I was raised in a pentacostal church and attended church up until about 2 years ago. Since then I have had a strained relationship with God and a bitterness towards organized religion. I still believe in God but to many things have been said and done at the church I had been attending that I did not agree with. Also it was a small congrgation and everyone knew everyone elses business and were extremely judgemental and hypocritical. Ok so anyways I should tell you I am a single mom of 2 and I recently carried a baby for a gay couple. What I need to know is what kind of church should I be looking for. Up until about a week ago I had no plans on attending church again but something in me is telling me to go. So any advice would be appreciated. Also I am in the Phoenix area so if any of you know of an accepting church near me that would be great. Thank you.
2007-09-28 04:53:37 · 14 answers · asked by Jellicle Cat 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sorry about any misspellings.I did spell check but apparently it did not work.
2007-09-28 04:55:22 · update #1
It's good you want to get back to church . . . and even more important back in fellowship with God . . . that's what that "something" telling you to go to church is.
United Methodist would be good, also a Good Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) or a United Church of Christ.
Here are a few choices near you.
http://www.larkspurchurch.org/
http://www.fccdoc-glendale.org/
http://www.tempeccc.com/
http://www.disciples.org/congregations/locate/index.aspx
Godspeed.
2007-09-28 05:05:46 · answer #1 · answered by jimmeisnerjr 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello,
I would start a small bible study group for women. The thing is that most churches today are not preaching the true Gospel, not the Protestant or Catholic. The Bible says many times beware of False preachers. For instance, insisting on a tithe. that is the Old Testament law, and it is perverting the Gospel. Don't add anything to the cross, Jesus said "it is finished".
Here are some Great resources.
www.lesfeldick.org (free Bible study in Text and MP3)
www.eternalchurch.org (my site)
I think the days of going to a church are over. Now it is about getting the message out online. Blogging or posting material online is a great way to serve. You do not have to go to church, or have a pastor to be saved. Faith alone, which is a gift of God + Nothing.
God Bless U.
P.S. Penticostal is a denomination, try to stay away from denominations. They sometimes teach that revelations through tounges and dreams are part of the Bible. The day of Penticost was for Jews, not Gentiles as well.
2007-09-28 05:13:27 · answer #2 · answered by Rudy P 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When I have been in similar situations (unsure of what church to attend), here's what has worked for me: I get very honest and transparent with myself and with God in prayer, tell him how I feel, and then ask for his guidance in finding the church where I need to be. If I have developed at "attitude" about the previous church or its people, I make sure to get that straight with him and forgive them for any wrongs I think they have done (I'm not qualified to judge them, just as they are not qualified to judge me). He has never steered me wrong. Open to receiving his guidance and following it, I found a church where I received the nurturing that I needed from God and people, and opportunities for spiritual growth. I wish you well in finding your assigned place, where you will flourish!
2007-09-28 05:08:31 · answer #3 · answered by run?imn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, I don't know much about the churches in your area. You are right about one thing: your relationship with God is more important than religion. A great book that might help is The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancey. Keep searching for answers (they're in the Bible) and pray about it.
2016-05-20 23:18:12 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to always keep in mind when it's time for God to determine whether or not you make it into Heaven you can't give him excuses that the people at church did this or did that. You have to take action for yourself, just continue to pray and ask God to led you to the church he has for you, also go and visit.
2007-09-28 05:24:41 · answer #5 · answered by Alesha P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"But when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will teach you all the truth. For He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He will hear he will speak, and the things that are to come He will declare to you." John 16:13
Most non-Catholic sects declare that the Holy Spirit is 'teaching' them the truth. However, there can be only one truth. Since the advent of Sola Scriptura and individual interpretation of Scripture, how can the Holy Spirit be in each of the thousands of sects, teaching all of them opposing viewpoints? It is to be noted that all of the following denominations teach from the same Bible, so why the differences in teaching?
1. How can the Holy Spirit tell the Lutherans the Eucharist is the true presence of Christ, and then tell the Baptists it is only a symbol?
2. How can the Holy Spirit tell the Methodists it is alright to have female ministers, and then tell the Baptists it is unbiblical?
3. How can the Holy Spirit tell the Seventh Day Adventists that Saturday is the day of worship, and then tell the Presbyterians the day of worship is Sunday and not Saturday?
4. How can the Holy Spirit tell the Lutherans that the Blessed Virgin Mary was and remains always virgin, and then tell the Baptists she had other children?
5. How can the Holy Spirit tell the Baptists, 'once saved always saved', and then tell the Church of Christ that Sola Fides is unscriptural?
6. How can the Holy Spirit tell Episcopalians to baptize infants and then tell Pentecostals infant baptism is invalid?
7. How can the Holy Spirit tell Mormons that the Holy Trinity is three separate persons, and then tell Methodists the Trinity is three persons in one GOD?
I could go on and on with the differences between non-Catholic sects, but I think you get the point. It takes only a minimum of common sense to realize that the Holy Spirit could not be speaking to each and everyone of those thousands of non-Catholic sects in the opposing ways of which I have sampled here. However, I was recently reminded that common sense is not so common anymore. It is easy to see that the 'fruits of Sola Scriptura' are not from GOD. There is no 'one fold and one shepherd' in Protestantism. Opposing teachings in these denominations is rampant, all caused by the false doctrine of Sola Scriptura and its accompanying 'individual interpretation' of Holy Scripture. Which, if any, of these sects is being taught all of the truth, as promised by Jesus Christ in John 16:13?
"And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom GOD has given to all who obey Him." Acts 5:32
Okay, GOD Himself has thrown down the gauntlet...TO ALL WHO OBEY HIM.
So who obeys the will of GOD? Is it the Lutherans who say the Holy Eucharist is the 'True Presence' of Jesus Christ incarnate, or is it the Baptists who say, 'It is only a symbol'?
Is it those who say we have to worship on Saturday or is it those who say worship on Sunday?
Is it those who say baptize infants or those who say not to?
The First International Anglican Episcopal Lutheran Presbyterian Reformed Methodist Baptist Seventh Day Adventist Pentecostal Nazarene Unitarian Gospel Non Denominational Church and Assembly of God Christ Science Scientist of Latter Day Saints Jehovah Witness Evangelical Christian Restoration Calvary Bible Apostolic Progressive Faith Holiness Universalist Discipleship Congregational Covenant Independent United Communion Fellowship Conference Convention Association and Community Of The Lord. American Baptists, Southern Baptists, Christian Unity Baptists, Primitive Baptists, Duck River & Kindred Associations of Baptists, Baptist Church of Christ, Freewill Baptists, General Baptists, General Six—Principle Baptists, Independent Baptist Church of America, National Baptist, Evangelical Life & Soul Saving Assembly of the U.S.A., Regular Baptists, Separate Baptists, Seventh Day Baptists, Two Seed in the Spirit Predestinarian Baptists, United American Freewill Baptists, United Baptists, Free Communion Baptists, Anti-mission Baptists, Conservative Baptists, Fundamental Baptists,
Presided Over By
The Most Reverend Dr. Mr.Minister Pastor Bishop Brother Ned Smith Esq. preacher, apostle, Profit
2007-09-28 05:50:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christian Church or Church of Christ
I feel that these two best follow the teaching of Jesus.
2007-09-28 05:05:40 · answer #7 · answered by kenny p 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you feel the nudge from God to go, He must be having something in mind for you. Why don't you ask God to show you where to go??
Believe me, He will let you know.
Ask Him, believe and keep your eyes open. He will show you!
2007-09-28 05:28:10 · answer #8 · answered by danprem 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you a believer in God? Do you believe in Gods word to be true? Your choices in life have not shown you to be walking in a Christlike manner. You are promoting a homosexual lifestyle that God clearly has no use for. I Cor. 6:9 explains. In order to be in Christ you have to live in a life worthy of him.
2007-09-28 05:16:00 · answer #9 · answered by B"Quotes 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
just base your decision on looks that will help your social standing, A rule of thumb is to present the church with money and ask for forgiveness. they'll let you in.
2007-09-28 04:59:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋