How does one pick a denomination?

Koey · May 17, 2004

clskinner said:
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.

I once met a rare pastor. I asked him what he would do if half his congregation no longer wanted him as their pastor. His reply shocked me pleasantly. He said, he would help them find a pastor and would even help them financially to set up a new church. He was definitely more kingdom minded than most, who only appear to mind their own little empires.

I know of a rare church. They are of one denomination, but helped a church of a vastly different denomination get started. A decade later the old church was in trouble and the new church was then in a position to help them. Wonderful!

I dream of a world where Catholic or Orthodox Churches officially help their Protestant brothers and vice versa, and we all "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3) Impossible? From some of the bigotry I've experienced on this board, probably. But, hey, I can dream can't I?

Koey · May 17, 2004

Constantine criticized church leaders east and west for arguing over some pretty petty issues. It was his view that if they could only argue over picky issues they were not fit to be church leaders. Now, the church leaders at the time said that Constantine was no theologian and so was not qualified to speak.

However, I believe this highlights an issue which learned theologians often miss. Many people don't know that to earn a doctorate today, you are not allowed to have a broad brush view of things. You must study a tiny subject. Result? Those with high degrees are often guilty of arguing minutae and missing the forest for the trees.

Often times lay Christians have more common sense. They are not always the ones that are guilty of perpetuating division. It is Christian leaders who tithe of mint, anise and cummin, but forget the weightier matters. In fact they are often educated against even considering the weightier matters.

The filioque issue is only one example of a theory of men dividing two groups of believers. Instead of being humble about it and admitting that none of us really knows about these things, we pick sides and build walls 100 meters high.

muffler dragon · May 17, 2004

seangoh said:
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

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!

I understand you Seangoh.

Take care, brother.

m.d.

Remnant · May 20, 2004

Lilac said:
Hello Friends:

How does a Christian pick a denomination? Which Church to go to? There are so many it's confusing? Should you examine their doctrines and decide which one you believe in? Should you look at where you feel comfortable? What you need most of all? Where God calls you to be?

Please lend some helpful advice---would so much appreciate it!!!! Hearing from other Christians. As we all know, where we were raised isn't necessarily the denom we choose to worship in!!!!

God Bless~~

There are no 'denominations'. Just the body of Christ. God does not look at what denomination you are before accepting you into His Kingdom.

Jer 29:13
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Eccl 1:13
And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.

Symes · May 20, 2004

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Pual tells us here we to meet together. He also tells us that some are not and tells us not to follow their example.

We are to do this together.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

inhimitrust · May 20, 2004

revrobor said:
If you are looking for a church home avoid denominations. Seek a church that is not affiliated with any denomination but is Biblically sound. The problem with denominational churches is that they are primarily concerned about propagating denominational doctrine and building the organization at the risk of failing to minister to the individual. There are those who claim their church was established by Jesus when the truth is Jesus did not establish a religious organization (those were established by man) but a body of Believers and He was concerned about building up the individual Believer NOT the organization.

Large attendance does NOT necessarily mean the organization is Biblically sound. Check it out against Scripture. As has been suggested you might want to connect with a small home-study group.

Finally, someone that knows what a true church is! 2 or more meeting in a worn out barn or stable is all God desires, as He is where 2 or more are joined in worship. Could be under a tree in a park, by a lake with a picnic etc. A small church would be better.
I have seen churches that outrank palaces and ministers that dress better than kings (the pope?). All poor Jesus, Paul and the desciples had was sackcloth and long journeys on foot. I would go to a church where a pastor just wore a shirt and jeans if he preached the God fearing true words of the bible. Jesus was my kind of King.

Koey · May 20, 2004

inhimitrust said:
Finally, someone that knows what a true church is! 2 or more meeting in a worn out barn or stable is all God desires, as He is where 2 or more are joined in worship. Could be under a tree in a park, by a lake with a picnic etc. A small church would be better.
I have seen churches that outrank palaces and ministers that dress better than kings (the pope?). All poor Jesus, Paul and the desciples had was sackcloth and long journeys on foot. I would go to a church where a pastor just wore a shirt and jeans if he preached the God fearing true words of the bible. Jesus was my kind of King.

I like what you said. The word "church" in English is translated from two Greek words/phrases:

ekklesia = the ones called out to an assembly. It does not say how large, but it does imply who does the calling.
kyriakos domos = the house of God, a building, either physical or spiritual. It does not say how large or small. It is just a building.

Size is not as important as health. A large red gum is just as important as a tiny African Violet. Large churches are for majesty, power and programs. Small churches are for intimacy, personal healing and leadership development. Most Christian leaders originally come from small churches.

How do you tell if a church is biblically sound?

Do they preach from the Scriptures or just topical, psychological, or empty-headed Amway-style motivational sermons?
Do they know how to rightly exegete Scripture and are their hermeneutics sound? A new Christian will not be able to discern this. Even a long time Christian who has not been exposed to it will not understand what this means.
Sort out the wheat from the chaff. A starting point might be http://www.equip.org/. These guys are not perfect and there may be better ministries out there, but it's a start in an initial sorting.

Timesearcher · May 21, 2004

It is my understanting from the scriptures, that Jesus didnt form a group of perfect people, has os there is no perfect church. All the churches have big or small things away from the will of God. However we are told to be together and to fellowship together and we better do so. Only this way we can grow as christians and only this way we will make the kingdon of God grow too.
Today we have a lot and very diferent ways of worship, prayer, fellowship, evangelism, teaching ectectetc, as we have diferent people. Every individual is diferent with a diferent personality, some like noisy services and express their gifts, others more quitly worship God. I do belive that 2 things must help you to chose a church:
1- their biblical standarts
2- Your personality

revrobor · May 25, 2004

Timesearcher said:
It is my understanting from the scriptures, that Jesus didnt form a group of perfect people, has os there is no perfect church. All the churches have big or small things away from the will of God. However we are told to be together and to fellowship together and we better do so. Only this way we can grow as christians and only this way we will make the kingdon of God grow too.

Applying this principle to the religious organization known as "the church" hasn't worked very well so far.

The Church in the book of Acts was used to bring 3,000 to the Lord in one day. Why can't the modern church be used to do that? Could it be because it is too busy pouring milk to the already saved and "tickling ears", allowing unsaved in the church and focusing on temporal and organizational matters thereby rendering itself, for the most part, ineffective for the Lord?

Koey · May 25, 2004

In my opinion we waste so much time arguing about our man-made rules to be effective. I spell distinctives with a k - they stink. We all agree that the Bible is our canon, our rule, our guide. However, we all veer away from that - Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox alike.

Catholics change 1 Tim 3 where it was allowed for a bishop/overseer to be married. Baptists add the no-alcohol rule which is not in the Bible. SDA's want to mandate the Jewish Sabbath, which Galatians and Romans 14 clearly say is not necessary. Pentecostals want to mandate tongues when their interpretation is nowhere clearly stated, but is reading between the lines.

It seems everyone has their little rules which make them either the "one true church" or somehow superior to other "second class" Christians.

Now I know someone is going to jump all over me to explain why their little rule is the right one. Not interested! I respect your faith in your little rules. It is not mine! So, instead of arguing about it, let's just agree to disagree agreeably and get along with each other.

We are all on the same team. We are all fighting on the same side, you know. It's good versus evil, not Sabbath vs. celibacy vs. alcohol vs. tongues vs. dancing vs. black horse drawn buggies, etc.

Symes · May 25, 2004

In my opinion we waste so much time arguing about our man-made rules to be effective. I spell distinctives with a k - they stink. We all agree that the Bible is our canon, our rule, our guide. However, we all veer away from that - Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox alike.

Catholics change 1 Tim 3 where it was allowed for a bishop/overseer to be married. Baptists add the no-alcohol rule which is not in the Bible. SDA's want to mandate the Jewish Sabbath, which Galatians and Romans 14 clearly say is not necessary. Pentecostals want to mandate tongues when their interpretation is nowhere clearly stated, but is reading between the lines.

It seems everyone has their little rules which make them either the "one true church" or somehow superior to other "second class" Christians.

Now I know someone is going to jump all over me to explain why their little rule is the right one. Not interested! I respect your faith in your little rules. It is not mine! So, instead of arguing about it, let's just agree to disagree agreeably and get along with each other.

We are all on the same team. We are all fighting on the same side, you know. It's good versus evil, not Sabbath vs. celibacy vs. alcohol vs. tongues vs. dancing vs. black horse drawn buggies, etc.

If it was only that simple. But it is not!

Koey · May 26, 2004

Symes said:
If it was only that simple. But it is not!

Yeah, I wish it was that simple too. But alas we do like to complicate it don't we...

Symes · May 26, 2004

Yeah, I wish it was that simple too. But alas we do like to complicate it don't we..

We only complicate things when we add or subtract to what is in God's Word.

Koey · May 26, 2004

Symes said:
We only complicate things when we add or subtract to what is in God's Word.

That's what I meant, and probably you did too. We all add to the Bible. It's just that we all see our interpretations as the correct one. At least, I think mine is LOL.

Symes · May 27, 2004

That's what I meant, and probably you did too. We all add to the Bible. It's just that we all see our interpretations as the correct one. At least, I think mine is

The thing is when we come to the Bible we need to come with an open mind.

If we come thing our interpretation is the only true and correct way to look at a text then we MAYBE only adding or subtracting from God's Word.

We call ourselves Christians, then we by name must follow Christ.

Christ did things that most Christians do not do today.

There is no point in claiming to be Christians if we go our own way and not Christ's way.

Symes · May 27, 2004

How does one pick a denomination?

Again go back to the Bible.

What does the Bible say that God's followers will do?

Can anyone tell me?

How does one pick a denomination?

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