Choosing a Denomination

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Todd7181

Guest
#1
#1
I grew up going to Sunday school (Baptist then Methodist) but then as a teenager I majorly rebelled against going to church and finally my mom stopped taking me. Now, in my 30s, I believe I'm undergoing a spiritual rebirth that has gradually yet profoundly been changing me for the past 1-2 years, which started when I opened the Bible and began reading.

I'm trying to decide what denomination to devote myself to. I have studied them fairly intensively over the past two years but just can't settle on one. I seem to come back to Episcopal/Lutheran/Methodist, but none seem to be a "perfect" fit, and I like aspects of most denominations ranging from Eastern Orthodox to Southern Baptist to the silent worship of the Quakers.

If I had to state a few things I always come back to it is: a) the practice of humility in worship, b) liturgy is nice as I feel it relates to humility, but I am not interested in Catholicism, c) some of the things I see churchgoers doing makes me wonder if they ever read Matthew 6:5-6 on refraining from prayer as a way to gain attention from others.

Thanks for your guidance.
 
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Kaycie

Guest
#2
#2
The problem with denominations is that they are dominated (by man). God says they worship Him in vain because their doctrine is merely human rules. You need to make sure you match the bible. We cannot choose how we want to worship, but God chooses how He wants to be worshiped. The whole point is to please Him, so we should do it His way. I go to the Church of Christ because the bible is their only doctrine, and only Christ is the head (authority) of all the congregations of His church.
 
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Todd7181

Guest
#3
#3
Thank you Kaycie! That was helpful.
 
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Kaycie

Guest
#4
#4
Todd7181 said:
Thank you Kaycie! That was helpful.
Click to expand...
You are welcome. There's a book out called Muscle and a Shovel if you like to read. It is about one couple's struggle to find the right church. You might identify with some of the questions they had.
 
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Todd7181

Guest
#5
#5
I will look it up, thanks :)
 
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Siberian_Khatru

Guest
#6
#6
Go with whatever resonates with you - you may need to attend a variety of congregations to find a fit (they all seem to affirm that they teach sound doctrine). Even non-denominational churches are, in a roundabout way, a denomination anymore.
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#8
Nov 24, 2012
30,706
3,650
113
#8
As you seek the Lord in His Word, I'm sure He will guide you in the fellowship He would have you in.
I have been to oodles of denominational and non denominational Churches, but His Word should be first.
You seem to gravitate to High Church, I would suggest trying the REC, they have a balance of high liturgy and teaching.
 
hornetguy

hornetguy

Senior Member
#9
Jan 18, 2016
6,639
1,392
113
#9
I tend to agree with Kaycie.... but I think my first recommendation is to find a Bible teaching, Bible believing church. Charismatic preachers are great, but the preacher shouldn't "make" the church. What kind of fellowship do the believers have? Are they welcoming? Is it obvious that they love each other and are interested in welcoming new folks into their fellowship? How attentive is the leadership of that church? The elders/shepherds.. deacons, ministers.... do they see themselves as dictators, or as true loving shepherds? A lot of finding a church home is based on those things... I believe that the Church of Christ is one of the more "Bible believing/teaching" denominations.... their "motto" if you will, is to speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where the Bible is silent. While that's a good approach, there are some that fall short of that goal... whichever one you choose, always remember the Word is the final authority... if a church is teaching things or doing things that are not in the Word, you're in the wrong place... your job is to be a Berean.... :)
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#10
Jul 3, 2015
55,826
26,002
113
#10
I'd suggest looking for Christ instead of a denomination :)
 
Angela53510

Angela53510

Senior Member
#12
Jan 24, 2011
11,780
2,943
113
#12
Be careful about the Church of Christ. They can be very cultic, including thinking they are the only church that is saved, and they are saved by the church, not by faith in Jesus Christ.

I am Baptist, but if you like liturgy I agree that Episcopal might be your first stop. We have an interim pastor and he keeps using liturgy. At first it was different, but after a few months, I just want to get back to our free form type of worship, ie Baptist liturgy!
 
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wwjd_kilden

Guest
#13
#13
As others have said: Seek Jesus and make sure they teach what they bible teaches

You will never find a "perfect" church until we are united with God
 
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Depleted

Guest
#14
#14
Todd7181 said:
I grew up going to Sunday school (Baptist then Methodist) but then as a teenager I majorly rebelled against going to church and finally my mom stopped taking me. Now, in my 30s, I believe I'm undergoing a spiritual rebirth that has gradually yet profoundly been changing me for the past 1-2 years, which started when I opened the Bible and began reading.

I'm trying to decide what denomination to devote myself to. I have studied them fairly intensively over the past two years but just can't settle on one. I seem to come back to Episcopal/Lutheran/Methodist, but none seem to be a "perfect" fit, and I like aspects of most denominations ranging from Eastern Orthodox to Southern Baptist to the silent worship of the Quakers.

If I had to state a few things I always come back to it is: a) the practice of humility in worship, b) liturgy is nice as I feel it relates to humility, but I am not interested in Catholicism, c) some of the things I see churchgoers doing makes me wonder if they ever read Matthew 6:5-6 on refraining from prayer as a way to gain attention from others.

Thanks for your guidance.
Click to expand...
I went with one that actually teaches the Bible as a sermon verse by verse, beginning to end, and then back to beginning again. (It takes a long time to go through the Bible that way. lol) I want the whole Word of God, not just a couple aspects of it.
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#15
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#15
Todd7181 said:
I grew up going to Sunday school (Baptist then Methodist) but then as a teenager I majorly rebelled against going to church and finally my mom stopped taking me. Now, in my 30s, I believe I'm undergoing a spiritual rebirth that has gradually yet profoundly been changing me for the past 1-2 years, which started when I opened the Bible and began reading.

I'm trying to decide what denomination to devote myself to. I have studied them fairly intensively over the past two years but just can't settle on one. I seem to come back to Episcopal/Lutheran/Methodist, but none seem to be a "perfect" fit, and I like aspects of most denominations ranging from Eastern Orthodox to Southern Baptist to the silent worship of the Quakers.

If I had to state a few things I always come back to it is: a) the practice of humility in worship, b) liturgy is nice as I feel it relates to humility, but I am not interested in Catholicism, c) some of the things I see churchgoers doing makes me wonder if they ever read Matthew 6:5-6 on refraining from prayer as a way to gain attention from others.

Thanks for your guidance.
Click to expand...
Well, I think I can confidently tell you that you would not like my denomination. So, no suggestions here.
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#16
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#16
Angela53510 said:
Be careful about the Church of Christ. They can be very cultic, including thinking they are the only church that is saved, and they are saved by the church, not by faith in Jesus Christ.

I am Baptist, but if you like liturgy I agree that Episcopal might be your first stop. We have an interim pastor and he keeps using liturgy. At first it was different, but after a few months, I just want to get back to our free form type of worship, ie Baptist liturgy!
Click to expand...
I would have to agree about the CoC. My wife grew up in that "denomination" (and, "Yes", it IS a denomination), and I spent 12 years there. It is probably one of the best places to learn the Bible, but you won't likely meet Jesus there.
 
Grace777x70

Grace777x70

Banned
#17
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
1,430
0
#17
I believe there are people everywhere wanting to know Jesus but sometimes the below scripture is definitely applicable ..

John 5:39-40 (NASB)
[SUP]39 [/SUP] "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;

[SUP]40 [/SUP] and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.




Willie-T said:
I would have to agree about the CoC. My wife grew up in that "denomination" (and, "Yes", it IS a denomination), and I spend 12 years there. It is probably one of the best places to learn the Bible, but you won't likely meet Jesus there.
Click to expand...
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#18
Nov 24, 2012
30,706
3,650
113
#18
The myth about non denomination or so called 'Jesus only' is simply idealistic in terms of a congregation, it only works on an individual level.
Wherever there is a congregation even in a so called non denominational, there is always a strong man who will sway the group to his version of interpretation and/or worship and thus you have another denomination.
Point is, go to either that is closest to the Word, for both in practice will be a denomination.
 
Yet

Yet

Banned
#19
Jan 4, 2014
3,756
69
0
#19
Find a home fellowship. If none, pray you'll bump into another believer that takes the NT seriously.
Dont get hung up on law, church laws, and traditions of men that bind. Be free. Be blessed. See sites below to steer away from falsehhood. God bless.
 
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3Scoreand10

Guest
#20
#20
I will began by saying I am a Landmark Baptist.
There are many congregations that wear the name Baptist. Each has its very distinct character, because each is independent.
There are many that wear the name Baptist that I can not fellowship with because of what they teach or practice.
The point I want to make is that in most cases the name out front can be very misleading.
Many who say they are non denominational are let by a pastor whose teaching and practice is very close to one or several main line denominations. I know of a Southern Baptist church that removed all reference to Baptist in their name, literature, and speech but did not change any of their teaching or practice. They did this because they thought it was a hinderance to their growth in numbers. It worked. Their attendence doubled within one year.
Here is what really matters.
Do they teach salvation by Faith only? That baptism and works has nothing to do with salvation.
Do they teach eternal security of the believer?
Do they teach that the life of the believer is to glorify God in everything he does?
Do they teach that a believer should strive to live a sinless life and when he fails ( and he will fail from time to time) that he should repent and ask God's forgiveness?
Do they teach that the Word of God is infalible?
Do they teach that Jesus died for the sins of ALL men?
Do they teach that salvation is offered to all men and that all men choose to be saved or reject salvation?
Do they teach that Jesus will return for the saved and we will be with Him forever?
Do they teach the Word in a way that you are encourged to live for the one who saved you and have the desire and knowledge to tell others of the Jesus who saved you?
When you find a local church that teaches these bible truths, give them an opportunity.
 
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