What's the best way of becoming a Christian again?

Question

I'm honestly thinking about becoming a Christian again. It's because of Fundamental and Evangelical Christianity that I'm not. They're all up in your face. To be quite honest with you if I had been in a Liberal Christian church or branch of Christianity I might still be a Christian. To be honest with you the reason why I left Christianity was because I was in a Fundamentalist and Evangelical type Christian church. I ended up getting baptized when my heart wasn't in it simply to appease the masses and shut them up so that they could leave me alone as they were all in my face and I felt pressured to being baptized. I'm pretty liberal in my approach to dealing with people and i like how Liberal Christians act and carry themselves. What are some Liberal Christians denominations and sects? And what's the best way of going about becoming a Christian again and walking that lifestyle?

Answer 1

Many Christians skip denominations altogether, and I think that can be an intelligent idea. Paul said in one of the epistles that those in his day weren't supposed to be of Paul or Appollos or any other preacher or denomination. They were supposed to be of Christ.

I suggest reading the Bible and following the guidance from there. Ask Christ to receive you and invite Him into your heart. Then, if you need fellowship, find a home church or a nondenominational congregation to worship with, but compare all things directly to the Bible, not the conference.

Answer 2

The Bible has it's own power and in my life it doesn't matter what book. The Best way is to start over with the Gospel of John and then go back to Matthew and run through to Revelations. There are a million versions now, but if you have a Living Bible they come with textbook pages so you can study and highlight. Use it like a textbook as if you have to pass the class whether you are intereested or not. Things start to happen. It's supernatural. Try it. Maybe I am just weird. But I had the guts to admit it.

Answer 3

Start going to a Christian church--if you don't like one, there are so many denominations to choose from. The Lutherans are really easy-going--and not all up in your face. Then you have the Catholics, the Episcopalians, the Methodists, the Baptists, the Presbyterians--and many non-denominational Christian churches. Take your pick--try them all out--then choose one that you like.

To 'walk the lifestyle' simply believe in Jesus as our Savior, and follow the 10 Commandments. Pray to God for forgiveness for your sins, and don't ask Him for material things.

Answer 4

No such thing as "becoming a Christian again". If you ever were you still are. But from what you say you never got a dose of the Holy Ghost, therefore you were never a Christian in the first place. You don't get baptized to please the people or get them off your back, you are baptized to show that you are a follower of Christ, after you have ask Him to come into your heart and soul. Read Roman 10:9-13.

Answer 5

Hmmm. I'm not necessarily a "liberal Christian" myself--i try to (unsuccessfully) avoid labels--but i know a lot of them and they are relatively okay (i have a biased sample, of course, which is why i say this...)

But one thing i would like to note is that it is never a good thing to go to a certain Church just because it agrees with your politics--from the right OR the left. Nothing has the capablility to spoil Christianity more than politics (otherwise known as "worldliness"). This doesn't mean that Christianity isn't political in some way, but that politics shouldn't be our main focus.

So if i would ever offer anyone advice i would say to find a more traditional Church, those modern big huge ("fundamentalist evangelical" as you put it) Churches are good for some people, but it seems to me that a lot of people just get lost in them. There's little opportunity for spiritual growth, which should be their focus.

As for me i have always gone to lutheran ELCA Churches, although they have their own political troubles they have been cooling down of late. They are relatively liberal but a lot of the preachers keep out of politics altogther, which is what i like. No Church is perfect but then again Christians aren't perfect, so you can't expect any single Church to be.

Feeling pressured to be baptized is never a good thing. :( But if your heart wasn't in it, i don't know if your previous baptism counts (unless you were really young, then i would expect that it would). But even if you think it doesn't count, whatever you do don't get "re"-baptized right away. It should be a commitment studied with great care and love, not forced upon yourself.

As for being a Christian, it is not hard. Yet at the same time it is very hard. Just know that God will help you. He never leaves us hanging--we hang ourselves. XP

I personally would pray to God, ask for forgiveness, tell up all my sins (it actually feels good when i do that) and ask that for Jesus' sake to be forgiven. I try to do that every day and i expect i will probably be doing that every day for the rest of my life. We need to know that we are not perfect, we will never become perfect, we fully deserve to be condemned and damned. But Jesus came, lived, and died--and as He said, "It is finished." Faith in Him is all we need: He did the rest, and He is with us now in the Holy Spirit.

When you become a Christian honestly you will start to change. I know i have. But don't be too ready to "grow up" spiritually. Don't take on too much at once. You will grow at your own pace in the way God wants you to.

The best way to grow, i personally think, is to promise yourself and God that you will read at least 1 verse of the Bible, every day. I know it sounds weird, but it really helps. I recall being very little and so tired i angrily whipped out my Bible, skimmed over one verse, and threw it down to go to sleep. Then i got to the point where i would read page after page, going, "Wow! What happens next?" As i read my life also began to change and i am ever since growing more aware of my own actions. As the Lord said, "Men live not by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."

Answer 6

Leave out the middle man entirely. Hit your knees while your alone and HONESTLY speak with God. Don't say things you think He'd want to hear... He only wants you. He knows your heart and loves you. Humbly ask Him and only Him to enter your life and then, ask Him for the wisdom and strength to recognize and block out the enemy, even when he comes in the form of a supposed "Christian."

My heart goes out to you. I was once heavily influenced by the legalism and in-your-face tactics of the Evangelical movement. Those people aren't interested in your salvation inasmuch as they're interested in brain-washing you until you're just like them. Christianity isn't a club and it isn't exclusive.

My advice is that you pray that God helps you find a church you can feel comfortable in. There are churches out there who will welcome you and love you the way Christ intended for His children to act. The trick is not being misled by the false-prophets out there.

Answer 7

To be a Christian is to follow Christ teachings, to follow in His footsteps. It is not about liberal or even fundamentalist. I admit some do give Christianity a bad name. To become a Christian one must be born of God's Spirit. The way this happens is to simply believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for you. Then continue following what Christ taught by learning as much as you can about Him. Also remember to ask God to forgive you and turn from any sin in your life. Allow the Holy Spirit to convict your heart of sin instead of people. You will go alot further when you choose to listen to God and not necessarily man.

Answer 8

Go forth and interview churches and their leaders until you find the one that fits you. It is out there. BTW - I believe that to be a Christian all one needs to do is believe in Christ....not join up. I know people who live the life and walk the walk but never go to church.

Answer 9

i'm searching for a church that i can fit into again myself. i was raised in a wonderful church, but going to it isn't possible because it's just way to far. don't stop at one, go around and check some out. pray for guidance and ask around to some people you trust...you will find the way and the church that's right for you. prayer and trust will help you to find the confidence to do so! don't give up!

take care and god bless!

Answer 10

The United Church of Christ, Methodist, Episcopalians, Unitarian Church, and some local independent churches are more forward thinking, and may be a good fit for you.