I don't know which "one".....

[seeking.IAM]

When I came to a crossroad and embarked on my own search, I found visiting a variety of churches very informative and clarifying. I knew when I was in the right place for me among the many places I visited. It can be a long process - leastwise it was as I did it - but I found it worth the time and journey. If you decide to do this, I recommend you pay attention to churches that you want to go back and experience more than once. For me, there were many I had no interest in revisiting after one visit. That was clarifying. Then there was this one where I found myself pulled back again and again. And, that was the one.

 

[BobRyan]

Bob, I'm not here to "defend" my point of view

And also not to discuss it???

I'm way more adept in my learning on these topics than I always have the time to verbalize and demonstrate

Fine - you need not provide answers to the questions that are asked to clarify your position for the reader., You have free will.

, and the scholars I draw from are more substantial than you're aware of

I don't think I have said anything negative at all about any sources or scholars.

, so let's just spare us both some wasted time

You have helped me understand a bit more as to why you might find joining - to be somewhat problematic.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

And also not to discuss it???

I suppose I can discuss it as long as the intended discussion ensuing from my OP inquiry or problem presentation don't result in by being subjected to "debate, teaching, or proselytizing" from other Christians.

Fine - you need not provide answers to the questions that are asked to clarify your position for the reader., You have free will.

I don't think I have said anything negative at all about any sources or scholars.

You have helped me understand a bit more as to why you might find joining - to be somewhat problematic.

Your understanding of my predicament and inquiry is appreciated, Bob.

 

[ARBITER01]

HT, my internal conflict is an epistemological one rather than a theological one. It's not that I've begun within some one form of Christianity and awoken to deconstruct my my out of it and into some other version of Christianity. No, I've begun from within my own family where notions of science and skepticism reigned.

For me, it's instead been a long journey of trying to find my way through the perspective of someone like Carl Sagan and into the presence of Jesus Christ. ............. See the difference?

Being that I engage the Christian Faith more as an ongoing epistemological journey rather than as an arrival at a destination of Truth in the here and now, I'm essentially existential and evidential in my approach. And in concordance with that view, I need a church that can accommodate me rather than see me as a novice pupil in need of further mentoring.

I also need a church that doesn't throw 1 Corinthians 8:2 at me at the drop of a hat every time I counter with an alternative point of understanding.

Hmmmmmm,.......

For me, church is not a family. I go to church because I experience the cleansing of the blood, and I find scripture to be true on the importance of a gathering. I go to the church to connect with GOD, mainly in prayer throughout the service. I leave when I can no longer connect and focus on Him, or He tells me to leave.

I have a very introverted personality so I don't like big groups of people. I don't like connecting with them or feeling them around me, hence why I have to leave early normally.

I'm AOG Pentecostal, so people are always trying to get your involved in activities instead of GOD it seems. I have had to say no to several bible study groups over the years because I don't want to have arguments with people. Where I'm at scripture and experience wise and where they are at is definitively different. I know how these things end up having been through one way back in the day, so I don't let people waste my time on such things or control me. It's not about the bible with me, it's about GOD.

If I had the opportunity, I would attend 2 or 3 churches a week, just to be as close to GOD as I possibly could be. Back in the late 2000's I did just that at times when I could. Holiness is a tangible thing that I absolutely desire in my life.

Churches and I don't really fit well together, but I know their importance in the big scope of things. It's where The Holy Spirit will be. It's where I will be able to connect with GOD more than just at home. It's where He wants me to be once or so a week.

Maybe you will find some agreement or affiliation with my statement, or maybe not. Anyways, happy church hunting.

 

[Jacque_Pierre22]

Hmmmmmm,.......

For me, church is not a family. I go to church because I experience the cleansing of the blood, and I find scripture to be true on the importance of a gathering. I go to the church to connect with GOD, mainly in prayer throughout the service. I leave when I can no longer connect and focus on Him, or He tells me to leave.

I have a very introverted personality so I don't like big groups of people. I don't like connecting with them or feeling them around me, hence why I have to leave early normally.

I'm AOG Pentecostal, so people are always trying to get your involved in activities instead of GOD it seems. I have had to say no to several bible study groups over the years because I don't want to have arguments with people. Where I'm at scripture and experience wise and where they are at is definitively different. I know how these things end up having been through one way back in the day, so I don't let people waste my time on such things or control me. It's not about the bible with me, it's about GOD.

If I had the opportunity, I would attend 2 or 3 churches a week, just to be as close to GOD as I possibly could be. Back in the late 2000's I did just that at times when I could. Holiness is a tangible thing that I absolutely desire in my life.

Churches and I don't really fit well together, but I know their importance in the big scope of things. It's where The Holy Spirit will be. It's where I will be able to connect with GOD more than just at home. It's where He wants me to be once or so a week.

Maybe you will find some agreement or affiliation with my statement, or maybe not. Anyways, happy church hunting.

see this is why I said a Lutheran church because if you believe in a gathering, it's contradictory to believe prayer is a means of grace because then you could just gather with a few people and call it a church, start administering the eucharist yourself-- no office of pastor anymore there.

 

[okay]

Does this make sense? ... the truth is, where I live, the churches are EITHER/OR. Either totally Left, or totally Right, and exclusive of views that don't politically comport with those Left or Right commitments. And because of this either/or demand, I find the whole act of considering and seeking an institutional church to be a rather frustrating endeavor on the whole.

I hear what you are saying.

There are a few churches around where it almost expected that there will be non-uniformity on both theological and moral issues. The Evangelical Covenant Church has a number congregations that include both conservative and liberal Christians under the same roof. At least in the greater Boston area there are a number of them that lean into Paul’s teaching to the church in Rome: follow your own conscience and not judge. Not sure if it is available where you live or even of interest, but they aren’t that well known so I thought I would mention them.

 

[All Becomes New]

Stay at the church you are at unless you have a very good reason to leave.