Curious about different church beliefs?

[Christ's Free Servant]

Well, I know this was long, but I did want you to see the process we went through. My husband and I have been teaching home Bible studies for about 30 years, and we love it!

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Praise the Lord, CFS. That was the best story I've read all day!

Home fellowships are such a blessing because you can really get that koinonia fellowship going. Large corporate churches tend to be so impersonal these days.

Getting together in someone's house, sharing some snacks and beverages, and getting to know one another in Christ is how real growth happens. Lasting friendships are formed and everyone is mutually encouraged.

God bless.

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Well, I'm glad that I brought some joy to someone's life today. That always makes me feel good all over. Yes, home fellowships are great for the very reasons you stated. I would encourage anyone to get one going in his/her home.

[Tari]

Christs Free Servant,

Wow that's amazing, and I'm happy to hear about how you pulled this group together. And it's all through word of mouth from what I gather. It would be nice to see that togetherness happen in more communities. The fact that people come from different denominations makes it even better. Although it may be hard when it comes to major issues, it's important to have unity in the body of Christ. That is a wonderful story to hear.

Love in Christ,

Tari

[Christ's Free Servant]

Christs Free Servant,

Wow that's amazing, and I'm happy to hear about how you pulled this group together. And it's all through word of mouth from what I gather. It would be nice to see that togetherness happen in more communities. The fact that people come from different denominations makes it even better. Although it may be hard when it comes to major issues, it's important to have unity in the body of Christ. That is a wonderful story to hear.

Love in Christ,

Tari

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Thanks, but the credit does not go to me. It goes to God. He is the one who brought them together, we just obeyed his voice and opened our doors. HE did the rest!!

In addition to these young adults coming from various denominations, including non-denominational (a variety of those), Presbyterian, Charismatic, Church of God, Baptist, Methodist, Christian & Missionary Alliance, etc., they also come from various ethnic and economic backgrounds. I really love having a multi-racial group, too. We have people in our group who live in poverty and we have people in our group who are fairly well off, though the well off ones are in the minority. Anyway, only God could have put this group together, because they would not have naturally come together. I believe God has this group together for us to equip them for the harvest that I believe God is going to bring on this earth. These are Christ's disciples and they are getting ready for battle and for reaping the harvest. This is their training ground.

[Tari]

Boy, wouldn't it be nice to live in Rockville, South Carolina right about now.

[ColleenLovesMischief]

I hate to pick demoninations because I can find fault with all of them but the closest to the Bible I have found are Assemblies of God, and Full Gospel. Some Non Denomoninational, and Pentacostal are great too. All I can say is try em out and line em up to the word of God.

[Tari]

I hate to pick demoninations because I can find fault with all of them but the closest to the Bible I have found are Assemblies of God, and Full Gospel.  Some Non Denomoninational, and Pentacostal are great too.  All I can say is try em out and line em up to the word of God.

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Hey thanks,

It's probably good if I try to research on the internet for the core beliefs behind the main denominational ones. This is Good information because it's important to stick with those closest to the Bible.

[ColleenLovesMischief]

I hate to pick demoninations because I can find fault with all of them but the closest to the Bible I have found are Assemblies of God, and Full Gospel.

[Tari]

Christs Free Servant,

Wow that's amazing, and I'm happy to hear about how you pulled this group together. And it's all through word of mouth from what I gather. It would be nice to see that togetherness happen in more communities. The fact that people come from different denominations makes it even better. Although it may be hard when it comes to major issues, it's important to have unity in the body of Christ. That is a wonderful story to hear.

Love in Christ,

Tari

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks, but the credit does not go to me. It goes to God. He is the one who brought them together, we just obeyed his voice and opened our doors. HE did the rest!!

In addition to these young adults coming from various denominations, including non-denominational (a variety of those), Presbyterian, Charismatic, Church of God, Baptist, Methodist, Christian & Missionary Alliance, etc., they also come from various ethnic and economic backgrounds. I really love having a multi-racial group, too. We have people in our group who live in poverty and we have people in our group who are fairly well off, though the well off ones are in the minority. Anyway, only God could have put this group together, because they would not have naturally come together. I believe God has this group together for us to equip them for the harvest that I believe God is going to bring on this earth. These are Christ's disciples and they are getting ready for battle and for reaping the harvest. This is their training ground.

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Would there be any way to contact you through an e-mail or something? I can understand if you don't want to post that info. But, even though I live thousands of miles away, it is just so interesting how this group was gathered. I would like some more information from you if it's possible. Thanks again.

[Christ's Free Servant]

Christs Free Servant,

Wow that's amazing, and I'm happy to hear about how you pulled this group together. And it's all through word of mouth from what I gather. It would be nice to see that togetherness happen in more communities. The fact that people come from different denominations makes it even better. Although it may be hard when it comes to major issues, it's important to have unity in the body of Christ. That is a wonderful story to hear.

Love in Christ,

Tari

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks, but the credit does not go to me. It goes to God. He is the one who brought them together, we just obeyed his voice and opened our doors. HE did the rest!!

In addition to these young adults coming from various denominations, including non-denominational (a variety of those), Presbyterian, Charismatic, Church of God, Baptist, Methodist, Christian & Missionary Alliance, etc., they also come from various ethnic and economic backgrounds. I really love having a multi-racial group, too. We have people in our group who live in poverty and we have people in our group who are fairly well off, though the well off ones are in the minority. Anyway, only God could have put this group together, because they would not have naturally come together. I believe God has this group together for us to equip them for the harvest that I believe God is going to bring on this earth. These are Christ's disciples and they are getting ready for battle and for reaping the harvest. This is their training ground.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Would there be any way to contact you through an e-mail or something? I can understand if you don't want to post that info. But, even though I live thousands of miles away, it is just so interesting how this group was gathered. I would like some more information from you if it's possible. Thanks again.

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I don't mind posting my e-mail. It is sjlove@infoave.net. Feel free to write me anytime, and I'll try to send you more information. Thanks so much for all of your encouraging words!!

[GentleGiant]

Hi Everyone! I started writing this and it got long, so please bear with me.

I grew up in a small country Brethren church. When I was in college, I attended a charismatic church with some friends, but when at home, went to my home church. Also, in college, I played in a brass ensemble, and we found ourselves visiting and playing in churches of all denominations and doctrines... Luthren, Assemblies, Methodist, Episcopal, Catholic). In my 44 years, I've developed the opinion that we are ALL the coorporate Body of Christ... just different in how we worship and believe 'in the small stuff'. As long as a church holds to the belief of Salvation thru Jesus Christ and Him only.

Ginger and I got married in her Methodist church, but for several years attended my church because I was very active in choir, teaching and leadership. I won't get into why we left that Brethren church but we started attending my wife's church of youth (Methodist). I know some or many of you here may have strong feelings about the Methodist church (and I do too), but this particular congregation had a wonderful and loving pastor and wife. Pastor Dave moved on and we then got Pastor Stacy. He was 33 and had an approach of 'equiping the Saints' to do the work of the church, instead of trying to do everything himself. This approach has actually caused many to 'step up' and begin new areas of ministry within the church. We went from a church of basically middle-age and elderly folk with no life and no vision... to a congregation that has two full services, a lot more younger people, a vibrant children's ministry, and vibrant and growing youth ministry, many outreach ministries, a worship band, a brass ensemble, children's chime choir, many other programs and I feel most importantly... an effective teaching staff and an effective intercessory prayer team. Even though we are a Methodist congregation, we have quite a mix of people. We do have our liberals, but are few in number. We have a lot of conservatives. We even have our charismatics. BTW, our Senior Pastor (Stacy), our Youth Pastor (Wyatt) and a retired Methodist pastor (Chuck) that teaches and leads our prayer ministry, are all tongue-pray'n spirit-filled men. They are very private about this and 'for now' have kept this to the confines of our small group studies and intercessory prayer team. Pastor Stacy's approach has been, "I'll glady share about this one-on-one or in a small-group setting", but he has never preached this from the pulpit or said you HAVE to. They let their lives be their testimony and let others come and inquire.

To attempt to answer your question in your original post:

1) Do they teach about the rapture? == the rapture has been taught mostly in our small study groups, and we have as varied of opinions as people sharing. Pastor Stacy is Pre-Trib, 'retired' Pastor Chuck is Post-Trib. I was raised Pre-Trib, but after some extensive study last year, am now more of the opinion that there will be multiple raptures... pre, mid and post... but that is another study and not for discussion in this thread.

2) Do they encourage spreading the word about the return of Christ? == Yes

3) Do they encourage reading the Bible? == Most Definitely, whole heartedly and BIG YES. Just listening to a 20 to 30 minute sermon on Sunday morning, is like getting 'one cold snack a week'. As Christians, we need that consistant diet of milk and meat each and every day. Our pastors all teach us that sermons, Sunday School and study groups are good to share, exhort and challenge, but the Quality Learning is done in our personal devotion and study time.

4) Do they assure that you can be saved, by taking certain steps? == yes, to some degree, but in my opinion they don't teach and emphasize it enough. I grew up learning and knowing the Romans Road to Salvation.

5) Are they strict about their teaching or not? == Not sure what you mean by 'strict'. Our church does emphasize teaching, but no one filters or officially approves what is taught, even though a few of the teachers will voluntarily confer with the Senior Pastor on class/study material if they think it might be contraversial. Not because it HAS to be approved, but because of their respect for the Pastor and making sure that we are supporting his and our vision and goals for the congregation. There was one gentleman that was teaching adult sunday school that attempted to use his position of teacher to spread his socio-political agenda, but a couple of the older men in the class quickly disproved his non-biblical ideologies by using scripture.

6) Do you believe your own church is a "true church", and if so why? == I don't know what the definition of a 'true church' would be. We are a body of believers, the core of which truely love God, His Word and strive to love His Creation as best we can. We have many faults. There are some who are there out of duty or obligation - "I've done my 1 hour a week of obligation to god, so now I'm good for another week", but those that feel that way are gradually fading away/moving on. I'm sure that we do not do everything as God would have us do, but we are operating the best we can on what knowledge we have.

We do have a motto that is displayed on our website and on a couple large banners in our entrance ways. It is "Growing, Caring & Serving in the Name of CHRIST". Many visitors and new folks have said that we have a spirit within our membership that is one of loving and caring and reaching out to the hurting and needy. We are a very financially giving and time giving church. Two years ago, our 12 youth (at that time) raised over $4,000 for World Vision hunger. Our congregation is now supporting about 35 third-world children thru World Vision. I sincerely believe that God has been blessing our congregation (in many ways) because we have been freely giving of ourselves to the community around us and beyond. Last July during our town's sidewalk sale days, a team of members went all around town handing out 1000 free bottles of ice-cold water to everyone. We are doing that again this year, next weekend in fact.

One final answer to a question... "If or why they believe it's the right choice for them." == I could probably fit in at most places and be content. For now, I feel that my current congregation is where God wants me. I see and feel a need for some talents/ministry-abilities that the Lord has given me. I have on occasion visited other churches in the area, but have never felt a leading to make any of those places 'my home'. Maybe that is because God wants us to stay where we are at!

My church

http://www.gbgm-umc.org/firstumcgreencastle/

In Christ's Love, Brother Bryan

Edited July 1, 2005 by GentleGiant