Questions...

[Guest Be real]

Since I am a "new born believer" I have lots of questions! So I figured I would just put them here when ever I have one...

So, I know that I should go to church because it will help my faith and relationship with God grow right?

anyway, I don't know what church to go to. I have all these churches around. Like:

Episcopel, Wesleyan, Assemblies of God, Luthern, Mormon, Baptist, Methodist, Jehovah's Witnesses, Nondenominational, Interdenominational, Salvation Army Church, latter Day saints something rather, and a lot more? How do I know which one to go to with out going all of them once and waste time?

Thanks to all! I need some encouragement, so keep praying for me!

Your sister in Christ ( I love being able to say that!!! )

-Vik

[Guest Be real]

Oh yeah!!

There is a Catholic church too and a pentecostal church. I don't know what any of these are like. I think I heard that the catholic is really old fashion or something like that... anyway what does everyone think?

thanks.

[Kabowd]

Oi.. first of all, welcome! I don't have time to answer your question in depth right now, but I had to respond quickly and say one thing:

Mormon... Jehovah's Witnesses...latter Day saints something rather

This may not be popular to say, but these "churches" are borderline cults. Their doctrine is heretical and you should avoid them at all costs. Be very careful when choosing a church to be sure they don't teach things contrary to Scripture. I'm sure someone on here can expound more, sorry I don't have much time right now.

[irishcowboy]

I personally do not think which denomination a person chooses is as important as what the person can do for God... and what God can do for that person.....

spend time with God daily, seeking His face..... allow God to direct you....

in the mean time..... visit those that are close..... that way you can see what they are like and also learn and grow.... if you walk into one and you find that you are being pulled in, to go to that church, chances are that is where you are suppose to be......

it is kind of like what job does God want me to do...... my peticular career is not as important as what I am doing for the Lord where I am at.......

if I am in a church and I am doing nothing but warming a pew, it would not matter what church i was in, for most the pews are padded now, so i would be "comfortable" where ever I go..... but if I am working for the Lord, to bring in or assist in bringing in lost souls to the Lord, then I am where i am suppose to be, whether it is going in on Sat and Tues evenings to do nothing more then clean toilet bowls for the up coming services, to serving coffee, or even fetching water for some one that is teaching or preaching..... I may be asked to set up a stage for a peticular event, and then tear it down when the event is over, if no one sees me do it.....GREAT......

it is not so important as to which building a person goes to, rather it is more important what we bring with us.... a willing heart, a loving heart, a servants heart......

you will find there is no such thing as a "perfect" church for if there was, Christ would not have had to even show up on this planet in person.......

find one, and get involved..... you may start out being the one being ministered to, but you will also find from the first day on, you will also be a minister to others....

mike

[WayneB]

Vik, you have asked a great question for which you will get many many responses and opinions. I personally have attended many of the Christian denominations you mentioned (not all you mentioned were truly Christian in doctrine).

My advice?

First, cull out those denominations that promote a false doctrine, such as Jehovah Witness or Mormon. How will you know? Do a quick internet search and look up their Statement of Beliefs. If they deny the divinity and sovereignty of Jesus Christ, they should definitely be scratched off the list. A good and doctrinally sound Statement of Beliefs is found on the main page for Worthy Boards. HERE

Then visit the remaining churches on your list and decide where you feel the most comfortable...for now. Why do I say for now? As you begin your walk with Christ, you will pray and study God's word. Your understanding of HIS TRUTH will grow...and as it does, you may decide to move.

My walk? I was raised Roman Catholic but not saved. I accepted Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior 14 years ago and began my walk, which has led me through the United Methodist Church, Southern Baptist church, and Church of God (Pentecostal).

Just do some research on your own regarding what denominations truly line up with the WORD of God. Then visit them. No rush Vik. The purpose for attending church is NOT to gain favor with God but to fellowship with other believers, worship & praise HIM for your salvation AND to grow in Knowledge & Wisdom.

I hope this provided some outline to follow.

Be Blessed,

Wayne

[WayneB]

spend time with God daily, seeking His face..... allow God to direct you....

[irishcowboy]

my church history....

Roman Catholic,

United Presbyterian,

Southern Baptist,

returned to Presbyterian,

Assemblies of God, currently attending Breane school of the Bible courses thru the Assemblies.......

inbetween residences in the above church fellowships, have attended Methodist, Baptist, CoC, CoG, Christ Church, 7th Day adventist, and many others,

learned enough about Unitarian, Mormon, J.W., Christian Science, that I do not believe they follow the Gosple of Jesus Christ......

as was said, ensure you do not get involved with an uccult, or a cult....

Blessings to you....

your friend and brother..... always forever.....

mike

[Big Steve]

Welcome Vik!

I am a new Christian too, and I just wanted to say the people here are wonderful. They have been so helpful to me. Whenever you have a question just ask, someone wil always help you out.

Glad you're here!

Steve

[keslc]

HI! and welcome not only to worthy boards, but your new family as well!!!!

I want to re-iterate what a few have already shared about certain "churches". Make sure you find out their doctrine and if they believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. If not, run away!

Personally, I have gone to The Salvation Army my whole life (my parents are officers/pastors) and my husband and I still go. You can find their statement of faith or doctrines on the website at www.salvationarmy.org (as well as history and other info) but I thought I could save you time by pasting the statement of faith here:

Doctrines

I H Q  DOCTRINES OF THE SALVATION ARMY

We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.

We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.

We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.

We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.

We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience, they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall, all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God.

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by His suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.

We believe that repentance toward God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit are necessary to salvation.

We believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.

We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.

We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe in the immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the body, in the general judgement at the end of the world, in the eternal happiness of the righteous, and in the endless punishment of the wicked.

I'm not asking you to attend or join or what ever, I'm just pasting it for your information. Take care! Oh, by the way, I think the best advice given was to pray about it and follow God's lead!

[ayin jade]

Make sure they are a bible believing church. Definitely rule out cults like mormon/ latter day saints, jehovah witnesses, unitarian. Calvary Chapels are good.

http://www.calvarychapel.com/affiliates/index.htm

This is a locator for you, to find one close to you, if that helps. Read the statements of faith. Ask the board moderators here about the churches' statements of faith if you have any doubts about them. Pray too and ask the Lord for His guidance.