Which Church should I join and why: an Orthodox Church or a Protestant Church?

Question

stranger: do you mean they believe in a personal testimony?

What about joining a Lutheran Church that is associated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

Answer 1

The Orthodox Church for sure as they have the truth and are the church created by Christ. All other churches are man made churches.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

BTW, someone suggested the Iglesia ni Cristo but be forewarned that it is a schismatic cult from the Jehovah Witnesses that preys on Christians weak in Scriptural knowledge.

Answer 2

Visit those in your area - and read the Word of God.

Review the Scriptures given during the services - and see if the message of the Church matches the word of God.

Remain in prayer about the Church that you should join, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to where GOD - not man - wants you to be.

He may have a lesson for your life that you need to learn at a place you would view as an unlikely choice.

Follow HIS leading - not OURS, dear one.

Peace.

Answer 3

Religion/spirituality being a means of creating community, I would counsel taking a hard, honest look at some basic issues unrelated to their actual theologies:

1. What is your socioeconomic status and occupation? (Orthodox churches tend to be more prosperous, professional, and educated)

2. What is your ethnic background? (while not a given, many if not most Orthodox churches are specifically Greek, Middle Eastern, or Russian)

3. What kind religious *experience* are you looking for? (If you want to feel awe in the presence of the divine, Orthodox is better at that than Protestant. If you're looking for rationality, self-help, community-building, good works and homilies, mainline Protestant groups like Methodist will suit. If you're looking for ecstatic, subjective experience try Charismatic groups like Vineyard).

4. How literally do you feel the Bible should be taken? (Protestants tend to be much more literal than Orthodox)

5. Where are you at politically? (Orthodox are likely to be more liberal than Protestants, who can be VERY Republican).

6. How do you feel about "hot-button" issues like the death penalty, abortion, stem cell research, illegal immigration, and the war in Iraq? (see 5)

7. Are you more comfortable in a ritual setting, or a "seminar" one? (Orthodox churchs are more liturgical)

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

If those are your only two options, then the Orthodox are far closer to original Christianity than any Protestant denomination is. However, that probably isn't your main concern, or the original Christian Church itself, the Catholic Church, would be your only option.

Answer 5

Protestant Churches believe in a more personal relationship with God.

Orthodox churches belive in a more respectful and religious relationship with God.

If you read the bible you will learn that God seeks a closer more personal relationship with you than simply lighting candles on Sunday.

So my answer would be a Protestant Church. But remember that it's your choice not mine. Read the Bible and you'll get your answer in what God says you should do.

Answer 6

All Orthodox churches like the catholic church is immersed in the idolatry of intercession/veneration of saints and promote other lies like Apostolic succession(Lie according to Mathew 18:8). Idolatry,lies and cowardice are condemned in scriptures as sins that will lead you to eternal hell fire-Revelation21:8,9:20,1 Corinthians 10:14,Exodus 20:3-5 etc.
So my advice to you is join any of the Evangelical Christian churches that reject this idolatry of intercession/veneration of saints and other unbiblical lies promoted by catholic orthodox sects to promote their idolatry.Do not fall into the trap of idolatry,lies and cowardice and go to eternal hell fire.Come to the true freedom of Lord Jesus Christ and the eternal life given by the living God to all those who please him.

Answer 7

You should look into the Church of Christ (Iglesia Ni Cristo)
it's a Christian church non-denominational
http://inc-pasugo.org/

Answer 8

I think it's all a matter of preference. I think that Protestant churches have doctrine that is closer to what's in the Bible. Visit several different types and see which one you feel has morals closest to yours. just remember to pick a church based on what they teach, don't pick one that will let you do whatever you want. it has to have principles that coincide with the Bible's.

Answer 9

Read some of the amazing conversion stories at the link below. It might give you some guidance.

Answer 10

Save your time and money. You can have superstitions without belonging to any church. You can even believe in ghosts and all sorts of supernatural things, if you need to, without belonging to any church.