Finding a church

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amadeus

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RCC, dead, lifeless.
R.188ea65c03590257c1bc62062789dd90
 
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MatthewG

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I’ll go to any church I desire,

and I’ll see flaws all the time,

we are flawed human beings

To teach the word comes at a price of teaching it and trying exegesis and all those things properly introducing history and backgrounds and cultures and the times of the people is really time consuming, so that people can learn and expand in their knowledge of God.

that is what I would like to try to aim for, growth of those who are seeking to know the Bible and what it has to say.
 
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amigo de christo

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I don't have a neighborhood. I live in the sticks 10 miles away from the closest town.
The closest church in the town has gay pride flags flying outside.
I live on SS supplement. $500. a month. I go to town once a month for food shopping.
I can't afford the gas. I'm disabled and can't walk or sit in one position for very long. I would probably be a distraction.
I been to a few churches in my time, but they don't like it when you ask questions, so I stopped going.
That was when I lived in a city and was healthy and had a job.

I'm happy here. I feel you all are my neighbors and my family.
I meet here everyday or as often as I can. Sometimes I wonder over to other forums but their not the same.
This is my church.
I hear what your saying...
All I can do is trust God to keep my dad's property that I live on, safe.
And last fall was pretty intense. A circuit breaker went bad and I smelled burning electricity. I called an electrician and he fixed it.
The roof leaked in the garage and destroyed the heater that kept the water pump from freezing, so I called my friend that mows my lawn and he brought his brother and fixed the leak, the gas company replaced the heater, and all is well.
Both buildings could of been toast. But the Lord intervened before that could happen.

I feel a lot of love through these pages. Through the words I hear the spirit in the people.
I can almost imagine what everyone looks like. Not by the flesh, but by the spirit.
And it is a tremendous blessing.
And this is what the Lord has provided for me.
So I'm not complaining.
:D
Hugs
March on in the glorious Lord . And let the LORD be praised
 

GRACE ambassador

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it's not wise to challenge a pastor's teaching in a public way. Pastors are dependent upon the congregation trusting them and error, especially gross error should be discussed first in private...We are not called to be divisive, but to a mutual submission. If such submission would compromise our conscience, then it's better to "shake the dust from our feet" and seek another place that doesn't compromise our conscience.
Amen! My last (of several) baptist pastors, was quizzed by me,
after I had studied a "Baptism And The Bible" book that I found in/
/borrowed (secretly) from his library. Not necessarily was it "a
challenge," but more like a (life-long professional) student
searching for the Truth:

Are all of Paul's Scriptures, excepting 1Co_1:14-17, about
"Spiritual" baptism? His answer was: "Yes, but (red flag?)
we have to remember water baptism." (TWO baptisms?)

After more prayer, review of Scripture, and more prayer, I did as
you say: "shook the dust from my feet." Of course the people,
our friends, "loved us," as my wife had cancer, and God sent us
our Special blind daughter ("angel" Now 31!), and they brought
us meals to help out.

After we left, the pastor brought a couple of elders to visit and find
out "why" we left. After explaining the "New (Never-Before-heard)
doctrine" of ONE Baptism, I had studied, then he finished with:
"In our fellowship group, we Disagree with the teacher you have
been reading and studying with."

Now, I don't know about anyone else, but, to me, that didn't
sit very well, because after pondering it, this came to mind:

"JESUS Came To His Own (with Truth), and they
received Him not...(Disagreed?)...crucifying Him,"
Correct?​

So that, Also "with God's Math, ie: ONE does not Equal two,"
solidified my decision to depart. Have Never looked back.

A very few have responded to my (challenging?) "Divider" Poll...
about this (apparently NON-important?) doctrine of ONE Baptism.
Of course, perchance, I am being "divisive"?

GRACE And Peace...
 

michaelvpardo

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I don't have a neighborhood. I live in the sticks 10 miles away from the closest town.
The closest church in the town has gay pride flags flying outside.
I live on SS supplement. $500. a month. I go to town once a month for food shopping.
I can't afford the gas. I'm disabled and can't walk or sit in one position for very long. I would probably be a distraction.
I been to a few churches in my time, but they don't like it when you ask questions, so I stopped going.
That was when I lived in a city and was healthy and had a job.

I'm happy here. I feel you all are my neighbors and my family.
I meet here everyday or as often as I can. Sometimes I wonder over to other forums but their not the same.
This is my church.
I hear what your saying...
All I can do is trust God to keep my dad's property that I live on, safe.
And last fall was pretty intense. A circuit breaker went bad and I smelled burning electricity. I called an electrician and he fixed it.
The roof leaked in the garage and destroyed the heater that kept the water pump from freezing, so I called my friend that mows my lawn and he brought his brother and fixed the leak, the gas company replaced the heater, and all is well.
Both buildings could of been toast. But the Lord intervened before that could happen.

I feel a lot of love through these pages. Through the words I hear the spirit in the people.
I can almost imagine what everyone looks like. Not by the flesh, but by the spirit.
And it is a tremendous blessing.
And this is what the Lord has provided for me.
So I'm not complaining.
:D
Hugs
Awesome, sister. I completely understand and "the Lord our provider" is certainly one of my favorite names of God. He knows our need and meets it. He's entirely faithful and makes me wish that I were as well. May the Lord bless you, keep you close, and bless you in every way according to His great and awesome promises. Amen.
 
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michaelvpardo

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My own place in our church was as publisher of quarterly news letters with contributions which we shared and helped us keep in touch. I also took turns on the overhead projector and I hosted midweek bible studies and took turns on the tea/coffee rota. We can all do something for our fellowships. We don't need to be 'front of house' to use the talents we have. I don't think I would want to belong to a church which didn't want my talents - however small and insignificant they may seem to me. The trouble is though that some people want a 'ministry' and may convince themselves they are preachers or prophets etc when they are clearly not.
I agree, and the pastoral Epistles exhort us to avoid putting the spiritually young into leadership positions as this can be a form of temptation and a cause for a fall.

I left the church where I was baptized as an adult, not for any fault of the pastor or congregation except a certain jealous guarding of ministries within the church, a fault picked up from the Pastor himself. My former wife and I found no place for ministry, even as helpers. We wanted to grow and how does one grow without using the gifts that God gives?

A small congregation may not have much room for service, but denying help is either prideful or selfish. We became members at our second church because they encouraged ministry participation in a normal order starting with limited responsibilities and increasing them according to demonstrated gifts. We remained there comfortably for about 7 years and had a lot of opportunity to serve in various capacities. I didn't mind raking gravel in the parking lot, but was willing to stand behind the pulpit (with a little fear and trembling). The Lord makes His church prosper. We're just vessels that He uses and blesses in the process.
 
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michaelvpardo

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Thankfully the days of playing church are really over. In my opinion @michaelvpardo
You may be right. I don't receive broadcast TV out in the boonies, and cable TV is way too expensive here, but I need internet service to use my phone at home and just stream news and entertainment. ABC has a segment for "faith fridays" and their lady "reverend" talks about things like "karma" and reminds me of an old Flip Wilson skit on "the church of what's happening now."

I don't know how men like Joel Osteen are doing these days, but frauds find ways to prosper.
 

amigo de christo

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You may be right. I don't receive broadcast TV out in the boonies, and cable TV is way too expensive here, but I need internet service to use my phone at home and just stream news and entertainment. ABC has a segment for "faith fridays" and their lady "reverend" talks about things like "karma" and reminds me of an old Flip Wilson skit on "the church of what's happening now."

I don't know how men like Joel Osteen are doing these days, but frauds find ways to prosper.
I will answer them according to the IDOLS of their heart . Joel and others are and have become very rich
and yet they are poor blind and naked .
If we read the bible , It says they teach deciet and etc , and therefore they have waxed RICH .
ITS a delusion . THEY think they hear from GOD .
JESUS I KNOW HEARD FROM GOD and HE teaches , BEWARE of covetouness , for a man life consists not the the abundance of what he possess .
YET these teach and say and twist what JESUS said , WHEN HE SAID I HAVE COME TO GIVE THEM LIFE
and LIFE ABUNDANTELY , into a LOVE OF MONEY SERMON . YET JESUS said STORE NOT UP
YET JESUS warned of covetousness . THEY are being answered according to the idols of their hearts .
I say , COVET THE GLORIOUS LORD JESUS and LOVE AND EMBRACE UPON THE HEART all THINGS HE DID TEACH and SAY .
LET THE HEART CLING TO THE LORD . Many decievers have abounded and now
are being given over even unto a very strong delusion . THE LIE . The lie of the braod way and the broad path unto GOD .
AKA , the DELUSION OF THE ALL INCLUSION . And its sucking up whole houses and churches now
as they cry UNITY , let us be one and have made their bed with a HARLOT for said unity . WE MUST resist the lie
through FAITH IN JESUS . NOW MARCH ON in the GLORIOUS LORD my friends .
 

michaelvpardo

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Amen! My last (of several) baptist pastors, was quizzed by me,
after I had studied a "Baptism And The Bible" book that I found in/
/borrowed (secretly) from his library. Not necessarily was it "a
challenge," but more like a (life-long professional) student
searching for the Truth:

Are all of Paul's Scriptures, excepting 1Co_1:14-17, about
"Spiritual" baptism? His answer was: "Yes, but (red flag?)
we have to remember water baptism." (TWO baptisms?)

After more prayer, review of Scripture, and more prayer, I did as
you say: "shook the dust from my feet." Of course the people,
our friends, "loved us," as my wife had cancer, and God sent us
our Special blind daughter ("angel" Now 31!), and they brought
us meals to help out.

After we left, the pastor brought a couple of elders to visit and find
out "why" we left. After explaining the "New (Never-Before-heard)
doctrine" of ONE Baptism, I had studied, then he finished with:
"In our fellowship group, we Disagree with the teacher you have
been reading and studying with."

Now, I don't know about anyone else, but, to me, that didn't
sit very well, because after pondering it, this came to mind:

"JESUS Came To His Own (with Truth), and they
received Him not...(Disagreed?)...crucifying Him,"
Correct?​

So that, Also "with God's Math, ie: ONE does not Equal two,"
solidified my decision to depart. Have Never looked back.

A very few have responded to my (challenging?) "Divider" Poll...
about this (apparently NON-important?) doctrine of ONE Baptism.
Of course, perchance, I am being "divisive"?

GRACE And Peace...
Well, I'm not sure what you're specifically defining as that doctrine (or whoever is defining it,) but there's only One Holy Spirit, so identifying with Christ in His death by receiving His Spirit is one baptism and the only one that counts toward salvation. The ordinance of Baptism, whether being sprinkled or dunked, is just an act of obedience to identify with the congregation and be recognized with the making of the good confession before men and justified according to Christ's teaching.

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32
I know that this is a contentious topic, but the value is in the confession and identification, and for most of us, not in taking a bath.
 

bbyrd009

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I did that myself, but not by intent. I was "saved" through the ministry of coworkers and in one of my read throughs of the Bible I was convicted by the verse about abandoning the gathering together of the assembly. That's when I started looking for a "home church." However, I don't know that this is for everyone. Some people were raised by Christian parents and believed the gospel at an early age. Sometimes they stay in the same church where their parents served and worshipped, sometimes they relocate as adults, sometimes the Lord makes them discontented where they are and gives them the desire to go visit other assemblies. "One size doesn't fit all."

I believe that the key is to trust the Lord and be sensitive to His guidance. I don't know that you can follow Him without knowing Him, but those that know Him should trust Him, shouldn't they? Following His guidance is how trust is built, and trusting His word is faith. I like the story of Gideon from the book of judges. He tested the Lord, but he learned how to trust His word.
while i dont know for sure, i have a feeling that what we call “church” now are deemed “love feasts” by the Bible, which would change the dynamic there quite a bit i guess, but one point might be that we are now worried about abandoning our love feasts, and not Church, having mis-labeled “Church”
ah, did the number work for you? It just struck me as a commentary that it was disconnected; doesnt mean that it is though i guess
RCC, dead, lifeless.
well, id agree with “counterfeit” maybe, but as much as i dislike Rome, i guess we also still need Rome, kinda weird. Plus, we are all in some sort of counterfeit anyway, imo; Protestants are really in the same boat as Catholics imo, just different window-dressing, both cult of sol invictus, no disagreement between them on any essential matters that i can find

and Catholic Charities is the best modern example of “storehouse” that i have been able to find; they help anyone in need! Although i guess they are more like a satellite of the RCC
 
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amadeus

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It wasn't the kindest thing for me to say, and my desire is to see new life, but there's a reason that the Lord snatched me out of their grip as a child. I don't question the wisdom of God.
I was once a sincere, faithful to God, young Catholic altar boy. I never had any serious complaints about Catholics as a whole when I was among them... but I honestly did not know much. I never even owned a Bible then.

As a practicing Catholic I was blessed by God and cannot ever forget or deny that... even though God did bring me out of there a great many years ago.

Off the top of my head, today, I would not recommend that any person join the Catholic Church. However, I do not always know God's pathway for other people, so I try stand back in silence unless a person or God presses me to speak... We need to be careful about letting people do that.

Since my participation in online forums began more than 20 years ago, I have encountered at least two Catholics, who, to me, presented better walks with God than many of the apparently Protestant members. One of them was on this forum.

Give God the glory!
 

amigo de christo

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I was once a sincere, faithful to God, young Catholic altar boy. I never had any serious complaints about Catholics as a whole when I was among them... but I honestly did not know much. I never even owned a Bible then.

As a practicing Catholic I was blessed by God and cannot ever forget or deny that... even though God did bring me out of there a great many years ago.

Off the top of my head, today, I would not recommend that any person join the Catholic Church. However, I do not always know God's pathway for other people, so I try stand back in silence unless a person or God presses me to speak... We need to be careful about letting people do that.

Since my participation in online forums began more than 20 years ago, I have encountered at least two Catholics, who, to me, presented better walks with God than many of the apparently Protestant members. One of them was on this forum.

Give God the glory!
Just remember this , we cannot be faithful to GOD and to men who are and have gone wrong .
Yes we do learn as we grow . but a lamb will feed from its bible and by the SPIRIT it will learn and grow .
This is why out of great love for the souls of men i warn any and all who are in a false place to get out
and yes i do name names of false teachers .
As did paul ,
Today we have been taught not to name names . But i say we must protect the sheep .
And thus we would do all for their sake to call them out of any dangerous place
and also warn one not to enter into any such deadly place . Believe it or not , ITS NOT HATE for me to do such a thing .
ITS LOVE , ITS TRUE LOVE that comes FROM GOD . FOR as HE desires not one to perish , well by HIS grace
I NOW DESIRE none to perish . thus i warn .
 
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amigo de christo

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POINT TO CHRIST and let it be the BIBLICAL ONE . HE ALONE is who saves and can keep us safe and from falling .
And any true lamb who has grown in the grace would also do all to keep others far from dangerous places and dangerous men
and dangerous doctrine which has taken many captive to a lie .
Now pull those boots on and let us finish the race . DOING all as did the early church leaders , as did CHRIST to protect
the SHEEP . For it is by HIM , HIS SPIRIT that seasoned lambs would protect and speak and warn and exhort .
 

amadeus

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Just remember this , we cannot be faithful to GOD and to men who are and have gone wrong .
Yes we do learn as we grow . but a lamb will feed from its bible and by the SPIRIT it will learn and grow .
This is why out of great love for the souls of men i warn any and all who are in a false place to get out
and yes i do name names of false teachers .
As did paul ,
Today we have been taught not to name names . But i say we must protect the sheep .
And thus we would do all for their sake to call them out of any dangerous place
and also warn one not to enter into any such deadly place . Believe it or not , ITS NOT HATE for me to do such a thing .
ITS LOVE , ITS TRUE LOVE that comes FROM GOD . FOR as HE desires not one to perish , well by HIS grace
I NOW DESIRE none to perish . thus i warn .
I am not disagreeing with you, my friend. You must do what God leads you to do to help others in need of help... most especially those who really want to be helped. My calling is not precisely the same, but we certainly agree that God's purposes are altogether good. Lots of warnings are in order!