Check out the Reformed Episcopal Church ... if you can tolerate the older prayer book language.
I'm a Catholic, but for my money, you just can't go wrong with The Snake Handlers.
" WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
DIVERSITY IS STRENGTH"
Why do you need to find a church, if you already have your convictions?
Good Luck and blessings to you on your quest....
I don't think you will find any church that will fit your views. Your "theology" is a ill fitting jigsaw puzzle.
Don't discount Southern Baptists so quickly. It's drinking to excess (drunkenness) that is frowned upon, and our youth group has dances, as well as performs choreographed events in church services. I think your information may be a little outdated.
Foursquare or Assembly of God. They are both fairly conservative bible wise except they allow women ministers. The AOG is pentecostal, but very from congregation to congregation in wierdness. The Foursquare are much less pentecostal, but still belive in "sign" gifts.
Ahem,
Homosexual "marriage" and abortion are not the problem, rather they are the fruits of an apostasy that were planted long ago. When scripture was declared flawed, when sections were dismissed outright, the downward spiral began.
IMHO it is far more important to search out a Church that clings to worshiping God and sees his word as inspired and inerrant rather than shopping from a doctrine of social works.
As far as women elders and ministers/pastors goes, isn't it interesting that every denomination which allows women to serve in those roles is being ripped apart by the homosexual and abortion issue. Just something to think about.
Evangelical Presbyterian might work for you. Check them out. http://www.epc.org/ If you shop carefully, you might even be able to find a PCUSA congregation where you feel comfortable, but you will have the same issues at the denominational level that you see in the Episcopal Church. Same with United Methodist. Christian Reformed just started ordaining women, and they haven't gotten to gay ordination yet, so they would be another possibility.
I had forgotten that the REC won't ordain women. The Charismatic Episcopal Church might, but I'm not certain of that. My own denomination -- The United Methodist Church -- ordained women (we have since the 1950s, and ordained our first woman Bishop in 1980). Contrary to some regrettable instances, the UMC doesn't allow the ordination of Self-Avowed Practicing Homosexuals, so you won't have to worry about an out-Bishop. When an Elder or Deacon comes out of the closet, and the Church courts work properly (as is the case 95% of the time ... you just don't hear about those cases because they don't make news), they are defrocked.
As for abortion, the UMC has been moving more and more toward a more conservative position; back in 1980 we affirmed that we were a pro-choice church, but since the late 1990s (and certainly since 2000) we have asserted that we totally reject partial birth abortion, and have also asserted that we oppose any abortion for birth control, gender selection, or economic convenience. Sadly, we are still, officially, pro-choice, but it's far more limited now, and I look for it to continue to be more and more limited in the future. Perhaps I'm optimistic, but I pray that within the next two General Conferences (either in 2008 or in 2012) we finally cut the last vestiges of financial support for pro-abortion organizations and will, without question, fully affirm a pro-life position.
The UMC has appreciation for the Sacramental life that is part of the Episcopalian tradition (not surprising, since we share the same roots), and -- depending upon the congregation -- you'll find liturgical forms of worship, as well as the more popular (current and trendy) Praise and Worship forms. There's a great amount of diversity when it comes to worship styles in the UMC, and one congregation can differ from another by a rather significant degree. This is true in terms of theological and social positions as well; the church which I pastor is a very conservative UMC, both socially and in terms of theology, while also being traditional and somewhat liturgical in worship forms -- we celebrate the Eucharist every Sunday in at least one worship service (in the morning on 1st and 3rd Sundays, and in the Evening on 2nd and 4th Sundays). I was appointed here because I'm known as a theological "traditionalist" (i.e., Wesleyan-Arminian Anglo-Catholic-Protestant)
Try the American Baptists. They allow for the ordination of women, but oppose homosexuality.
Try Presbyterian PCA. However, seeking a church that allows the involvement of women in the priesthood is merely jumping from one Bible rejecting church to another.
I could have written this post! Thanks and I am reading the responses.
***I need to find a church that allows the involvement of women in the priesthood ***
If you choose a denomination like that, give yourself a decade and you'll be right back in the same position your in now.
a Church is not a building or an organization that pushes forward an agenda to build a Kingdom based upon Leadership and Laity. The Church will always be the bride of Christ and those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ the Son of God , belong to him. If your looking for fellowship and don't want all of the religious crap, ask God to bring people into your life , that want to get real and personal with you. People, who will go to bat for you and not condemn you but only build you up in the body. Stay away from religiousness because it teaches a mixed message. A message that says, if I do good then I will be saved. You ever wonder why Jesus said that sinners would be welcomed into the Kingdom before those who are self righteous? Sinners know that they need a savior, but the self righteous are their own. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you and spend time in God's word. Remember in Christ there is no sin,so cling to Him alone.Claim the blood on your life.</p>
So, one that abandons the clear teaching of the Word of God in one unpopular respect, but holds to it in another?
Why not just stay where you are? They'll let you pick and choose which of God's words you like,a nd which you don't.
Dan
Biblical Christianity web site
Biblical Christianity message board
You need a good hands-raisin', tongues-speakin' evangelical church. Trust me. Best thing I ever did was begin attending evangelical churches. A personal relationship with Christ is emphasized.....and these churches are ALIVE, my friend.
Consider that Christ set up the Church as his Bride; He is the Bridegroom. An all male priesthood is not anything to do with the culture, nor with feminism. Reprogram yourself into a more spiritual way of thinking. Learn to lean on the male priesthood for worship; take your ministry talents to the Body of Christ as beloved Brothers and Sisters.
Seriously, this is not about careers and glass ceilings, and the male vs female war that diablos has set up. Come to the Anglican Catholic Church. It is lovely.