Guys, thanks so much for sharing! I actually thought no one would answer here lol.
Like I said, I myself am an Independent Baptist; I guess you would call us traditional in our worship because we sing the old congregational hymns and still have pews, we preach exclusively from the King James Bible and we're considered "conservative" in our beliefs of separation and doctrine (but we just call it living by what the Bible says ); we have missions conferences, campmeetings, revivals, and we like to eat(!) lol.
We're a small church, though. What sets us apart is that our church is bilingual, meaning that we have an interpreter alongside the pastor as he's preaching, and we sing both Spanish and English songs in the service.
We've had our tough moments, but there's a faithful few there, and that little flock has the power to keep it going.
We like phrases like "sticking with the stuff" and "the old paths"; we pass out tracts and have Sunday School classes, plus a bus ministry. We have an "oldfashioned altar" that we pray in, and that's where people go to get right with God (not exclusively, though ).
I know that many of the churches you're all acquainted with have these things, but I didn't grow up in church, and all of these things were so alien to me.
Thanks again, everyone. This isn't the end of the thread, though!
Like I said, I myself am an Independent Baptist; I guess you would call us traditional in our worship because we sing the old congregational hymns and still have pews, we preach exclusively from the King James Bible and we're considered "conservative" in our beliefs of separation and doctrine (but we just call it living by what the Bible says ); we have missions conferences, campmeetings, revivals, and we like to eat(!) lol.
We're a small church, though. What sets us apart is that our church is bilingual, meaning that we have an interpreter alongside the pastor as he's preaching, and we sing both Spanish and English songs in the service.
We've had our tough moments, but there's a faithful few there, and that little flock has the power to keep it going.
We like phrases like "sticking with the stuff" and "the old paths"; we pass out tracts and have Sunday School classes, plus a bus ministry. We have an "oldfashioned altar" that we pray in, and that's where people go to get right with God (not exclusively, though ).
I know that many of the churches you're all acquainted with have these things, but I didn't grow up in church, and all of these things were so alien to me.
Thanks again, everyone. This isn't the end of the thread, though!
My Dad died when I was 16, so my Mom decided it was time to go to the Baptist church. It was totally different. The preacher yelled on the pulpit a lot. I was OK there for a while, I was also baptized there because they wouldn't accept my Catholic baptism. Then someone came a courting, sort of and caused problems for me. I mean like someone who is important in the church, their son. Anyhow this person and I went on a youth bus trip. He held my hand on the way home and some said (him) that other things happened. What I don't know. Maybe I was asleep because I got on the bus a virgin and got off the bus a virgin. So I was basically meant to feel like I should wear a red scarlet letter. When I was 18, I refused to go back to the church. The pastor wouldn't even say hello to me. Nor would he let his daughter talk to me.
When I needed guidance the most, those people turned on me. My family was going through many changes that they knew about and when I needed the help, I was turned away.
I left church and promised myself never to let that happen again. I didn't want anything to do with God or Christianity or anything. I knew God existed, but felt I wasn't good enough to be part of his family.
I used to walk by this Presbyterian church in my old neighborhood. When my husband and I were looking for a place to get married, I thought we should to in and talk to them. We started going to the church. The Pastors there helped me find my way back to God.
That church is no longer open. I go to a different Presbyterian church now. I am so glad I found my way back.
Sorry for the long post.