Church Search Advice Needed

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G

Galahad

Guest
#21
#21
santuzza said:
Hi folks! I recently moved and am in the process of finding a new church. I live in an area that is pretty spiritually dead, so options are limited.

Here's my dilemma. I found a church that seems to have a lot going for it. Seems well grounded in the Word, offers a blended worship style (very important to me, as a musician), has a lot of Bible study classes. Here's the problem: the pastor is a KJV Only guy. He told me flat out that he believed there was only one translation per language that could be considered the Word of God, and in English, that was the KJV.

Now, I have a problem with that. Although I like the KJV and use it often in my personal study, I don't believe we should never look at other translations. In fact, I think one can glean a clearer understanding of the text by using several different translations. Since I don't read Greek or Hebrew, this is the best option for me, I believe.

Should I give this church a try, or should I go with my gut instinct (which is to avoid it like the plague)?
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I would suggest that when he publicly reads the story of Balaam and the ass, that he changes. From the word ass to donkey.
 
notuptome

notuptome

Senior Member
#23
May 17, 2013
15,050
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#23
Willie-T said:
We really do have to be careful in presenting some of these common "sayings" as being Bible quotes.

Jesus never said that. All that the Bible suggests is that even good things should not be over done. Saying, "ALL things in moderation", can give a new Christian the idea that everything is OK........ and, again, the Bible never says that. It states that nothing is forbidden us, but that some things are not good for us...... So, should we do them, anyway? No, we should not. This is not an uncommon tendency in Christians. There is the oft "quoted" (MISquoted) verse that God will never give us more than we can bear. This is another of those adopted sayings that are not Biblical. What was REALLY said is that God will not give us more than we can bear WITHOUT WHICH, HE WILL ALSO GIVE US A WAY OUT OF SUCH TROUBLES.

Just something to think about, and to stay aware of.
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On matters of soft doctrine we are permitted a great deal of leeway.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#24
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
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#24
You do know I will be reminding you that you posted that. LOL
 
G

Grandpa

Senior Member
#25
Jun 24, 2011
11,551
3,189
113
#25
Galahad said:
I would suggest that when he publicly reads the story of Balaam and the ass, that he changes. From the word ass to donkey.
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I think ass is better in context.

As in, sometimes even an ass can tell us things we need to know.
 
santuzza

santuzza

Senior Member
#27
Feb 12, 2013
1,609
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#27
I don't have a problem with the KJV being used as the "pulpit Bible" -- meaning the pastor preaches from that translation. My problem is that the pastor believes that the only valid English translation is the KJV. This is patently false as I know there are mistakes in translation. Every translation has some mistakes/misinterpretations, so if a pastor says that the KJV is the only English version acceptable as the "Word of God," that pastor loses credibility with me. And I fear the rest of the congregation has "drunk the Kool-Aid," so to speak.

I guess I really won't know unless I actually go, but I don't want to waste a Sunday on my church search. It stinks that one can only visit one church per week!
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#28
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#28
santuzza said:
I don't have a problem with the KJV being used as the "pulpit Bible" -- meaning the pastor preaches from that translation. My problem is that the pastor believes that the only valid English translation is the KJV. This is patently false as I know there are mistakes in translation. Every translation has some mistakes/misinterpretations, so if a pastor says that the KJV is the only English version acceptable as the "Word of God," that pastor loses credibility with me. And I fear the rest of the congregation has "drunk the Kool-Aid," so to speak.

I guess I really won't know unless I actually go, but I don't want to waste a Sunday on my church search. It stinks that one can only visit one church per week!
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As you reveal more of how you are already viewing the preacher, perhaps it would be best if you just keep looking.

Where are you, BTW, that the choices are so limited? I know we have over 600 churches within just a short driving distance of my home.
 
santuzza

santuzza

Senior Member
#29
Feb 12, 2013
1,609
38
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#29
Willie-T, I'm in New England (NH, specifically). Very, very difficult to find a Bible-believing church that has traditional or blended worship.
 
notuptome

notuptome

Senior Member
#30
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#30
santuzza said:
I don't have a problem with the KJV being used as the "pulpit Bible" -- meaning the pastor preaches from that translation. My problem is that the pastor believes that the only valid English translation is the KJV. This is patently false as I know there are mistakes in translation. Every translation has some mistakes/misinterpretations, so if a pastor says that the KJV is the only English version acceptable as the "Word of God," that pastor loses credibility with me. And I fear the rest of the congregation has "drunk the Kool-Aid," so to speak.

I guess I really won't know unless I actually go, but I don't want to waste a Sunday on my church search. It stinks that one can only visit one church per week!
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Our new pastor is from Vermont but you took me out when you said you wanted a blended contemporary type service.

Some churches have more than one service on Sunday. But there is only one Sunday in the week.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 
C

ChristInUs

Banned
#31
Feb 5, 2015
493
1
0
#31
notuptome said:
Our new pastor is from Vermont but you took me out when you said you wanted a blended contemporary type service.

Some churches have more than one service on Sunday. But there is only one Sunday in the week.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
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so what you doing Tuesday night?
 
J

Joshua_Generation

Banned
#33
Mar 10, 2015
1,174
18
0
#33
santuzza said:
I don't have a problem with the KJV being used as the "pulpit Bible" -- meaning the pastor preaches from that translation. My problem is that the pastor believes that the only valid English translation is the KJV. This is patently false as I know there are mistakes in translation. Every translation has some mistakes/misinterpretations, so if a pastor says that the KJV is the only English version acceptable as the "Word of God," that pastor loses credibility with me. And I fear the rest of the congregation has "drunk the Kool-Aid," so to speak.

I guess I really won't know unless I actually go, but I don't want to waste a Sunday on my church search. It stinks that one can only visit one church per week!
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Your gut feeling is not your gut feeling, it is the inward witness of the Holy Spirit telling you what to do.

In my experience KJV only pastors that believe the only valid english translation is the KJ Bible are also heavy into legalism and other things.

I think the Holy Spirit has already guided you into all truth here and that is what he does.
 
santuzza

santuzza

Senior Member
#34
Feb 12, 2013
1,609
38
48
#34
I've pretty much made my decision to not try this church. Willie-T gave a good reply by saying I had already diminished the pastor in my mind. It's true -- hard for me to respect that opinion.

Thanks for the link, Willie-T, I think I've seen it before, but I'm going to keep investigating!

Roger, I didn't say I wanted a contemporary service -- if that were the case, it would be EASY to find a church -- actually, I prefer something that has traditional elements in it -- preferably a blended service, but I would settle for only traditional.
 
resurrection33

resurrection33

Banned
#35
Dec 19, 2009
27,513
128
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#35
santuzza said:
Hi folks! I recently moved and am in the process of finding a new church. I live in an area that is pretty spiritually dead, so options are limited.

Here's my dilemma. I found a church that seems to have a lot going for it. Seems well grounded in the Word, offers a blended worship style (very important to me, as a musician), has a lot of Bible study classes. Here's the problem: the pastor is a KJV Only guy. He told me flat out that he believed there was only one translation per language that could be considered the Word of God, and in English, that was the KJV.

Now, I have a problem with that. Although I like the KJV and use it often in my personal study, I don't believe we should never look at other translations. In fact, I think one can glean a clearer understanding of the text by using several different translations. Since I don't read Greek or Hebrew, this is the best option for me, I believe.

Should I give this church a try, or should I go with my gut instinct (which is to avoid it like the plague)?
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A church is a lot more than a pastor. There are no perfect pastors. There are no perfect parishioners. If you like the church, and if you don't think it is leading you astray, then why not stick around? If you don't like the church, why not go somewhere else?

Some people join a church and remain loyal to it all their lives, whether or not they especially like the pastors that come through their church. Other people leave their church as soon as their pastor leaves. I've been a member of the same church since 1986. That doesn't necessarily mean I've been thrilled with the four senior pastors we've had during that time. It just means I think I belong there. Most people treat me very well.

As for learning - I learn from the Bible and the Spirit of the Lord. I don't depend on a pastor to teach me anything.

As for the KJV - it's not my favorite version of the Bible because the definitions of some of its words have changed (if you're referring to the 17th century KJV). I still have a lot of respect for that version, though.
 
M

MyLighthouse

Guest
#36
#36
It's close to impossible to find a perfect church. If you like everything or majority of things in the church and the only issue is bible translation, I say stay. It's ok to disagree with a church you attend. I disagree with almost everything about my church, but feel comfortable there, welcomed, and the Spirit of God in the church. So I just agree to disagree and go to worship the Lord!
 
D

DesiredHaven

Guest
#38
#38
Grandpa said:
I think ass is better in context.

As in, sometimes even an ass can tell us things we need to know.
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I think so too.

I got in trouble once for stating that as I believed God can open the mouth of a dumb ass/ donkey that He could also (if He so chose to) open the mouth of a dumb ass/ man (Gen 49:14) too.

At least I thought so at the time, I didnt think that was so wrong to say that.

Unless dumb didnt mean stupid so much (in the donkeys case) and so it would not be comparable in the same way I had meant dumbit in respects to a man.

That could have probably been what turned around and "bit me" (in the same place).
 
G

Galahad

Guest
#39
#39
Willie-T said:
Where are you, BTW, that the choices are so limited? I know we have over 600 churches within just a short driving distance of my home.
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Wow! That's better than 31 Flavors.
And you failed to mention the population where you live...601. :(
 
D

DedZed

Guest
#40
#40
You will learn far more about Jesus and God and his people learning on your own, seeking out answers for yourself. Pastors are good but don't get caught up in all the false doctrines- you don't have to be a member of a church.
 
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