Hi Nash,
You say, "I'm in the same boat with you. I haven't found a church yet that really fits what I'm looking for. I know I'll never be CoC again, not real big on Baptist thanks to Falwell, Dobson, and the like. Non-denominational are either too big or nothing more than spiritual pep rallies. Not really sure what I'm looking for and it's hard to shake all those years of CoC where I was told everyone else is wrong. Trying a new church feels like walking in the liquor store before I was 21."
Actually, Dr. James Dobson graduated from a Nazarene seminary and, to the best of my knowledge, is still in the Nazarene church.
Dr. Jerry Falwell, when he graduated from a Baptist seminary, found an old cola bottling building and made it into a church. Then, he used a lot of shoe leather knocking on doors inviting folks to church. He started out in a half mile circle area just around the cola bottling church, then when he had personally saturated that area, he spread out to a one mile circle, etc. He put a lot of perspiration along with the inspiration in his efforts to bring his community to church.
Yes, he sometimes did what we all do once in a while: open mouth, insert foot. That only made him more like all the rest of us. It is just that when Dr. Falwell did it -- it was publicized.
Many non-denominational churches are small. Personally, I like small churches better -- for this makes for better, warmer fellowship. In a small church, when you walk in, you know everyone. "Hi, George. How are Mary and the baby doing?" I like that personal friendship touch; which is lost when you go into a church and you are one of 5,000 in the sanctuary.
As far as the "spiritual pep rallies" you mentioned; I believe that is more aligned with our Pentecostal brothers and sisters. Hey, if it makes them feel closer to God, more spiritual -- God bless them. As long as that church is teaching the Essential Biblical Doctrines -- hey, if they want to dance and sing loud -- more power to them.
Personally, I am more conservative; but, I have many Pentecostal Christian friends and praise God for their enthusiasm.
Should we shop for a church? If you are not currently a member of a local church; by all means, shop for a church where you will be happy worshipping the Lord and can be in fellowship with other Christians. But, in your shopping criteria, make sure the church you choose teaches the Essential Christian Doctrines: (1) Holy Spirit inspired writing of the Bible, (2) Inerrancy of the Bible, (3) the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, (4) the deity of Jesus Christ: fully man, fully God, (5) the Gospel: virgin birth, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, (6) salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, only, (7) heaven and hell do exist; they are real places, and they are the only two eternal destinations available to us. When you find a church that teaches these things -- welcome home.
If you are in a church; that is a different story. If the local church you are in is teaching anything other than the Gospel found in the Bible; the doctrines listed above -- look for a new church home. If a church ever tells me to pick up a rattlesnake to prove my faith -- so long, been nice knowing you!
And, let me add that any church that tells you that it is the only church -- and that you can only be saved through that church; find another church. The church that began on the Day of Pentecost, about 33 A.D., was a Christian church -- nothing else. No denomination, no worshipping anyone except God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. That church taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ; that church taught salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; that church is made up of all Christian believers. It is the body of Christian believers, the Bride of Christ -- and no single church is set aside as the only way to salvation. Jesus Christ is the only Way to salvation:
"I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me" (John 14:6).
But, if you are in a church and not happy because a woman wears lipstick, or wears pants, or her husband dresses funny, or they have not asked you to teach Sunday School -- don't jump up and run. Pray about it, talk with your pastor about it if it really bothers you. But, keep in mind: I am sure that you, like me, have a few things we do that aggravate some other folks. None of us is perfect.
Matter of fact, I am quite sure that there is no church where you will find that everyone is perfect -- from your point of view. Might be a good time to take a look at your point of view, to see if it might not be a wee bit skewed.
I will close with this: A man is talking with the local pastor, and tells him, "Pastor, I would really like to come to your church. But, all the churches I have ever visited seem to be so full of hypocrites."
The pastor smiled and told him, "That is okay. You can come to our church. We always have room for one more."
Keep in mind that we go to church: (1) to worship God, (2) to study His Word and grow in our walk with Him, and (3) to have fellowship with like-minded Christian brothers and sister. Make that your goal -- and the other things which bother you will melt away.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill Gray
billdory@pacbell.net
Alabama bred,
California fed,
Blessed by God to be a Christian American!
