I don't know what denomination to belong to?

[honeyb13]

Hi everyone,

My faith has been up in the air since 2007. I was raised Catholic, became agnostic in 2007, and then decided I believed Christianity and have not been able to make up my mind what group of Christian I fit into.

I've been to non-denominational churches that all have congregations with a Pentecostal streak for years and I've become a little disillusioned with the whole pseudo-rock concert worship, church service being very emotional based thing (I don't mean to insult anyone who prefers this- it's just not for me). I am looking for mainline Protestant church with a more liturgical service, but randomly picking a church has not yet gone anywhere. I'm not conservative, I don't believe in Predestination, and I really would like a church where a congregation's participation involves more than just going to church every Sunday.

Can anyone help me?

 

[Historicus]

Hi! One suggestion would be The United Methodist Church. We're the largest mainline in the US, liturgical and evangelical (you'll often find both "traditional" and "contemporary" services in many congregations), we don't believe in predestination, and are just about as middle of the road as one can get when it comes to mainline churches.

 

[GoingByzantine]

From what you have provided you sound Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox to me, may I ask your objections to the RCC?

Of the Protestant denominations I would look into a high liturgical church; Anglican, "high church" United Methodist or more liturgical breeds of Lutheranism. There are also some newer denominations that mix together Charismaticism and Episcopalianism, if you have any interest in that?

 

[Tigger45]

The ELCA and TEC are liberal with a liturgical service. Also neither one are full blow Calvinist and don't push the issue of predestination as a for front of their sermons.

 

[Receiver]

... not been able to make up my mind what group of Christian I fit into.
...
Can anyone help me?

Jesus seeks to help you ...
Here's a radical idea:
God doesn't leave it to us to seek a church that suits us, actually details what type of church He wants!
He nominated one way, man has de-nominated it!

It seems clear to me that Jesus set up the one church, membership is by being baptised in the Holy Spirit
(Acts 1:8, 2:4, 33; 1 Cor. 12:13).
Baptism in water is also commanded for believers only. All members should seek to use the various attributes of the Spirit as detailed in 1 Corinthians 14 especially.


It took me a while to see that, but once I did I began to be a "found" sheep that is growing well and reproducing more!

Here's my story:

I was brought up Church of England, but I only went because my dad wanted me to go, there was nothing inspiring there for me so when I left for University I stopped going. While there I started to consider the purpose of my life, and realised I didn't have one that satisfied me, "the world was my oyster", but there was no pearl !

So when some people who obviously believed in the bible spoke to me I decided to investigate properly. I started going to various church meetings and was told to pray a “sinners prayer”, believing, and as such I was "a Christian". For the next 18 months I continued going to meetings and reading books by people considered to be "Christian leaders" to try and work out God's will for me, without success! All I got was opinions.

Then I met people who were not going to different churches and reading lots of books about God, they had a confidence and contentment I had not attained to, despite my efforts. I realised my relationship with God was mostly one-way, from me, not the daily, growing 2-way relationship they seemed to have.

They had received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues (an unlearned prayer language that God leads his people in as only he knows his perfect will for us, it allows him to minister his grace & love to our hearts - 1 Cor. 14v2, 4; Jude 20-21). They also had other direct input and leading from God. After a while I realised I was getting nowhere spiritually so for the first time I actually prayed expecting God to *do* something... namely give me the same as them or whatever else I needed.

One evening I was alone in my room, not doubting or fearing, just believing God had said yes to me (because he could have no favourites), and wanting nothing more, I prayed and spoke in tongues and in the days that followed I realised I had the Life spoken of in the bible, whereas before I was trying to be something I was not! I used to worry and get bored, now I see God opening my understanding about why things are the way they are, and more importantly, what life can be like.
I left the old churches because I could see they was as I was before, not as I wanted to be. The church I'm now in is like the one in the new testament, all members have the new Life, we have a unity I never found before. I now have contentment and fulfilling purpose that only the living God can give. I am now able to know God's thoughts and live according to His nature because I have His heart and mind through the Holy Spirit in me, so long as I'm disciplined to look at things God's way . . . that's the "good fight".

I know that God has no favourites, what he has done for one, he will do for another.

 

[OldStudent]

Can you say more about what kind of participation you are looking for?
It's too bad but many "worship" services are so loud you can't get a word in edgewise Are you looking to join in singing? Share testimonies, praises, prayer requests? Study groups? Community service?


Would you consider something "new" yet old? I am in a home church. The invitation card says, "Where there are no spectators, only participants." It can be hard to find a home church. Because they do meet at home, for security reasons they seldom advertise. In reviewing your OP it may lack to order, the liturgy you are looking for. Liturgy tends to not foster participation - other than sitting, kneeling, sitting, standing, singing, sitting, listening in unison. Excuse me sounding a bit silly about it. I've been there for dozens of decades.


What does the role of doctrine, the teaching and practice of a church have in what you are looking for?

 

[1watchman]

Hi everyone,

My faith has been up in the air since 2007. I was raised Catholic, became agnostic in 2007, and then decided I believed Christianity and have not been able to make up my mind what group of Christian I fit into.

I've been to non-denominational churches that all have congregations with a Pentecostal streak for years and I've become a little disillusioned with the whole pseudo-rock concert worship, church service being very emotional based thing (I don't mean to insult anyone who prefers this- it's just not for me). I am looking for mainline Protestant church with a more liturgical service, but randomly picking a church has not yet gone anywhere. I'm not conservative, I don't believe in Predestination, and I really would like a church where a congregation's participation involves more than just going to church every Sunday.

Can anyone help me?

My advice is to not join any sect. Take your time and study the Gospel messages (John 1; John 3; John 14); then read Acts, Romans, and all the Epistles to see what God says about the Church. I much recommend you visit the site at biblecounsel.net and see something of what God intends for His testimony in the world. Write me anytime if you wish.

 

[graceandpeace]

Hi everyone,

My faith has been up in the air since 2007. I was raised Catholic, became agnostic in 2007, and then decided I believed Christianity and have not been able to make up my mind what group of Christian I fit into.

I've been to non-denominational churches that all have congregations with a Pentecostal streak for years and I've become a little disillusioned with the whole pseudo-rock concert worship, church service being very emotional based thing (I don't mean to insult anyone who prefers this- it's just not for me). I am looking for mainline Protestant church with a more liturgical service, but randomly picking a church has not yet gone anywhere. I'm not conservative, I don't believe in Predestination, and I really would like a church where a congregation's participation involves more than just going to church every Sunday.

Can anyone help me?

I suggest the Episcopal Church
or the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Based on the criteria you've offered, I think one of these options would be the best fit. You will still need to look into the local congregation, as some may offer "contemporary" services, though I wouldn't consider such to be typical of these options. Both are mainline & typically have liturgical services.

 

[Tigger45]

I suggest the Episcopal Church
or the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Based on the criteria you've offered, I think one of these options would be the best fit. You will still need to look into the local congregation, as some may offer "contemporary" services, though I wouldn't consider such to be typical of these options. Both are mainline & typically have liturgical services.

Yeah I think all three might be a good fit. ELCA, TEC or UMC. You kinda have to visit the local churches and get a feel for each particular congregation.

BTW you can have contemporary music in a liturgical service, mine does.

 

[FireDragon76]

I think you'ld like the Episcopal Church. It's much like the Roman Catholic Church but the worship is usually done much better and there's not much focus on dogma, legalism, obedience, and there's a lot of respect for making your own moral judgements.

 

[Esdra]

Maybe you could have a look for a pnc (polnish National church) or the old catholic (utrecht) or another independent catholic church? The old catholic (utrecht) i.e. is in full communion with the anglican church. Nevertheless from what I've heard they are rather rare in the us.
I think you'd like them as well. There are quite a view independent catholic churches on the usa as far as i know.
But be careful, there are "liberal catholic churches" out there who aren't christian, despite their name but anthroposophical.

 

[FreedByte]

Hi everyone,

My faith has been up in the air since 2007. I was raised Catholic, became agnostic in 2007, and then decided I believed Christianity and have not been able to make up my mind what group of Christian I fit into.

I've been to non-denominational churches that all have congregations with a Pentecostal streak for years and I've become a little disillusioned with the whole pseudo-rock concert worship, church service being very emotional based thing (I don't mean to insult anyone who prefers this- it's just not for me). I am looking for mainline Protestant church with a more liturgical service, but randomly picking a church has not yet gone anywhere. I'm not conservative, I don't believe in Predestination, and I really would like a church where a congregation's participation involves more than just going to church every Sunday.

Can anyone help me?

Are you opposed to returning to the Catholic Church?

 

[Albion]

Hi, honeyb.

Well, everyone's made a case for you joining the churches they like best, I see.

Somewhere in the mix of suggestions is probably a church that would work for you, BUT I have some concern about that point you made--"I really would like a church where a congregation's participation involves more than just going to church every Sunday."

I'm doubtful that any of the suggested, liturgical churches would be seen by the average person as offering much involvement for the congregants. It's possible that one of the offshoots like the Free Methodist Church or one of the "Convergence" churches that is charismatic but not full-blown Pentecostal while also being liturgical or semi-liturgical might be the answer.

 

[redblue22]

I find united Methodist to be the most social.

 

[Esdra]

Since independent catholic churches and old catholic/utrecht churches are rather small in the us, they probably also offer participation outside Sunday mass/service.
The smaller the church, the more likely imo.

Actually even in a roman Catholic Church you could find such offers and what you can always do no. Matter which church is asking the pastor if you could start something if nothing's offered.
That's a lot of work but I think it's worth it.
We shouldn't always rely on set structures. "Do it yourself" is quite popular in the USA I've read, isn't it?

 

[Esdra]

Double posting.
Sorry not intended.

 

[hedrick]

Hi everyone,

My faith has been up in the air since 2007. I was raised Catholic, became agnostic in 2007, and then decided I believed Christianity and have not been able to make up my mind what group of Christian I fit into.

I've been to non-denominational churches that all have congregations with a Pentecostal streak for years and I've become a little disillusioned with the whole pseudo-rock concert worship, church service being very emotional based thing (I don't mean to insult anyone who prefers this- it's just not for me). I am looking for mainline Protestant church with a more liturgical service, but randomly picking a church has not yet gone anywhere. I'm not conservative, I don't believe in Predestination, and I really would like a church where a congregation's participation involves more than just going to church every Sunday.

Can anyone help me?

The OP specifically asks about mainline churches. The responders have, not surprisingly, all tended to advocate their own denomination. However if the OP is serious about wanting a mainline church, it’s worth listing them.

Wikipedia lists the mainline as United Methodist Church (UMC), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (PCUSA), the Episcopal Church, the American Baptist Churches, the United Church of Christ (Congregationalist), the Disciples of Christ, Reformed Church in America, and Hicksite Quakers. (I have great respect for the Quakers, but I’m not so sure I’d call them a mainline group.)

These churches each have their own theological traditions, all of which have value. But their de facto theologies tend to be similar, because they are largely based on current Biblical scholarship and theology, which is interdenominational. So in practice they tend to vary in worship style and church government.

Episcopal and Lutheran tend to have a more liturgical style. Baptists tend to be more “low church” in style. But they all have what sounds like the type of worship the OP is asking about (except the Quakers, of course).

But really, the denominations are fairly similar. You’re normally more concerned with what the local congregation is like than which denomination they belong to. That's why it's hard to respond to postings like this. We don't know the churches in your community.

I should also note that there is a growing liberal wing of evangelicalism that is effectively mainline. This would include some non-denominational churches. Many non-denominationals are conservative or pentecostal. But some are mainline. This seems to be the case particularly in communities where members decided to have a single non-denominational “community church” rather than one of each denomination.

The OP mentioned predestination. This would affect mainly Presbyterians. Note that the Presbyterian Church (USA) hasn’t maintained the full traditional doctrine of predestination since 1903, and today doesn’t hold what most people think of as predestination. If you want to know PCUSA theology, there’s a pretty good summary here: A Declaration of Faith - Introduction While the PCUSA is by far the largest Presbyterian church, there are conservative Presbyterian churches that teach predestination. You should be able to tell from their web site whether they are PCUSA or one of the more conservative groups.