Which Church??? Choices I need help

[AzMom81]

So we have gone to two differnt churches over the last 2 months and I personally like them both for various reasons. I will put my reasonings here and I would LOVE feedback from anyone who has been in this situation or can give me advice.

Church # 1 - KFA - Assembly of God
Likes - I like the service it seems to be more informational and the pastors do a better job at giving truths from the bible and accurate facts
* The sunday school program teaches the same thing the adult service does in kid form
* There are lots of options for classes and personal growth through the church which I have not yet explored but it is there for us.
*offers services sat nite and sun. am

** My kids will go to the school that is part of the KFA campus but the school is non-denominational and it doesn't matter if we attend their church or not.

Dislikes-
* it is a very large church 2000 + so I feel like just another face right now
* I am not sure that an AG church is for me and that I understand completly what they are about (i'm new to religion)
* it is about 20 minutes from my home


North Point- Non-Denominational
Likes-
*small church with very nice pastor and wife who have reached out to make me and my boys feel very welcome
* close to home
* They give out handouts to help encourage the kids to learn more over the week when were not in church.

Dislikes-
* Even though the pastor is very nice I feel sometimes he is not correct in teachings and it's more personal opinion he is preaching
* Kids learn something different (theme every month - grattitude for Dec. )
* They don't have as many classes and educational opportunities for adults more small life groups than anything
* only 2 sun. am services

** My oldest (5) goes to awana's here wed. nite which doesn't matter which church he attends regularily

I honestly am stuck between a rock and a hard place I need advice!!!!
Thank you all~~

Blessings~ Heather

 

[jannikitty]

Of course, you need to be praying for guidance and trusting that the Lord will show you the way.

Remember Jeremiah 29:11 and Proverbs 3:5-6.

"For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."

"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

I was glad to see you list your pro's and con's. I do that whenever we are faced with a major choice.

How long have you attended each of the two churches? I would suggest six weeks in attendance before committing to either of them. By then you should have a clarity and a peace about where to make your church home.
From what you have written AofG sounds like the better choice. It may be large but sounds like there would be quality preaching and you can be assured the staff is accountable to the authority which is over them. In other words..it isn't a one man operation as far as authority goes. It is delegated to more than one usually in AofG. although the buck passes to the senior or lead pastor.

As for knowing AofG doctrine just google their headquarters or even a website of your church where that is usually listed under "What we believe." and the info there should help. Likely you can pick up information on this at the church as well.

We are not in AofG ourselves although I have had friends in AofG and worked with many from their churches in interdenominational groups before. We often attend their concerts and other functions since a large AofG church is near us. Great church and lovely people. They also have a large Christian school which I would consider if I had school age children still at home.

We are also in a large denominational church (3000) with various services some in other than the main campus locations. Each service forms a kind of smaller church community. There are small groups, bible studies, and other activities in which one can get to know and serve with others.

However, the smaller church choice shouldn't be ruled out too quickly. Smaller churches can be cozier and surely easier to get to know people each Sunday. But it concerns me that you think the pastor made incorrect statements. If what he says does not line up with biblical truth you may be getting a sort of red flag about whether to consider attending that church on a regular basis. It could simply be that he sees something from a different viewpoint from what you are used to hearing.

peace and prayers for your choice. May God bless you and shower HIs favors upon you during this wonderful season.

Janni

 

[heymikey80]

One of the reasons small churches struggle is because of the smaller range of items they provide. Check into personal connections that can be made and are often simply better than organized and less personal meetings.

Personal opinions from the pulpit can indicate one of two things: either a warmer, more personal setting where a pastor feels free to work through his opinions from the pulpit, or a more influential setting where the pastor feels the need to address restrictive ideas from the pulpit. Gotta find out which, because the latter issue would compromise the advantages of a small church, while the former would to your advantage reveal the pastor as human, with emotions and strong ideas, also comfortable with the strong ideas of other people.

I can tell you, I've been to small churches of both stripes. The warm, small church is quite a place of growth for faith.

Large churches allow you to move around, to teachers and people where you feel comfortable. But it's harder to be challenged in a large church unless it also has small groups that offer personal interchange.

 

[parsley]

What I would do -- go to the church that serves the kids best on Sunday morning, and then go to the other for a mid-week meeting. There is no rule that you can't do both, other than a few scowls that go away.

When you have been in a small church too long, the feeling of coziness can turn into a feeling of people owning your life; when you've invested yourself in large church activities, you get to know people. So things will change.

I have looked into curriculum from various denominations, and know some AOG leaders who are excited about the combined curriculum. Personally I prefer teachers have a little more creative freedom, but they are probably free to take some liberties.

That AOG curriculum probably has take-homes, if the church purchased the whole package, but they might not have enough for the large population. You could just ask the SS director if things could be printed out, and they might consider that in their budget. They might even be able to put out a pile first-come-first served. You have a right to ask for handouts, because the whole idea behind one lesson for everyone is designed so families can talk about the same topics together, throughout the week.

I have been very pleased with AOG doctrine. There are a few areas where they seem overly-cautious, but I think that's from experience. I really like the denominational structure, as I've found in non-denoms a tendency toward what you've seen in teachings. I believe strongly that non-denoms should exist and thrive. But they need to watch their tendency to operate with monarchical structure. It can be very exciting to be part of a small group that has flexibility to grow and shift.

 

[Harry3142]

I would choose the AG church, even though it's farther from your home. I've had experience in both small and large churches and I've found that large churches tend to weather the storms of life that inevitably come better than small churches do. Also, paradoxically, the larger membership encourages the individual members to take a more personal attitude toward others.

Also, the fact that the minister of the AG teaches Scripture consistently is to his favor, and especially since he has seen to it that children also learn Scripture in langauge that they can understand. There will be times when the choice in life will be between what is popular and what is scriptural. If the members of a church are firmly grounded in how to live their lives according to the teachings of Scripture, that makes it that much easier to reject what may be the popular opinion at the time, but is not 'in synch' with how we Christians are to conduct our lives.

Youe children will have temptations facing them as they get older; that is a given. If they have been educated in the proper behavior that we as Christians are to have, then they will recognize those temptations for what they are, rather than for what the temptors would disguise them as. But they need to be educated now, so that their defenses will be ready for whatever comes. Their scriptural education might not be understood by them at the age they are now, but, like a vaccination, it will be there waiting to fight off whatever temptations they encounter years from now.

 

[AzMom81]

Well the only thing that turn me away from the AoG church is the Speaking in Tongues. I am not ready for something like this nor is my family. I have to take the membership class in January so I am going to discuss this with them. That honestly is the only turn off for me with that church. With the smaller church I love the amount of outreach that they do in the community and the small feeling. But I am going to give it some time, pray on it and I know overall God will guide me to what is right for me and my family.

Thank you for all your opinions and workds of wisdom.

Blessings ~ Heather

 

[parsley]

I have to take the membership class in January so I am going to discuss this with them.

Did you intend to say you "have to," or was membership class just something you chose to do? You should never be pressured to join a church you haven't even decided on yet.

As with tongues. I can understand the concern when bringing up kids; I found the emphasis on spiritual gifts enriched them, but also the strong dogma later drove them off. As they grow and watch you make church decisions, they learn how to make decisions for themselves. Neither choice will be a total loss -- positive and negative will come from both, and you will grow in different ways.

 

[AzMom81]

No I am not being made to take this class.... Sorry it seemed that way but no I am taking this to find out more what this church is about and I am taking one at the small church on Jan. 8th as well. I feel that will help make my decision and guide me as well.

 

[salida]

Pray and choose the one that helps you spiritually grow the most.

 

[AzMom81]

Well my husband came with us to the AoG church last week and we are going to the small church sunday I really think that the small church is where my heart is I have been praying on it. I do think we will end up being involved with both though since our boys will go to the christian life school that is attached to the AoG church (same building). Overall I feeel that the small non-denomination church will be our spiritual home but still I am giving it a little more time!

Heather

 

[PROPHECYKID]

This version of speaking in tongues is not biblical. Before choosing a church it helps to do some deep study for yourself on doctrines, listen to different views and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. You can find an issue with maybe every church, but what the church teaches is really important, in preparation for the devil's final deception.

 

[parsley]

I do think we will end up being involved with both though since our boys will go to the christian life school that is attached to the AoG church (same building). Overall I feeel that the small non-denomination church will be our spiritual home but still I am giving it a little more time!

I was just talking with a mother this morning about how much she appreciated her child's teacher in a Christian (Charismatic) elementary school. The things you can build while they're young... valuable experiences that just can't be replaced.

I feel that will help make my decision and guide me as well.

Oh right, sorry.

 

[Aibrean]

Just saying, non-denominational have no real "set" doctrine other than salvation through Jesus so yes, the pastor is usually just opinion-based because of that. If that is a problem, then you should attend the church that fits with your beliefs.

 

[parsley]

TONGUES

A person can be cautious about the expression of spiritual gifts and authority, and make personal choices about their own activity -- but these are still found in scripture.

Jesus' Great Commission included new (future tense) tongues -- not just translation of existing ones.

Mark 16:17 "These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues...

Greek (5692) glwssaiv lalhsousin (5692) kainaiv

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

In my experience with non-denominational fellowships, most started out of a reaction to a negative situation, just as denominations have over the centuries. People tend to carry with them the doctrine of their past, with a few tweaks.

By definition, they may appear more free... but the members and leaders tend to be firm in what they believe.

The nondenoms I have seen were more focused on doctrine than the denominational churches I've attended (some of which were quite loose, and even told people they didn't need to follow the denom).

The reason -- caution from past experience, devotion to carry out specific accomplishments (kids' school, soup kitchen, overseas missions), determination to not make the same mistakes, a sense of higher purpose, willingness to take on risk for a cause.

That sort of motivation can put a passion and intrigue into a church, and the goal-driven focus can be energizing. It is important to see that for what it is, and not mistake synergy for spirituality. Synergy is positive and part of the Body principles... but can get addictive. I happen to like that small-church intensity, but have to watch myself.

The accountability in a denominational church can't be beat -- a minister who strays from doctrine or causes offense can be confronted by elders and denominational boards, voted down by members, and moved on to a better fit.

Denominations also encourage full transparency -- full -- of budget records. In some, the elders make the financial decisions of the church, with member input, instead of the pastors. That prevents inflated ideas for building expenses, exorbitant salaries, pastors buddying up or snubbing based on affluence, and an overall sense of dominance.

In the Presbyterian church, a pastor is not even a voting member of the church.

It's a matter of weighing what's important to you. There will be pros and cons anywhere, but most of us go with that gut instinct of knowing it's the right place to be for the time -- especially when a church will encourage our kids to stay and grow in the faith.

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