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Trouble trying to feel out new church - 9/29/2009 1:05:10 PM
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Sadina
Posts: 3
Joined: 9/24/2009
Status: offline
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Hi everyone! My name is Sadina and I've been lurking around for awhile, first time poster.
I'm having trouble finding a new church in my new small community. First of all, I'm having trouble figuring out what denomination I am. Sounds silly, right? Well I was raised by my parents and extended family, we have a strong trust in God, Jesus and the Bible. Much of what is discussed in this website I identify with. We did not live in areas that were local to a christian church or if we were it was hard to find English services. I've tried out Methodist and Congregational churches during college and was having trouble finding a fit.
Well I'm in a new town now and have maintained a strong Christian faith, I'm excited about finally being able to plug into a community! My choices are limited, I'm surrounded by a Mormon church, a Greek Orthadox Church, what looks like a mainstream Catholic church and a Unitarian church.
I have tried going to the Catholic church, though I don't really with some philosophy there. It was somewhat depressing in that I didn't really connect with anyone there. I introduced myself to a few people there, but they didn't seem very receptive. After a few weeks of attending I tried to integrate myself into a Women's study, but the woman leading it tried to explain to me that they "Kind of already had enough people in the group". I feel a bit hurt and am working on connecting better. Should I just try proving myself to the people here, or maybe try to find a home at the Unitarian church?
All I can think of is there is a disconnect due to an age gap, there is really no one attending this church in their 20s. One older gentleman there asked me if I was a lesbian upon first meeting me at the church, I was taken aback and of course said no. He said "Well that's what you young people are doing these days and you're not wearing a wedding ring"
....Um...I'm just single. (but looking :)
Also, any thoughts on Unitarian churchs in general?
Thanks
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RE: Trouble trying to feel out new church - 9/29/2009 3:29:45 PM
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navyblueret
Posts: 1971
Joined: 11/29/2008
From: S/W Nebraska
Status: offline
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Sadina, Shalom, and welcome to the Forum.
I fear a bit more information is needed, for anyone to address your needs, and wants. Each of the Religions you address will find many 'Yes' and many 'No' answers, based on the feelings of the adviser, and would not address much about you, as you do not share much, so far. We do not even know what country you are in (I suspect not USA, nor Western Europe).
Help us help you. Please offer more than what you have, so someone familiar with your situation can offer advice.
In Messiah, His Blessing, and Welcome. Arley
_____________________________
In the name of 'THE' Mashiach, Man the wall, set the watch, sound the Shofar. Our redemption draws nigh.
Messiah, my Captain, and Helmsman.
(Joh 14:6 KJV) ... I am the way, the truth, and the life: ...
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RE: Trouble trying to feel out new church - 9/29/2009 3:57:24 PM
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Sadina
Posts: 3
Joined: 9/24/2009
Status: offline
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Hello again everyone!
Ah yes, who am I and what kind of church do I need?
Well as Navyblueret surmised, I did not grow up in the US, though I visited frequently. I spent time growing up in China and a few Eastern European countries, as my parents are geologists and archeologists. Very interesting stuff. There was a very small community of expats (I am American) and nothing beyond personal commitments to individual faiths. (no church buildings per se).
I have recently completed college in the US and am indeed living in a tiny rurual area of the US. It is fairly isolated, if there is a baptist or methodist variety of church, it must be a home group and not in an independent building from what I can tell.
However there is a wealth of churches in about a 90 minute drive. It feels so difficult to enteract with a social group at such a great distance, I don't know if my car could take it!
I suppose the crux of my problem is I do not know what denomination I align with as I have always worshiped personally.
Theologically I believe that the New T. is a new contract with God that starts a new chapter in humanity. I do find the Old T useful for investigating the nature of God and human law. I'm fairly conservative, I believe in an Old Earth sculpted through God's desires over the eons (don't want to start a fight on that one), I do not believe that the Pope or any other party needs to be placed between myself and God.
As I described the churches nearest my abode, I am limited in choice. I was tempted to go to the Unitarian church as a neighbor said they are like a congregational church and very broad based (but I had heard otherwise?)
I suppose I will discontinue going to the catholic church as that question about my personal life was very disconcerting!!
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RE: Trouble trying to feel out new church - 9/29/2009 4:17:34 PM
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navyblueret
Posts: 1971
Joined: 11/29/2008
From: S/W Nebraska
Status: offline
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My apology, I thought you had received the old guy question from the Unitarian church. Oooops. 90 minutes, huh? Hmmm, too far to shout, not far enough to fly, and too expensive and dangerous to drive. Go to the Unitarian Church, and throw yourself on their mercy, protection, and guidance, as a sojourner in their community, until you can adapt, and become a solid asset to their world. In short, play on their country protectionist feelings, and see if they don't almost drag you into the fold, and give you a chance. If they are a Bible oriented teaching congregation, you will know in short order. If not, start looking for a vehicle that gets exceptionally good gas mileage. 
Some of us, also live in Rural atmospheres. My town is 360 live folk, and three no one wants to challenge.  (bad joke).
Archeology, hmmm, I can understand the OE belief (Dad would kill you if you didn't, huh?) (Oh, I like to kid a bit, hope you don't mind.)
Do you believe in Jesus, or a Denomination? Any denomination that teaches, and follows Jesus/God, cannot be all wrong. Finding a perfect fit, however, will be difficult, if for no other reason than your familial background. Nuff-of-my-mouth.
In Messiah, again, Welcome, and we will pray you find your nitch in the community and church, wherever you are. I am in Southern Nebraska, Bartley by town.
Arley
_____________________________
In the name of 'THE' Mashiach, Man the wall, set the watch, sound the Shofar. Our redemption draws nigh.
Messiah, my Captain, and Helmsman.
(Joh 14:6 KJV) ... I am the way, the truth, and the life: ...
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RE: Trouble trying to feel out new church - 9/29/2009 4:22:27 PM
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Elena1030
Posts: 2104
Joined: 6/21/2006
From: Music City, USA
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Sadina
As I described the churches nearest my abode, I am limited in choice. I was tempted to go to the Unitarian church as a neighbor said they are like a congregational church and very broad based (but I had heard otherwise?)
Hmm... wonder what the neighbor meant by "broad based"... That gives me pause.
If it's a Unitarian Universalist church, stay away!!!
I know that Wikipedia isn't the end-all/be-all of info, but it's a start: Unitarianism.
quote:
I suppose I will discontinue going to the catholic church as that question about my personal life was very disconcerting!!
I think a person can be a true Christ-follower and still go to a Catholic church. But I couldn't do it. Too many doctrines I don't agree with.
Mormonism isn't biblical Christianity, so stay away from that too!
_____________________________
Prayer thread for singles who desire to marry someday
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RE: Trouble trying to feel out new church - 9/29/2009 4:38:47 PM
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tsnody2001
Posts: 324
Joined: 4/29/2008
From: Terre Haute, IN
Status: offline
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Have you met any friends in your new town? If so, are they Christians? If you are not able to find a church you feel comfortable with, it is possible that you could get a few Christians friends together and start worshiping together at your home, or one of their homes. The church I attend started as a home group, but we were eventually offered a building that was completely paid for, so we moved into it. Who knows, after a while of meeting in a home, the LORD can do many different things. Attendance numbers aren't that important, but what IS important is that you, and whomever you worship with, are growing together in unity as members of Christ's body. This way, you would not be burdened down with a particular denomination's doctrines, but would be free to worship Jesus according to the best of your understanding of the Scriptures, with the help of the Holy Spirit to teach you.
I will be praying for you, that God will order your steps according to His will for you. I have a BIG smile on my face for you! This is the beginning of a new and exciting chapter of your life, and the LORD is the author! Be blessed as you follow the LORD.
_____________________________
Until He Returns (Rev. 2:17),
Travis
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. ~George Orwell
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RE: Trouble trying to feel out new church - 9/29/2009 4:47:29 PM
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navyblueret
Posts: 1971
Joined: 11/29/2008
From: S/W Nebraska
Status: offline
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Sadina, Don't go to Unitarian if Universal, and denies Jesus as God. Ooops, again. I'm not doing too well today.
In Messiah, pray, and let Him be your guide. Arley
_____________________________
In the name of 'THE' Mashiach, Man the wall, set the watch, sound the Shofar. Our redemption draws nigh.
Messiah, my Captain, and Helmsman.
(Joh 14:6 KJV) ... I am the way, the truth, and the life: ...
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RE: Trouble trying to feel out new church - 9/29/2009 4:54:44 PM
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GrahamCracker
Posts: 1590
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Dallas, TX
Status: offline
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If you think you might like a church, take a look at the church's Statement of Faith if you can. Any church with a web site would have a Statement of Faith, or a page saying "What We Believe," something like that. In this particular forum (Crosswalk), most people subscribe to the Bible as our authority in faith and practice. http://faithcommunitynetwork.com/Range_of_Doctrines/m_1014/tm.htm
We all disagree to to some extent with interpretations. You are not going to get any encouragement toward the Unitarian Church, Mormon Church or Jehovah's Witnesses (Kingdom Hall). Nearly everyone here considers them false and unbiblical. Somewhere around here Crosswalk may have a statement of belief.
It's going to be very difficult to evaluate a church on a visit or two. If you are not grounded in a particular denomination, you are going to have a difficult time determining how "biblical" or "sound" a certain church is. And that doesn't even get into church politics, interpersonal conflicts and so forth. You're going to have to invest some time studying and evaluating what the Bible says and how different churches line up with it.
We all have our preferences but are hopefully refraining from high pressure salesmanship to which you are no doubt highly susceptible right now.
< Message edited by GrahamCracker -- 9/29/2009 6:29:09 PM >
_____________________________
Larry
"Clarity before agreement." Dennis Prager
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RE: Trouble trying to feel out new church - 9/30/2009 11:31:40 AM
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Lapidoth
Posts: 5731
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: OKLAHOMA
Status: offline
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You may find a church out in the bushes some where.
I'm confident my town is even smaller than Arley's.......LOL
and we have lots of churches in the bushes.
_____________________________
Why does He keep quoting Torah? Doesn't He know He's about to abolish it?
http://www.tedpearce.com/Videos/TheForgottenpeople.html
BARUCH HABA BASHEM YAHUAH
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RE: Trouble trying to feel out new church - 10/5/2009 12:46:20 PM
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pabrain
Posts: 301
Joined: 12/19/2008
Status: online
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Hi Sadina, and welcome.
I do hope I can help you to find a suitable Church.
I have been a Christian for more than 47 years, and am a keen Bible student, the local Church I attend is known as Calvary Chapel, the teaching is great, and the fellowship most enjoyable.
I can strongly recommend them, if there is a meeting near you, it will be found at,
http://www.calvarychapel.com/find_a_church.cfm
May the Lord bless you, and keep you safe.
Edwin.
< Message edited by pabrain -- 10/5/2009 5:38:29 PM >
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I hope it doesn't discourage you too much. I personally wouldn't stay where I didn't feel welcomed, and it seems like you have given them opportunity to welcome you. 
