Care to share ???

[Christian]

Upon reading a recent post by KeilanS titled"Arguing Between Denominations, Does anyone share my thoughts", I was moved to ask this question. Sometimes it is only the denominational differences amongst us that tend to cause so much strife between us. Knowing that it is not our place to try and change other brothers and sisters, and to accept these minor differences might help us in not infighting so much amongst ourselves. Being global, and the fact that we all come from such diverse backgrounds and cultures, I have begun to see this as a reality here that I have always wondered about.

So my question for you is this....

If you wouldn't mind sharing, as no prying is meant here, what "denomination" would you consider yourself or consider yourself most closely related to? Even if you are "non-denominational", can you at least trace a path in your mind/history and arrive at a denominational history that helped you arrive there? (Not your reasons or stance for or against any other denominations so we can keep it amicable)

Again, this isn't meant to make anyone uncomfortable, or to be nosy or judgemental. Just an olive branch for all of us to extend in hopes of getting to know and understand each other a little better.

I'll start and hope you'll join in:

I was baptized (infant) as a Protestant/Episcopalian.

I accepted Christ as my Savior with 2 non-denominational "Born-again" Christians

I guess that I'd be classified as Non-demoninational currently

Blessings to you all,

in Christ,

-C-

[Natt]

I was baptised an Anglican when I was a baby. I went to a Presbyterian church when I was an adult but didn't agree with some doctrines being taught there (Holy Laughter etc...) so I left and now I'm attending and was baptised in a Baptist church. Denomination doesn't matter to me just what they teach or emphasise on

[darski]

I will probably go to my grave thinking of myself as a PCC Presbyterian (once you learn to spell it they keep you forever )

I too left the PCC over the doctrine ->ordination of women and infant (non-believer) baptism.

I believe that my background has really given me a good basis from which I could and did discover biblical truth even though the denomination left it behind years ago. There is a tradition of learning which helped me in my search and even discussions on PCCtalk helped me to hone my study skills.

Edited November 15, 2006 by darski

[Christian]

(Not your reasons or stance for or against any other denominations so we can keep it amicable)

Please?!?!...

[irishcowboy]

Upon reading a recent post by KeilanS titled"Arguing Between Denominations, Does anyone share my thoughts", I was moved to ask this question. Sometimes it is only the denominational differences amongst us that tend to cause so much strife between us. Knowing that it is not our place to try and change other brothers and sisters, and to accept these minor differences might help us in not infighting so much amongst ourselves. Being global, and the fact that we all come from such diverse backgrounds and cultures, I have begun to see this as a reality here that I have always wondered about.

So my question for you is this....

If you wouldn't mind sharing, as no prying is meant here, what "denomination" would you consider yourself or consider yourself most closely related to? Even if you are "non-denominational", can you at least trace a path in your mind/history and arrive at a denominational history that helped you arrive there? (Not your reasons or stance for or against any other denominations so we can keep it amicable)

Again, this isn't meant to make anyone uncomfortable, or to be nosy or judgemental. Just an olive branch for all of us to extend in hopes of getting to know and understand each other a little better.

I'll start and hope you'll join in:

I was baptized (infant) as a Protestant/Episcopalian.

I accepted Christ as my Savior with 2 non-denominational "Born-again" Christians

I guess that I'd be classified as Non-demoninational currently

Blessings to you all,

in Christ,

-C-

born to a catholic family, christened at 8 days, folks divorced (father cheating on mother, not just with women either, and he was the catholic one, mom married in) baptized into the Presbyterian church, joined the Southern Baptist (baptized in due to them not recognizing the presbyterian baptism or the christening)

(joined baptist cause lady i was dating said she could not marry out side of their church)... later, was Baptized for Christ, not for a piece of paper, when i dedicated my own life for Christ. since have been a member (paperwork) of the Galena Assembly (the first Assembly of God) but am not any denomination.

the membership i hold is an accountability tool, to help keep me accountable to my fellow Christian and to keep me more stable... as the Lord calls us out, we will move on, but will stay until He says move.

mike

[Christ's Free Servant]

I was brought up in the Christian & Missionary Alliance. Basically, I'm a religious mutt, since the C&MA was founded as a mission society comprised of people from all denominations and was never intended to become a denomination itself. It actually was not recognized as a denomination until it had been around 75 years or so. The founder was a Presbyterian minister who had a call to evangelize the world. When he invited some (I believe) Italian immigrants to the church, the church turned them away. That is when he knew that he must leave the church and become "Christ's Free Servant." His story inspired me so much that I took on that name, as well.

Some of you might be familiar with one of the C&MA's greats - A. W. Tozer. If you have read any of his writings, it should give you some idea of the teaching I came out of. Holy living was very strongly emphasized and so was missions. The gifts of the Spirit were alive and well within the church, as well, although in the church I attended, we did not see much of the demonstrative gifts other than healing. Our church believed very much in divine healing. We had a statement that was considered the four-fold gospel: Jesus Christ, Savior, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King. Our statement of faith reads much like a non-denominational statement of faith for non-profit religious organizations. We don't make strong statements on most of the controversial issues presented here.

We moved south (from the north) 25 years ago, were in a C&MA church in Raleigh for 4 years, attended one in Greenville, SC for about 6 mos., but it had some spiritual unhealth issues, tried our hand at church planting twice - once in Cleveland, TN and once here in Rock Hill, SC, but the Lord closed both of those doors. We've attended Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian churches and have visited at the Church of God with our daughter and son-in-law. Presently we are regular attendees and participants at a PCA church. The reason we did not stay with the C&MA is that there are not C&MA churches where we live. They are sparse in the southern states. Other than that, that is probably still my denominational leanings, though I disagree with them in one area.

[billie]

I grew up in a dead denominational church. I had no idea who Jesus was, or even that He's alive. I got saved in a nondenominational church that I still attend.

[Guest Biblicist]

I was born to a GARBC Baptist mother and a Catholic father.

Mother took us [her daughters] to her church all our lives, I was baptized at the age of 8 after receiving the Lord as my saviour at VBS.

I consider myself Baptist because I believe in the Believers Baptism of immersion. My religion does not define me, though. I am what my name states. A Biblicist. A Christian who follows Christ and believes the Bible to be the literal word of God. Myself, my husband and children attend Cornerstone Bible Fellowship. It's a fantastic place to worship with our Family in Christ. I believe the church is considered Reformed Baptist. Don't quote me on that though.

Being a Christian is not a religion, it's a way of life for me, and my family. "What you are when you are alone, that alone you are."

BTW, my father received the Lord as his saviour at age 65. He went to be with the Lord four years later. All in His time. PTL.

[CSLewis]

I grew up baptist but became an atheist when I was 14. I became a Christian when I was 22 and started going to a non denominational church ("vineyard") My wife had not yet accepted Christ but she went with me sometimes, she entered a prison entry ministry that was based out of Assembly of God and I started going to their church. I felt at ease there but did not experience the Holy Spirit in the same way- I was baptized there and really commited myself to studying His Word. The church was very rural and out of the way (had to drive 30 minutes) but that wasn't necessarily the reason I left. I had extreme problems with some of what was being preached (though I believe they are some of the greatest people on earth) and the Holy Spirit led me to attend another church - the Episcopal Church. It was very Orthodox and I had never been to a liturgical service before but in the prayers and communion - I felt the Holy Spirit move in a way that was peaceful and introspective. They didn't ram ideology down my throat and many different people with different ideas found solace there. My wife and I were instantly accepted. And I have been going there ever since. She on the other hand fell into darkness again and went back to the program again. I think that she is moved by the Spirit more in charasmatic services and I in liturgical services, so if we get back together we will need to find a commonality and maybe attend both services.

[KeilanS]

Well, I am truly not sure. I would need to find a big list on what seperates the denominations before I could classify myself. My hunch is that I would not completely agree with the doctrine of any one.

The church I go to, I am not sure what it is. It is part of a group called the Mennonite Brethern if thats any help. I refer to myself as either a follower of Christ, or simply Christian.