Preterist Churches

[goinliveinfive]

I have had, since I was fifteen, a calling to God's ministry. I went to Bible College and spent a year in youth ministry in a church that was extremely unsupportive and helped me out considerably on my journey to burnoutsville. I've spent the last thirteen years wondering what I should be doing.

Then, two years ago, I was introduced to Preterism.

As any thinking Christian ought, I discovered that the Preterist view is not only valid but it is the only way to interpret Eschatology. So here's a problem:

1. Guy has ministry calling
2. Guy becomes a Preterist virually guaranteeing that he will never make it in ministry unless he can find some other Preterists who want to have fellowship.
3. Guy really hasn't a clue where to find any other Preterists even though they're everywhere.

Any suggestions? I really think that I was called to ministry to teach Preterism and guide people into an understanding of the Truth.

If I just knew where to start... a lot of Preterists don't go to church. I've heard that some attend Unitarian/Universalist churches but I'm not ready to go that route. Besides, I don't want to attend a church. I want to grow one and have a place where people can learn, discuss, debate and worship in whatever way they're comfortable. Is it a doable proposition? Would the average Preterist take it seriously? Would they rejoice in having a place that's theirs or would they shun it because organized church ministry can only mess things up?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Amie]

Goin,

Did you know that folks donning the label "preterist" are not the only ones who study and agree with fulfilled eschatology? There are folks out there not having labels at all who are in the very least, open minded and interested. Have you considered gathering a group of open-minded people (rather than limiting yourself to "preterists") for fellowship and study?

Some folks that I know, believing in fulfilled eschatology have home fellowships, some don't do organized gatherings, some are in ministry, some are part of more unconventional churches, and some lead very traditional ones. It can all be done, because it is.

I consider Talk-Grace a little online ministry, as well as what people involved here do individually - in group levels and via family and personal lives.

What would success look like to you? A home fellowship?

:) Amie

[goinliveinfive]

What would success look like to you? A home fellowship?
It would be a start but I would want something that would be visible to the community and one that would attract people who believe in Fulfilled Eschatology (I guess labels don't bother me when they're accurate and you can accurately call me a Full Preterist).

At this point, though, I would LOVE to see a home fellowship of people who would at least hear about Preterism/Covenant Escahatology/etc. and consider that there might be validity to it.

I know I'm making some of my old classmates think.

And to clarify, I AM in the ministry to the extent that I'm active in my church and I am one of the music leaders. I don't dare tell my Baptist-born pastor about it because... oh my. At least one guy in the church has an inkling of what's going on because he's noticed I never sing songs about the second coming or sing along with any when others are leading. He says it's one of those things that makes ya go, "Hrrrmmmm...."

If for no grander reason I'd like to start a fellowship just so I could invite him to it...:biggrinbounce:

[Amie]

Goin,

I'm glad that you've found a label for you that is accurate at least :). That can be tough sometimes, heh. My thought was of the people that you might invite and wondering if you had considered inviting open-minded people rather than just other "preterists" (even the full ones ;)). I'm guessing by the above that you have :D .

I hope that maybe some of the folks who have home fellowships will share with you how they got going. My guess would be time and mingling, haha, but that's just a guess.

Where are you from? Maybe somebody knows somebody who knows somebody (haha)..

Amie

[goinliveinfive]

I'm in Western MA just east of the Berkshires.

Any takers?

[Paige]

I don't know how I missed this thread...I can't help you out as I'm an Idahoan, and thats a far cry from Massachusetts. We do have a home fellowship going. We are just several likeminded families who try to get together every week. I think if I could find a church around here that wasn't focused on preaching weekly sermons, I might also get involved there. Right now, there isn't anything like that here. Its hard to listen to one opinion week after week, when you are doing your own studying and coming up with different conclusions altogether. I do miss the larger company of people and being able to feel a part of something bigger than my living room.

Paige

[lynn]

I appreciate your spirit, Goin. :sign_welcome: :wavey: Yes, I’d personally love to attend a home fellowship which supports preterist teachings. :clap2: Wow! Would I love it! :clap2:

And yes, I agree that most preterists don’t go to church. (Especially full preterists.) That’s because churches have “burned” us so many times.:bambr: On the other hand, why shouldn’t the churches do this? God Himself will do it to us at the judgment. Like Father, like son. (Sarcasm)


“Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.”

“If anyone advocated a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing, but has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth . . .”

“For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers especially of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach, for the sake of sordid gain.”

“ . . .and regard the patience of our Lord to be salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.”

So, yes, there’s a need for your ministry, IMO, a huge need. I’d love to attend your church.

One minor critique, though. Concerning the “ministry calling” of which you spoke. I personally doubt that God today, since 70 AD, gives callings. I think that callings were a pre-parousia process, and that, like tongues, healings of the blind, words of prophecy and knowledge, that callings have also ceased. As I am a full preterist, I also am a full cessationist. For that reason, I’d be somewhat reluctant to go to your church. I’d think that your believing that you have a “ministry calling” would make you think that your status is above the rest of we members of your congregation.

But, yes, otherwise, I’d be delighted to worship with you at your church. Keep up the good work. :clap2:

[backtothefuture]

Hi and Welcome,
I would love to go to a church or home fellowship also that talked more along the lines of fulfillment. I started my journey first at Preterism at 50 years old. But since have come into the belief that all things are fulfilled. By that happening in my life, it has made it easier to go back into church when I want to. Mostly everyone here knows I attend (bagel church). Thats where I have sat between there and here learning and growing and healing. Long story, but great experience for me.
I left organized religion for a lot of reasons, but none for their perspective on things like the end times, pre-trib, post-trib etc.
Even though I believe differently now on those subjects, I still miss at times the fellowship at church and the worship. I love to sing. Just love it. And praise God. My family helped my out in that area for Christmas. And bought this 55 year old lady a electronic key board. I found that playing music was like riding a bike. I could still read music after all these years. So I am belting out the praise songs that are dear to me anyway. Dog and cat are not to amused;)
Anyway, I have found especially at bagel church that there is much to learn from everyone. I just like being me now. Not preaching one thing or the next. I share some of my new found beliefs with my husband and close friends. Mostly, I like the debate of what others have to say. And I like it in a fun way.
Also, I spent most of my summers in North Adams MA with my Grandmother. My mom was born in Williamstown and my great grandparents are a long time family from there. I know the Berkshires can be so beautiful.
I live in ILL. so don't get to see mountains or things like Mount Greylock and the Hair pin turn. But have great memories.
Again, welcome and peace and blessings on your journey,:)
Nancy