nothiing special

[seashale76]

To be honest, prayer and research is what you should be doing currently. Never underestimate the efficacy of prayer. I personally think that you can't know a lot about a church and what they believe unless you visit and sometimes this requires visiting a lot of churches. Of course- depending on their doctrines- it may knock out a few potential visits before you ever step foot in the door. This course of action worked for me. I started reading about various Christians groups, denominations, church history, doctrines, beliefs, etcetera and went from there.

I'd also say that if your kids are old enough to complain and have opinions about the situation- that maybe you should include them in the church search. Have them make a list of things they think would be important in a church and what they expect to get out of it. If they don't want to go to church and would rather stay home- have them explain why to you. Perhaps they have valid reasons- and if you can pinpoint a theme in what they dislike- perhaps finding a church may suddenly become a more easy task.

There's a thread around here asking people to share their criteria for finding a church. Maybe a list like that would help you and your family. For example- here's mine:

My criteria:

-Has correct belief and worship- proclaiming the faith expressed in the Nicene Creed and rejects various heresies, schisms, etc.

-Adheres to Apostolic Tradition- which emphasizes the Holy Tradition of the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit

-It is part of the universal Church and is in communion with Patriarchates known to be

-Seeks to sanctify and transfigure its members through the Sacraments/Mysteries- i.e. individuals are called to be part of the community of the faithful and have the opportunity to live a godly life- and God's Revelation is seen in the worship of the Church

 

[jsimms615]

To be honest, prayer and research is what you should be doing currently. Never underestimate the efficacy of prayer. I personally think that you can't know a lot about a church and what they believe unless you visit and sometimes this requires visiting a lot of churches. Of course- depending on their doctrines- it may knock out a few potential visits before you ever step foot in the door. This course of action worked for me. I started reading about various Christians groups, denominations, church history, doctrines, beliefs, etcetera and went from there.

I'd also say that if your kids are old enough to complain and have opinions about the situation- that maybe you should include them in the church search. Have them make a list of things they think would be important in a church and what they expect to get out of it. If they don't want to go to church and would rather stay home- have them explain why to you. Perhaps they have valid reasons- and if you can pinpoint a theme in what they dislike- perhaps finding a church may suddenly become a more easy task.

There's a thread around here asking people to share their criteria for finding a church. Maybe a list like that would help you and your family. For example- here's mine:

My criteria:

-Has correct belief and worship- proclaiming the faith expressed in the Nicene Creed and rejects various heresies, schisms, etc.

-Adheres to Apostolic Tradition- which emphasizes the Holy Tradition of the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit

-It is part of the universal Church and is in communion with Patriarchates known to be

-Seeks to sanctify and transfigure its members through the Sacraments/Mysteries- i.e. individuals are called to be part of the community of the faithful and have the opportunity to live a godly life- and God's Revelation is seen in the worship of the Church

I have asked them repeatedly. I think that is part of the issue. We can't seem to agree. I try to make everyone happy and it ends up being nobody is happy.
I decided that as a family we would study the Gospel of Mark together since we aren't going to Sunday School. We started that today. We are going to a church tonight also.

 

[Albion]

I have asked them repeatedly. I think that is part of the issue. We can't seem to agree. I try to make everyone happy and it ends up being nobody is happy.
I decided that as a family we would study the Gospel of Mark together since we aren't going to Sunday School. We started that today. We are going to a church tonight also.

I know just what you're saying and experiencing. The only solution IMO is to carefully examine all the possible congregations and see if it's not possible to find one that all concerned can agree on, perhaps supplemented by outside study groups or youth activities at whatever church works.

For me to say this probably doesn't seem like it's worth much, but I have known people in exactly the same situation, and just when they thought--and I did also--that there was no solution, they found one and lived happily thereafter.

 

[jsimms615]

I know just what you're saying and experiencing. The only solution IMO is to carefully examine all the possible congregations and see if it's not possible to find one that all concerned can agree on, perhaps supplemented by outside study groups or youth activities at whatever church works.

For me to say this probably doesn't seem like it's worth much, but I have known people in exactly the same situation, and just when they thought--and I did also--that there was no solution, they found one and lived happily thereafter.

I think you pretty much said the same thing to me about 6 months ago. As I said, I am supplementing with our own home study which I started with the kids today

 

[Albion]

I think you pretty much said the same thing to me about 6 months ago. As I said, I am supplementing with our own home study which I started with the kids today

Probably

What that demonstrates, I'd think, is that I still feel that house churches tend to lack something important, and so I remain uneasy about you making this one--as you described it--your final substitute for a conventional congregation. But it is your life and I'm only generalizing. Therefore, I want you to know that, at the same time, I am hopeful that this will work out for you, and I'm not intending to sneer at it. I know that you've been careful and covered a lot of bases, whereas the typical person who poses this question to us seems to rush into something in a fit of disgust at how the churches they've known seem to have failed.

 

[jrdnoland]

It sounds to me like your making assumptions about me and my daughter and judging. My daugher is actually very level headed and a good influence on those around her. she picks her friends careful and has a good sense of right and wrong. Most of her friends are christians, but a few are not. This particular girl has gone to church with us when normally she would not. It is a requirement that I have that she go to church on Sunday whether or not she wants to and she knows that.

I did ask this girl's mother about whether or not they go to church. She said she grew up Catholic, but left because she had a bad experience. By engaging this family and having contact with them, I believe we are being a good witness when otherwise they might not see that witness.

Originally you wrote "unfortunately, they have both told me that they don't care to go or where they go. They think that I am being mean by taking them. I just had this argument with my daughter this morning. She wanted to go spend the night at a friend's house. i told her she could go, but I would pick her up in the morning for church. She complained quite a bit about that. I guess she wants to stay up late and talk with her friend"

I was giving you some biblical wisdom based on what you wrote. We are always making assumptions, and I said so, based on the information I had. We are to judge a person by their actions and respond accordingly, that is called biblical discipline. On God can judge your salvation, the two are often confused. I normally don't try to help people in these areas, just because of the kind of reaction that you are displaying. If you can't take what fellow Christians are telling you with out becoming defensive than you shouldn't ask the questions.

 

[jsimms615]

Probably

What that demonstrates, I'd think, is that I still feel that house churches tend to lack something important, and so I remain uneasy about you making this one--as you described it--your final substitute for a conventional congregation. But it is your life and I'm only generalizing. Therefore, I want you to know that, at the same time, I am hopeful that this will work out for you, and I'm not intending to sneer at it. I know that you've been careful and covered a lot of bases, whereas the typical person who poses this question to us seems to rush into something in a fit of disgust at how the churches they've known seem to have failed.

I'm not giving up on finding a church. The bible study with my kids is simply meant to help them learning the bible better. I do have a degree in Religious Education from seminary.