Recommended Church?

[enarchay]

Though I am a Christian and devote most of my time to studying the Scriptures and one day plan to peruse some sort of theological or Biblical scholarly career, I have never attended a Church. The main reason for this is because I have never considered myself non-denominational.

My mother attends a charismatic Church. I will not go because many of the things taught there are so anti-Biblical, and if I question them on it, they won't listen to me because I'm just a kid to them. Here's an example. One man came in and was preaching about he had an out of body experience and went to hell. Well his descriptions seemed to come out of Dante's Inferno. Another said that the Twin Towers falling as prophetic fulfillment. In any case there theology seems to come from TBN (the TV channel). Much of their teachings, in my opinion, could be seen as originating in the Word of Faith movement. Most specifically, most of the time they concentrate on physical healings, and while that may be important to some, it is not something I desire, and I do not feel I am called to heal or gifted for healing. I believe my role in the Church will most likely be that of a preacher.

With all that said, I feel I need to start going to Church. But what Church? I think I would like a more traditional Church such as an Episcopal, Eastern Orthodox, or Roman Catholic Church. What do you recommend? I'm very much interested in the so-called "Emerging Church," but I highly doubt there is any congregation in my area that fits that criteria: the stressing of revaluating modern beliefs.

Do you think I should just attend a bunch of Churches and chose which one I like the most? Where would you start?

[Amie]

Zach,

What city do you hail out of? I know some people that I can ask per the Emerging Church out there. Sometimes they're home churches so they might not be in the local phone book, etc.

I would recommend you "try on hats" and find a church for you. It's such a personal decission imo.

I don't personally attend church, but know people who get a great deal out of it.

I'm sure you'll get another view or two shortly :).

Amie

[backtothefuture]

Hi and welcome!
Most people around here know that I go to "Bagel Church!" Not trying to be sarcastic here. I literary dropped out of organized religion at 55 years old and started taking my Bible to this little bagel place every day and started all over reading the Bible. This time from a first century perspective.
I have learned so much here, and have a long way to go.
There have been many times that I have thought about going back into church, but for me I decided its toxic. That is my personal experience. Its not a safe place for me to be.
I also am way to cynical to go back. Am working on that though:rolleyes:
I have found the bagel place to be the best church of my life. My husband started joining me a year ago. I really do go everyday.
I sit at a big table with friends we have met and we have wonderful conversation. Sometimes spiritual, sometimes political, sometimes just asking one another how we all are doing. Its turned out to be the church of my dreams. A real community of caring people and the food is good!!
I hope you can figure out what it is your looking for. Take your time and maybe visit a variety of places if church is where you feel you would like to be.
Blessings,
Nancy:biggrinbounce:

[enarchay]

Zach,

What city do you hail out of? I know some people that I can ask per the Emerging Church out there. Sometimes they're home churches so they might not be in the local phone book, etc.

I would recommend you "try on hats" and find a church for you. It's such a personal decission imo.

I don't personally attend church, but know people who get a great deal out of it.

I'm sure you'll get another view or two shortly :).

Amie

I live in Southern New Jersey.

[enarchay]

Hi and welcome!
Most people around here know that I go to "Bagel Church!" Not trying to be sarcastic here. I literary dropped out of organized religion at 55 years old and started taking my Bible to this little bagel place every day and started all over reading the Bible. This time from a first century perspective.
I have learned so much here, and have a long way to go.
There have been many times that I have thought about going back into church, but for me I decided its toxic. That is my personal experience. Its not a safe place for me to be.
I also am way to cynical to go back. Am working on that though:rolleyes:
I have found the bagel place to be the best church of my life. My husband started joining me a year ago. I really do go everyday.
I sit at a big table with friends we have met and we have wonderful conversation. Sometimes spiritual, sometimes political, sometimes just asking one another how we all are doing. Its turned out to be the church of my dreams. A real community of caring people and the food is good!!
I hope you can figure out what it is your looking for. Take your time and maybe visit a variety of places if church is where you feel you would like to be.
Blessings,
Nancy:biggrinbounce:

It sounds nice, but my problem is I do not know any other like minded believers in the flesh to fellowship with, I feel that I should find some (this is why I am looking for a Church).

[backtothefuture]

Hi,
The only place I have found like minded people is here or other places on the Internet.
I grew up in Wheaton IL. Home to the very fundamental Wheaton College where Billy Graham went. So this area is super fundamental. I have not met a soul who believes any of the way I have learned over the last five years.
So I guess for me, Bagel church means more of a place of community than a place to share what I believe. I wish there was a real church out here that taught this way, but not yet! But I have had some great conversations over at the bagel place. I do have a close friend of 15 years that is slowly moving in the direction that we talk about here. She really likes the Emergent church.
Best of luck to you,
Blessings,
Nancy

[christyG]

Good discussion. :clap2:
Personally I have gone through MANY changes in regards to my feelings about church. I have recently left the church that I was VERY much a part of for the last 10+ years. AND, as of August 31, I will no longer be employed by this same church! This is quite a transition for me that has been coming for quite some time, but I was dragging my feet. I may have more to say about this later.

I will say that I am excited about this change in my life!

I now have had "Christy" church with my family for the last three Sundays. I do a lesson with my children regarding spiritual growth and celebrating the divine within, using a book I ordered called "I Come from Joy". I have also introduced my children to yoga, organic foods, low meat diets, recycling and charity. These are practices that I now consider to be more spiritual than anything that could happen within the confines of the church that I use to attend. These are things we practice everyday, not just on Sundays.

Because of my experience I see many dangers associated with attending church, that I am not sure outway any benefits.

I might suggest for you, Zach, to look outside of the box, literally. Who needs four walls and a governing board and policies and all those things that people think they need to be able to work together. I would say that if you feel the calling to speak what is on your heart regarding your relationship to the divine, then why not do that wherever you may happen to find people gathered. Isn't that what Jesus did?

Christy