Tuesday, 02 December 2008
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QOTD: Church and Denominations?
Guest post submitted by Kristenmomof3
What type of church (denomination) do you go to? What made you decide to go there? Were you raised up going there or in that denomination? What are your favorite things about where you go? Would you suggest that denomination to others? Why or why not?
If you don't go anywhere feel free to say that too and why.
Thank you!
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Comments (132)
I'm Baptist. I have gone to other denominiations, but I agree with the Baptist doctrine. From what I have studied, it's the closest to being right on with Scripture.
But that's just in my studies.
@Papillon_Mom@xanga - what type of baptist?
Southern Baptist
Independent Fundamentalist Baptist
American something or other baptist
There are probably more branches of the baptist tree but I can't think right now.
@Kristenmomof3@xanga - Good ol' fashioned Southern Baptist. Haha!! What about you? I don't think I've ever asked you.
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To my knowledge, it is the only Church that has the same organization and practices as the ancient Church.
I was born and raised Catholic, in the ancient tradition as received from Christ by the apostles and passed on through their successors to today. As far as I have been able to determine, my family has been Catholic since at least the 1630s and probably further back than that. It is so wonderful to read writings from the early Church (Cyprian, the Didache, Polycarp, etc.) and realize, "Hey, we still pray that prayer, celebrate that, etc.!" In fact one of the Eucharistic prayers we often use in celebrating the Mass is known to have been in use since around the year 200. I love the tradition, the history, and the beauty of the Church.
I was raised Catholic, went to Catholic school and such, and I never really knew anything about God. I knew God loved me and I had fear of God but thats it. Until one day my cousin who became a pastor told me his testimony and I was in! I had not realized that Jesus had died on the Cross for MY sins. I started going to a Non-denominational church, called Calvary Chapel down here and then I went to another Non-denominational church because I moved, and this is where i call home. Its called Christ Fellowship.
I only have 1 denomination and that is the Bible.
@Papillon_Mom@xanga - I don't know what I am...lol
Right now we are on a church hunt (It's kinda depressing)
We have a church that we LOVE so much. We love the Calvary Chapel that we had been attending for quite awhile. But we have to admit the drive is too long. We have been driving an hour to church. Because of that it is almost impossible for us to go to any stuff other then Sunday Morning. And it is really hard to make friends because no one wants to drive an hour to come visit us.
I was raised in a good old Pa Dutch home by my grandparents. Much of my relatives are Mennonite or Charity (both are branches of the Conservative Anabaptist tree just like Amish)
My husband was raised Lutheran in the beginning and then Presbyterian.
we would probably fit in fine at a good southern baptist church
there are two close to us. The only problem with them it
the one has a pedophile leading it (they claim he is reformed but I aint trusting my kids on that)
the other is SLAVIC and I only speak English, Pennsylvania Dutch and German.
SO we are searching for a church :(
I have emailed some pastors asking questions. So far the United Methodist church seems to be really nice....but the pastor hasn't sent me their core beliefs yet. Supposed to get them today sometime.
I Hate this church hunting......
I wish the church we love was not an hour away.
Do you know any good churches up here LOL
@yet_still_learning@xanga - do you go to a church?
@Kristenmomof3@xanga - We're church hunting too. It's hard finding a good church these days. So hard.
I go to a non-denominational church. I use to go to a Baptist church for a looong time. My good friends started me going to my new church (not new, been going there for 6 years) I like it mainly for the fact that until I went there I didnt know the 'joy' in Christ...just the rules. Not as much 'stuff ' involved in our church...we try to model a 'Book of Acts church' We live by the Bible and its rules..not man-made rules and then call it God rules. We are not perfect by any means..we have our faults..we try to not be consumer Christians but long to be the person we were intended to be -- the person God created us to be......I think thats how we all should try to be--the person God created us to be. We live by Gods standards---or we try to anyway---sometimes we screw it all up, but we get back up and continue on until we get it right. I have come to 'know' Christ and Im not for sure if having stayed at my first church if I would have come this far. All churches have their problems---as long as us humans are involved there will always be issues---but I love my church, the teachings, the people there, and the music can not be beat! Love it! So many people think church is boring and to long.....well, I would say to that---Find a different church. Church should not be boring and chruch should not put you to sleep........Do you think Jesus is boring?? Will Heaven put you to sleep?? If the church experience itself were to give you a taste of Heaven, a slice of joy that can only come from a personal and life-changing relationship with Christ........think how many more would join us in Heaven! Im pretty sure Jesus himself might do a little snoring in some of these church services! Church should be an experience in worship, coming to know the REAL Jesus, not just an obligation. Church should bring you closer in your knowledge of Christ, the worship should usher you into the presence of God..........no----the music should not put you to sleep---but WAKE YOU UP!! If your church bores you or you feel like 'somethin' is missing.....dont stop there! Ask the Lord to lead you to the church that will put some joy in your life.....a place that will be full of friends who are on the same journey.....friends to pick you up and help you through life...a church that teaches the Word of God and how to apply it to your life. Your church and chruch family should fill those needs..if it doesnt -- shake the dust off your feet and get moving on down the road!
I guess if someone were to ask what 'denomination' I am...I guess the closest thing to an answer would be...Im a born-again, Bible beleiving, Spirit filled, Jesus freak! And proud of it!!
United Methodist
and now, as an adult..i have chosen to attend a non denominational church. being raised in a Methodist Church..and then going over into a non denominational setting..was a HUGE change for me...but, it's one im more than happy to welcome!
Assembly of God. Whether or not I recommend it depends on the particular churches available in an area. Churches in the same denomination can vary widely. I agree with Assembly doctrine. I am Pentecostal, and I believe in missions very strongly. I'm not necessarily tied to one denomination; if a church preaches the Bible and the Holy Spirit is at work there, I say more power to them.
@Kristenmomof3@xanga - That's hard. I know God has the right church for you, even if it's hard to find
I wish it was easier for you.
Southern Baptist raised, but I term myself of the "Christian" denomination, :)
@Kristenmomof3@xanga - Just caught this....
"the one has a pedophile leading it (they claim he is reformed but I aint trusting my kids on that)"...
You know, I always have a hard time with that one, like when the congregation said that the BTK killer, when he was caught, could still remain a member of the congregation. What kills me is I can't form a concrete opinion. I am pulled by the fact that we are to forgive and love, even those that do such things, but on the other hand, I, like you, am not sure I could feel comfortable attending a church where it was a fact the preacher had a history of pedophilism, especially proven. Just really throws me off and I can't come to a common ground on the right of it all, :)
@Kristenmomof3@xanga - No funny intended here, but if I could bring myself to attend in such a situation, seems like it would make the preacher uncomfortable seeing me with my daughter basically glued to my arm. Again, an opinion, at least a concrete one simply won't form here, lol.
I believe that the Bible is the word of God. Those who do so and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit are members of my church.
Presbyterian (PCA), but I grew up Baptist and Wesleyan. All of them are incredibly different! But I like my church because it's about grace, grace, grace! And how we shouldn't get so upset that we sin, because what do sinners do? Sin! The people there are vulnerable with their weaknesses, which I appreciate, and their doctrine of Calvinism, predestination, infant baptism, etc., is becoming more and more convincing to me. My pastor also teaches the Word and isn't afraid of any topic, which I deeply appreciate.
so I was raised Charismatic (Non-Denominational/Pentecostal based), but now I would consider myself a Reformed Charismatic (oxymoron I know, but I have alot of Calvinist beliefs)-the church I go to however is non-denominational. The favorite thing about my church is the solid teaching I get...yeah its a pretty big church but the teaching keeps me coming back every Sunday
@Kristenmomof3@xanga - I do go to church. I go to different ones in the past. Yet, I find denominations so silly. Why is it that we all read from the same source yet we all interpret it differently. Why so much division amongst the Christian family. So in the end, I just attend to non-denominational church.
My fellowship is titled as Baptist but its characters really don't fall into the typical Baptists.. i don't say I'm baptist just because i'm not a fan of such characterization.
I think denominations/sects/religion itself is all bullstuff. There is only one truth, and it doesn't require being coined as this or that. Christenstein offers a nice answer.
@yet_still_learning@xanga - I actually found the basis for individuality or denominations in the Old Testament:
Numbers 7:11 And the LORD said unto Moses, They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar.
Different people need different things but I actually read what churches believe and their statement of faith and if a Church doesn't want to take God more seriously than me then it can actually be detrimental and people should leave those churches. We all have individuality and to say that we're all the same is a mistatement because if we were all examined, we all don't believe the same thing. So to say that God doesn't give the same rewards (wood, hay, stubble, silver, precious stones, gold, i.e. 1 Cor. 3:12) or that God doesn't distinguish between small and great (Rev. 20:12) or the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:33) means that we are just the same and we shouldn't have distinctions like the arm or the hand (1 Cor. 12:15).
I attend a Baptist church.
I grew up going to baptist, then we started going to non-denom. I like like the Baptist church, though, and don't consider it a bunch of rules. My convictions don't necessarily come from what the church says are right and wrong, but, more what I believe the Bible says straight out is right and wrong, and some personal areas of conviction that I do not necessarily believe are wrong, but, I stay clear of.
I too am in the process of church hunting, and hate it!
As much as I don't like being grouped with a deonmination either, I do not think they are necessarily bad. It is importatnt to fellowship with those who have similar convictions and beliefs than you. If one doesn't believe gambling is worng, how likely would they listen to sermon against it? Sure, in the end, we are all christians, and we should treat and respect one another (and non christians) as such, but, when it comes to fellowship, is it bad to have more intimate fellowship of diggin in the Bible with those who have similar beliefs.... ?
The Church I go to now is Church of England, but so spirit filled, everyone there is on fire for God.
I'm a Pentecostal (the only on in my Church) and I love my Pentecostal roots and love to see Christians excited by the Holy Spirit, and the doctrine is incredibly sound.
As far as the denominational debate goes, I think as long as spirit is present at a Church and as long as they are preaching good doctrine then the denomination can't matter too much ^_^