Which denomination....

[CelticRebel]

I would like to get some thoughts and opinions on something, but first some background on me: I have been looking for a church home for quite some time. I grew up Southern Baptist, but by choice and because of some things that happened to me personally, I left that faith by age 20. I briefly became an agnostic but then began to seriously investigate the claims of all the world's religions. I gradually made my way back to Christianity by way of Quakerism and considered myself a Quaker for years, although there was no Quaker church or meeting anywhere close to me. Then, at about age 30, something else happened that made me see that trying to live as an isolated Christian was folly. I then started visiting various churches. I had a very bad experience in a Charismatic church, and I knew that wasn't right for me. Over the next few years, I joined a Baptist church, a United Methodist church, and the Episcopal Church. I never felt at home in any of them. The SBC by that time had become too fundamentalist for me, although I agreed with them on ethical and moral issues, and the UMC and TEC were too liberal on those issues. Also, I have always had a wide variety of doctrinal views, so much so that I don't seem to fit in anywhere -- in any denomination, that is. I thought I would post a list of my views , and see what people here think about which denomination they would best fit into. I did this some years ago on a fundamentalist Baptist forum and got blasted -- not from everybody but from a lot of members there. Anyway, my choices for churches in my area are rather limited, as I live in a rural part of the southern USA. The denominations around here are: Various Pentecostal and Charismatic churches, the UMC, PCUSA, Southern Baptist and independent Baptist, Nazarene, TEC, SDA, RCC. There is a LCMS church about an hour away, also an AMiA (Anglican Mission) about the same distance, and a Free Will Baptist church about an hour in the opposite direction. So, those are my choices. I feel drawn to the Mennonites, but nearest church is over two hours. I would say the denominations I feel most compatible with are moderate Mennonites, Quakers, Anglicans, and Baptists. Seems like there are no moderates anymore but either far right or far left churches and individuals. Also, my views contain some evangelical and "catholic" elements. Here is my list; I wonder if there is any denomination that these fit into, or would even come close to. I seriously want a church home but feel like an outcast, like I really don't belong anywhere, as my views are too varied:


(1) Christus Victor/Recapitulation/Ransom atonement
(2) Infant dedication allowed
(3) Believer's baptism
(4) No "once saved, always saved"
(5) Prefer baptism by immersion, with exceptions
(illness, disability)
(6) No baptismal regeneration
(7) Liberty of conscience
(8) Church-state separation
(9) Religious liberty
(10) Priesthood of the believer
(11) Freedom of Bible interpretation
(12) Voluntary giving -- no denominational assessments
(13) Church owns its property
(14) Absolute equality of members, including
gender equality--any member, male or
female , may serve the church in any
capacity
(14) Prayers for the dead
(15) Candles in worship service
(16) Vestments acceptable (simplicity desired)
(17) Liturgy desirable/acceptable
(18) Open communion--any believer may
partake; water baptism not a
prerequisite
(19) Occasional readings from the Apocrypha
acceptable
(20) No clergy titles such as "Reverend"
(21) Bible, the final external authority, but
use God-given reason and experience in
interpretation of scripture
(22) The Light of Christ in every human being
(23) Jesus Christ, the criterion by which
scripture is interpreted under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit
(24) Lay-administered sacraments allowed

 

[Goodbook]

Long list!
I think you might be at home in an anglican church.
As far as i know baptists not into vestments and such.

 

[FreeinChrist]

Other than vestments, it looks like the list of a free will Baptist or a non-denominational church with Baptist beliefs.

You probably aren't going to find an absolutely perfect fit. But church should be on worshiping God with others and joining in the service of those in need.

 

[CelticRebel]

Other than vestments, it looks like the list of a free will Baptist or a non-denominational church with Baptist beliefs.

You probably aren't going to find an absolutely perfect fit. But church should be on worshiping God with others and joining in the service of those in need.

Thank you. Vestments would not be a priority with me.

Nearest Free Will Baptist church is an hour away. They are fundamentalist, and I am not. I'm not liberal, either.

 

[CelticRebel]

Long list!
I think you might be at home in an anglican church.
As far as i know baptists not into vestments and such.

Thanks! Vestments are not a top priority with me.

 

[JM]

Your list is inconsistent and contradictory. I would spend some time sorting it out.

 

[CelticRebel]

Your list is inconsistent and contradictory. I would spend some time sorting it out.

Please point out the inconsistencies and contradictions, as you see them.

 

[mikenold]

My advice is to find a local bible believing church. You should not be trying to find a church that matches what you think a church should be. You should be about finding out where God wants you to be. The bible tells us that the church is not some building, denomination or religion. Do you have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ? The bible tells us that the church is the body of believers in gospel of Jesus Christ. All saved or born again believers are the church. This body of believers will one day be the bride of Christ and will all be present at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Read your bible daily and pray for God's guidance in finding a church that follows what God has said. There are biblical churches out there.

 

[CelticRebel]

My advice is to find a local bible believing church. You should not be trying to find a church that matches what you think a church should be. You should be about finding out where God wants you to be. The bible tells us that the church is not some building, denomination or religion. Do you have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ? The bible tells us that the church is the body of believers in gospel of Jesus Christ. All saved or born again believers are the church. This body of believers will one day be the bride of Christ and will all be present at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Read your bible daily and pray for God's guidance in finding a church that follows what God has said. There are biblical churches out there.

Thank you for your response.

I have done all that you suggest.

 

[miamited]

Hi CR,

My encouragement is to simply find a fellowship which teaches and follows the truth. I'm not much of a stickler on 'which denomination' is correct. Personally, I believe that denominations are more the work of Satan to split and divide the church. There are some denominations that I believe might make it more difficult for one of their followers to find and know the truth and there are certainly, I believe, whole denominations that don't know the truth. My testimony is that among the major denominations, the baptist fellowships do seem to be more consistent from fellowship to fellowship in following what I believe is the truth. I have attended several different denominational fellowships and find that across the board statements of faithfulness regarding denominations can be careless. So, I wouldn't put much stock in looking for a denomination so much as looking for a local fellowship of believers that teach and practice the truth.

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted

 

[CelticRebel]

Hi CR,

My encouragement is to simply find a fellowship which teaches and follows the truth. I'm not much of a stickler on 'which denomination' is correct. Personally, I believe that denominations are more the work of Satan to split and divide the church. There are some denominations that I believe might make it more difficult for one of their followers to find and know the truth and there are certainly, I believe, whole denominations that don't know the truth. My testimony is that among the major denominations, the baptist fellowships do seem to be more consistent from fellowship to fellowship in following what I believe is the truth. I have attended several different denominational fellowships and find that across the board statements of faithfulness regarding denominations can be careless. So, I wouldn't put much stock in looking for a denomination so much as looking for a local fellowship of believers that teach and practice the truth.

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted

Thanks, Ted. The question is, of course, what is the truth?

 

[JM]

Please point out the inconsistencies and contradictions, as you see them.

No thank you.

 

[CelticRebel]

No thank you.

Very well. I'm wondering why you replied at all, though.

 

[JM]

To encourage you. If I point put the inconsistencies you may be offended, also, I rob you of the chance to work through them for yourself.

Yours in the Lord,

jm

 

[tall73]

Are there any American Baptist churches around? They might be a step less fundamentalist than Southern Baptists, but are often still pretty conservative. In many cases they also allow you to have convictions on various doctrines while still requiring some basics.

Soteriologically you appear to be closer to Methodism than many Baptist churches given the once saved always saved views.

(1) Christus Victor/Recapitulation/Ransom atonement [/quote]


So just to clarify, no substitutionary?

(14) Prayers for the dead

Can you elaborate on this point a bit?

(15) Candles in worship service
(16) Vestments acceptable (simplicity desired)

Are these in order of importance? I assume these two are negotiable?

 

[CelticRebel]

To encourage you. If I point put the inconsistencies you may be offended, also, I rob you of the chance to work through them for yourself.

Yours in the Lord,

jm

I wouldn't be offended. I welcome all thoughts and opinions and actively ask for them.

 

[Goodbook]

Thanks, Ted. The question is, of course, what is the truth?

Well, this is the question right here and I think the OP needs to read the Bible and get settled in his or her mind what the truth is.
You cant go looking for it in an established church if you dont even know what it is.

 

[Goodbook]

Can i ask why the OP left the southern baptists? Are the southern baptists any different from the northern baptists (or the western or eastern? )

Sometimes church in practice may be a bit strict, but, we should bear in mind that many baptist churches are emphasizing holy living its not that they dont want you to have any fun.

 

[CelticRebel]

Well, this is the question right here and I think the OP needs to read the Bible and get settled in his or her mind what the truth is.
You cant go looking for it in an established church if you dont even know what it is.

The only point I was trying to make is that the truth varies according to who is defining it. Why do you suppose there are so many different denominations?

 

[CelticRebel]

Can i ask why the OP left the southern baptists? Are the southern baptists any different from the northern baptists (or the western or eastern? )

Sometimes church in practice may be a bit strict, but, we should bear in mind that many baptist churches are emphasizing holy living its not that they dont want you to have any fun.

The so-called "conservative resurgence" (fundamentalist takeover) made it impossible for me to remain Southern Baptist. It was a major departure from historic Baptist principles. I am moderate in my beliefs, not fundamentalist or liberal. Plus, I don't believe in OSAS.