Great Denominations

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thefightinglamb

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#1
#1
I don't know where to go to church anymore...I was brought up Lutheran...turned to the Lord in a southern baptist church/non-denominational...and have attended both Pentecostal and Roman Catholic services...

So do you go to church? What makes your denomination GREAT! or true?
What are the problems or inconsistences in your church?

What was your journey to arrive at your church?
How much of a churches 'dogma' (they normally call it requirements or whatever) should you believe or agree on to become a member?

Can single churches (congregations apart from any oversight) survive without an overseer (like Paul) making sure the church doesn't go astray and become vain, detached from the true body?

God bless
tony
 
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NazariteNation

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#2
#2
My advice to you my brother is to seek the Lord and ask Him to show you where he wants you. Often times where He wants you is where you are needed most...
 
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lil-rush

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#3
#3
I would suggest you don't go to a church based on what denomination it is, but based on the spiritual well-being of that Church.

Let's say for arguments sake that Presbyterians are the most accurate and correct denomination out there (I'm not a Presby, have never been to a Presby church or have any close friends who are Presby. I chose this denomination for my example so no one can say I am biased). So because this denomination is so accurate you decide to go only to Presbyterian churches. The Presbyterian church you are attending, however, has a pastor that looks at internet porn every day in his office, the assistant pastor is getting a divorce with his wife because they "no longer love each other." The church is obsessed with spending all the congregation's money on beautifying the church and not on spreading the word of God and helping the community, the sermons are stale every week and do not help you to grow spiritually. But, it is a Presbyterian church so you go anyways.

You see, that would be ridiculous to go to that church just because Presbyterians supposedly offer the most accurate beliefs about God. Getting caught up in denominations is what makes Christianity so unaffective in today's society. My beliefs match those of a non-denom the best, although I do have some slightly Messianic beliefs. You don't see me searching out a Messianic or non-denom church because of it though. The southern baptist church I go to is good enough. It is centered on God, the pastor offers sermons that help me to grow in God, and that is what should matter. Not which denomination is best or anything of the sort.
 
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NazariteNation

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#4
#4
I know this is going to blow some people's minds however, I would check out the Methodists. If the faith still follows after the convictions of it's founder John Wesley, then it should be worth a try...
 
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1still_waters

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#5
#5
Yes many churches survive without any denominational accountability. I guess you just need to find a church that has accountability for leaders and isn't run by one person.

I've always been leery of independent churches with no one on the outside keeping tabs, but that doesn't mean an independent church can't work. You just have to be very careful, or else it can become very centered around 'the leader'.

While you're looking, you might want to reexamine your interpretation of church and Christian fellowship.

God is starting to move people away from denominational type churches and in to more close knit house type churches where there is real fellowship, communion of the saints and worship, along with true exploration and study of the word.

But above all, just pray and seek what God wants for you.
 
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Slepsog4

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#6
#6
There is no structure in the scriptures above the local church. They fellowshipped and cooperated with one another but only the apostles had universal authority under Christ.

The local church is to be under a proper eldership. It is to be autonomous. This autonomy actually protects the local body from being swept up into a systemic heresy that might infect a denominational hierarchy. There is no room for polling or voting on church doctrine. One either is faithful to the word or he isn't. This goes for congregations as well.
 
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thefightinglamb

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#7
#7
I don't really believe in denominations so the title of this thread is kind of deceitful...it is more just me not knowing where to physically attend church currently, being baffled by all the 'great' denominations that people suppose there are...and also by the fact that some churches believe they all get at the same thing just in different ways--which I disagree with...There is One church, One baptism, one truth, one spirit, and One lord of all Jesus Christ...

But physical churches baffle me...because sometimes I believe that they are becoming the body of Christ in a way, and other times that they tend to just become earthly instituitions of man that go astray of the truth...

So Great denomination should have a question mark after it and quotes around great: "Great" Denominations?
That is more what I meant...I have been to many methodist churches; many tend to be traditional and kind of spiritually stale: not trying to be 'judgmental' just saying what I have seen...

tony
 
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1still_waters

Guest
#8
#8
thefightinglamb said:
I don't really believe in denominations so the title of this thread is kind of deceitful...it is more just me not knowing where to physically attend church currently, being baffled by all the 'great' denominations that people suppose there are...and also by the fact that some churches believe they all get at the same thing just in different ways--which I disagree with...There is One church, One baptism, one truth, one spirit, and One lord of all Jesus Christ...

But physical churches baffle me...because sometimes I believe that they are becoming the body of Christ in a way, and other times that they tend to just become earthly instituitions of man that go astray of the truth...

So Great denomination should have a question mark after it and quotes around great: "Great" Denominations?
That is more what I meant...I have been to many methodist churches; many tend to be traditional and kind of spiritually stale: not trying to be 'judgmental' just saying what I have seen...

tony
Click to expand...
Well you might have to stomach a denominational church for this..but try and find a church with a good small groups program........Just get involved in those. Usually you can avoid all the denom stuff and get some good Christian community that way.
 
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NazariteNation

Guest
#9
#9
thefightinglamb said:
I don't really believe in denominations so the title of this thread is kind of deceitful...it is more just me not knowing where to physically attend church currently, being baffled by all the 'great' denominations that people suppose there are...and also by the fact that some churches believe they all get at the same thing just in different ways--which I disagree with...There is One church, One baptism, one truth, one spirit, and One lord of all Jesus Christ...

But physical churches baffle me...because sometimes I believe that they are becoming the body of Christ in a way, and other times that they tend to just become earthly instituitions of man that go astray of the truth...

So Great denomination should have a question mark after it and quotes around great: "Great" Denominations?
That is more what I meant...I have been to many methodist churches; many tend to be traditional and kind of spiritually stale: not trying to be 'judgmental' just saying what I have seen...

tony
Click to expand...
That's why I personally am Wesleyan Holiness (Full Gospel / Spirit-Filled Methodist) however, my sugestion was for those who may feel uncomfortable around the application of the Spiritual Gifts yet might be tired of the hypocritical, sin soaked doctrine some of the other large denoms seem to hold on to...
 
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NazariteNation

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#10
#10
1still_waters said:
Well you might have to stomach a denominational church for this..but try and find a church with a good small groups program........Just get involved in those. Usually you can avoid all the denom stuff and get some good Christian community that way.
Click to expand...
Good suggestion Still. I personally feel that as our government becomes even more liberal and finds itself deeper in debt that eventually they will come knocking on the church's door looking to score an easy payday by revoking the church's current non-profit / tax exempt status. I also feel that as various "fairness" legislation is passed the church will be confront with numerous challenges and lawsuits down the road. I don't think one needs to be a prophet to see that the age of large organized churches could quickly be drawing to a close.

However, when you look at it from a biblical perspective, this is not a bad thing at all. In fact, with the downward spiral of our economy combined with such actions from a hostile government / legal system, our situation will most likely result in the church looking and acting more like it's first century predecessor found in the book of Acts.

Now there's something to get excited about!
 
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Thaddaeus

Banned
#11
Jan 31, 2009
2,225
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I have seen alot of suggestions to you on this matter but yew scriptures, My Chruch is a Christian Church. I asked someone the other day what denomination, they were, and I loved their respond they said they were saved.( lol ) Denominations are only a reflexation of man's pride their demon-ination ( i didn't misspell this) only causes confusion to a new believer such as you and God is not the author of confusion. It is man's pride saying we are closer lined up with the Word of God than anyone else. if You study your bible

1. you can't find denominations in the Bible actually just the oppisite. John the baptist wasn't baptist he was a Baptizer 1co 1:10Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
you can't even find this within a certain denomination, Brethren ( Christians) that ye all speak the same thing, no divisions among you
2. send a new born Christian to five different denominations you don't get a mature christian , you get one messed up christian, and one wonders why the churches are in the shape we are in.
3. there is no denomination better or closer lined up to scriptures than any other, they all misunderstand the scriptures in some areas.

so Here is my suggestion set down read the Bible( i suggest the KJB) see for yourself what God has said. based on Your understanding of scriptures ( Proverbs Chapter 2 ), then seek The Holy Ghost which is to guide us in all things, and find a Chruch that lines up with the way u see it.
but right keep in mind when studying , Take 2 or 3 verses before a certain verse and 2 or 3 after that same verse it get the full content of the verse. and also keep in mind just because someone is lined up in one area don't make them totally lined up
key note when you serch the scriptures, God always, always moved in a mighty way when people were in one accord. ( and this was not a Honda accord either)
 
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T1990

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#12
#12
Pray about it of course. Also, look up of the beliefs of some denominations and compare them to the Bible.(If i were you, i would stay clear of catholic)
 
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