Which church is the best fit for someone?

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Mar 4, 2020
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#21
All churches aren't the same and it's not or shouldn't be how it matches you. Truth is what's important. Many, many, don't know how to save souls most of which have the highest number of members unfortunately.
If everyone believes they have the truth and can’t see a different perspective then it’s about how it matches them.
 
Mar 4, 2020
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#22
I would say and what I myself have done is pray and then try a few different churches

mostly I’ve found it’s the people who are there that matters and the best way to consider if it’s right for you is how they interact with you who have been members of the church for awhile

also I’ve always tried to take note of what the Pastor and elders speak about not only from the pulpit but when you talk to them

I’ve tried many churches over the decades because I moved around a lot , even at times I went months without attending a church at all I’ve found that churches are as diverse as people are

what they teach , how they treat other people how they speak about people , do they say a lot about helping the poor ? Doing what is right in Gods sight ? Do they talk about the importance of the things Jesus said we’re important ? What do they say about money , morals , earthly life , eternal Life ect all is important but mostly do they love people ? Do they embrace people when they show up ? Are they like a family ? Do they help mine another out when there’s trouble and a need ? Do they hold grudges and gossip ? Or do they forgive and embrace not judging and condemning instead embracing the sinner and building them up , encouraging them in the right things ?

how they treat people and also you when you attend is really
Important also if they have a good
Message are they walking the walk ? And are the attendees at all in any measure fruitful in the spirit ?

we can look at the people to see the result of the message they are hearing I always like to find someone who’s stranded for a long time and sort of observe how they interact with myself and others to see if this type of fruit is evident or if the flesh is prevalent among the flock

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:19-25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

we want to find places that press us toward the spiritual fruits and teach us to stop doing the works of the flesh with longsuffering patience and giving time for Gods word to change people if they have attended for years and resemble and exhibit the flesh works that defile the inheritance it might not be an edifying place if all they do is talk about how grace saved us all but never talk about our good deeds and bad deeds and itch we need to stop doing and which we need to embrace and start doing we definetely want an edifying place where we’re learning more than we already knew from our own study it should make us grow and edify and challenge us to do better while also assuring us of salvstion

We arent sinless but we do have a law and doctrine to follow after it’s oir responsibility to follow the spirit to life and not the flesh to death

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die:

but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:12-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬
Definitely some good points to consider. I would be willing to go to a church where not everyone is perfect as long as they are willing to improve and love God.
 
Jul 14, 2019
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#23
Just be careful. Church shopping can be stressful. Look for a church that is telling the Gospel and trying to reach people.
 
Mar 4, 2020
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#24
The first one . . . we were in a larger church, and wanted a smaller church where we could be more personally involved. We were in a home fellowship, with some from our church, and several from this other church, a bunch of very nice people!

So I suggested a church, and my wife said, "what about that church where those nice people go?" We went where I said. We didn't like it. That repeated 4 or 5 times, each time me picking a church, and each time her suggesting the church where those nice people go, and each time, we didn't like it.

So finally I agree, lets try that church. And literally, less then 5 minutes inside the front door, we hadn't met anyone, we both knew it was our new home.

Are you married? If you are . . . well, I've learned to listen to my wife!

Much love!
That’s great. Eventually you listened to your better half and she led you in the right direction.

I’m not married. Often, not always, when I’ve taken the advice of someone, because I wanted to show I trust them completely, it has ended poorly for me, despite my gut telling me I’m taking a high risk in doing so. My intuition has rarely, if ever, failed me as far as I can remember. So I’m a bit cautious about listening to other people, but I won’t let my failures effect my future relationship(s).

I’m totally willing to give someone a chance. More often than not, I’ve seen I’m the better leader in relationships, generally speaking. In the future I want someone who totally trusts me. It seems that’s a very rare thing in my experience.
 

markss

Active member
Feb 10, 2020
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#25
In the future I want someone who totally trusts me. It seems that’s a very rare thing in my experience.
We've really had to grow into that trust, and after 33 years married are still working on that. But we both trust the Lord, and that takes the pressure off, which helps so much!

Much love!
 

Mofastus

Active member
May 23, 2019
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#26
I can’t see a church that fits 100% of what I see in the New Testament. That’s concerning, but it would be nice to find the best possible fit for me.
"You" are the only "church" that you ever will find God in. However, you can grow "your" faith in most any that preach Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. It's not up to any church of men to find God for you, any more than you can blame any church in you not finding God.
 
P

persistent

Guest
#27
I’m curious which church would be a good fit for me. Recently I’ve been looking for a church again.

Anyone else just feel like they found a church with a nice group and settled there? Or do you find you’re silently disagreeing with many things they say every day? If you find there is a serious disagreement, do you ignore it or privately confront them in a gentle and humble way?
Hey Runningman this link may interest you...http://www.mchapel.net/mchapelonline2/httpdocs/ .......This is Assembly of God affiliate which I may one day attend and have been in contact with for possibly 4 months now. Although I only spoke with one of the ministers and they know that I still am somewhat antagonistic toward preachers. But I have a good relationship with a secretary that knows somewhat of my antagonism and am assured I would be welcome regardless. I watch them on the web and like the way they pray and the preaching is ok sometime. My experience with religious groups or people has been quite minimal so I am still easing into this. Around me Catholics are dominant and I grew up RCC and avoid the RCC affiliates and the contact at AoG agrees I should avoid RCC but we both figure it is likely that a RCC person could be a Christian. I feel the 17th chapter of the Revelation talking about '.....golden cup full of abominations'....could be the chalice with wafers at mass. I think Lutherans may also do the same which might mean I would avoid them too. RCC also worship some people mentioned in the Bible and many people who have lived throughout history. I personally know people who pray to them. Also had an aunt that would pray to them. I don't see any such thing in the Bible and when I talk to RCC people about this, they sometime say, "lets go ask the priest". A neighbor just recently purchased a Bible but I doubt he, who doesn't hardly talk with me anymore. or his wife have yet to read any of it. But his wife and I talk and maybe he will again someday.
 

DJT_47

Well-known member
Oct 20, 2022
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#28
If everyone believes they have the truth and can’t see a different perspective then it’s about how it matches them.
That is a if not the problem. Most wouldn't recognize the truth if it slapped them in the face. Most are also not well read and tend to follow their gut, family tradition, preconceived ideas, their own logic rather than God's and his truth, unfortunately, and are mislead and lead astray as a result thereof.
 

Saul-to-Paul

Junior Member
Jun 5, 2017
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#29
I’m curious which church would be a good fit for me. Recently I’ve been looking for a church again.
Hell is not a good fit for anyone.

Revelation 18:4
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
 

Blade

Well-known member
Nov 19, 2019
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#30
I would pray ask Him. I am no no but when we came to Colorado to help my mom I was just talking to the lord not really asking lol but was. I said "remember in Glendale Calf where that pastor came to our door (yeah really happened lol you never see that any more). I said be nice if you did that hear since we don't know where to go". About a week or so later late one night we get this knock on the door. It was a older looking man asked if so and so lived there. I said sorry never heard of him. He starts to walk of then just stops I can hear him say "no the lord would not have me go to the wrong door for no reason". Comes back hands me a card.... a preacher and of the word as in all the gifts what not.

So ask Him is that not what we want?
 
Mar 4, 2020
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#31
Hey Runningman this link may interest you...http://www.mchapel.net/mchapelonline2/httpdocs/ .......This is Assembly of God affiliate which I may one day attend and have been in contact with for possibly 4 months now. Although I only spoke with one of the ministers and they know that I still am somewhat antagonistic toward preachers. But I have a good relationship with a secretary that knows somewhat of my antagonism and am assured I would be welcome regardless. I watch them on the web and like the way they pray and the preaching is ok sometime. My experience with religious groups or people has been quite minimal so I am still easing into this. Around me Catholics are dominant and I grew up RCC and avoid the RCC affiliates and the contact at AoG agrees I should avoid RCC but we both figure it is likely that a RCC person could be a Christian. I feel the 17th chapter of the Revelation talking about '.....golden cup full of abominations'....could be the chalice with wafers at mass. I think Lutherans may also do the same which might mean I would avoid them too. RCC also worship some people mentioned in the Bible and many people who have lived throughout history. I personally know people who pray to them. Also had an aunt that would pray to them. I don't see any such thing in the Bible and when I talk to RCC people about this, they sometime say, "lets go ask the priest". A neighbor just recently purchased a Bible but I doubt he, who doesn't hardly talk with me anymore. or his wife have yet to read any of it. But his wife and I talk and maybe he will again someday.
The RCC definitely isn’t on my radar as a possibility under any circumstances, but I agree they can possibly be a Christian. A Christian can be anywhere. It’s like saying because someone is in planet Earth they aren’t a Christian. It’s the same if someone is in the RCC.
 
Mar 4, 2020
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#32
Hell is not a good fit for anyone.

Revelation 18:4
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
I don’t know what you’re talking about. Care to explain how that applies to me wondering which church congregation is a good fit for me?
 
Mar 4, 2020
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#33
I would pray ask Him. I am no no but when we came to Colorado to help my mom I was just talking to the lord not really asking lol but was. I said "remember in Glendale Calf where that pastor came to our door (yeah really happened lol you never see that any more). I said be nice if you did that hear since we don't know where to go". About a week or so later late one night we get this knock on the door. It was a older looking man asked if so and so lived there. I said sorry never heard of him. He starts to walk of then just stops I can hear him say "no the lord would not have me go to the wrong door for no reason". Comes back hands me a card.... a preacher and of the word as in all the gifts what not.

So ask Him is that not what we want?
This. I love your story btw. I want a pastor or preacher to come to my house.

Sunday evening I was talking to a Christian somewhere, really great gentleman, and he told me a story about his daughter. He told his daughter if she wants a job she should go apply for jobs. Her reply was something like, “but God will find a job for me.” His reply was, “but shouldn’t you meet the Lord halfway?” She said, “That isn’t how this works. God will send me a job to my house.”

Some time later a woman from a church showed up at her house and offered her a job at her church.

So I pray God will send someone to me if it be His will and please no more Mormons or JWs.
 
Nov 26, 2021
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#34
Well, imo, you could go to a Church where the Lord Jesus is loved, Praise and Worship services are good, where you can receive holy Communion every Sunday, and where charitable/social works are done in church groups after the service.

God Bless.
 
Mar 4, 2020
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#35
Well, imo, you could go to a Church where the Lord Jesus is loved, Praise and Worship services are good, where you can receive holy Communion every Sunday, and where charitable/social works are done in church groups after the service.

God Bless.
Thats exactly what I want to do. I want to stir and be stirred to love and do some good works with other believers. I want that to be the main church activity. I don’t want to sit in a pew and listen to someone drone on and on for an hour. I would rather skip that and have a group discussion or only show up for communion.
 
P

persistent

Guest
#36
Thats exactly what I want to do. I want to stir and be stirred to love and do some good works with other believers. I want that to be the main church activity. I don’t want to sit in a pew and listen to someone drone on and on for an hour. I would rather skip that and have a group discussion or only show up for communion.
Just earlier today I had a discussion with my AoG contact and the Church of Christ of the Restoration came up which she was able to quickly find that the 'Restoration' appellation refers to trying to adopt ways of the Apostolic early Churches. She didn't know how this could be done if at all possible. But this has crossed my mind before and sort of sounds like what you are 'implying'. Whether this group even exists at this time might be determined by a search as she told me that they were in Ohio somewhere.
 
L

Locoponydirtman

Guest
#37
Depends what they’re saying in my opinion. Not everyone who opens a Bible and expounds on the message hits the mark. Aren’t there many churches that are teaching unbiblical things? I want to avoid those.
I have an unfair advantage. I have a network of pastors all over the country
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
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#38
I don’t know what you’re talking about. Care to explain how that applies to me wondering which church congregation is a good fit for me?
I could be mistaken, but I think he means come out of organized religion entirely because the whole system is corrupted. I hate to admit it but he makes a good point.
 
Nov 26, 2021
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#39
I could be mistaken, but I think he means come out of organized religion entirely because the whole system is corrupted. I hate to admit it but he makes a good point.
This is what the Bible says about religion.

Jam 1:27 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."