Finding a church

[bbyrd009]

also, hear how this plays to your ear, if you would; (if i am able to express the sense, anyway)

Looking for a “church?” I know a great Church! Have you studied the Bible any, have a sense of what is going on in it yet? Even gotten started, minimum 3 years? Ah, then you cant join that Church yet i guess, sorry! But pls come back when you can, ok?

iow if you have ever been in sales the intent might come across there—not that i suggest selling church to ppl anyway, dont get me wrong, but as a way to say not be doing what everyone else is doing, that i even did, and that everyone else after us is going to do, anyway, right?

meaning that this discussion might ostensibly be for “new Christians or seekers who are looking for ‘a church they like,’” but is actually not for them at all—as who finds Paul’s “three years” before they have joined a “church?” Somebody, maybe, but im still looking for them :)

 

[Ziggy]

I found mine.
Right here.


HUGS

 

[TLHKAJ]

What if God were to want to use you to raise them to a higher level?

Much love!

I have stayed at churches for that reason. But unless God leads in that direction, I don't see a reason to stay.

 

[Truman]

This "forum" is the best ecclesia I've ever been in!

 

[Mantis]

I went to one church and it had maybe 100 or so people that attended. I looked at their flyer they hand out and noticed that they said they needed 40k a month to operate. I found that absurd. I felt like this place is way to dependent on the attendees money. Is 40k a normal operating budget for a church that size?

 

[Pearl]

I have never been a spiritual nomad. Since I became a Christian back in 1977, I have only belonged to two fellowships. The first was Church of England with a Spirit filled vicar who made it his business to take us to various meetings and other churches to hear preachers like David Watson and Colin Urquhart. I loved these mass gatherings and became hungry for more of Jesus than the traditional church could offer – especially baptism. When that became an issue I began to pray about it and search the scriptures and was given answers. And so I changed fellowships and eventually moved to a new home to be near to it.

Jeremiah 6:16
This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.

Revelation 18:4
And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.

Acts 22:16
And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptised and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”

I admit that it has been a few years since I last ‘went to church’ but that’s now more to do with logistics than anything else. I love to worship and would love to find somewhere to do it with other people so guess what? I’m praying about it.

 

[amadeus]

also, hear how this plays to your ear, if you would; (if i am able to express the sense, anyway)

Looking for a “church?” I know a great Church! Have you studied the Bible any, have a sense of what is going on in it yet? Even gotten started, minimum 3 years? Ah, then you cant join that Church yet i guess, sorry! But pls come back when you can, ok?

iow if you have ever been in sales the intent might come across there—not that i suggest selling church to ppl anyway, dont get me wrong, but as a way to say not be doing what everyone else is doing, that i even did, and that everyone else after us is going to do, anyway, right?

meaning that this discussion might ostensibly be for “new Christians or seekers who are looking for ‘a church they like,’” but is actually not for them at all—as who finds Paul’s “three years” before they have joined a “church?” Somebody, maybe, but im still looking for them :)

Someone may complain about the following verse being taken out of context, but is it not perhaps describing what so often is happening still today? Where is what we should be looking for located? Is it then in this church building or in that organized church group? How many still are quick to effect ively speak in such a way to approach God? "LO here or LO there" words spoken by so many people but was this not intended as a rebuke and a correction?

"Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21

 

[bbyrd009]

Someone may complain about the following verse being taken out of context, but is it not perhaps describing what so often is happening still today? Where is what we should be looking for located? Is it then in this church building or in that organized church group? How many still are quick to effect ively speak in such a way to approach God? "LO here or LO there" words spoken by so many people but was this not intended as a rebuke and a correction?

"Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21

word

 

[farouk]

I went to one church and it had maybe 100 or so people that attended. I looked at their flyer they hand out and noticed that they said they needed 40k a month to operate. I found that absurd. I felt like this place is way to dependent on the attendees money. Is 40k a normal operating budget for a church that size?

@Mantis "The business of America is business" might have made sense to Calvin Coolidge, but it has no place in a local church where Acts 2.42 activities are practised.

 

[Pathfinder7]

'Modern Church' is another system/establishment.
---
Many churches focus too much..
- On 'recognition, status, assets/money, etc..'
---
Most people are are comfortable with..
- 'Nicely packaged'.. services & programs.
---
Church properties are not much used...
- Because of Pandemic/Covid issue.
---
Maybe it is time to reflect/search..the meaning of the 'Church' again.

 

[MatthewG]

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,

 

[Marymog]

Someone may complain about the following verse being taken out of context, but is it not perhaps describing what so often is happening still today? Where is what we should be looking for located? Is it then in this church building or in that organized church group? How many still are quick to effect ively speak in such a way to approach God? "LO here or LO there" words spoken by so many people but was this not intended as a rebuke and a correction?

"Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21

Yup, the verse you provided is DEFINITELY out of context.

 

[amadeus]

Yup, the verse you provided is DEFINITELY out of context.

Who but God would or should determine the context? Is not the context, God's message to people? Is every message from God exactly the same to every person?

 

[Desire Of All Nations]

A person can go to a church that welcomes everybody with open arms, gives to charity, sing a lot of hymns, and have what pentecostal churches call "praise breaks", but it's still a profound waste of time being in that church if it does not teach and practice what is in the Bible. All denominational churches have traditions and beliefs that do not align with the Bible. The worst thing somebody can do is pick out a church based on how much they personally agree with the theology or how good it makes them feel.

Who but God would or should determine the context? Is not the context, God's message to people? Is every message from God exactly the same to every person?

That passage should've been rendered as "the Kingdom of God is among you/in your midst". Christ was telling the religious leaders that a Representative of that Kingdom was right in front of them. Think about this logically for a second. The narrative shows Christ was talking to the Pharisees when He said that:

"Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation;" - Luk. 17:20

Why would Christ tell the same party who opposed His ministry at every turn and accused Him of being a deceiver that the Kingdom of God was in them? If the Kingdom of God was in people, that would defeat the whole purpose of God inspiring Daniel to tell Nebuchadnezzar that His Kingdom would be a literal empire that rules over people like the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman empires did.

 

[amadeus]

A person can go to a church that welcomes everybody with open arms, gives to charity, sing a lot of hymns, and have what pentecostal churches call "praise breaks", but it's still a profound waste of time being in that church if it does not teach and practice what is in the Bible. All denominational churches have traditions and beliefs that do not align with the Bible. The worst thing somebody can do is pick out a church based on how much they personally agree with the theology or how good it makes them feel.
That passage should've been rendered as "the Kingdom of God is among you/in your midst". Christ was telling the religious leaders that a Representative of that Kingdom was right in front of them. Think about this logically for a second. The narrative shows Christ was talking to the Pharisees when He said that:

"Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation;" - Luk. 17:20

Why would Christ tell the same party who opposed His ministry at every turn and accused Him of being a deceiver that the Kingdom of God was in them? If the Kingdom of God was in people, that would defeat the whole purpose of God inspiring Daniel to tell Nebuchadnezzar that His Kingdom would be a literal empire that rules over people like the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman empires did.

"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." I Cor 3:6-7

 

[Marymog]

Who but God would or should determine the context? Is not the context, God's message to people? Is every message from God exactly the same to every person?

Do all interpret? (1 Corinthians 12:30)

 

[amadeus]

Do all interpret? (1 Corinthians 12:30)

You did not answer my questions.
As to the question in the verse you quoted: Jesus interpreted for his disciples. After the day of Pentecost as per Acts chapter 2, has not the Holy Spirit been the Interpreter? To whom does the Holy Spirit give interpretations?

 

[Curtis]

On the other hand the early church met in homes, like we call cell grips today, and i notice the mega churches encourage cell groups to form.

If you can’t find one that does things your way, maybe you should start one.

Maranatha

 

[Marymog]

You did not answer my questions.
As to the question in the verse you quoted: Jesus interpreted for his disciples. After the day of Pentecost as per Acts chapter 2, has not the Holy Spirit been the Interpreter? To whom does the Holy Spirit give interpretations?

I did answer your question. Not all interpret.

Only those that are chosen by the Spirit PROPERLY interpret and put His words in context.

The Holy Spirit gives interpretations to those He has appointed in the church. Just like vs 28 says.

 

[amadeus]

I did answer your question. Not all interpret.

Only those that are chosen by the Spirit PROPERLY interpret and put His words in context.

The Holy Spirit gives interpretations to those He has appointed in the church. Just like vs 28 says.

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