I had a terrible experience when I was kid in a Catholic church, I am not slamming them, there are bad apples everywhere. I would like to find a different church though and am looking for ideas. It seems intimadating when you look in the phone book and I don't even know the differences between them all. I am looking for one that I can bring my kids to safely, one that I can be proud of and secure in. Please help. And thanks for your two cents in advance. :)
2007-05-26 08:14:59 · 26 answers · asked by Progeny Rising 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I would look for these qualities first, since this is the end time church according to God;
-Re 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Re 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Re 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
2007-05-26 08:28:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
A good church is one that is concerned with the spiritual growth of its congregation. It is a place where the Gospel is preached, where sin is condemned, where worship is from the heart, where the teaching is biblical, and where opportunities for ministry (to minister to others as well as to be ministered to) exist.
Before you even step foot inside of a church, you should do some homework. Get out the phone book and look at the churches in your area. Find the denominations represented and take a look at the denominational web site. Read their doctrinal statement, their purpose statement, their mission statement, or anything that will give insight as to what they believe as a denomination. If the church itself is listed as having a web site, browse those sites as well, with the goal of getting a feel for what they believe regarding the Bible, God, the Trinity, Jesus Christ, sin, salvation, and man. You are looking for a church that shares your own beliefs and convictions; "discard" the ones that don't.
Next, pick out a few churches that you'd like to visit. Attend service at least twice at each church. Pick up any literature they have for visitors, and pay close attention to their belief statements. Evaluate the church based on the principles we see in the above Acts passage. How was the fellowship? Does the church focus on discipleship? Were you led to worship God? What type of ministries does the church involve itself in? Was the message biblical and evangelical? You also need to feel comfortable; were you made to feel welcome? Is the congregation comprised of people you can identify with?
2007-05-26 14:07:05 · answer #2 · answered by Freedom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will not find the clergy/laity system authorized in the New Testament (as we are called to be New Testament Christians). That will eliminate 97% of the churches in the yellow pages. Secondly, find the name (as many are named after some man or group of men and thus run by a board of trustees) of the church you are thinking about visiting in the bible. That will eliminate the greater majority. If they ask you to sign anything or ask you for money...that will eliminate a lot of them. Simply the only way to tell is to be a Berean (Acts 17:11) ...that is to check the things said and done at whatever church you are visiting are in fact authorized by the New Testament. The Bible will not steer you wrong if handled properly (II Timothy 2:15). Please test all things hold fast to that which is good (I Thessalonians 5:21). You can do it!
2007-05-26 08:37:58 · answer #3 · answered by shane c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are several main groups Catholics, Protestants and Pentecostals. There beliefs are pretty much the same yet you will find their services are not. Lutheran is probably closes to what you are use to. Methodist, baptist and presbyterians are pretty much the same. All you do is look for one with a good kids program, plus is solid in the word. Look to see if a church is growing or idle. And first and formost pray. One more thing not all pentecostal and independents are the same but there are some reallly good Bible believing groups in these as well.
2007-05-26 08:24:58 · answer #4 · answered by turtle30c 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The best way I can think of is to visit quite a few of them and talk to the people there. If you go for a few weeks, you should know if the people in there are genuine or if they are just putting on a show. Its kind of a pain hopping from church to church but from my experience, that is the best way instead of someone telling you which church you should go to. Oh, and don't be discourage when you run across some bad churches, there are many great genuine and real churches out there.
2007-05-26 08:20:25 · answer #5 · answered by comer59 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Just study this site for a bit and then if you still feel that you want to go to a church in your area it won't matter which one you go to.
http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org/
I know what you are feeling now, having kids to bring up, but you will find that the true church is very, very small and if all you want is comfort then you will find what you are looking for but it will be a false sense of peace and love, not the truth that you are looking for for your children sake. You need to find your salvation and then you can help your children, but be prepared to have the whole world come against you.
2007-05-26 08:26:20 · answer #6 · answered by hisgloryisgreat 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First find out what a Church really does. Do they feed the poor? Do they have programs to help people? Do they go around the world spreading the Gospel? I just described the Catholic Church with my questions.
You can read the Bible and find out what you think 'the work of God' really is. I think it's all of those things without waiver.
2007-05-26 08:20:18 · answer #7 · answered by madbaldscotsman 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know if your really looking for personal opinion here, but I think mine may help. I grew up believing in God, but having never gone to church. When I began my exploration I asked close personal friends who had morals and values I believed in. I think it is important to not feel stuck in one place and to find a place where you really feel comfortable. I found Calvary Chapel, I suggest you check it out. Its a very large church with a close feeling. There are plenty of activities and different ministries to get involved in but it's not one of those small time places where everyone knows your business. They teach straight from the bible, no BS. They teach God's word in it's entirety and you follow along through every lesson. Some people find it harsh, but they only follow what the Bible says. If you had to classify it would be a Christian church, but we all say we just believe in the word of God.
They also have a great children's ministry, with specialized classes for every age group through middle school. They are not only involved with their location, but worldwide and they have great opportunities to help around the world. I would really suggest checking it out... it wouldn't hurt.
2007-05-26 08:31:13 · answer #8 · answered by Kelso 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You've heard of bar hopping. Well, I suggest you go church hopping. Each week, check out a different church, and see how being there and the feel of the service and interactions with the people are for you. Each place is different for each individual. When you go to one that feels right for you, you will know it. You might want to explore a Universalist church-it is open to all.
2007-05-26 08:20:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Though you had a bad experience with a Catholic Church, I would suggest you go to another one.
What other Church has Catholic Social Teaching
http://www.osjspm.org/major_themes.aspx
2007-05-26 08:25:47 · answer #10 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋