Featured What are churches for?

The whole thread brings up some very good points others of us take for granted. In a community like mine, there are many, many local autonomous churches. They exist in the small towns and villages surrounding us.

The desire to serve the Lord and others is very apparent and comes through loudly in the words of these posts. I cannot help but think that in a situation where there is no local church in a community, and the need is so obvious, that the authority comes directly from the Lord. To stick to the principle that authority from a local church is required is a good idea where the situation exists, but it is easy to spout off that when one does not have to face the problem in a less than ideal setting.

The fact that there are no churches to provide or help in either personal needs or starting a new ministry says more about the community than the person who is concerned about others.

My prayers are with you. Go how the Lord leads for this situation. Sometimes advice comes from those who know how to analyze Scripture as taught in seminary, but have no idea how to apply it to everyday life.

 

I wish God would send me a messenger. I've struggled with the issue of where to go for fellowship. My views are so diverse that it's been difficult to discern where I belong.

But not to derail the discussion, let's continue to pray for Steve.

 

Hmmm...maybe going to church and worship of God is not about you.

 

The church is. It is an entity. It is the body of Christ, the house of God made with living stones.

A church is for Christ, for His use and His glory.

 

You know what "Rev", you are a truly despicable individual, regardless of the title before your name. You never waste an opportunity to take a shot at me, do you? I hope that really makes you feel good and bolsters your self-esteem. You are a whitewashed tomb. Now go trot on down to your church and wallow in your self-righteousness.

 

This was not a shot at you and I have never taken one.

 

Michael....may I humbly suggest that you take a season or two or three to go to them all. This way you will have a strong point of reference before you make a decision.

Today for example I went to a certain denominational Lutheran church. Now I didnt like the service honestly & I did not like the Pastor coming up to me & explaining they were a closed communion, but I took it in stride.

I was about to bolt out of there when one of the elders came up to me & asked if I would like to have coffee & cake with them. I accepted & went down there where almost every person in that church came up to me & gave me a warm inviting welcome followed by a 2 hour discussion of theology....our differences & our mutual beliefs.....I walked out of there thinking these are fine people.....however I know that we long term will not mesh.....beliefs on Baptism, Sacraments & Atonement will prohibit that. Still the lord put me in the path of some good Christians & thats cool. So now Ive made some friends (people I would not have otherwise known). They even want me to attend and gave me an invitation to their October 27th Lutheran Reformation Heritage day with a guest speaker from their Seminary in Wisconsin.....imagine that, a Reformed Baptist (a confirmed Calvinist) at a Lutheran Heritage Festival! :godisgood:

Side note Michael, I'm doing just what I have suggested you do. If I build a core of friends (even some that are a tad bit dissatisfied--maybe even), perhaps put a bible study together & perhaps at some point suggest we begin a church dedicated to our lord & savior) :smilewinkgrin: you never know what God will put in front of you!

 

Steve, thank you for your kind words and suggestions, and I'm very glad you had a fruitful time at the Lutheran church and that you were welcomed.

I've been to many churches of many denominations within an 80 mile radius. I would consider myself a moderate, or moderate-conservative, Around here, I don't know of any churches that would fit that description.

Continue on, Steve. I'll keep you in my prayers.

 

And maybe every situation in life does not fit your cookie cutter views.

 

PEACE Ya'll

Sounds like the natives are getting restless in here:tongue3:....might be time to step back and take a few deep breaths! Peace ya'll !! None of "this" should be about any of us.....It should all be about He that alone is worthy...our Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father!:saint: Michael..brother...I pray you find a fellowship of believers you can be a part of that you can serve and thrive in. We ALL need that! It is even harder to discern when you live in a place like I do where there is a Baptist church on just about every street corner. I am exaggerating a bit...but not by much!

Bro.Greg

 

And some even across the street from each other. I kid you not.

When I was out of fellowship with the church, early on we did go to some other Baptist churches. One, that we were urged to attend by family was almost an hour, each way, drive time. We went for a few months. The most we got from it was a few -- "Glad you came. Yall come back." -- along with hands already extended to the people in line behind us.

The first Sunday we came to the one we attend now, we were welcomed, with time taken for introductions, as soon as our feet hit the front porch. We told that we had been invited by John Doe. At that point, we were taken to John Doe's SS class. Our escort, welcomed us again, and introduced us to those who had already arrived for class. Between SS and services, the pastor found us and gave us a personal welcome. He didn't just do the "formal" welcome of visitors from behind his pulpit. As did a number of other members of the congregation. Have since learned most of then were NOT a part of the "official" welcome committee. Similar situation after services.

Couple that with the sermon we heard, better half and I talked about the possibility that we'd finally found a home. After the following Sunday, we knew we'd found a home. No, it's not perfect. Neither is the place where we sleep each night. Both have flaws, yet, each gives us a sense of "home" while we wait to go to our eternal home.

Michael, and others seeking their "home" in this lifetime, I pray that you will find yours soon. We may disagree with each other on just about any subject that Baptists like to debate. Your view on xyz may be much different from mine. IMO, that's secondary to each having an earthly home for worship and fellowship with brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. One day, all our differences of opinion will be cast aside, as will all the imperfections in this container for our hearts that we call a body.

 

Gregory, and Oldtimer,

Thank you for your posts, and for your good wishes for me.

There are lots of Baptist churches here -- good ones with good people. And there are a number of Methodist, Presbyterian, and Pentecostal churches, too. I didn't mean to imply that this was not the case.