Looking for a church

[TheLordIsMySheperd]

Hello my brothers and sisters in Christ,

I was wondering, is there a church or denomination in U.S. that fit these criteria:
1. Spirit-filled, but strongly rooted in the Scripture.
2. Accept/value personal revelation, but guided by/based on strong Biblical exegesis principle.
3. Heart focus / application and theological reflection, but value/take academic/head-knowledge seriously.
4. Has inner healing/prayer ministry.
5. Real presence in communion - or value/treasure communion time as a set-apart/special intimate moment with God.

Thanks!

 

[Tigger45]

Calvary Chapel Fellowship came to my mind first by your description.

Are you no longer wanting to be a Lutheran?

 

[TheLordIsMySheperd]

Calvary Chapel Fellowship came to my mind first by your description.

Are you no longer wanting to be a Lutheran?

Thanks Tigger. I do like the strong biblical foundation in Lutheran, how it speaks God's truth. I heard there is this Lutheran Renewal movement, it's like a charismatic movement inside the Lutheran church, but I don't seem be able to find any Charismatic Lutheran church association. Maybe it's just in my church, but I started to feel that the various bible study classes in my church focus too much on head-knowledge and became head discussion (too legalistic) and no balancing with heart-focus such as personal reflection.

I listened to Calvary Chapel Christian radio a lot (sermon). My favorite is Pastor Jon Courson and Pastor Alistair Begg.

I love Pastor Courson's sermons, in how they are Spirit-filled and inspiring, but still anchored in truth.
I love the straightforwardness and strong biblical truth of Pastor Begg's sermons.

Unfortunately, there is no Calvary Chapel church nearby that fits what I look for.

 

[Tigger45]

Thanks Tigger. I do like the strong biblical foundation in Lutheran, how it speaks God's truth. I heard there is this Lutheran Renewal movement, it's like a charismatic movement inside the Lutheran church, but I don't seem be able to find any Charismatic Lutheran church association. Maybe it's just in my church, but I started to feel that the various bible study classes in my church focus too much on head-knowledge and became head discussion (too legalistic) and no balancing with heart-focus such as personal reflection.

I listened to Calvary Chapel Christian radio a lot (sermon). My favorite is Pastor Jon Courson and Pastor Alistair Begg.

I love Pastor Courson's sermons, in how they are Spirit-filled and inspiring, but still anchored in truth.
I love the straightforwardness and strong biblical truth of Pastor Begg's sermons.

Unfortunately, there is no Calvary Chapel church nearby that fits what I look for.

Yeah, I’m a member of a LCMC and the spirit filled aspect, as I’m sure you know, comes in word and sacrament. By the way my particular congregation is very prophetic as far as my wife’s and my personal lives go. And also I just noticed your number 5 item, which doesn’t fit Calvary chaple, sorry about that. Anyway believe it or not Eastern Orthodoxy fits your requirements. You’d be surprised. Go over to their forum, St. Basil the Great's Hall introduce yourself and ask questions, they’re a pretty friendly bunch.

 

[TheLordIsMySheperd]

Yeah, I’m a member of a LCMC and the spirit filled aspect, as I’m sure you know, comes in word and sacrament. By the way my particular congregation is very prophetic as far as my wife’s and my personal lives go. And also I just noticed your number 5 item, which doesn’t fit Calvary chaple, sorry about that. Anyway believe it or not Eastern Orthodoxy fits your requirements. You’d be surprised. Go over to their forum, St. Basil the Great's Hall introduce yourself and ask questions, they’re a pretty friendly bunch.

Ah I see. I am LCMC too. Yep, Word and Sacrament are wonderful. Theology wise I am ok and happy with Lutheranism.

I found that the atmosphere in LCMC churches could vary a lot. I love the prophetic aspect, I just wish mine has some sort of discipleship program that allow people to connect with God more intimately/affectionately.

Does yours have inner healing ministry?
Do you know of any Charismatic Lutheran churches?

Regarding the Eastern Orthodoxy suggestion, very interesting. I thought only charismatic/pentecostal has Spirit-filled atmosphere. I will check them.

 

[1watchman]

One can connect with God in their heart daily, so it need not depend on the local denomination, which may place the greater emphasis on Bible study ---rightly so, I believe.

 

[TheLordIsMySheperd]

One can connect with God in their heart daily, so it need not depend on the local denomination, which may place the greater emphasis on Bible study ---rightly so, I believe.

I agree. However, we have the need to have fellowship with same-minded people to connect to God, which is hard to fulfill in such atmosphere.

 

[dreadnought]

Hello my brothers and sisters in Christ,

I was wondering, is there a church or denomination in U.S. that fit these criteria:
1. Spirit-filled, but strongly rooted in the Scripture.
2. Accept/value personal revelation, but guided by/based on strong Biblical exegesis principle.
3. Heart focus / application and theological reflection, but value/take academic/head-knowledge seriously.
4. Has inner healing/prayer ministry.
5. Real presence in communion - or value/treasure communion time as a set-apart/special intimate moment with God.

Thanks!

You won't find any perfect churches, I don't think. What you can do is find an imperfect church and set an example for its members.

 

[Tigger45]

Ah I see. I am LCMC too. Yep, Word and Sacrament are wonderful. Theology wise I am ok and happy with Lutheranism.

I found that the atmosphere in LCMC churches could vary a lot. I love the prophetic aspect, I just wish mine has some sort of discipleship program that allow people to connect with God more intimately/affectionately.

Does yours have inner healing ministry?
Do you know of any Charismatic Lutheran churches?

Regarding the Eastern Orthodoxy suggestion, very interesting. I thought only charismatic/pentecostal has Spirit-filled atmosphere. I will check them.

No our congregation doesn’t have an inner healing ministry as in the more modern sence like Pentecostals would. We’re more traditional in that aspect.

Now Eastern Orthodox aren’t going to be ‘Spirit filled’ in the modern sense either but they are all about the healing of the soul. And from my experiences, and I’ve been all over the Christian denominational map, there are far more real and tangible miracles in Orthodoxy than modern day Pentecostalism.

 

[chevyontheriver]

Thanks Tigger. I do like the strong biblical foundation in Lutheran, how it speaks God's truth. I heard there is this Lutheran Renewal movement, it's like a charismatic movement inside the Lutheran church, but I don't seem be able to find any Charismatic Lutheran church association. Maybe it's just in my church, but I started to feel that the various bible study classes in my church focus too much on head-knowledge and became head discussion (too legalistic) and no balancing with heart-focus such as personal reflection.

I ran into charismatic Lutherans a few years ago, in a favorable interaction, so I know they exist. But I'm in the land of Lutherans here in Minnesota where we have every kind of Lutheran there ever was, is, or ever will be. They might be the kind of thing you are looking for. Maybe they are also in your area.

I notice that Orthodoxy was raised as an option for you. That does make sense as well.

1. More accessible perhaps would be one of the Catholic churches that is committed/sympathetic to the charismatic renewal. And that is not uncommon. The charismatic renewal is one of the shining lights of the Catholic Church. But attention to the Holy Spirit is actually baked into both Catholicism and Orthodoxy.

2. Catholics and the Orthodox do value personal revelation in a real but limited fashion. Both are substantially religions of the Bible with a closed canon. But both recognize that God can actually speak to us commoners. The Catholic tradition is skeptical of people making claims they have heard directly from God. But then again we can and do accept that it happens all the time. Not that such private revelations can compel others.

3. Catholics and Orthodox do have a lot of depth. From Augustine to Aquinas to Lonergan to Spitzer, Catholics have a solid intellectual tradition. And at the same time several spirituality options like Carmelite, Franciscan, Dominican, Jesuit and more. All within the same basic belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

4. Both the Orthodox and Catholic Churches have retained sacraments of healing and have managed to maintain healing ministry. This is both physical and spiritual healing in the sacrament of anointing of the sick and the sacrament of reconciliation.

5. The Orthodox and the Catholic Church both hold to the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, body, blood, soul, and divinity. Communion is weekly, or even daily, and the Eucharist is considered the presence of God with us.

 

[Tigger45]

I found this on YouTube.

 

[ripple the car]

Seek out the Church which will help you love God the most.

 

[TheLordIsMySheperd]

You won't find any perfect churches, I don't think. What you can do is find an imperfect church and set an example for its members.

I agree, I have been trying for almost 4 years now.
I came to realization there were things that were already imprinted, and became the DNA of the church, and impossible to change.

 

[TheLordIsMySheperd]

No our congregation doesn’t have an inner healing ministry as in the more modern sence like Pentecostals would. We’re more traditional in that aspect.

Now Eastern Orthodox aren’t going to be ‘Spirit filled’ in the modern sense either but they are all about the healing of the soul. And from my experiences, and I’ve been all over the Christian denominational map, there are far more real and tangible miracles in Orthodoxy than modern day Pentecostalism.

I see, I think I can relate as my longest background was Catholic charismatic. The problem is, my wife grew up Baptist, she is still unable to see the beauty of liturgy, and the concept of Sacrament is foreign to her.

 

[TheLordIsMySheperd]

I ran into charismatic Lutherans a few years ago, in a favorable interaction, so I know they exist. But I'm in the land of Lutherans here in Minnesota where we have every kind of Lutheran there ever was, is, or ever will be. They might be the kind of thing you are looking for. Maybe they are also in your area.

I notice that Orthodoxy was raised as an option for you. That does make sense as well.

1. More accessible perhaps would be one of the Catholic churches that is committed/sympathetic to the charismatic renewal. And that is not uncommon. The charismatic renewal is one of the shining lights of the Catholic Church. But attention to the Holy Spirit is actually baked into both Catholicism and Orthodoxy.

2. Catholics and the Orthodox do value personal revelation in a real but limited fashion. Both are substantially religions of the Bible with a closed canon. But both recognize that God can actually speak to us commoners. The Catholic tradition is skeptical of people making claims they have heard directly from God. But then again we can and do accept that it happens all the time. Not that such private revelations can compel others.

3. Catholics and Orthodox do have a lot of depth. From Augustine to Aquinas to Lonergan to Spitzer, Catholics have a solid intellectual tradition. And at the same time several spirituality options like Carmelite, Franciscan, Dominican, Jesuit and more. All within the same basic belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

4. Both the Orthodox and Catholic Churches have retained sacraments of healing and have managed to maintain healing ministry. This is both physical and spiritual healing in the sacrament of anointing of the sick and the sacrament of reconciliation.

5. The Orthodox and the Catholic Church both hold to the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, body, blood, soul, and divinity. Communion is weekly, or even daily, and the Eucharist is considered the presence of God with us.

My longest background is Catholic charismatic and I am familiar (and cherish) some theologies such as Ignatian, Carmelite, and Franciscan. However, my wife was Baptist, it's hard for her to adapt to liturgy-based services.

What I really love with Catholic charismatic is how the theology prevent the charismatic to get carried away, thus blurring the distinction between Holy Spirit and human emotion.

 

[TheLordIsMySheperd]

I found this on YouTube.

Thanks

 

[TheLordIsMySheperd]

Seek out the Church which will help you love God the most.

Yes.. that's what I am doing now I tried to balance it with what my wife is seeking (she's Baptist).

 

[ripple the car]

Yes.. that's what I am doing now I tried to balance it with what my wife is seeking (she's Baptist).

Oh my gosh, my husband's Baptist! God be with both of you!

 

[TheLordIsMySheperd]

Oh my gosh, my husband's Baptist! God be with both of you!

So... how do you manage? Which church are both of you going?

 

[ripple the car]

So... how do you manage? Which church are both of you going?

We switch. One week we go to a Catholic Parish, the next week we go to a Protestant church of his choosing. It's slowly moving along. There's a lot of praying involved.