What To Do?

[DiscipleOfIAm]

Here's a complicated issue for everyone!

My kids love a particular church. My wife loves this church as well. I love the church and the preacher, he is a great teacher. Always has very deep study in his sermons, etc. Very educated. Great group of people, loving congregation. Many small groups, three services per week, great kids programs, etc, etc! The picture of a great church home! Not perfect, but great.

Here's the catch. It's an Assembly of God church. They believe in and practice tongues and interpretations. Where we live there are tons of churches. But, this is the one we have found to be most at home in and has the food and meat we need form God. My wife grew up in AoG. I did not. She does not necessarily believe in tongues and interpretations, but has always just let it roll off her back.

Since we have searched for and not found the church God is leading us to and this one seems like the closest we are going to get to the one He is leading us to, should we keep searching anyway because of this issue? Is it okay to just go there and not believe or endorse this issue? It isn't something that is forced on us ever. The tongues happen once in awhile in a service between the song service and preaching usually. It is never forced on anyone or a requirement to join the church.

Another thing, I am called to ministry. Some of you may remember, I am finishing up my degree at Liberty University now via DLP. Will being a part of an AoG church effect my being placed or called to serve in a different church? I see myself in a Baptist church serving. Would a search committee look at my degree from Liberty and my beliefs and then see I attend an AoG church and think, what the heck is going on here!!??

Anyone?

God Bless!

 

[PETE_]

Although I expect that the issue would be questioned, I think that a church that would not be satisfied with an honest answer such as you have given here may be a church to be avoided anyway. The Baptists need more folks that show the grace of Christ.

 

[DiscipleOfIAm]

I sort of leaned that way myself. I see it as something they would wonder about, but would it be a deciding factor? Hopefully not. If when interviewing me, they found that beliefs were that of leaning towards Baptist, but I attended an AoG church because of the reasons above and did not endorse or practice the tongues or interpretations, they should see the heart and not the other. They should know that this church is more than just tongues and interpretations. This is just one belief they have. Everything else I have no issue with at this church. I do know that some AoG churches have women pastors and most are Arminian. That does not mean I believe in women pastors or that I am Arminian. The basic teachings and beliefs of Christ are present, just these side issues get in the way sometimes and that is all some people see.

Thanks for the response. I look forward to more!

God Bless!

 

[JPPT1974]

It really doesn't matter what
Denomination you belong with
As my sister in law used to be
With the AOG as well before
Being a Baptist but it is if you
Believe in the same God and accept
His one & only Begotten Son into our lives
As Savior & Lord
That is all that matters.

 

[CooL_Genesis]

I believe you should focus more attention on the will of God than of the will of man. Also, a reread of 1 Corinthians isn't a bad idea.

1 Corinthians 14:39-40
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

The entire 14th chapter of Corinthians talks about the spiritual gifts and no where in it can I find that the gift of tongues is not allowed. Nor can I find this in any other part of the Bible. In short, what "you" believe doesn't really matter. What is truth? The Word of our Living God. That's what matters. Where you go to chruch, in "man's" eyes, doesn't matter... where does God want you?

May God Bless You!

In peace and grace,

-Genesis

 

[jsimms615]

I've worked with a number of search committees with Baptist churches. I can tell you that they definitely will ask you why you are a member of an Assembly of God church. I think it will effect the decision that they make. I don't know if everything else is in order that it would stop them from calling you though. I think it will be a hindrance. Maybe it shouldn't, but search committees are funny that way.
I guess you have to decide for yourself if that is a big enough doctrinal issue that you need to move away from that church. It doesn't sound from what you said like it is for you. I think then that you should probably stay where you are until you feel a clear leading or discomfort with where you are.
To head off some of the questions a search committee might have about your doctrinal stance, if I were you I would put together a statement of your doctrinal beliefs. Don't overwhelm them. Just one or two pages of what you believe. That may help them to feel more comfortable with you. You can take your time now and get that ready and think through what is important to you. Make sure you clear put where you stand on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues and interpretations. That should help you.
God bless,
J

 

[Katakalupto]

After reading your post and praying about it, I am curious as to whether you feel you should be attending another church. You are the leader of your household, and if you feel you need to be at another church or even denomination, then I feel you should change churches. Your wife and children may like where they are at now, but will gain more from seeing their husband/father follow God's desire for them than giving in to the desires of their heart. But of course, this is just my humble opinion. God bless you as you decide what is best for your family!

 

[mesue]

...
Is it okay to just go there and not believe or endorse this issue? ...

That would be sitting on the fence. Satan owns the fence.
There is a vast difference between making a decision for Christ and saying no or sitting on the fence in indecision.
When you were asked to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, what was the only answer that led you to salvation? Yes, no or maybe?
Had you said maybe and sat on the fence, would your salvation have been secure?

 

[Matthan]

Disciple, you always seem to come up with the good (and hard) questions. Well, here is my two pesos worth, for what it is worth. First, compromise with respect to your spirituality is ALWAYS wrong. God has given us some pretty clear guidelines, and we can follow them, and adhere to them, or not. Our choice, but He is the final judge. Participating in a church that practices interpretations is just not very smart (I have never been introduced to "tongues" so I cannot speak on that issue.) There are some on this forum who, while they do not believe in infant baptism, still see nothing wrong with it. That is spiritual and scriptural compromise. And that compromise is wrong, at least according to Scripture. See Titus 3:10, and substitute "church" for "man". Heresy is an insidious enemy, and it comes in all shapes and sizes. Still, a little heresy, like a little leaven, is all that is needed....

Please do not think that I am judging you in any way. This is just my opinion, and I am nothing more than a country boy and the most unprofitable servant of Jesus Christ. Disregard it if you do not agree....

Congratulations on your pending graduation from Liberty. My hat is off to you, good sir.

May God bless and guide you in this and all of life's situations that you are faced with.

Matthan

 

[DiscipleOfIAm]

Thanks everyone! I knew the answer all along. I know I am the Spiritual Leader of the family and that the feelings and desires of the rest of the family are not the basis of decisions. It is hard to be the dictator of church attendance though

With so many churches out there, you would think it would not be so hard to find one to go to! But, there are so many that are consumer oriented. They have stuff to entertain and there is not teaching or meat for the congregation. We sometimes forget why we go to church. We think we go for us, to entertain us or for us to get something out of it. But, we go for Him. To worship and glorify Him. Through that we get something out of it.

We do have a good Baptist church here that is the obvious answer to my decision. The reason I have been avoiding it is because it does not have a children's church during services. My 7 year old dreads sitting in the service with us. My 4 year old is now of age to sit in there with us, too and she will not do well. They do have Sunday School and the kids would love that, but other than that it is Sunday am and pm plus Wednesday pm services. When I type it all out, it sounds like a dumb reason to not go to that church, but if you knew my kids and their love for church, you might grasp it better. They get so excited to go to church and be around the other kids doing their Bible lessons. It still comes back to where I feel God is leading us though.

I suppose I need to pray quite a bit more on this!

God Bless!

 

[mesue]

...
We do have a good Baptist church here that is the obvious answer to my decision. The reason I have been avoiding it is because it does not have a children's church during services. My 7 year old dreads sitting in the service with us. My 4 year old is now of age to sit in there with us, too and she will not do well. They do have Sunday School and the kids would love that, but other than that it is Sunday am and pm plus Wednesday pm services. When I type it all out, it sounds like a dumb reason to not go to that church, but if you knew my kids and their love for church, you might grasp it better. They get so excited to go to church and be around the other kids doing their Bible lessons. It still comes back to where I feel God is leading us though.

I suppose I need to pray quite a bit more on this!

God Bless!

Maybe a children's church would be your ministry.

 

[DiscipleOfIAm]

Maybe a children's church would be your ministry.

Tried that. The preacher there feels no need for a children's church and actually gets rather upset whenever someone brings it up. As if they are questioning him or something.

 

[mesue]

Tried that. The preacher there feels no need for a children's church and actually gets rather upset whenever someone brings it up. As if they are questioning him or something.

At the Baptist church or AOG church?

 

[DiscipleOfIAm]

Baptist church. He feels that at the age of 4 and beyond the children need to learn under the pastor. Lee Roberson is his model for this.

The AoG church has an excellent children's program. Sunday School, Sunday am and pm children's services, and Kids Clubs on Wednesday nights. Same for adults, Sunday school, Sunday am and pm services, Wednesday night small groups and small groups throughout the week as well.

Does anyone have any Scripture that specifically states that tongues ceased after the 1st century or that tongues is not for today? Anything that obviously opposes or states that tongues is not Biblical any longer?

God Bless!

 

[mesue]

I don't know of a verse that says the gift of tongues have stopped altogether.
Have you looked at other churches other than that one Baptist church? Not all Baptist churches are the same. Maybe you need a new search?

 

[DiscipleOfIAm]

I definitely need a new search.

I was raised in the Independent Christian Churches. The one I was raised in has veered into the field of trying to grow before they have growth! They built a new "auditorium / church" a few years back and used the Sanctuary for the youth. The new addition had classrooms, plus the old part has classrooms. Then, they recently built an education wing. This is a church with less than 300 in attendance each week and they have buildings large enough for a 1,000 member church. And the debt to go with it! Unfortunately, they felt if they built a nice building and had lots of stuff, people would come. They plan to continue the building projects saying they have faith people will come. I disagree.

There are other churches around. I'm just so tired of searching! So is the family! Sometimes we get to the point that we just don't go at al in lieu of trying another church. We do try and go at least three - four times before making a decision or discussing it. You cannot get a good feeling from a church with just one visit.


Thanks again for the comments!

 

[FallingWaters]

Baptist church. He feels that at the age of 4 and beyond the children need to learn under the pastor. Lee Roberson is his model for this.

The AoG church has an excellent children's program. Sunday School, Sunday am and pm children's services, and Kids Clubs on Wednesday nights. Same for adults, Sunday school, Sunday am and pm services, Wednesday night small groups and small groups throughout the week as well.

Does anyone have any Scripture that specifically states that tongues ceased after the 1st century or that tongues is not for today? Anything that obviously opposes or states that tongues is not Biblical any longer?

God Bless!

I'm in a similar position as you.
My husband and I were saved and discipled as Charismatics for 13 years.
Now we are in a Baptist church.
In every other way it is a wonderful church - except for the non-charismatic worship.
My husband is very much torn about becoming a member because they do not believe as we do concerning the charismatic gifts.
I, on the other hand, feel that except for the worship style - which is a peripheral issue - this church is sound and gracious.
I miss the exuberant worship, but it is in every other way a fine church.

I think it's important to decide what are peripheral issues and what are not.
It seems to me that you have learned to live with it. (tongues)
It's a difference of faith.
One sees the scripture one way, one sees it another way.

There is no scripture that says the gifts were for a limited time only.
Frankly, I think it's just an excuse somebody made up for trying to explain why the churches were bereft of the gifts.

Tongues can be abused, faked, or become a badge of honor like in some southern churches.
But they can be used rightly as well.

Finding a church where everyone in your family feels comfortable and welcome is very hard.
Perhaps you should stay put unless and until God gives definite direction to change course.

 

[FallingWaters]

Tried that. The preacher there feels no need for a children's church and actually gets rather upset whenever someone brings it up. As if they are questioning him or something.

"[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:[/FONT]"
Proverbs 22:24 (KJV)

This pastor's anger is no small thing in my opinion.
I used to walk in anger. I know how life-encompassing it is.
The pastor of a church attracts people to himself and sets the atmosphere for the church.

Perhaps I am jumping to conclusions without enough information, or perhaps God has given me insight into the situation.
This behavior does not describe a humble, godly, mature man.

 

[daveleau]

I would think that being in a non-Baptist church and trying to serve in a Baptist church would be difficult. But nothing is too difficult for God.

The perfect church has not been created yet. That will come during Christ's reign on earth. Each and every church has problems- some more visible than others. The use of tongues and interpretation is something that is debatable. Some arguments teach that it is a sign gift that passed away with the writing and distribution of the Word. I do not find these utterly convincing, despite my belief that tongues are highly overused.

The obvious answer is pray. Get on your knees and ask Him for guidance.

My take-
Why are the children happy at the other church? Is it because of who attends, or trips that church takes (a common reason for youth to choose a different church in their teen years)? Is it because God has called them to serve in this AoG church? You are the only one that can find out. I do not think that we can know, being so far removed from your family.

The issue of tongues is not a major dogmatic theology, such as Christ's divinity, or salvation by grace through faith. But, it is important enough that Paul wrote at length about the abuse of tongues. I have attended churches where tongues are widely abused. Is the church a Word of Faith church? If so, the answer should be easy - RUN! This does eat at the central dogma of Christianity, as they teach a lower God and a higher man who gives God permission to work in their lives. Justin Peters spoke at our church and ran his seminar using, not WoF words, but WoF preachers' videos, shoing their teachings. Hinn, Copeland, Dollar, etc...if their church follows, supports, or praches like them, the answer should be pretty easy.

Weigh the benefit of both your child being in a Baptist versus a AoG church against their long-term emotional effect this may (or may not) have on their devotion to God. Will this put a bad taste in their mouths if they are told no? Will they simply grow tired of the incorrect theology (that you continually correct in them at home) and start going to a church that does not rely so heavily on tongues? (This is assuming they abuse the gift. I fully believe there are times when God can use tongues, although I think 99% or more of tongues today are misuses.)

No answers here, just attempts to help you, the best qualified person to answer the question because of your proximity to your children, find what God wants.

In Him,
Dave

PS- did you get an undergrad, MAR or MDiv from LTS DLP? I am currently 21 of 96 hours into my degree with them. I figure I'll graduate in 2010 with my work schedule. But, I love what I am learning.

 

[IisJustMe]

Since we have searched for and not found the church God is leading us to and this one seems like the closest we are going to get to the one He is leading us to, should we keep searching anyway because of this issue? Is it okay to just go there and not believe or endorse this issue?

You will never find the perfect church. There is no such thing because it is filled with (ugh!) ... PEOPLE! You have a pastor who puts thought and study into his messages. Your children benefit from a strong youth ministry. You have active, vibrant worshipers who apparently, by your own description, care for and love one another. It may not be perfect, but I think we've already covered that. Why worry about tongues? I personally don't believe in tongues as valid modern ministry, nor do I speak in tongues. But I don't judge people who do. That is their method of worship, and given this ...

It isn't something that is forced on us ever. The tongues happen once in awhile in a service between the song service and preaching usually. It is never forced on anyone or a requirement to join the church.

... it would seem they are not extremists haughty and misguidedly believing it is the only evidence of the Holy Spirit and therefore a indication of "saved or not saved."

Be blessed that you have a loving, dynamic church that preaches Christ and Him crucified. Unless the leadership begins pushing tongues as a requirement of membership or some other such insane tripe, stay put and grow. There are worse things that could be present that would be a valid concern for you and your family.