What denomination should I study for?

[boonebytes]

Hey,

I've recently heard God's calling on my life and I know he wants me to become a minister. However, I have no idea what denomination He wants me ministering in. I know I grew up in the Salvation Army, but I sometimes wonder if that's what I'm meant for.

So, how do I tell what denomination I should become a minister to? And, can you provide any references that may help me with my decision? (For example, if I should pick the one that I have the most doctrinal beliefs with, can you provide me with some sites to go to?)

Thanks for the help!

 

[MichaelAMDG]

This question seems a bit odd to me. Ministry is not something to be taken lightly. If you are going to go study to become a minister, you should first of all know where you belong - which group you fit in with. This is generally done along doctrinal lines because these can be very important. If I am a member of a particular church and I go to a pastor for counseling, I expect certain theologies to be present. I wouldnt expect to get a Lutheran point of view at an Anglican church, and so on.

So you have to figure out what you believe, through an intense reading of scripture and studies.

 

[boonebytes]

Hey,

Thanks Michael. So, to find out what I believe, should I look through different church doctrines or should I make a list of my beliefs and then compare them to the doctrines? I'm just glad now I have 3 translations of the bible and a "Find it Fast in the Bible" book here... it'll help a lot to find out what I believe

Thanks for the help!

 

[f.o.o.t.man]

Hey,

I've recently heard God's calling on my life and I know he wants me to become a minister. However, I have no idea what denomination He wants me ministering in. I know I grew up in the Salvation Army, but I sometimes wonder if that's what I'm meant for.

So, how do I tell what denomination I should become a minister to? And, can you provide any references that may help me with my decision? (For example, if I should pick the one that I have the most doctrinal beliefs with, can you provide me with some sites to go to?)

Thanks for the help!

Very interesting. I actually have the opposite problem. My church is not affiliated with any denomination, so I feel that my dilemma is to decide whether or not I want to have anything to do with denominations. I'm sure there are many advantages to being involved with denominations but I can give you an equal number of advantages to remain unaffiliated. I guess my question is this: How far along are you in your studies? If you are already pursuing a biblical degree, you should begin by talking with ministers from various denominations about what their particular denomination believes. If you haven't begun to pursue a biblical degree, I believe that you should do some moderate searching but otherwise be open to what God shows you. Who knows? You may be called to a church like mine with no affiliation.

 

[larryjf]

Even if you decide to go non-denominational you should define what you beliefs are, at least the foundational beliefs that you hold.

If you want to be affiliated with a denomination you would most likely have to get involved with them ahead of time. Different denominations have different requirements for ministry.

Here are some online resources regarding denominations...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations

http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/denominations_beliefs.htm

You can also take the Christian Denomination Selector quiz...

http://selectsmart.com/FREE/select.php?client=christiandenom

Were you thinking about any denominations in particular?

 

[boonebytes]

Hey, thanks for the information!

Actually, I grew up in the Salvation Army, so I was thinking of that at first... however, I tend to be moved (feel the Holy Spirit, for example) more at the local Pentecostal church. I haven't really attended any other churches enough to grow an opinion about them, though...

In regards to my studies, I haven't started yet... I've put in an application for Candidate's Fellowship, which is a group of Salvation Army soldiers who are considering becoming officers, but it might be the fall before I get accepted, I'm not sure... You have to be a candidate before you can become a cadet, but not all candidates are accepted to the training college...

But anywho, thanks again for the links. I'll use the Denomination Selector after I have determined my beliefs

 

[larryjf]

The one major distinction between the Salvation Army and other Protestant groups is the teaching on sacraments.

From what i understand the Salvation Army is a non-sacramental church. In other words they don't practice communion or baptism.

They do not believe in the preserverance of the saints, that once you are truly saved you can't lose your salvation (Jn 10:29).

They also seem to believe that one can attain perfect holiness in this life (1 Jn 1:10).

So if your beliefs follow all three of the above distinctives i can't really think of another denomination that follows that. Of course, non-denominational is always an option.

 

[boonebytes]

Hi Larryjf,

Thanks for the reply. You're right that we don't practice communion or baptism. I think the reason we don't practice communion is because it's done with wine (as far as I know), and the Salvation Army is out to save the drunk people (therefore it wouldn't be right to save a drunk and encourage them to drink wine). As for baptism, I'm not sure why we don't practice it... perhaps William Booth didn't want to get his feet wet, I donno

Anywho, as for the preserverance of the saints, I don't agree with that... According to the SA doctrine "We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ", I believe that translates to "We must continue to be obedient to faith in Christ, or else we will lose our salvation."

As the the pefect holiness in this life, the SA doctine "We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" says to me personally "I believe that because I am saved, I can be made completely holy and remain blameless until Jesus comes again". And, the Wikipedia defines "holy" to be set apart for the worship or service of God. Now, if I understand that correctly, than I agree with this doctrine.

However, just because we can be holy now does not mean that we did not sin. To me, it means that the sins that I did have in my past are over and forgotten with.

Anywho, I've quoted some doctrines above, but I think the real thing is I have to research what I personally believe. I should not believe something just because it's in the doctrines of the church I grew up in, right?

 

[larryjf]

boonebytes

From your doctrinal positions it would seem the Salvation Army would be the best choice for you (other than non-denominational). I can't think of another denomination that holds to those doctrines in toto.

As to communion, many Protestant churches use grape juice instead of wine for the very same concern that you have. vbmenu_register("postmenu_25047647", true);,

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[vicarius]

The Salvation Army is an Evangelical Holiness in the Wesleyan/Arminian theological tradition. Three other denominations claim a similar theological positon: Wesleyan, Free Methodist and Church of the Nazarene.

The representatives from all four denominations contrubute to the quarterly devotional guide Reflecting God published by Word Action Press www.wordaction.com.

See a family tree of religious groups at www.nazarene.org/archives/history/tree.pdf.

If you are struggling with weather you should stay with the Salvation Army, you should:
1. Pray about it
2. talk with your pastor about the SAs doctrinal beliefs & let him/her know your concerns
3. Research different theological doctrinal world views and identify denominations/churches that hold similar views.
4. Determine where you are most comfortable worshiping and ministering as a layman. That should give you a good idea of where God is leading you for full time ministry.

A place to start is to take the quiz at http://quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=43870. It will give you a starting place regarding your current beliefs. I must say the results of this test are not absolute. Your results will probably change as you get a better understanding of the various theological world views.

 

[Justin The Baptist]

The Salvation Army is an Evangelical Holiness in the Wesleyan/Arminian theological tradition. Three other denominations claim a similar theological positon: Wesleyan, Free Methodist and Church of the Nazarene.

The representatives from all four denominations contrubute to the quarterly devotional guide Reflecting God published by Word Action Press www.wordaction.com.

See a family tree of religious groups at www.nazarene.org/archives/history/tree.pdf.

If you are struggling with weather you should stay with the Salvation Army, you should:
1. Pray about it
2. talk with your pastor about the SAs doctrinal beliefs & let him/her know your concerns
3. Research different theological doctrinal world views and identify denominations/churches that hold similar views.
4. Determine where you are most comfortable worshiping and ministering as a layman. That should give you a good idea of where God is leading you for full time ministry.

A place to start is to take the quiz at http://quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=43870. It will give you a starting place regarding your current beliefs. I must say the results of this test are not absolute. Your results will probably change as you get a better understanding of the various theological world views.

Test is bogus.

 

[ChildOfGod20]

i think you should ask God rather than trying to decide for yourself...are you going to school for it or are you just gonna go straight into a church and get training?

 

[boonebytes]

Hey,

Thanks for all the replies ChildOfGod20, you're right... I should ask God... after all, He wants what's best for me... but, do you know an easy way to find out? I can ask God, but it took me months to find an answer to my calling... Too bad I can't bump God and say "Hurry up and give me an answer, will ya? It only took you 6 days to create this universe, so what's taking so long with this answer?"

As for training, I'm expecting to go through whatever educational system I need to go through for the denomination I'm going in for. For example, I would enroll in the College for Officer Training if I was to go into the Salvation Army.

 

[SoulFly51]

Hey,

I've recently heard God's calling on my life and I know he wants me to become a minister. However, I have no idea what denomination He wants me ministering in. I know I grew up in the Salvation Army, but I sometimes wonder if that's what I'm meant for.

So, how do I tell what denomination I should become a minister to? And, can you provide any references that may help me with my decision? (For example, if I should pick the one that I have the most doctrinal beliefs with, can you provide me with some sites to go to?)

Thanks for the help!

What denomination?

Why do you need to be apart of denomination? Why not just be a Christian, and use the Bible as your guide?

 

[epy]

1. Clearly, avoid denominations you disagree with.
2. With the understandings stated above, I think it would be possible to think about the United Methodist Church, if you decide to seriously look beyond the Salvation Army. http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=519
3. Each congregation will be different. If you take the denominational route, be sure you agree strongly with the beliefs of the denomination as a whole. Additionally, even if a denomination has certain beliefs, not all congregations will follow them in practice! Also, know your personal beliefs because not all congregations are spiritually sound.

(I hope some of that was useful.)

Misc. Comments
---Regarding United Methodism, I rank it highly in terms of denominations. However, as you can see, I'm not without bias in that regard.
---For many years of my childhood I thought that the Salvation Army was a charity organization. It wasn't until perhaps my Jr. High years that I even realized it was a Christian denomination. Even now I know no more than what has been said in this conversation.Talk about blissful ignorance...

If you have any questions about the info in the site I linked, send me a private message and I will do my best to answer your questions. Alternative: post in the Wesleyan section of the forum.

 

[Doubledb]

There are many college or seminaries that will teach a variety of doctrinal backgrounds. I know the one im going to has Baptist, Methodists, and Disciples of Christ to name a few that i know off the top of my head. I like these schools also because they teach what different interpretations of scripture are from different people and points of few. This way you are not "indoctrinated" so much as educated to use your mind that God gave you and the Illumination of the Holy Spirit.

I, personally, am a Baptist .... a Southern Baptist and go to a BGCT chruch (Baptist General Convention of Texas). I might not always agree with everything - but you will be hard pressed to find a denomination that fits everything... even churches within denominations are different. Baptist churches can be very different in styles of worship and tradition depending on race, age, and even geography. Hang in there and pray to God about what you should do - i would visit different schools and see what they are about, what degrees and concentrations they have - also go sit in on classes and see if they are to your liking - i mean, if you go to school somewhere you will be there for a while so you should check it out. Good luck and God Bless.



- Daniel (doubledb)