Moving around

[ZiSunka]

I have just realized how much moving around denominationally folks do here at CF. So many people decide to leave one denom and go to another. I don't think it is at all wrong to do that. I mean, I've bounced around from denom to denom myself over my spiritual lifetime.

Do you think it's because CF gives people so much exposure to and interaction with other denoms?

Is it a good thing or a bad thing in your opinion?

 

[jcright]

Is it a good thing or a bad thing in your opinion?

I think that depends on the maturity level of the Christian. I tend to be a separatist, but, in the same vein, I like to learn about others...however, I know that not everything I learn should be incorporated into my view of the bible.

 

[SumTinWong]

I don't know. I have been a Christian for about a year and a half now. If I leave this church it will be because God led me away. I cannot imagine that though. Either way i am not a Baptist I am a Christian that attends a Baptist church.

 

[Gold Dragon]

I am supportive of Christians who change denominations. It is very much like moving from one neighborhood to another. Each denominational culture has its strengths and weaknesses and some may find that their current denominational culture is not condusive towards a growing relationship with Christ and even detrimental to it. Usually a simple change in community without denominational shift will suffice, but sometimes the issues are too ingrained in the denomination.

 

[kyzar]

I don't particularly think it is a good thing. Imagine becoming a Chrisitian then a year later moving to another denomination, 6 months swapping again, 2 years later going somewhere completely different. While it does give you good exposure to various ideas presented in the bible from varying perspectives, it doesn't give you any time to mature in a church, nor to properly understand the views put forward in own line of teaching.

I think CF is good in the way it allows you to experience and understand the views of other denominations from the comfort of your fav chair without having to go into an 'unfamiliar' building, whilst having the oppertunity to openly discuss said ideas with members that believe similar things.

So in one sense it may be harmful to the development and maturing of a Christian, it also gives a 'safe' environment in which to question.

ALthough I'd have to say that denominantions are stupid. We are all Chrisians, we all believe Christ died for us (me you etc.) thus we are all Children of God, and in that, pety differences are made obsolete...

God Bless

 

[Crazy Liz]

Going into an unfamiliar building once in a while is a good thing. Changing denominations when you move and need to join a new community anyway can be good, too.

Changing denominations because of ideological preferences may not be such a good thing, IMHO. People who do that seem to have a tendency to think their new denom is SOOOOOOO much better than their old one. They tend to be smug and insufferable. We've all known people who became Christians and turned their families and all their old friends off to it because of their attitude. ISTM a lot of people who change denoms because they think the new one is so superior adopt a superior attitude and want everyone else to convert, too.

I think it's better, when changing doctrinal views to stay where you are, if possible. You can do a lot more good, especially if you are mature and respected, encouraging people to respect the new ideas you've been exposed to than leaving and becoming a sophomore again somewhere else.

Also, if you don't need to move geographically, keeping long-term relationships with other Christians is important. Relationships shouldn't be discarded for doctrine.

 

[Palatka44]

When one finds a Denom that teaches the Word then that is where one should stay.

 

[seebs]

I've seen a lot of people claim that trying different churches helped them find the actual Christianity hidden behind all the clutter and accreted stuff.

I don't see myself as ever being likely to change churches now. It took me 15 years to find a church; I don't think I want to spend another 15 comparison shopping.

 

[AJ]

I don't particularly think it is a good thing. Imagine becoming a Chrisitian then a year later moving to another denomination, 6 months swapping again, 2 years later going somewhere completely different. While it does give you good exposure to various ideas presented in the bible from varying perspectives, it doesn't give you any time to mature in a church, nor to properly understand the views put forward in own line of teaching.

I would have to agree that at times it is not a good thing... But I also believe that it is very important to find the right Church... The place that God wants you to be. Being connected to the fellowship of a Church body is very important to me personally... I believe that God will make it clear when you are in the place that He wants you to be... And that at time He may move you to another Church or even denom if it fits His plan.

What I don't agree with is cutting ties and jumping ship as soon as a church has any sort of problem. Too many people are fair weather Christians who attend church, but do not commit to participate in helping make their church a better, more effective place for worship... And as soon as there is a bump in the road, they are quick to turn away (run away, even) and find a new church that is on calm'er seas for the time being.... Make the commitment to participate... to do whatever you can to help out... BE a MEMBER, not an attender.

*slides his soapbox back under the desk for now*

 

[ZiSunka]

IALthough I'd have to say that denominantions are stupid. We are all Chrisians, we all believe Christ died for us (me you etc.) thus we are all Children of God, and in that, pety differences are made obsolete...

God Bless

I have to agree with that. I'm not of a respecter of denominations.

 

[Gold Dragon]

What I don't agree with is cutting ties and jumping ship as soon as a church has any sort of problem. Too many people are fair weather Christians who attend church, but do not commit to participate in helping make their church a better, more effective place for worship... And as soon as there is a bump in the road, they are quick to turn away (run away, even) and find a new church that is on calm'er seas for the time being.... Make the commitment to participate... to do whatever you can to help out... BE a MEMBER, not an attender.

I completely agree with this. I think there is a difference between switching churches because the church is in a slump and switching churches because you can no longer grow spiritually in that community due to denominational limitations.

Changing denominations because of ideological preferences may not be such a good thing, IMHO. People who do that seem to have a tendency to think their new denom is SOOOOOOO much better than their old one. They tend to be smug and insufferable. We've all known people who became Christians and turned their families and all their old friends off to it because of their attitude. ISTM a lot of people who change denoms because they think the new one is so superior adopt a superior attitude and want everyone else to convert, too.

Liz, I think it is possible to switch because of ideological preference and not carry an air of superiority or smugness and cast away relationships. Some denominational communities simply cannot meet some believers where they are in their spiritual journey and that is ok. I would still encourage them to maintain the stronger relationships built in their old community without a need to "convert" them.

 

[ZiSunka]

Some denominational communities simply cannot meet some believers where they are in their spiritual journey and that is ok.

After I became convinced that Christ taught pacifism, it was hard for me to continue to go to the church I was in, which was very patriotic and supportive of war. It was at the end of the Gulf War years ago that I realized I was not going to get support in my congregation for loving my enemies instead of killing them. I left because mostly because of that, and they were really the ones who cut the ties with me. The pastor made a courteously call to ask why I left and I told him the truth, but he clearly couldn't understand my position and agreed that his church was better off with me not there to spread my "radical" ideas.

I was very sad about that, but I felt it was more important to follow the teachings of Christ than to try to fit into a church where I felt a big part of His teachings were being ignored.

 

[Crazy Liz]

The pastor made a courteously call to ask why I left...

Wow! I wish more pastors would do that!

...and I told him the truth, ...

And I wish more Christians would do that. One thing I regret is not being honest when my family left a church that had hurt us a great deal. We couldn't handle it anymore. But at least people cared enough to ask us. It was only later that I realized how rare this was. Anyway, whenever they asked us, we gave our good, logical, but secondary, reason. We had a toddler at the time and thought we should find a church that had a Sunday school for him. They couldn't argue with that, but we couldn't make peace or really bring healing, either. It was a truce, not real peace.

...but he clearly couldn't understand my position and agreed that his church was better off with me not there to spread my "radical" ideas.

I was very sad about that, but I felt it was more important to follow the teachings of Christ than to try to fit into a church where I felt a big part of His teachings were being ignored.

I'm in a situation right now where my family may need to make a change for similar reasons. I'm trying to figure out how to handle it. In about a year and a half, I'll have my MDiv, but my church is the only one in our denomination that doesn't support public ministry by women.

So I'm torn. I don't want to just slip out the back door again. I don't really want to break ties. I don't want to drive farther to a church that suits me better because I have strong convictions of the importance of community over consumerism.

So here I am again, thinking about doing something I don't really want to do.

 

[Gold Dragon]

I'm in a situation right now where my family may need to make a change for similar reasons. I'm trying to figure out how to handle it. In about a year and a half, I'll have my MDiv, but my church is the only one in our denomination that doesn't support public ministry by women.

So I'm torn. I don't want to just slip out the back door again. I don't really want to break ties. I don't want to drive farther to a church that suits me better because I have strong convictions of the importance of community over consumerism.

So here I am again, thinking about doing something I don't really want to do.

That is a tough struggle. I will remember you and your family in my prayers Crazy Liz.

 

[Crazy Liz]

That is a tough struggle. I will remember you and your family in my prayers Crazy Liz.

Thank you, GD.

 

[ZiSunka]

Wow! I wish more pastors would do that!

And I wish more Christians would do that. One thing I regret is not being honest when my family left a church that had hurt us a great deal. We couldn't handle it anymore. But at least people cared enough to ask us. It was only later that I realized how rare this was. Anyway, whenever they asked us, we gave our good, logical, but secondary, reason. We had a toddler at the time and thought we should find a church that had a Sunday school for him. They couldn't argue with that, but we couldn't make peace or really bring healing, either. It was a truce, not real peace.

I'm in a situation right now where my family may need to make a change for similar reasons. I'm trying to figure out how to handle it. In about a year and a half, I'll have my MDiv, but my church is the only one in our denomination that doesn't support public ministry by women.

So I'm torn. I don't want to just slip out the back door again. I don't really want to break ties. I don't want to drive farther to a church that suits me better because I have strong convictions of the importance of community over consumerism.

So here I am again, thinking about doing something I don't really want to do.

The more I know about you Liz, the more I like and respect you.

 

[Glorianna]

I have just realized how much moving around denominationally folks do here at CF. So many people decide to leave one denom and go to another. I don't think it is at all wrong to do that. I mean, I've bounced around from denom to denom myself over my spiritual lifetime.

Do you think it's because CF gives people so much exposure to and interaction with other denoms?

Is it a good thing or a bad thing in your opinion?

I think you're probably right... CF gives people a lot of exposure to and interaction with other denominations so this may be the reason why so many people switch denominations. The more informed some people get, the more they switch.

I don't really think that this is a good thing OR a bad thing. I've never really thought it mattered what denomination people belong to. We are all Christians and believe in the fundamentals of Christianity so we will all be saved. Why do we have to be so nit picky about the things that don't matter (i.e. when baptism is performed- at birth or later in life?).