Curious about different church beliefs?

[Tari]

Thankyou (Gentle Giant) Bryan,

That was very nice to hear all about. It is so important to hear about the different experiences people go through. It definetely can help others weigh and balance for themselves, what their searching for. Thankyou so much for sharing your story.

Love in Christ,

Tari

[Leonard]

I'm curious about what people have to say about their own church. If or why they believe it's the right choice for them. Please share some of your thoughts about this. What are some specific beliefs your church teaches about such as:

Do they teach about the rapture?

Do they encourage spreading the word about the return of Christ?

Do they encourage reading the Bible?

Do they assure that you can be saved, by taking certain steps?

Are they strict about their teaching or not?

Do you believe your own church is a "true church", and if so why?

Currently I don't belong to any church. So your opinions might help me choose one. I totally respect people's love for their own church, whether or not I agree with their teachings.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ah! I'm feeling much better (although still not released to go to work or to spend much time out of bed), so I will give you an answer.

The church I belong to is called the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church. I know the name is oxymoronic! We are not related to the Episcopal Church, USA, as we started independently of them, with three Independent Charismatic Pastors who became interested in Liturgy, Apostolic Succession, and the Church Fathers, about 15 years ago or so. After much study and fellowship, these three fellows decided to found a new branch of the catholic (notice the small 'c') Church, and received Apostolic Succession through Roman, Russian Orthodox, and Anglican lines, as the first three Archbishops of the ICCEC (usually we just say the 'Charismatic Episcopal Church' the word "episcopal" simply means 'ruled by Bishops').

I was saved about 34 years ago, just before my 16th birthday, and the first time I absolutely knew God had spoken to me, was just a few days later, when He said He wanted me to be a 'catholic Priest.' Of course, knowing almost nothing about religion at all, I could only assume He had intended 'Catholic' as in Roman, which just didn't sound right (I knew celibacy and chastity were NOT my spiritual gifts!), and all my spiritual mentors quickly led me away from that idea.

My study of Scripture and Theology was constant, and deep, although not especially broad. In course of time I married the charming and fetching Mrs. Enniss, and we went to Bible College for a couple of years in Texas.

The viccissitudes of the next many years are not germane, so you will forgive my summarizing merely by saying that I served in various Ministry functions, both ordained and unordained for a lengthy period, mostly in Pentecostal/Charismatic churches.

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A discontent with our Charismatic worship services kept growing in me, and I felt in my soul I needed to 'look around.' Meantime, God was confirming this to me with many odd signs. Finally I met with our Pastors (I was serving as 'Head Elder'), who were and are close friends, and told them how I was feeling, and asked their leave to do my 'looking around,' to which they readily assented (they are great people!).

I became more and more persuaded I needed to find a liturgical church which still welcomed the Spiritual Gifts, and the move of the Holy Ghost. During the period of my looking, I happened to pick up a copy of 'Cigar Aficianado' magazine. Among letters to the editor, was a letter from a Priest, who signed with a familiar name from my Bible College days. I couldn't imagine this would be the same fellow I went to the Pentecostal Bible College with! If it was, it was indeed interesting he had become a Priest. I tracked down a phone number and called him, and lo and behold! it was himself! He was in something called the Charismatic Episcopal Church, and informed me there was a Bishop in Tucson (just south of Phoenix, where I then lived).

I met with the Bishop a week later in Tucson, and he informed me there was a church in Phoenix which 'probably' would be affiliating with the CEC shortly. Coincidentally the church was Pastored by the man for whom I had almost unbounded respect, and who had been my Faculty Mentor in undergrad school!

I attended there the following Sunday, AND MY SEARCH WAS ENDED. That was in January 1995. My wife had questions of her own, and I did not try to force her to make this rather radical change in worship format. I finished my M.A. Theology from the University of San Francisco in June, and settled into the congregation there, my wife, only after a spiritual dream, joined about that same time.

I think you can see just why I believe this is the church God has chosen for us!

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We moved to Denver to help His Grace, Bishop Joseph A. Mahon, and the Venerable Deacon Anthony Grannum found the Diocese of Colorado in June of 2000. I was Ordained a Deacon in June 2001, and to the Priesthood on June 9, Inst. I am now the Rector of Christ the Good Shepherd Parish in Littleton, Co.

OK. Although I detest long posts, I am already deep in that atrocity here, so I'll plow headlong, and answer some of your specific queries! To wit:

1. Do they teach the rapture? The CEC has not taken a stance. Many of our Pastors do. The doctrine of the rapture is however not really an historic doctrine of the Church, only having been proposed around the early 1800's. It's novelty makes it suspect in my book. However, if I should see the Lord break forth in the Eastern sky and cry 'Come up hither,' I will not stop to debate the point with Him at that time!

2. The physical return of our Lord IS an historical doctrine of the Church, clearly proclaimed in the Scripture and universally accepted ('universally accepted' is what the word 'catholic' means, by the way). As such, we DO proclaim His Second Coming in glory.

3. We REQUIRE the reading of the Bible for all clergy, and ENCOURAGE the reading of the Bible for all.

4. We teach salvation by believing on and confession of the one true and complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

5. 'Strict' is a term subject to a great deal of interpretation. I'm not certain what you mean by it, so I will answer if you give me more input as to what you mean....

6. A 'true church'? Yes, I suppose so! I also believe the Pentecostal Church of God, the Assemblies of God, and the Disciples of Christ churches in which I've labored to be 'true churches.' I'm not exclusive of those with whom I disagree on minor issues. I have always known I was called to minister in Apostolic Succession however, so I am more at home here in the Charismatic Episcopal Church.

Wow! That's probably the longest post I've ever written! My eternal apologies to ANYBODY I've ever chided for long posts!!!

Every blessing,

Fr. Onesimus

[Tari]

Leonard (Fr. Onesimus),

No, that was not too long of a post. That was very interesting and informative. I'll have to reread to get all the details again. It's good for people to share their experiences. Other people enjoy reading them also. Much thanks for sharing your story.

Love in Christ,

Tari

[jacob]

I don't have a lot of good things to say about the churches I've been to. I don't have much good to say about what I see in churches today. I has been hard identifing Christ's message in their message and actions. "Love thy neighbor" It aswers most questions.