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Needing help with finding a Church

D

Dave Slayer

Guest
I have attended a local Presbytarian Church the last couple weeks. I am in search of a new Church. I recorded some of the service today on video. I would appreciate some thoughts on it. A friend of mine who saw the video thought they were too much alike Roman Catholics and Lutherans because the Rev. would have the congregation stand and stuff and recite certain things. My friend thought that was religious and that there was no relationship between God an the congregation. She attends an Assemblies of God Church, which funtions it's services different than Presbytarians. I am curios to what you all think.

[youtube:3niy55w1]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAqKrp_IwHc[/youtube:3niy55w1]
 
I did watch part of it. They seem to believe in justification by faith...that's good. They believe in communion...that's good. I think it's better if the Pastor explains what it's for first, then, everyone takes it at once. This do in remembrance of me.
I'm not partial to robes...it represents a bit of legalism to me...however, those are just my views.
The most important thing is...does the pastor really inspire you to learn more about God and his word...or is it just another nice service.
I had a pastor that was great when I was a teenager. He was very inspiring. Six of us ended up going to Bible College because of him. He didn't demand it. He was just inspiring. Altogether, I think there must have been about 10 to 12 people in that church that had gone for a full 3 years to Bible College. I went 2 years.

I prefer Protestant evangelical. Baptists, Pentecostals, etc. They have more freedom in praise and worship. There teaching is better also. If you don't get to church...David Hocking, Chuck Missler, David Jeremiah... they are good teachers, but you need fellowship also...and someone to drain your pockets :lol Actually, giving is good for a Christians soul too.
I stay away from churches that practice too much ceremonialism. It represents too much legalism to me.
Make sure they don't endorse gay marriage...that's one I definitely wouldn't go to. Not interested in an argument with someone. Trying to help a fellow believer here.
Those are my thoughts.
If you can't decide for sure. Try to at least attend somewhere. You could always post their statement of faith. That tells a lot.
 
This Church is actually not very legalistic. They are, however, a lot more traditional than a lot of Churches. I find their teachings and doctrine to be sound. I personallly do not mind if I am not "free" to worship how "I" want. I worship how I want at home or in the car. Main reason I go to Church is to be fed the Word. I wouldn't say that Pentecostal teachings are "better". I think it comes down to what is best for you. Don't take this the wrong way, I do appreciate your thoughts. I will be attending for a few more weeks before I make a decision on whether or not I will join. I have known the pastor since I was 16. He has my best interest at heart. :)
 
P.S. This Church does not endorse gay marriage. They are one of the conservative Presbytarian Churches.
 
Dave Slayer said:
P.S. This Church does not endorse gay marriage. They are one of the conservative Presbytarian Churches.
Click to expand...
Happy about that one.
I actually went to an Apostolic church, when I was younger.

The Apostolic Church of Pentecost of Canada Incorporated, which was Dominion Chartered in 1921, is a Fellowship of Full Gospel Churches, holding forth the message of the Power of God, and the Gospel of the Grace of Jesus Christ.
Although, I don't agree with everything their doctrine says anyway. They do have zeal and praise and great fellowship though.
Mostly, I just listen to what they are saying. I have even been blessed by some Salvation Army preachers.
 
You know Dave I thought for sure you'd be going to a church with the prettiest girls. Glad to see that's not all you're looking for. :lol
 
justvisiting said:
You know Dave I thought for sure you'd be going to a church with the prettiest girls. Glad to see that's not all you're looking for. :lol
Click to expand...

Nope. Not going to Church to to cruise chicks. :shame
 
justvisiting said:
Dave Slayer said:
P.S. This Church does not endorse gay marriage. They are one of the conservative Presbytarian Churches.
Click to expand...
Happy about that one.
I actually went to an Apostolic church under the pentecostal assemblies of Canada, when I was younger. Although, I don't agree with everything their doctrine says anyway. They do have zeal and praise and great fellowship though.
Mostly, I just listen to what they are saying. I have even been blessed by some Salvation Army preachers.
Click to expand...

I used to attend an Assemblies of God Church. I find some of their teachings to be unBiblical which is partly why I left. There are other reasons also but I am not at liberty to discuss. I do admire their zeal for God. But I wouldn't say their zeal is better than other Churches. Allthough, some Churches barely seem to have any zeal at all.
 
Dave Slayer said:
This Church is actually not very legalistic. They are, however, a lot more traditional than a lot of Churches. I find their teachings and doctrine to be sound. I personallly do not mind if I am not "free" to worship how "I" want. I worship how I want at home or in the car. Main reason I go to Church is to be fed the Word. I wouldn't say that Pentecostal teachings are "better". I think it comes down to what is best for you. Don't take this the wrong way, I do appreciate your thoughts. I will be attending for a few more weeks before I make a decision on whether or not I will join. I have known the pastor since I was 16. He has my best interest at heart. :)
Click to expand...
Sounds like you already have an affiliation Dave.
Have you been going there for 15 years then. I got to say that preacher has to say something to you about being sober minded. He hasn't done a thing for you in that regard. :lol
Just having some fun.
Hope you come up with a good decision.
 
Dave Slayer said:
justvisiting said:
[quote="Dave Slayer":374m6zs9]P.S. This Church does not endorse gay marriage. They are one of the conservative Presbytarian Churches.
Click to expand...
Happy about that one.
I actually went to an Apostolic church under the pentecostal assemblies of Canada, when I was younger. Although, I don't agree with everything their doctrine says anyway. They do have zeal and praise and great fellowship though.
Mostly, I just listen to what they are saying. I have even been blessed by some Salvation Army preachers.
Click to expand...

I used to attend an Assemblies of God Church. I find some of their teachings to be unBiblical which is partly why I left. There are other reasons also but I am not at liberty to discuss. I do admire their zeal for God. But I wouldn't say their zeal is better than other Churches. Allthough, some Churches barely seem to have any zeal at all.[/quote:374m6zs9]
Actually, I made a mistake.
The Apostolic Church of Pentecost of Canada Incorporated, which was Dominion Chartered in 1921, is a Fellowship of Full Gospel Churches, holding forth the message of the Power of God, and the Gospel of the Grace of Jesus Christ.
 
You are saying one thing that is obvious. We all have to find our comfortable niche. A big part of why I liked it at the church I went to, was close fellowship with some good friends.
As long as the teaching is not offbase, there are probably a lot of choices.
Like I said, with me...it really makes a difference if the preacher inspires to go on to greater things, not just "nice sermons".
 
I used to be a member of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in CA and of the PCA in NC. I've moved away from calvinism and therefore don't necessarily agree with the doctronal stand of the OPC or PCA anymore, but I tell ya, Dave, if there was an OPC or PCA within 50 miles of here, I'd ask my hubby to go there, since we're looking for a new church as well. I never thought of either the OPC or PCA as being legalistic, neither of the one's I went to were. They were traditional, but I really like that and the folks were wonderful in both. I've moved a lot, which is why I've changed churches a lot. But, yes, I'd go back to the PCA.
 
:lol PS, If the folks there are anything like the folks as the OPC I went to, they would die at the though of being compared to RCC or Lutherans. Calvinist are at the opposite end of the doctrinal spectrum of RCC and Lutherans.
 
I go to an Anglican church and I'm very happy there. I don't know the details of the differences between the prodestant churches, but I don't think there's much difference between Anglicans (church of England) and Presbeyrians (church of Scottland). I'd at least stay there a while Dave, it sounds to me like a good church.
 
I also found that if I went to a large church of over 1000 people, that it was better to also get involved in the College and Career (which is a much smaller group). It's hard to have close friendships when there are a huge number of people.
My first church was only about 90 people, and it was great. We all knew each other. I even used to go over and visit with some of the older members. They were great Christians. My one older friend used to show me how his metal lathe worked. He was a very giving man. We didn't even need to do Bible studies etc. because we were under a great pastor and we all knew we loved the Lord.
I don't live there any more, but that was great fellowship. That's worth a lot.
 
Try the nearest Eastern Orthodox Church; that could be just what you are looking for, especially if you like ritual and nice people. Greek or Russian, Serbian, Croate, Hungarian or Czech they are all cool.
yours
ÒõýþüäðýóÖ
 
Dave Slayer said:
I have attended a local Presbytarian Church the last couple weeks. I am in search of a new Church. I recorded some of the service today on video. I would appreciate some thoughts on it. A friend of mine who saw the video thought they were too much alike Roman Catholics and Lutherans because the Rev. would have the congregation stand and stuff and recite certain things. My friend thought that was religious and that there was no relationship between God an the congregation. She attends an Assemblies of God Church, which funtions it's services different than Presbytarians. I am curios to what you all think.

[youtube:2vta2yqq]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAqKrp_IwHc[/youtube:2vta2yqq]
Click to expand...
where in michigan are you? i have a great church for you to go to if it is not too far away for you?? if you dont want to say openly you can message it to me i am in flint
 
GodspromisesRyes said:
where in michigan are you? i have a great church for you to go to if it is not too far away for you?? if you dont want to say openly you can message it to me i am in flint
Click to expand...

I live in Traverse City. Flint is a 3 and a half hour drive from here. So far, I do like the Presbytarian Church. I was asking for comments specifically concerning what is seen in the video.
 
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