-head Amway-style feel good crêpe.

2. Do you want ignorance or education? Ask the pastor what his education is. If he calls himself Rev Dr, was his doctorate earned or honorary (from a cereal box)? A poorly educated pastor is less likely to be able to feed the sheep real meat. He may try to cover it up with excitement, yelling and a show, but after a while, his lack of education will simply not feed you.

3. What legalism can you handle? All churches have some form of legalism. Does it bother you that they ban alcohol, or dancing, or contraception, or gambling, or makeup, or idolize tongues, or teach silly things like those who are not healed lack faith, etc.? Some don't push such issues to new people, but if you want to get involved or dig deeper you will find it. Are you strong enough to stand on your own two feet despite some legalism (it's everywhere), or is the church gracious enough to tolerate people who believe differently?

4. Do you want authoritarianism or freedom? Some churches are very bossy, very manipulative and controlling. Are you strong enough to stand on your own two feet, or would you rather go somewhere this is not an issue?

5. Do you want large or small? There are advantages both ways. Big is majestic. Small is intimate. Leaders are usually best developed in a small church, but if you want programs all laid on, then you may want a big church.

6. Do you want formal or informal? Some liturgies are very old, majestic and formal. Others are more modern, free and creativity of the moment.

7. What kind of music do you want? Most churches are either organ/piano or guitar/drums. Some few are no-music. Some few are blended - a little bit of everything.

I hope these questions have helped. There are many more that you may want to ask yourself.

muffler dragon said:

...Just meet with people who love G-d and enjoy going through the Scriptures. Many times, that is more fruitful than the 'organized' church...

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I would ignore that advice. Many heresies exist in the house church movement. Unless the leaders are educated or mentored by a theologically well-educated leadership, they fall into many dangers.

jeffderuyter21 said:

...I am a Calvinist, and attend a church that agrees with his doctrine...

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Did you know that Calvin was not a Calvinist? I'll leave you to figure that one out.

Bulldog said:

By lini[n]g the doctrine of that church up with the Bible.

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Did you know that EVERY church gets its doctrines from the Bible? It's the interpretation that varies. Theoretically, if everyone was educated in the rules of exegesis and hermeneutics, they would come to approximately the same conclusions. However, better educated church leaders usually do agree on the essentials.

Daedalus said:

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

There is one Church Jesus intended.
Not all churches are wrong, there is one that is not wrong.
Can't you read english?
"and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it"

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Have you ever asked yourself what this verse does NOT say? You make it say a whole lot more than it ever said then or now. So, let's be fair one towards the other.

Did you know that EVERY church gets its doctrines from the Bible? It's the interpretation that varies. Theoretically, if everyone was educated in the rules of exegesis and hermeneutics, they would come to approximately the same conclusions. However, better educated church leaders usually do agree on the essentials.

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That is if they teach the Bible and the Bible only. It is when things are added to what is not in the Bible we get some strange concepts.

Koey said:

I would ignore that advice. Many heresies exist in the house church movement. Unless the leaders are educated or mentored by a theologically well-educated leadership, they fall into many dangers.

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Thanks for the complete write-off to something that millions of people are involved in. As I'm sure you're aware, few of the Apostles were educated men. However, all that they wrote and taught we can learn from.

And just as a side note, advice is advice. It's not a command, it's a form of opinion. Should the person who made the OP decide that seeing a home church is something they would like to pursue, I don't think there is any need to discourage them. I wouldn't discourage them from attending any particular organization. To each their own brother.

muffler dragon said:

Thanks for the complete write-off to something that millions of people are involved in. As I'm sure you're aware, few of the Apostles were educated men. However, all that they wrote and taught we can learn from.

And just as a side note, advice is advice. It's not a command, it's a form of opinion. Should the person who made the OP decide that seeing a home church is something they would like to pursue, I don't think there is any need to discourage them. I wouldn't discourage them from attending any particular organization. To each their own brother.

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I don't write off all house churches. However, there is a large element that is really unbalanced and cultish. It pays to be cautious. Many house churches are under good leadership. However, we have to be discerning. Just look at some of the legalistic and cultish posts on house church web sites and you will see what I mean.

I wouldn't call the apostles uneducated. After all they spent 3 plus years getting the best education from the best teacher this earth has ever seen.

House Churches just may come back in before the Second Coming so don't write them all off just yet.

They may have their place when "dragon", the "beast", and the "false prophet" force false religion on the world.

Remember John says in Revelation that all the world worshiped the beast. It is coming and coming soon.

Don't say you were not warned.

Symes said:

House Churches just may come back in before the Second Coming so don't write them all off just yet.

They may have their place when "dragon", the "beast", and the "false prophet" force false religion on the world.

Remember John says in Revelation that all the world worshiped the beast. It is coming and coming soon.

Don't say you were not warned.

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You may be absolutely correct. If so, I don't think we'll be worried about Bible ignorance or heresy or spiritual abuse from house church leaders. We'll just be so glad to spend some time with other Christians.

Just to add on to what has been said. I know 3 friends who have been meeting up and studying the bible regularly. Although they attend the church, they are constantly giving problems to it by being critical at authority and leadership. You might say they have high standards, but this is not the issue here. The issue is what have they gotten out from those time spent doing bible study? Have they humbled themselves and obeyed God's commands to speak to one another in love? By forming their own group, they have strengthened their resolve to "oppose" the church if any error crops up. They have been very strong in their criticisms to the pastors and it's a problem.

The relevance here is that in general, joining an organised denomination is better than going off on your own. There you will form your ideas and concepts in a collective method instead of just the few of you. Also, there would be more people to help you grow and point you in the right direction.

seangoh said:

Just to add on to what has been said. I know 3 friends who have been meeting up and studying the bible regularly. Although they attend the church, they are constantly giving problems to it by being critical at authority and leadership. You might say they have high standards, but this is not the issue here. The issue is what have they gotten out from those time spent doing bible study? Have they humbled themselves and obeyed God's commands to speak to one another in love? By forming their own group, they have strengthened their resolve to "oppose" the church if any error crops up. They have been very strong in their criticisms to the pastors and it's a problem.

The relevance here is that in general, joining an organised denomination is better than going off on your own. There you will form your ideas and concepts in a collective method instead of just the few of you. Also, there would be more people to help you grow and point you in the right direction.

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Wow, Seangoh!

It's almost like a replication of my experience 3 years ago. While I have repented for my behavior, because of the judgment I raised; I find it very little in comparison to the 'junk' I was being force fed by people who were blinded by their own belief. The simple manner in which we resolved it was to leave. We left within 2 months, because the beliefs were becoming a little bit too driven in one direction that was not fruitful; let alone Scriptural. This dissatisfaction led me into a deeper relationship with G-d and a much greater faith in Him alone. We have visited with mentors in the L-rd with questions so that we may stay true, but this was not driven by a person who wanted our money.
And yes, I do make that one point so blunt, because as far as I'm concerned that was the issue that destroyed the resolve to follow these people. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, and money follows close behind by making it legit for those who have it and those who don't.

Therefore, I have to disagree with you regarding:

The relevance here is that in general, joining an organised denomination is better than going off on your own.

Because as Christ said:

Matthew 18
20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

It's the person who has no accountability at all that you need to worry about. Not a small gathering.

In regards to this statement:

Also, there would be more people to help you grow and point you in the right direction.

I would like to point out one thing to you. I do not believe in the organization called the church, I believe in the Organism called the Church. The very living Body of Christ. This composed of ALL believers under the headship of Christ. Therefore, I grow from each and every person who has accepted Christ as their Saviour. Whether the L-rd has me grow through agreement or disagreement is up to Him.

The common misconception about home churches or small group Bible studies is that we forsake the Body. This couldn't be further from the truth. It is at this point, for myself, that I started to love everyone a whole lot more; not just the one congregation I was involved in.

hi muffler dragon, i'm sorry i did not clarify my context and intent clearly. Those 3 people who formed their own group became highly judgemental of the higher authorities. I have personally read their mass emails criticising the pastors. And these people are intelligient people and ones who are really interested in bible study. I have much to learn from them in this area. But my point is how much faith, love and hope have they learnt from bible study? Because the nature of their words do not indicate or go hand in hand with the amount of knowledge they have. Somehow i feel they have adopted an holier than thou attitude which is what i am sadly disappointed.

I do not equate this group with being a house church. So don't get me wrong.

As for the organisation, there are practical advantages of being in an organisation. A main reason is you don't have to reinvent the wheel. In that, the beliefs that the church can be taken from there and checked by studying. For example, the baptism issue regarding its form can be gotten from the church and the believer can check its study methodology and conclusion of this matter. To me, this is my main method of study and i find it extremely enriching and insightful rather than embarking on my own where i don't have any guidelines and the many cross references that the church has already compiled.
A secondary reason for an organisation is that it is capable of doing more and bigger things if need be in view of the expansion of His kingdom.

I'm not disagreeing with what you said here

The common misconception about home churches or small group Bible studies is that we forsake the Body. This couldn't be further from the truth. It is at this point, for myself, that I started to love everyone a whole lot more; not just the one congregation I was involved in.

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Hope u understand what i've said. Different context but the same words can sometimes lead to different interpretations.
er...if u still can't understand, just be assured that i agreed with what you've said. hahaha. peace!

muffler dragon said:

...force fed by people who were blinded by their own belief. The simple manner in which we resolved it was to leave. We left within 2 months, because the beliefs were becoming a little bit too driven in one direction that was not fruitful; let alone Scriptural....where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them...

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I tend to agree. Assuming the 3 friends can source some sound biblical teaching instead of some wacky ideas, they are probably better off NOT attending a Church that is such a stumbling block to their faith. I attended a large Pentecostal Church for a while, but found it only grieved my spirit deeply. Why go to church somewhere where you only come away worse off than when you went? You are better off going elsewhere.

muffler dragon said:

The common misconception about home churches or small group Bible studies is that we forsake the Body. This couldn't be further from the truth. It is at this point, for myself, that I started to love everyone a whole lot more; not just the one congregation I was involved in.

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I personally don't have a problem with house churches as a concept. It has the potential to be a very healthy, intimate and healing environment. The biggest drawback is the wacky, bossy and often heretical element that creeps in when we don't have proper leadership.

When you are looking for a church, what are you looking for? Are you looking for a church that is closest to the 'way you believe'? Or are you willing to listen to authority, and do what God wants you to do? Most people I speak with are looking for a church that comes the closest to what they believe, and want to hear. You need to go to church for God, and remember it's HIS house, and HIS rules.

Love-n-Blessings
dee

dede10 said:

When you are looking for a church, what are you looking for? Are you looking for a church that is closest to the 'way you believe'? Or are you willing to listen to authority, and do what God wants you to do? Most people I speak with are looking for a church that comes the closest to what they believe, and want to hear. You need to go to church for God, and remember it's HIS house, and HIS rules.

Love-n-Blessings
dee

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In Greek, the word authority carries with it the ability to rightly divide the Word of Truth, the Bible, as in being an authority on Scripture. I'm not impressed with men and their authoritarian politics. Too many churches want to shove down your throat their so-called "authority" but it's obvious they are just power mongers only interested in perpetuating their own kingdom not God's. I find such authority of men disgusting.

Koey said:

In Greek, the word authority carries with it the ability to rightly divide the Word of Truth, the Bible, as in being an authority on Scripture. I'm not impressed with men and their authoritarian politics. Too many churches want to shove down your throat their so-called "authority" but it's obvious they are just power mongers only interested in perpetuating their own kingdom not God's. I find such authority of men disgusting.

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Your opinion is well noted, but it is your opinion. If there are these "power mongers" who are "only interested in perpetuating their own kingdom," they should be ashamed. My sense is however, that your view of them may not be the most accurate.