Church?

[GodSeeker]

If things go according to plan, my husband and I will be moving back to Georgia in January. Things have gotten so financially tight that we can't make it here without the continued help of friends and family. My mother is getting older and has asked us to move in with her and help her out. We'd split the bills and be there for her and she would get to be there for us and her granddaughter in return.

The bad part is that we'd be leaving all of what we've worked to build behind here in North Dakota. The good part is that I'd only have to work one job and would be near my family once again. Also, I would make sure I would have a job where I'd have Sundays off so I could go to church.

The place we're going to move to is Sharpsburg, GA. There are several towns near there, like Newnan or Peachtree City, that would have options for me to choose a church. Being from the area, I am familiar with several of the churches there. For a time I was a member of Westside Baptist in Newnan. I loved the church but ended up leaving due to a bad breakup with a boyfriend I had at the time. That was 12 years ago.

I want to find a church to attend when we get down there. But how should I go about choosing one? Part of me thinks it would be neat to go back to Westside Baptist. Another part of me is really interested in trying out St. George Catholic church because the music director is a former teacher of mine and being so musically inclined I could serve well with my talent there. So how should I go about finding a church? I know my husband isn't inclined to go with me, but I might be able to talk my mom into going along.

[Buck shot]

You need to seek a church that can help you grow closer to the Lord! ;)
This should be the deciding factor as to which one you choose.

This usually involves taking the time to visit the ones around you and see if they are scripturally sound or not.

Being musically talented would create opritunities in many of the churches i am pretty sure. If you want to be a part of the music ministry of one, find one with a choir or a small church that encourages folks to sing specials.

I would not recommend the Catholic Church. :2cents:

[Sold Out]

You should have a laundry list of things that you feel are biblically necessary in a church...

1. Does the pastor teach/believe in salvation by grace? (not works)
2. What do they teach concerning baptism?
3. Does the pastor teach/preach on spiritual gifts?
4. Is the church charismatic or non-charismatic (for some this might be a requirement)
5. Do they take the Lord's Supper regularly?
6. Who runs the church? (pastor? elders? deacons?)
7. Who is in control of the finances?

These would be some things that I would definitely bring up when searching for a new church. I would personally call and schedule visits with the pastors of the churches you are interested in and ask them these questions. You are responsible for who you place yourself under spiritually.

Finally...the Catholic church is wrong on questions 1 & 2 for sure. Deal-breaker.

[GodSeeker]

Can someone please explain what makes the Catholic church wrong? I don't know much about Catholicism, except that I have an aunt who is Catholic.

That was one thing that I enjoyed about Westside Baptist was their fabulous choir and the music was always great. Perhaps the pastor's sermons weren't very popular with the younger crowd, but he always did speak honestly and went along with what was taught in thew Bible. He was blunt and didn't mince words. I rather liked his honesty and bluntness though.

[Sold Out]

Can someone please explain what makes the Catholic church wrong? I don't know much about Catholicism, except that I have an aunt who is Catholic.

That was one thing that I enjoyed about Westside Baptist was their fabulous choir and the music was always great. Perhaps the pastor's sermons weren't very popular with the younger crowd, but he always did speak honestly and went along with what was taught in thew Bible. He was blunt and didn't mince words. I rather liked his honesty and bluntness though.

Catholicism teaches that in order to be saved, you must believe in Christ AND do good works. They do not believe in salvation by grace alone.

Intertwined in this belief is their requirement for a person to be baptized in the Catholic church to enter their fellowship...after that you must follow the rules of the church in HOPES of getting to heaven. There is no eternal security in the Catholic church.

If you would like to read more, there is a website set up by a former-Catholic and he addresses all of their beliefs and the biblical responses. It's www.justforcatholics.org (http://www.justforcatholics.org)

[GodSeeker]

Thanks for that link SoldOut. I'll check it out. :)

[Revinius]

number 1 on the list is: do they teach from and are held in authority by the Word?

[livingwaters]

GodSeeker, if that name actually fits you, find a church that teaches JESUS, is the ONLY way to our HEAVENLY FATHER in Heaven. Catholic, in my opinion, is man-made rules. I should know, I went to the Catholic church until the age of 15. I did not have a clue about knowing that I needed a personal relationship with Jesus. That I needed to invite HIM into my heart for salvation. Catholics have rituals that do not hold water, as far as salvation is concerned. They do not tell their congregation to go home and read their Bibles, or go and ask Jesus for forgiveness, instead of the priest. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil that separated man from God was torn from heaven to earth. That gave us straight access to God, the Father. We have to repent of our sins, ask for forgiveness, acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God, he was crucified, died and was buried. We must know that God raised HIM from the dead, and HE is now seated at the right hand of the Father.

Maybe this is too much at one time....I just get so excited about telling people how important it is for them to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Be more concerned about your salvation than where you will play music..Amen!!!:hug:

We will all have eternity to play music, worship, praise...but for now, priority is in being born-again!!!!

God Bless:)

I

[GodSeeker]

I actually talked to my mom tonight about us finding a church when we move down. She wants to find one as well but didn't want to go alone. So she and I are going to find a church home together. :) That's really cool to me since I didn't have that growing up. Neither she or my dad ever went with me to church when I was a kid. She was raised Methodist and knows of one about 5 miles from her house that she wants to check out. I am going to make a list of the different churches in her area and we'll narrow the list down and try out various places before making our decision.

[ServantofTruth]

First you need to be daily in the Word of God, the bible. Unless you know the bible - how will you know if a church is biblical? Which is all that is important!

If a church says that personal bible study is not important, that the minister does that and then tells you - run a mile and never look back! Yes this is my catholic experience, personally and what people still in catholic churches tell me. For balance i also know catholics who read daily like me.

For now, lastly - think what can YOU bring to the church. How can you serve God through that church? Helping others both inside and outside the congregation, christians and non christians. Also how is your personal outreach/ mission going to be improved by that church? If they don't do mission, spread the Word of God every week of the year and encourage all members to also - ask why not! Peace SofTy. :saint: