I went to church today

[Rod]

I went to an evangelical Presbyterian church that is close to my house. I am kind of embarrassed to admit it but this is the first time I've been to church since two years ago Easter Sunday.

I think that I will start attending this church regularly. I liked the sermon and the people were nice.

Just wondering what denomination churches you Christian bros attend. I am not looking to start an argument; I just would like to what denominations you attend and why. So I can decide on a church that would fit me best.

 

[VDC]

I'm a Non-denominational Minister,,,All you need is the Word in you,,,Let the Lord show you the way,,,Not that there aren't true believers in the Presbyterian Church,,,God's people are everywhere,,,Just don't get bogged down in Dogma,,,Love the Lord and your neighbor as yourself,,,VDC

 

[maxx]

I went to an evangelical Presbyterian church that is close to my house. I am kind of embarrassed to admit it but this is the first time I've been to church since two years ago Easter Sunday.

I think that I will start attending this church regularly. I liked the sermon and the people were nice.

Just wondering what denomination churches you Christian bros attend. I am not looking to start an argument; I just would like to what denominations you attend and why. So I can decide on a church that would fit me best.

i was baptised lutheran...i enjoy the baptist church,though.i seem to learn more.plus all my friends are baptist.i dont really think that it matters as long as you go and worship GOD.

i have to admit that we dont go as often as we should.

vdc...good to see you around bother.havent seen you post in a while

maxx

 

[spound]

I go to a methodist church b/c that is the church i was raised in, but i oftern attend other churches (while at school) w/ friends and a non-denominational church on occassion. I would recommend that you not get caught up in the denomination of the church as much as you do which church attracts you the most like which minister or pastor speaks to you the best or whatever. This is what is important. Good luck bro.

 

[moralanimal]

Hey Rod,
I saw this post and another post you wrote about attending AA. Although both are spirituality based I am not sure if they are connected. If so you may want to pick up a book called The Varieties of Religious Experiences by William James. He wrote it back in 1901 or 1902 (I think). It is standard reading in most psychology doctorate programs and can be found in the psychology section in Barnes and Nobel. It was also the book the Oxford Group (who developed into AA) used as the Big Book. It is basically a basic text in spirituality.

 

[Bob Smith]

I go to a contemporary non-denom (inter-denom, whatever) Christian church. We have members from just about every other organized church.

Rod, I would say shop around at different churches in your area. Talk to the pastors, attend a service or two, see how other members greet new people. I went to about a half dozen before deciding on the one Im at.

 

[Rod]

Hey Rod,
I saw this post and another post you wrote about attending AA. Although both are spirituality based I am not sure if they are connected. If so you may want to pick up a book called The Varieties of Religious Experiences by William James. He wrote it back in 1901 or 1902 (I think). It is standard reading in most psychology doctorate programs and can be found in the psychology section in Barnes and Nobel. It was also the book the Oxford Group (who developed into AA) used as the Big Book. It is basically a basic text in spirituality.

I have a copy of The Varieties of Religious Experiences by William James, I first read it when I was in my early twenties; it had a profound impact when I first read it. William James is the first author who really got me interested in psychology and philosophy. Moralanimal, thanks for the advice. I'll get it out and reread it. I considered it an excellent book. I am sure it will be of some help.

"It was also the book the Oxford Group (who developed into AA) used as the Big Book." I don't know enough about AA to understand this sentence. I've only been to 3 meetings, and they weren't particularly enlightening. Care to elaborate. Sounds like you know something about AA. Any info you could share would be appreciated.

 

[mikestrong]

CHURCH & GOD

I have been to many diff. churches.
Protestant
Catholic
UNITY
Evangelical
Been to BENNY HINN crusade 2 times.
What I find to be best for me. Is simply for me to find god & talk to him the best I can. Not even really paying to much attention to what the sermon or customs & habits of the church are.
Just really go there to connect with god.
The God Seekers a book by TOMMY TIERNEY. Tries to stress a similar theme.
But of the churches I have been to I liked the Evangelical best for me.
It just really affected me spritually. Seeing people there really emotionally praying & giving thanks.
peace
mikestrong

 

[athlete21]

I attend catholic church. But it doesnt really matter if you attend church. Just have faith.

 

[Rod]

I attend catholic church. But it doesnt really matter if you attend church. Just have faith.

I have thought of becoming a Catholic. Some great Catholics have been pivotal in my acceptance of the Christian world view (e.g. Chesterton, Belloc etc.).

"But of the churches I have been to I liked the Evangelical best for me." MS

I haven't been to allot of churches but some of the theologians that have had the strongest influence on me are Evangelical (JI Packer, Alistair McGrath, Francis Schaeffer). I will probably stick with an Evangelical Church.

 

[Rod]

"The God Seekers a book by TOMMY TIERNEY. Tries to stress a similar theme."

I will give it a read thanks for the recommendation.

 

[ramboj70]

"The God Seekers a book by TOMMY TIERNEY. Tries to stress a similar theme."

I will give it a read thanks for the recommendation.

I have not been to a church in 11 years, I should start going, but I guess as long as I bealeive that is good also,

 

[garyzilla]

I am a Baptist pastor. Ask any questions that you may have about church, I will be happy to anwser them!

-Pastor

 

[moralanimal]

"It was also the book the Oxford Group (who developed into AA) used as the Big Book." I don't know enough about AA to understand this sentence. I've only been to 3 meetings, and they weren't particularly enlightening. Care to elaborate. Sounds like you know something about AA. Any info you could share would be appreciated.[/QUOTE]

The Oxford Group was a spiritual group during the 20s and 30s started by a Lutheran minister- I dont recall his first name but his last name was Buchman. Buchman and Dr. Shoemaker (an Episcopal clergy man) did a lot with alcoholics. The Oxford group felt the worlds problems could be fixed through spirituality. They had 4 main points absolute honesty, absolute purity, absolute unselfishness and absolute love. They also had other pieces that I dont recall but they had to do with concepts such as giving into God.
Although the Oxford Group was not intended for alcoholics, it attracted many of them. To make a very long story short a close friend of Bill W. (co-founder of AA) was a member of the Oxford Group. He got Bill W. to the hospital where he dried out for the final time and reported several hot flashes which were later called spiritual awakenings (not to put a damper on things but it is also possible they were DTS).
Bill W.s close friend in the Oxford Group (Ebby T.) gave him a copy of the varieties of religious experiences which Bill W. credits with opening him to a high power. Bill W. then began to attend Oxford group meetings and find other alcoholics. They then split off and developed AA.
In all honesty, if you found AA stick with it. Try other meetings and NA and I promise if you are still not satisfied in 90 days you can have a full refund on your misery.

 

[musclebobbuffpants]

Not that it matters, but I'm a Free Methodist.

If you are a believer and are not in a church, find one. Not for the religion, but for the relationship(s). Scriptures places a great deal of importance on the church.

The church is the body of Christ, and we as believers, make up that body. The Apostle Paul considered members of the church to be as vital as living organs of the body. And as we all know, if an organ is severed from the body, it will shrivel and die.

The church is also the Bride of Christ. Which means Christ desires intimacy (In-to-me-He-sees) with us. If you say you don't like the church, it's the same as saying you accept Jesus, but dislike His body.

Remember, there are no perfect churches out there, just as you are not perfect. You are, however, unique with your own personal tastes and preferences, so if you find a church that matches those, stick with it.

One more thing,,,when you go to church, go there for Him, not you. He will bless you for it.

(Stepping down from my soap box now)

MBBP

 

[Data1000]

Just wondering what denomination churches you Christian bros attend. I am not looking to start an argument; I just would like to what denominations you attend and why. So I can decide on a church that would fit me best.[/QUOTE]
Rod,
When deciding which church to attend, I think it is important to check out what the denomination believes and also what the individual pastor/priest believes. All the major denominations have their own beliefs on such topics as Communion, Baptism, the final days, Prayer, how to be saved, ect. Also, individual churches have their own beliefs on topics such as gay marriage, abortion, ect. Learn about the major differences and then you can make an educated choice for yourself.
Data

 

[Giovanni]

Just wondering what denomination churches you Christian bros attend. I am not looking to start an argument; I just would like to what denominations you attend and why. So I can decide on a church that would fit me best.

Rod,
When deciding which church to attend, I think it is important to check out what the denomination believes and also what the individual pastor/priest believes. All the major denominations have their own beliefs on such topics as Communion, Baptism, the final days, Prayer, how to be saved, ect. Also, individual churches have their own beliefs on topics such as gay marriage, abortion, ect. Learn about the major differences and then you can make an educated choice for yourself.
Data[/QUOTE]


I have a question that kind of fits this topic. I have a guy that goes to my church that has been doing the masters for a few years. He is an obvious gear head. He goes to communion every Sunday. As a Catholic, you can not go to communion unless you are obsolved from your sins, right? I am sure he has not stopped the sauce but continues to go to communion. I live with my GF and could not get obsolved from my sin even though we are going to get married. The priest said because I continue to sin (live with her) he can not obsolve me of my sins. What do you guys think of this?

 

[Bob Smith]

I have a question that kind of fits this topic. I have a guy that goes to my church that has been doing the masters for a few years. He is an obvious gear head. He goes to communion every Sunday. As a Catholic, you can not go to communion unless you are obsolved from your sins, right? I am sure he has not stopped the sauce but continues to go to communion. I live with my GF and could not get obsolved from my sin even though we are going to get married. The priest said because I continue to sin (live with her) he can not obsolve me of my sins. What do you guys think of this?

Personally, I dont think its the priest's place to forgive you of your sins. I know that goes against Catholic teaching and I am totally fine with that. There is a lot within Catholicism that I disagree with in terms of their traditions and teachings. Confession happens to be one of those areas.

As for communion, its part of their tradition and if they say you cant take it, then you cant take it. I went to Mass with my gf's family (she is no longer Catholic) for Christmas. I was one of the few who did not take communion, not because someone told me I couldnt, but because I knew what their rules said, so I abided by that.

I dont want to turn this into an anti-Catholic post/thread, so I will end it here.

 

[brooklynheight]

hi garyzilla-was the trinity something that the Hebrews and 1st Century Christians believed?

 

[Giovanni]

Personally, I dont think its the priest's place to forgive you of your sins. I know that goes against Catholic teaching and I am totally fine with that. There is a lot within Catholicism that I disagree with in terms of their traditions and teachings. Confession happens to be one of those areas.

As for communion, its part of their tradition and if they say you cant take it, then you cant take it. I went to Mass with my gf's family (she is no longer Catholic) for Christmas. I was one of the few who did not take communion, not because someone told me I couldnt, but because I knew what their rules said, so I abided by that.

I dont want to turn this into an anti-Catholic post/thread, so I will end it here.

No problem with what you are saying. I appreciate all your comments and I know a lot of people don't agree with the catholic religion. I have grown up catholic and don't know any other way. I was curious how the rest of you feel about this confession thing. I think, it is hypocritical. You tell the priest you had sex or did drugs and they let you go with a penance. I told them about living with my GF who will become my wife and they told me they could not approve what I am doing. I think it is pretty shitty. They said I would have to stop sinning by not living with her. He didn't say anything about me nailing her every chance I get. I used to party and he didn't say much about me doing a rail as long as my coffee table. I just don't understand it. I thought since the topic came up I would ask.