How do you know? Are you sure?

[Boo]

Moving from one church in search of another is not a fun thing to do.

I don't live in a major metrolpolitan area, and the choices of churches is small.

I was browsing to see what was available and my search engine came up with:

http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/23/w...e-your-church/

The writer makes points that I find to be very interesting. Because of discussions that I have had with others, I know that we have a real problem in one area.

Most people I know don't know what all is contained in scripture. They know only parts of it, not all of it. Because of this, they THINK they know what the bible says. When we only think so and don't know so, we cannot tell if a church is teaching sound doctrine or not. We know only what we have been taught in the past.

That sure doesn't stop our self-righteousness, though, does it?

What I am afraid that we do is look for a church that makes us feel good about ourselves; not one that actually teaches what scripture contains. We will sure think we are right, though.

[Longsufferer]

The tree is known by its fruit. They that are of God hear God's Words, but they of the world speak of the world, and the world hears them. The fruit is the spirit of truth or the spirit of error. If the tree [church] is only concerning itself with what the secular world thinks and is doing, then it is a secular church; but if the tree is only concerned with what God thinks and His will not of this world, then it is a true church.

[Protective Angel]

Moving from one church in search of another is not a fun thing to do.

I don't live in a major metrolpolitan area, and the choices of churches is small.

I was browsing to see what was available and my search engine came up with:

http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/23/w...e-your-church/

The writer makes points that I find to be very interesting. Because of discussions that I have had with others, I know that we have a real problem in one area.

Most people I know don't know what all is contained in scripture. They know only parts of it, not all of it. Because of this, they THINK they know what the bible says. When we only think so and don't know so, we cannot tell if a church is teaching sound doctrine or not. We know only what we have been taught in the past.

That sure doesn't stop our self-righteousness, though, does it?

What I am afraid that we do is look for a church that makes us feel good about ourselves; not one that actually teaches what scripture contains. We will sure think we are right, though.

Seems like your working hard searching for the right church. Prayer for leading to a church has worked for myself.
Being led to a church, I expected blessing, and received. It's 18 mile drive, but it's worth it. Your right about churchs different ways. That's why knowing the scripture is so important. I'm not even half through the Bible.

I always seek all the clearing up I can find when I am confussed on the scriptures. I'm so GLAD FOR THIS BOARD, the people here will jump right in to line me out. Praise God

[Dani H]

Go where people know how to love. Be a doer not a hearer, basically. Too many non-doers/sometimes-doers out there already.

[episkopos]

Go where people know how to love. Be a doer not a hearer, basically. Too many non-doers/sometimes-doers out there already.

Very good. We don't usually need more feeding. Some of us look like 300 pound babies that can barely move (in the Spirit). We need to seek the Lord and be with others who also seek the Lord. We need to be functioning with whatever capacity we have. Only as we are obedient to the Lord will we be ready to grow more.

[Slug1]

Also, something I've found to be important when looking at a new church... if the (new) church is maturing Christians with the intention to ALLOW them leave, so these mature Christians can be used BY GOD anywhere God needs them, this is a church that I'd be praying about if God hasn't already pointed out to me where exactly to go and I knew He was leading me to leave my present church.

Churches that don't like it when God prunes them... tend to never be pruned anymore, thus a reason for the non-growth of SO MANY churches in the Body of Christ.

In the end, I'd go where God says to go no matter where that may be and what church.

I've been through this in ways that turned my world upside down. Considering the church God led me to (presently attending) is Hispanic and I don't speak Spanish and experienced bi-lingual services for the first time. That was what... 5 years ago now? God is Good!!

[Reynolds357]

Moving from one church in search of another is not a fun thing to do.

I don't live in a major metrolpolitan area, and the choices of churches is small.

I was browsing to see what was available and my search engine came up with:

http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/23/w...e-your-church/

The writer makes points that I find to be very interesting. Because of discussions that I have had with others, I know that we have a real problem in one area.

Most people I know don't know what all is contained in scripture. They know only parts of it, not all of it. Because of this, they THINK they know what the bible says. When we only think so and don't know so, we cannot tell if a church is teaching sound doctrine or not. We know only what we have been taught in the past.

That sure doesn't stop our self-righteousness, though, does it?

What I am afraid that we do is look for a church that makes us feel good about ourselves; not one that actually teaches what scripture contains. We will sure think we are right, though.

I gave up on finding a Church that is anywhere close to perfect. All Churches have there problems and I have my problems, so I guess we are about right for each other.
Having said that, I agree with about 90% of what goes on at my present Church. The pastor is annoying me here lately about fussing at the congregation about tithing and attendance. If I am there on Wednesday night and you are fussing about "the people who dont come on Wednesday night" then there is a good chance I am not the target audience and not the one needing fussed at. When it comes to the tithe, I do not tithe; I sow. I sow as much and where The Lord leads. When you look at my tax returns, the amount of seed I sow far exceeds the legal obligation of the "tithe," but that is mine and God's business. I give The Church some, but to be honest, I would rather feed orphans in Nicaragua than pay for a huge gym for the kids to entertain themselves in. Hungry kids vs. spoiled bored kids; not too hard a decision for me to make.

[karenoka27]

What bothers me more than anything is when Christians not being able to find just the "right" church, use that as an excuse to not go at all. (I am not saying that any of the above posters have done this.)

I was in a church many years ago where the pastor manipulated the Scriptures for his benefit. He had a huge following. After leaving, I told my next pastor that I may need to ask him questions in backing up what he taught if I disagreed or didn't understand. I think we all have the right to do that as a Pastor is accountable to what he teaches the congregation who is seeking to know and understand our God.

Church is so important and commanded in Scripture. It is here that we encourage one another, pray for each other and use the gifts that were given to us.
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25

[Protective Angel]

When it comes to the tithe, I do not tithe; I sow. I sow as much and where The Lord leads. When you look at my tax returns, the amount of seed I sow far exceeds the legal obligation of the "tithe," but that is mine and God's business. I give The Church some, but to be honest, I would rather feed orphans in Nicaragua than pay for a huge gym for the kids to entertain themselves in. Hungry kids vs. spoiled bored kids; not too hard a decision for me to make.

Seems like hungry kids are part of a tithe. I wasn't aware that sowing seed was in the tithe area. Makes sense.

When you say it's yours and God's business, I tend to agree. God always let's us know, one way or the other.

[Boo]

Very good. We don't usually need more feeding. Some of us look like 300 pound babies that can barely move (in the Spirit). We need to seek the Lord and be with others who also seek the Lord. We need to be functioning with whatever capacity we have. Only as we are obedient to the Lord will we be ready to grow more.

Being a 300-pounder might be bad if the food has been incorrect all along. Failure to search to ensure that the diet has been according to plan/scripture may well lead to slothful spirits. In order to be obendient to the Lord, you have to know what it is that the Lord commands and take Him seriously.

I pray that I always will, but it is not always easy.

[Boo]

I gave up on finding a Church that is anywhere close to perfect. All Churches have there problems and I have my problems, so I guess we are about right for each other.
Having said that, I agree with about 90% of what goes on at my present Church. The pastor is annoying me here lately about fussing at the congregation about tithing and attendance. If I am there on Wednesday night and you are fussing about "the people who dont come on Wednesday night" then there is a good chance I am not the target audience and not the one needing fussed at. When it comes to the tithe, I do not tithe; I sow. I sow as much and where The Lord leads. When you look at my tax returns, the amount of seed I sow far exceeds the legal obligation of the "tithe," but that is mine and God's business. I give The Church some, but to be honest, I would rather feed orphans in Nicaragua than pay for a huge gym for the kids to entertain themselves in. Hungry kids vs. spoiled bored kids; not too hard a decision for me to make.

I guess the tough part is in trusting those who teach God's scripture. If I don't trust a man to accurately present scripture, I find it difficult to attend his teaching. I think the Apostle Paul had things to say about that. So did Jesus.

Badgering me about "tithes" will set me off. Talking about the purpose of giving is fine, but I am not under the law.

[turtledove]

I have moved much in my lifetime and have attended several different churches and have crossed over more than once into a different Christian denomination or non-denomination. Something that stands out to me after many years and many experiences is that when looking for a good church fellowship we need to avoid the "seekers" church, so to speak. That is, a church where the main focus is on entertaining the audience and efforts to attract new people. All of which in the right context is fine except that this should not be the only purpose. The building up and sustaining of committed community is necessary in order to have good outreach. The community can't give what it does not have. And the worth of the church is not necessarily determined by only the pastor's preaching (although it should be truthful and biblically based) but on how the entire community functions. Some questions emerge.."Is there a vision and purpose which is being followed and is it a Godly vision and purpose?" Are people enabled and equipped there to grow in the Word and the things of God? It is nice to have good worship and a feel good atmosphere; but does the atmosphere also seem friendly and hospitable beyond the first greeting or newcomer's class?

I have found that as you visit a church it generally takes about six weeks to see the true colors. The one I am in now (for six years) has grown and I feel like I have grown along with it. It goes beyond being a seeker's only church. Once when I was a greeter a newcomer came up to me and said that she would be coming back to our church because we were a loving community.

Bottom line..despite imperfections (and all churches have them) is the love of the Holy Spirit shining through and permeating all? By their fruits of the Spirit you will know.

And the greatest of these is love.

peace and prayers that God leads you to just the right loving church community.

[Watchman]

Moving from one church in search of another is not a fun thing to do.

I don't live in a major metrolpolitan area, and the choices of churches is small.

I was browsing to see what was available and my search engine came up with:

http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/23/w...e-your-church/

The writer makes points that I find to be very interesting. Because of discussions that I have had with others, I know that we have a real problem in one area.

Most people I know don't know what all is contained in scripture. They know only parts of it, not all of it. Because of this, they THINK they know what the bible says. When we only think so and don't know so, we cannot tell if a church is teaching sound doctrine or not. We know only what we have been taught in the past.

That sure doesn't stop our self-righteousness, though, does it?

What I am afraid that we do is look for a church that makes us feel good about ourselves; not one that actually teaches what scripture contains. We will sure think we are right, though.

Something you might want to pray about is this: are you possibly being led somewhere in order to help equip saints that need equipping?

W

[Athanasius]

Most people I know don't know what all is contained in scripture. They know only parts of it, not all of it. Because of this,they THINK they know what the bible says. When we only think so and don't know so, we cannot tell if a church is teaching sound doctrine or not. We know only what we have been taught in the past.

That sure doesn't stop our self-righteousness, though, does it?

What I am afraid that we do is look for a church that makes us feel good about ourselves; not one that actually teaches what scripture contains. We will sure think we are right, though.

You moved from 'they' to 'we' -- are you including yourself in this group of people who don't know 'what all is contained in Scripture'? Because I get the feeling, with these many threads you've created, that you're trying to come across as profound or insightful. But what about you? You talk an awful lot about other people's faults: what are your own?

[Dani H]

There's no such thing as a perfect church, because it's made up of imperfect people.

Having said that, I wish I could clone my church. Seriously.