For Christians to answer: About churches in America?

Question

I'm struggling in finding a church where I fit in. For the last decade every church I've tried to fit into has either been too religious (ritualistic with unbiblical rules and traditions), phony (fake members with fake smiles stating faked hallelujahs), or large mega churches that have strayed away from God's holy word in order to please more people. Maybe it's just me or maybe it's a prelude to the great apostasy as foretold in the bible. I don't mind if the problem is with me but I don't know what to do either way. My soul longs for Christian fellowship.

Oh and to save many of you time, I did receive the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior in 1994. I moved to another state in 2000 and have since learned that the church I got saved in is now disbanded.

Answer 1

Michael, the type of church you're looking for is uncommon, but not rare. They're hard to find because they don't have an advertising budget; they grow by word of mouth.

Do some online searches, look in the yellow pages, and if you have a community paper look through it. Pray for guidance. Do some footwork, ask around, visit churches, etc.

The church I'm at now is what it sounds like you're looking for. You'll find the church you belong at. You just can't expect it to come to you.

Answer 2

The churches today are weak, they are more like social gatherings and public displays of religion rather than an inward resonating spirit. Many churches just appear artificial.

One of my friends really agrees with you and attends conventions and such that are really conducted through the Holy Spirit. I am not sure if these are from a certain church denomination or whatever, but if you want I will ask him about some good pastors and such that are really led by the Spirit.

Answer 3

I'm Lutheran... so I'm going to promote my church. We do have a scripted service, but when you learn why we do the things that we do, you will know how the glorify God.

Simple one... why is the right candle always lit before the left? The right candle represents Christ and the left candle represents us. We put Christ before us. So why is the left candle always put out first? That's because we never put out the right candle. We light the end of the acolyte staff with the right candle and take "christ's light out into the world."

Why are all Lutheran doors entering either the church or the sanctuary red? They represent the blood of Christ.

Answer 4

i understand exactly what u mean. even the Church's my family attend in some ways fake. however; he will lead u to a church he wants u to be in. furthermore; it may be a church in which u will help to bring back the true teachings of the bible . dont listen to the emnemy as i have and stayed away from church cuz i feel i dont fit in. some times we are not suppose to fit in , we my become to comfortable.

Answer 5

Wow you are dealing with allot but do not loose heart if you earnestly seek Him you will find where you fit in and where he wants you to be. maybe this is a test will you still follow if you must follow alone. Do not loose heart God will not forsake you. Email me maybe I can help find you a church home

Answer 6

Go to any UPC church... its christian pentecostal. i cant guarantee you wont find fake people or hypocrites.. but would you rather be in the world with hypocrites and loose your soul or in church with them and be saved!?! Everything we believe in can be found in the bible.. no man made rules.. just give it a try.. if not.. then God Bless and good luck finding what you're looking for.

Answer 7

Pray to God and ask that you seek help to find his holy house.
God bless you.

Answer 8

http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_wires/2007May19/0,4675,ChurchAbuseLawsuit,00.html
N.Y. Diocese Loses Sex Abuse Lawsuit Saturday, May 19, 2007 By FRANK ELTMAN, Associated Press Writer ADVERTISEMENT MINEOLA, N.Y. —
The U.S. Conference of Bishops estimates FEMALE AND CHILD abuse-related costs from lawsuits have exceeded $1.5 billion.
Several civil lawsuits have arisen from allegations of sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic church, but few have gone to trial. Most were settled out of court.
In what victims' lawyers called a powerful message to the church, a jury on Friday found the nation's sixth-largest Catholic diocese and a church parish negligent in a case involving a youth minister who repeatedly raped and sodomized teenagers in his care over several years. The jury awarded the two victims a combined $11.4 million in damages.
"Over 99 percent of the cases that have been brought since 2002 have settled in the quiet of lawyers' offices, and none of these cases have seen the light of day," said Paul Mones, an attorney for the victims. "This case has really shown exactly how these pedophiles operate, exactly how the church, unfortunately, has responded."
The jury found that the Diocese of Rockville Centre, one of its churches and a pastor were negligent in the hiring and retention of the youth minister who carried out the abuse. The jury cleared the defendants of being negligent in the supervision of the minister.
One of the victims' lawyers, Michael Dowd, said the decision _ announced in a hushed Long Island courtroom _ showed that "the church can no longer be reckless in the safety of children."
A spokesman for the diocese, Sean Dolan, declined to discuss the verdict immediately. He said church officials hadn't decided whether to appeal.
The trial included graphic testimony from a female victim who told the jury that former youth minister Matthew Maiello seduced her and eventually had sex with her in a variety of locations on church property _ including church pews and the elementary school principal's office _ as well as at their homes.
The Associated Press generally does not name victims of sexual abuse.
Maiello, who now lives in Connecticut, pleaded guilty to third-degree rape and sodomy in 2003, admitting he abused four children. He served more than two years in prison.
Since Maiello did not contest any of the allegations against him, the focus of the monthlong civil trial became St. Raphael's Church in East Meadow, its pastor, the Rev. Thomas Haggerty, and the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
The jury awarded the female victim about $5.5 million in damages and a second, male victim about $5.9 million.
The two, now 23, said Maiello repeatedly molested them from 1999 to 2002, starting when they were 15. They said church officials failed to act when confronted by reports that the youth minister was acting inappropriately.
After the trial, the woman hailed the verdict as a vindication for her and other abuse victims.
"The reason for seeking justice in a civil trial was to ensure that the truth finally came out and that this might prevent the abuse from happening to children everywhere," she said.
Brian Davey, an attorney representing the pastor, the parish and the diocese, insisted that Maiello alone was responsible for the sexual abuse.
But Dowd questioned why Haggerty did not pursue more information after receiving a negative job recommendation for Maiello from a youth minister at a church at which Maiello had previously worked. Dowd also said Haggerty failed to check on Maiello's educational background and other qualifications for the $20,000-a-year youth ministry position.
Prosecutors said they were prevented from pursuing criminal charges because statutes of limitations had expired long ago.
The U.S. Conference of Bishops estimates abuse-related costs from lawsuits have exceeded $1.5 billion. On Long Island, a grand jury found nearly two dozen cases of abuse going back decades in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, with 1.3 million Catholics in 134 parishes.

Answer 9

Wow, and to think I had problems!