Where should we worship?

[nvrbnunloved]

Hey all My partner and I are trying to find a church where we both feel comfortable worshipping, and where my daughter (13) will feel at home, and have a lively Youth Fellowship to become involved in. My background is in a non-denom, kind of evangelical church, very informal and relaxed, whereas Andy's is Salvation Army. We both feel like a fish out of water in each other's type of church, so I wondered if any of you had any suggestions?

 

[AllTalkNoAction]

Many would say you "should" find a church that suits you, which is an ego-centric approach, what pleases your pre-conceived ideas.

The bible would say you must find a church that suits God, if you want to be considered faithful.
In the Old Testament God was VERY specific about all aspects of worship,
in the New Jesus comes along and says:-

"God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)

Acts details believers being commanded to be baptised and receive the Holy Spirit, unlike many "churches" today that tell you that if you believe "Jesus is my saviour" or "the sinners prayer" etc you are "saved". (See Acts 2:37-39; 8:5-18; 10:44-48, 19:1-6)

The N.T. letters are written to people that had obeyed that, they were further told "the commandments of The Lord" regarding the use of the gifts and ministries of the Spirit so that the fruit can grow, not to be confused with natural love, feeling happy, being materially blessed etc.

Please see 1 Corinthians 14 and compare that with what happens at the churches you visit.

 

[BigNorsk]

Sounds to me like you are both focused on the eternal areas of freedom, the unimportant things. Who really cares if you come in a uniform or if you come in jeans? It's not important.

I don't think you should make the unimportant things the important things in choosing a church, but it appears a few hundred thousand if not millions disagree with me every Sunday.

The Christian faith is not a matter of style of clothes. If the two of you make it so, you are sending a very dangerous message to your daughter.

It might sound old fashioned but doctrines are indeed important, for people are saved by no other name than Jesus and those who turn to the law have believed in vain and so on.

So I would suggest starting with doctrine, and hopefully the two of you agree, though somehow I'm concerned the two of you probably haven't much dealt with it.

So first things first. The two of you need to sit down and agree as to your faith, what are the fundamentals (things which cannot be compromised) and what is not fundamental but true. And also what things are areas of freedom or indifference, Lutherans call them adiaphora.

Then you eliminate any that do not agree on the fundamentals. Then you try to get at least close on the nonfundamentals. And then at the end you use your personal preferences to make the final cut.

Marv

 

[E.C.]

We do not find a church, a church finds us.


I strongly agree with BigNorsk on this one.

So first things first. The two of you need to sit down and agree as to your faith, what are the fundamentals (things which cannot be compromised) and what is not fundamental but true.

 

[Andy Broadley]

Sounds to me like you are both focused on the eternal areas of freedom, the unimportant things. Who really cares if you come in a uniform or if you come in jeans? It's not important.

Well, actually, Laura never mentioned the subject of what we wear for church. It's not an issue for us.

I don't think you should make the unimportant things the important things in choosing a church, but it appears a few hundred thousand if not millions disagree with me every Sunday.

The Christian faith is not a matter of style of clothes. If the two of you make it so, you are sending a very dangerous message to your daughter.

Marv, brother, you REALLY need to go read Laura's OP again mate.

It might sound old fashioned but doctrines are indeed important, for people are saved by no other name than Jesus and those who turn to the law have believed in vain and so on.

So I would suggest starting with doctrine, and hopefully the two of you agree, though somehow I'm concerned the two of you probably haven't much dealt with it.

So first things first. The two of you need to sit down and agree as to your faith, what are the fundamentals (things which cannot be compromised) and what is not fundamental but true. And also what things are areas of freedom or indifference, Lutherans call them adiaphora.

Well, actually, we have. It was one of the first things we talked about in terms of where to worship. We looked at the doctrines of Laura's old church and compared them to the Salvation Army's doctrine's. They are almost identical. So, doctrine for us is not gonna be an issue.

Then you eliminate any that do not agree on the fundamentals. Then you try to get at least close on the nonfundamentals. And then at the end you use your personal preferences to make the final cut.

We have already established that we are very compatable on doctrine. What we are doing now is trying to seek out and follow Gods will for us in this area. We are both agreed that we will be obedient to this, whatever it is, and wherever that leads us.

It seems that for one or the other of us this will involve becoming accustomed to a very different style of worship. We must now trust, and follow where He leads.

 

[Andy Broadley]

We do not find a church, a church finds us.


I strongly agree with BigNorsk on this one.

Not really. Churches don't find people.

God leads people to where He wants them and to where he has work for them.

 

[Celticflower]

I'd say look for a church where all 3 of you can grow spiritually and that isn't afraid to go outside the four walls of the building they meet in. It will probably take a lot of time, effort, study and compromise on both your parts to find the church that is the most right for you all. (Notice I didn't say "perfect" church -- I don't believe there is such a thing here on earth). Take your time, don't rush into any committments and see where God leads you.

 

[Andy Broadley]

I'd say look for a church where all 3 of you can grow spiritually and that isn't afraid to go outside the four walls of the building they meet in. It will probably take a lot of time, effort, study and compromise on both your parts to find the church that is the most right for you all. (Notice I didn't say "perfect" church -- I don't believe there is such a thing here on earth). Take your time, don't rush into any committments and see where God leads you.

I think thats pretty much what we are doing at this time. We have been to a WOG style church and to the Army, and this Sunday we are going back to the WOG church again.

It's very similer to what Laura and DD are used to. If it turns out to be where God wants us then that is where we will be.

 

[christianmomof3]

pray and ask the Lord to guide you to His people and to the group that will bring you into fellowship with Him. He will do it.

 

[Touma]

As to answer the question in the title, you should Worship everywhere, all the time. That's what living the life as a servant of Christ is all about.

As for finding a church. Pray. Then Pray again. Finally, you need to pray. Yes, thats right pray about it. God will lead you to the place where you will grow stronger in him. I know that has happened with me and my campus church. I have grown more here in 1 year, then i have in the past 13 years going to other churches.

 

[Albion]

Hey all My partner and I are trying to find a church where we both feel comfortable worshipping, and where my daughter (13) will feel at home, and have a lively Youth Fellowship to become involved in. My background is in a non-denom, kind of evangelical church, very informal and relaxed, whereas Andy's is Salvation Army. We both feel like a fish out of water in each other's type of church, so I wondered if any of you had any suggestions?

Thank you for bringing your question to us. We will try to help the best we know how.

My first thought was that non-denominational/evangelical churches are considered by most people to be not unlike the Salvation Army in style. I recognize the distinctive organizational approach that is the SA's, but could you fill us in on a little more that seems to be in conflict? Could you be perhaps more detailed about which actions or doings in the non-denom church Andy finds hard to take...and the reverse for you? Is it just the mood set or is there more to it? This would help us, I think.

 

[heron]

Ask your daughter if any friends have mentioned liking their church and youth group. She's at an age where respect is very important to her, and influence in making decisions is in the forefront of her mind.

The whole experience isn't just being in the right place, but using the uncertaintly to allow everyone to grow in their own ways. That includes people that you run into when you get there.

Being where God wants to work through us can be a very different place that the comfy fishbowl. Keep praying about it, and trust what you hear.... walk forward testing the waters.

 

[Andy Broadley]

Ask your daughter if any friends have mentioned liking their church and youth group. She's at an age where respect is very important to her, and influence in making decisions is in the forefront of her mind.

The whole experience isn't just being in the right place, but using the uncertaintly to allow everyone to grow in their own ways. That includes people that you run into when you get there.

Being where God wants to work through us can be a very different place that the comfy fishbowl. Keep praying about it, and trust what you hear.... walk forward testing the waters.

Laura and DD are both new to the area so DD not able to ask friends as you suggested.

We have found what we believe may where the Loed wants us to be, and will continue to pray through this.

 

[heron]

Thank you for clarifying. You found one quickly! That's wonderful.

 

[Andy Broadley]

Thank you for clarifying. You found one quickly! That's wonderful.

We THINK we have found one. My work rota means that we havn't had the opportunity to go to it yet

We feel that we are led here, and will proceed on that till God tells us otherwise.

It is quite local to us, has the moix of traiudion and contempory that we are looking for, and has a good youth section. Still praying opd course, but looking good

 

[heron]

I hope it works out well for you. Maybe they have some mid-week services or Bible studies that would balance out with your work schedule. Work happens.

 

[Andy Broadley]

I hope it works out well for you. Maybe they have some mid-week services or Bible studies that would balance out with your work schedule. Work happens.

I'll have a series of Sundays where I have to work and a series of them where I don't so it tends to balance out in the end.

This church has an evening service as well as a morning one so it enable us to go wh3en I've been on nights as well

 

[heron]

That's good. I know some people who've worked Sundays for years, and they get frustrated with how others percieve them. It shouldn't have to be that way, sizing each other up spiritually, based on attendance.

 

[AllTalkNoAction]

That's good. I know some people who've worked Sundays for years, and they get frustrated with how others percieve them. It shouldn't have to be that way, sizing each other up spiritually, based on attendance.

Who says they "had to" miss meetings for years?

How big is God?
How big is your vision?

I've known numerous people who saw the sunday meetings of God's people, the ministry and with the gifts of the Holy Spirit as an essential part of their spiritual growth and well-being.

So when the world gave them an ultimatum - work on sunday or no job, they turned round and said, accommodate me or lose me - some were given different days, others got better jobs!!

M't:19:29: And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

 

[Andy Broadley]

Who says they "had to" miss meetings for years?

How big is God?
How big is your vision?

I've known numerous people who saw the sunday meetings of God's people, the ministry and with the gifts of the Holy Spirit as an essential part of their spiritual growth and well-being.

So when the world gave them an ultimatum - work on sunday or no job, they turned round and said, accommodate me or lose me - some were given different days, others got better jobs!!

M't:19:29: And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Nice to be single and to be able to afford to make stands like that.

Sadly, the reality for most of us is that we cannot.