Finding a denomination from all the branches

[finn75]

I was baptized as a baby because it is the tradition here in Finland. Just like me, most people belong to the Evangelic Lutheran Church of Finland just because of the habit and tradition, even if they are not in faith or believe on God's word or Jesus. The church is not a welcoming warm place. Church buildings are empty most of the time, some people visit cermons on Sunday and sit quietly in the benches and no one is talking to each other.

People here just pay taxes to the church and church says everyone is already saved so do whatever you do. Parish council is elected in every 4 years and the are political parties taking apart in those elections. So the parish council is partly managed by politicians because of their political ambitions. I find it very odd and that is why I have not been much excited about the church or the God's word before. Now I know me being away from God is just because I have not felt being home at the Evangelic Lutheran Church. I know there could be another path to God for me.

I am not very familiar with the branches of Christianity but I would love to find a denomination that feels right for me. I do not want to be non-denominational or easy believing. I know the most important part is to study Bible and God's word and that can be done alone and by everyone's own standards and God still loves you.

But as I am a creative person, often thinking outside of the box and doing things freestyle I feel in my faith I do need some discipline and guidance. Praying just by talking to God is fine but I feel besides that conversation with God I would like to follow some pattern and pray and praise God also formally. I just do not know which denomination of Christianity I should study.

As my life has been quite freestyling and easy believing so far, now I feel really do need some rules and discipline in it. I believe that there should be more God's word and His guidance involved in my everyday life. It should not be me making decisions of my own instead of following God's plan. I want to live by the God's word, not freestyling.

What denominations or braches you belong? How much God's word guides your everyday life? Would you suggest some denomination for me to study?

 

[Kaycie]

In the Church of Christ we are only dominated by Christ Himself- so there is no political mess. We do exactly as the bible says- which is easy to understand, but it takes a lot of self-discipline. I am in a very loving congregation- to me they are my family. We are the only one on TV that i know of that do not ask for money. The program "IN Search of the Lord's Way" is also streamed from their website- you can watch a sermon online at searchtv.org , they also do mail correspondence.

 

[clarkthompson]

I am Baptist while certain doctrinal views vary they share certain views such as we would not have baptized any babies because it is not baptism that saves them but faith, their own faith which will show by works.

 

[finn75]

I wonder if here is anyone from northern Europe who belongs to some denominational movement?

What different denominational churches there are in the World?

 

[JesusIsAll]

Having gone to a number of churches, of a few denominations, I've found one thing to be the case: I've learned and grown most by a truly Bible teaching Protestant pastor. You get a number of pastors I'd call "Johnny-one-verse" sermonizers. They take one verse, read it, then dissertate, for like a half hour on it, mainly philosophizing and psychobabbling. I can't, offhand, remember much of anything they taught. But I recall much from the Bible teachers who use a number of verses in their sermons, tie all together of their teaching claims with numerous Bible verses to support, the sum total of their teaching also always Christ centered. An Adrian Rogers sort of pastor is of this kind. I've found such pastors at even small Baptist churches, or Church of Christ mentioned, some non-denominational, I would imagine many denominations having some good Bible teachers. Anyway, these are pastors I've learned from, no matter the denomination, which are strong Bible teaching, pulling scripture together from Old and/or New Testament in what is an amazing harmony, verse upon verse: such scripture, Christ centered pastors I know I've always taken much away from. Again, I can't remember anything a psychobabbler or ear tickler, of half a gospel, taught, except to remember some who wouldn't dare mention sin or hell, or living for things eternal, as opposed to lessons on how to party in the carnal world, in health and prosperity, or the power of positive thinking, or there's power in what feels good and that smiley face. And what's scary is some of the mega churches are worst of all.

 

[just-me]

I was baptized as a baby because it is the tradition here in Finland. Just like me, most people belong to the Evangelic Lutheran Church of Finland just because of the habit and tradition, even if they are not in faith or believe on God's word or Jesus. The church is not a welcoming warm place. Church buildings are empty most of the time, some people visit cermons on Sunday and sit quietly in the benches and no one is talking to each other.

People here just pay taxes to the church and church says everyone is already saved so do whatever you do. Parish council is elected in every 4 years and the are political parties taking apart in those elections. So the parish council is partly managed by politicians because of their political ambitions. I find it very odd and that is why I have not been much excited about the church or the God's word before. Now I know me being away from God is just because I have not felt being home at the Evangelic Lutheran Church. I know there could be another path to God for me.

I am not very familiar with the branches of Christianity but I would love to find a denomination that feels right for me. I do not want to be non-denominational or easy believing. I know the most important part is to study Bible and God's word and that can be done alone and by everyone's own standards and God still loves you.

But as I am a creative person, often thinking outside of the box and doing things freestyle I feel in my faith I do need some discipline and guidance. Praying just by talking to God is fine but I feel besides that conversation with God I would like to follow some pattern and pray and praise God also formally. I just do not know which denomination of Christianity I should study.

As my life has been quite freestyling and easy believing so far, now I feel really do need some rules and discipline in it. I believe that there should be more God's word and His guidance involved in my everyday life. It should not be me making decisions of my own instead of following God's plan. I want to live by the God's word, not freestyling.

What denominations or braches you belong? How much God's word guides your everyday life? Would you suggest some denomination for me to study?

Sounds like your situation in Finland (concerning a political church) is the same thing that started the civil war in the British Isles during the early 1600's. I cannot give you a particular denomination reference, for Jesus didn't affiliate with any denomination during His time on earth. Even "non-denominational" churches are a domination. The most impressive people that I have talked with about the salvation of Jesus Christ belonged to "seventh day adventist" denomination, but I don't know much about their doctrine. Sorry I couldn't help.

 

[IAm3rd]

Friend... it is not about where you go to "church". It is about being the church! I would encourage you to study God's word, lay down your life for Him and seek to advance His Kingdom in all that you do for His Glory. Be a light in the darkness where you are.
Maybe start a Bible study, and share the light of Christ.

 

[finn75]

After studying basics i guess Conservative Laestadianism would be nearest to me ... it's also hugely popular here in Finland.

 

[skipp]

I understand your pain in trying to find a denomination in a limited area. Around where I live you either get hyper legalistic independent Baptist churches or holiness churches. There's not a whole lot of choice.

 

[JesusLives]

I am a Seventh Day Adventist, but I would suggest to you that first you give this to God and pray about it and then go and visit different churches in your area and see if you can find one you feel comfortable in. I would certainly look for friendliness of the membership as it is not fun to go to church and then leave and no one talks to you. I would also invite you to at least visit an Adventist church on Saturday if there is one in your area at least one time. Blessings to you in your search for a home church. Praying you will find one you can worship our God in that makes you feel welcome and in a close relationship with God.

 

[Nick01]

I'm an evangelical low church Anglican. Probably not a lot of help to you, because I suspect in Finland what Anglicans there are probably high church Anglo-Catholics, or even worse, high church theological liberals (though I could be wrong). In any case, there probably aren't many of them.

I would personally recommend checking out the International Evangelical Church. I think they mostly conduct themselves in English (because they operate for expatriates as well as native Finns), but I suspect there are probably Finnish services around if you wanted something in your own language. If nothing else, seeing as they're interdenominational, they may be able to point you towards something else that's local, but has good theology.

As for conservative laestandianism, I don't agree with some of what they traditionally teach (particular cultural/moral stuff around TV, music etc, though these vary between congregations), but if you want to go that route, I assume you've seen this website already. They seem a little too Closed Brethren too me, though, so unless you're committed to all of what they believe, I'd look elsewhere. If you're looking for a church that can get the basics right, and is committed to God's mission to preach the gospel, I'm sure there are other evangelical churches (like the IEC) that you could try first

 

[crossnote]

From Wiki...Laestadian Church...

"In Northern Europe, the association's sister organizations are the Conservative Laestadians' Central Association of the Finnish Associations of Peace (Suomen rauhanyhdistysten keskusyhdistys) in Finland, the Sveriges fridsföreningarnas centralorganisationin Sweden, and the Estonian Lutheran Association of Peace (Eesti Luterlik Rahuühendus).The main teaching among them is of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection. The work of Jesus Christ continues in this world as the work of the Holy Spirit. The Laestadian Lutheran Church teaches of God's kingdom and need for repentance and the forgiveness of sins. The church holds, in accord with the Lutheran Confessions, that the Bible is the highest guide and authority forChristian faith, doctrine, and life. The norms in the congregation such as refraining from birth-control, make-up, and dancing, are some of the things members do not feel are right to do as a child of God."

Conservative, a little legalism but hey, where is the perfect Church?

 

[Flamingspirit]

Money also has denominations. Think about it...

 

[elf3]

This would be my suggestion on finding a denomination that best fits your beliefs. Look up a denomination on the web. Read the doctrine of faith concerning each affiliation. Upon reading each doctrine of faith you can find one that fits your personal beliefs. I would suggest one that has a Christ centered doctrine.

 

[Nick01]

Actually, in addendum to my thoughts and the other thoughts above me, there is no substitute for VISITING A CHURCH.

Most large denominations (and I'm sure this is true for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland as well) will have a varying spectrum of doctrine and praxis within them. In the Anglican Church of Australia, for instance, you can go all the way from conservative 4-4.5-5 point Reformed theology all the way to high church liberal theology, often within the same state. There may be a church that has 'perfect' theology, but does not have love. There may be a church that majors on the majors, a little off on minor issues, but are very loving, committed to the gospel proclamation, and willing to be engaged lovingly on those issues on which you disagree. I know which of those two I would rather be a part of.

Looking at denominational doctrinal statements is a good starter option, but at the end of the day, you need to visit a local church to see whether you could participate there. You might even want to visit several before you make up your mind (in fact, I would advise this - it's like a date, you don't make up your mind to marry someone after the first date, so neither should you make up your mind to commit to a particular local church on the first visit)

 

[damombomb]

I would pray for the Lord to put me where i can be fed. If your seeking, you will find
Jer3:15…14'Return, O faithless sons,' declares the LORD; 'For I am a master to you, And I will take you one from a city and two from a family, And I will bring you to Zion.' 15"Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.