Finding a church

[Windmillcharge]

in regard to what, exactly? Not sure the context there, sorry

Re read Acts about Pauls journey through Asia and of his dream of a Macedonian man calling to him. He says that he could not speal/preach in several towns, untill he headed to europe.

 

[Windmillcharge]

Hello @Windmillcharge,

I would just be very cautious about what they represent, and if they are teaching the Bible from the scripture. Also if they are allowing freedom in the thing pertaining to the spirit: ie Love. And not making doctrinal demands upon a person, or they are making people tithe to give money, or they look at other people and condemn them even though Sin has been paid for at the cross of Christ for all people…

Just to think for oneself. Have love even if they may be mean or shoulder shrug you, not sure if anyone has experiences like this in a church but common sense would tell me that it does exist… preachers getting millions of dollars and people who teach it pray to God name and claim it game, or false faith healers and things like this are to be stayed away from check your Bible against anything a preacher or teacher tells you.

There are Christian cults out there so be careful!

Thank you for reading, and considering,
Matthew G

this video is 8 minutes long something to consider,

I tackled to issues in my post.
1/ how do people respond to you and how welcome do you feel in that church.
A friendly church is no gurantee of sound theology, but I believe those who are Christian and are practcing their belifs will be welcoming and friendly.
It is an indication.
second
The ability to talk about what is being preached in that church. cults etc allow no real discussion of there teaching, equally churches going off the rails do not like having this pointed out and do not discuss the sermon.

That is why I stress those two points. There are many things people can look for, I think these two are critical.

 

[MatthewG]

That is a good point. I believe after a teaching from the Bible having an open questioning after is helpful and allows others to share some insights, or something would be beneficial.

 

[Marymog]

So then I am an Interpreter when the Holy Spirit in me provides an interpretation!

Do you believe you have been chosen by God to properly interpret His word?

 

[Nancy]

When I was moving back to my home town back in 2010 I came and looked at the churches in advance of the move. The church I found met in my old junior school. It ‘ seemed ‘ sound and open to The Holy Spirit , very welcoming. When I moved I started to attend but the minister had moved on, but there was no reason for me not to go there. I became a member, committed myself to that fellowship , only then did I find out that behind the scenes there was bickering, arguing, mainly about half the church wanting to go back to the old ways while the half wanted to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. I stayed , but one by one people left. Eventually a new pastor came , in the mean time my mum had suddenly died. He conveyed he was concerned about me but instead of offering any spiritual support, he suggested I see a doctor. I knew I could get through a depression with the Lords help as I had done it before…….I left the church shortly afterwards.

So sometimes it isn’t until you really get to know a fellowship that you see the real issues, this whole experience caused me a lot of hurt at a time when I was hurting anyway, I didn’t attend for a month after mum died, no one came along side me and would only get a hug if I attended a service. So the love was conditional on going ………I had already started to question ‘ religion ‘ in churches, for me that was the last straw. It wasn’t the first church that had failed to come alongside when I was going through deep things. The first time was when my son took a massive overdose , then when I went through my divorce …..it all took its toll on trust.
Rita

Rita, I am right along with you sister. With my mom and dad passing 28 days apart, and my older sister dying 3 years later on Christmas, of all days...nary a card or a word. And no matter how i prayed and tried to make friends, it never happened...after 4 church's like that...I have written them off. I will now only go to the mainline church's for funerals and weddings...nothing else. One would think it would have been easy to make friends with our "brothers and sisters in Christ"...HA! It's HARDER! Once used to hear allot, "there are no lone ranger Christians" or, "a Christian is not an Island"
Different day and age, I'm HIGHLY grateful for all of you on here.
xoxo

 

[Truman]

C.B. is my church. My son and I have pasts. Perhaps we'll start our own church. Ministries that I've been connected with in the past are dependent on donations, which mean you must have a good reputation, which means it's not good to be seen with people like us.
These ministries, in turn, are in relationship with a local international television ministry which is also dependent on donations. Donators are notoriously fickle.
If something doesn't look quite right, it could cost a ministry millions of dollars. It's just a bunch of hooey, I don't miss the politics and meddling. I do miss my old Vineyard church, though.

 

[amadeus]

Do you believe you have been chosen by God to properly interpret His word?

First, I believe, every one who really believes in God and strives to do His will is at times chosen to give an interpretation from God.

Second, whether the person is one with a specific gift from God as an interpreter is another question.

God has used me in the first way, but with regard to the second, not knowing, I would not presume to say.

 

[MatthewG]

Just teach the word, people who wanna hear it will listen, those who do not will not. Being open and honest about your beliefs help: however there are some things provide by a church to feel people’s needs as well. Anyone who meets up a together and have faith and talk about the things of the kingdom will they will love God, each other and others. There is no wrong way or right way to do it. Just serve God willingly and everything will pan out even through the tough ride of life with its up and downs. It takes time, practice, patience and endurance to simply share a message with others. Have been sharing videos now for over a year almost and some people it reaches some it doesn’t. The important thing to remind myself it is all for God and not for myself for am doing it willingly.

Take care trust God have faith and love God and others.

 

[amadeus]

Just teach the word, people who wanna hear it will listen, those who do not will not. Being open and honest about your beliefs help: however there are some things provide by a church to feel people’s needs as well. Anyone who meets up a together and have faith and talk about the things of the kingdom will they will love God, each other and others. There is no wrong way or right way to do it. Just serve God willingly and everything will pan out even through the tough ride of life with its up and downs. It takes time, practice, patience and endurance to simply share a message with others. Have been sharing videos now for over a year almost and some people it reaches some it doesn’t. The important thing to remind myself it is all for God and not for myself for am doing it willingly.

Take care trust God have faith and love God and others.

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matt 18:20

Lots of gatherings of 2 or 3 happening regularly. The "in his name" is the part I believe to be quite a bit rarer!

 

[GRACE ambassador]

anyway to anyone seeking “Church” may i suggest that you studiously avoid doing so for the first three years, and just seek/study the Bible for yourself?

Precious friend, appreciate you being amicable, and your advice is Excellent!

I have not "darkened a church door" in over 30 years, and am still "studying"
God's Word Of Truth, Rightly Divided! Probably safe to say that of the
hundreds/thousands of churches around me, none or very few would "have
a clue" about that type of Bible "study"...

For any who take your suggestion of a three-year "study" for themselves,
may I suggest starting with:

(2 Timothy 2:15; Romans 16:25; Ephesians 1:3-9; Ephesians 3:9 =
Grace/Mystery fellowship {Romans - Philemon}, For ALL “to SEE,” today,?)

Please Be Richly Encouraged, Enlightened, Exhorted, and Edified!
God's Simple Will!

PS. I have contacted my Rightly Divided Resource {BBS}, and
they informed me that the closest "RD group" was over an hour away,
but I found out their phone was disconnected

 

[bbyrd009]

the closest "RD group"

RD group?

 

[GaryAnderson]

I go to different Greek Orthodox Churches. In all of them, the people and clergy have been wonderful to me.

 

[GRACE ambassador]

RD group?

Precious friend, so sorry Rightly Divided = RD

 

[bbyrd009]

Precious friend, so sorry Rightly Divided = RD

ah well i would expect a group with that name to implode, sure

 

[GRACE ambassador]

ah well i would expect a group with that name to implode, sure

By God's GRACE, Hopefully EXPLODING All over the world!

 

[bbyrd009]

By God's GRACE, Hopefully EXPLODING All over the world!

ha well...i guess deeming oneself "rightly dividing" prolly seems like a good thing, huh?
yet the number was disconnected, right

 

[Marymog]

First, I believe, every one who really believes in God and strives to do His will is at times chosen to give an interpretation from God.

Second, whether the person is one with a specific gift from God as an interpreter is another question.

God has used me in the first way, but with regard to the second, not knowing, I would not presume to say.

I like your confidence. I disagree with your theory....but I like your confidence.

 

[Marymog]

If I was looking for a church, I would first find one with a statement of faith that is Biblically in line with what I know to be truth. Then, attend a few services. If the messages are shallow or contain very little Word being taught, and they fill a lot of time with announcements and social activities ....I don't go back. (I use that example, because I've seen it a lot.)

Have you found that church?

Curious Mary

 

[TLHKAJ]

Have you found that church?

Curious Mary

Not recently....

 

[Marymog]

Not recently....

Well, if you KNOW what is biblically in line with what YOU know to be truth then why don't you start your own church and teach everyone else biblical truths?

Curious Mary