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I'd like to share a blessing about a new church...

CrabCake said:
It's too bad that's what you ran into. But it's not what you will find at every church.
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I have found it to some degree at every church I've served. Could there be churches that aren't like that? If there is I haven't found them.
 
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CLAX1911 said:
I have found it to some degree at every church I've served. Could there be churches that aren't like that? If there is I haven't found them.
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if it consistently happens at every church, and that this has been the result in a variety of churches
then it may be time to look elsewhere for the underlying problem
 
Personally, I've never picked a church myself. I've always asked to the Lord to lead me to where He wants me to be.
 
justabubba said:
if it consistently happens at every church, and that this has been the result in a variety of churches
then it may be time to look elsewhere for the underlying problem
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I wrote a whole post about what the problem was. It's post number 72. But I'll paraphrase.

I was treating church like a social club. That was wrong because the people that go there aren't there because they are "like minded" it's really more incidental than anything.

Also you have heard the phrase "There is one in every family? "
 
CLAX1911 said:
I wrote a whole post about what the problem was. It's post number 72. But I'll paraphrase.

I was treating church like a social club. That was wrong because the people that go there aren't there because they are "like minded" it's really more incidental than anything.

Also you have heard the phrase "There is one in every family? "
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i would encourage you to seek out a Disciples of Christ congregation
as non-judgmental a group of people as i have ever found
 
Goshin said:
Thanks. I haven't had a "home church" for a long time, a community of believers I felt at home with is another way of putting it, and I've felt the lack.






Understood, but generally it isn't really like that.

Anyone is welcome to come who isn't unreasonably disruptive. I've known people to attend church 2-3 services a week as a "visitor" for years.

Membership is slightly different, because members VOTE. They vote for the Deacon board, who manage the church finances and whatnot, and vote for/against accepting someone as pastor, and for or against building this or donating that or sending money to missionaries in the Congo. That makes membership kind of significant.

Even so, most churches of my experience are fairly casual about membership. Basically you visit for a while so people can get to know you,e you then you tell the pastor you want to join. If nobody knows of any strong reason to deny you (like maybe you run a Meth lab) then you stand up in front of the congregation and the preacher says "So-n-so and family have asked to be members of our church on their public profession of faith (or letter from previous church) what is your pleasure in receiving them?"

99% of the time the congregation shouts "AMEN!" (which is taken as a "Yea" btw, lol) and that's that, you're a member.
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In my Church one of the pastors takes you aside and asks about your relationship with Jesus Christ. If you have one, and wish to be a member of that congregation, you are simply added to the rolls and you officially are a member. If you are still seeking, you are encouraged to attend what they call "Grace groups" to learn and experience evidence of the faith of others until such time as you invite Jesus into your heart and ask to be baptized. And that makes you a member.

Those that just come for the really great praise band and the potluck dinners, I'm not sure how that is handled. Never asked. :) But I do know that the official doctrine is one of 'grace' and our personal relationship with God and not by following any particular protocol or rules including those of proper dress.
 
justabubba said:
i would encourage you to seek out a Disciples of Christ congregation
as non-judgmental a group of people as i have ever found
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I'll take a look at them, thanks for the recommendation.

I have learned a truth, familiarity breeds contempt. I didn't want to believe it but it's true, at least for me. So i tend to keep congregations at arms length.

I'm always open to the possibility of finding friends but it's got to be based on more than us going to the same church.
 
Goshin said:
I've been looking for a new "home church" for a long time. More than once I thought I'd found it, only to find things going on disagreeable enough to cause me to stop going.


Well I've been going to a new church, and I'm very excited about it... I'm considering asking to be a member there, though I'm not rushing things yet.


The church is very active in service and doing good works, helping the poor and those in trouble. In particular the pastor, who is a recovered addict himself, has a rescue outreach for addicts trying to break free of their downward spiral. This is greatly needed, meth has become a real scourge in this rural county.

One of the things I really love about this church is it is very informal, casual dress, and stands on an often-repeated principle that no one is any better than anyone else: we're all sinners saved by Grace trying to follow God as best we can. There is a distinct humility and lack of pretentiousness I have found to be regrettably rare elsewhere.


Everyone I've met there so far is very "real". "Fronting" and self-righteousness is actively discouraged.


So many churches I've tried it seemed like too many people had a stick up their butt, pardon my french lol, and were too concerned with appearances.

This church is very no-stick, if you follow me. :)


Son Numbah One, for instance, is tall and burly, has long hair and a beard and mostly wears black, and looks more like a Viking or a biker than a college student... but nobody at this church was put off by his appearance, he was welcomed without reservation. They aren't judge-ey about appearances... most people wear blue jeans and tennis shoes or cowboy boots. Some come in overalls and work boots, and nobody cares. :)


IMO, that's as it should be. Jesus don't care what you look like, He cares what's in your heart.


The pastor preaches the Word and preaches it straight and without apology, but he's also very real and unpretentious, and I've already seen him put his money where his mouth is.


So far, I'm pretty impressed. Going to keep visiting and see how things work out.
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That's really nice Gosh; I'm glad to hear that. Pay attention to any red flags that may come up, pray on them and ask yourself, and God, if said flags are about you, or what maybe going in the church. Gravitate toward those people that give you a buzz create that feeling of belonging and satisfaction. Churches can be funny places where politics are concerned, I'm sure you know that, and that is why I avoid churches myself.

Stay slow and easy.
 
IMO, the church is not needed for salvation itself. Jesus said, "none come unto the father but by me".
The church is the structure needed for its work, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, etc. as stated in Matt. chap. 25 (the least of these verses).
 
I think a church should be accepting of everyone regardless of their appearance. However, personally I have always been conservative in how I dress when going to church. I don't wear a suit, but I will wear some khakis and a pressed dress shirt. I always felt like its was an etiquette / respect thing to do so when going to church.
 
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