Posted on 06/21/2011 3:51:29 PM PDT by NoGrayZone
Okay, here's the deal in a long story short. I was raised Lutheran, moved out to Long Island and continued to be raised in St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
Aunt Jeannie (my name sake) has been a member since. I decided years ago I wanted back, so I went.
I did not feel Him there, thought it was me. I kept looking around the congregation, thinking it was me. After a while, I realized it wasn't (a couple of things happened after that confirmed it wasn't me).
Anywho, the icing on the cake was my Aunt Jeannie stopped going as well. After almost 30 years she felt the change as well. I looked up our church and saw they were apart of the "accept homosexuals as Pastors" crowd. That was 1 of the things that confirmed it was not me.
But my Aunt Jeannie leaving was the icing on the cake.
Here's our delima. Both of us are July babies. She is the 2nd, I am the 18th. We decided on 7/17 we would find a church to attend (we both want one to belong to and believe in), then go have brunch to discuss.
She is much more open minded than I am, but I promised her I would be open minded, if just for an hour, on that day.
I said to her, during our conversation "how do we know if the "Pastor" is a homo or not. She believes He is with us no matter where we are. I agree....to a point. I don't believe a homosexual can be one of His Shepard's leading His herd if that is so.
There have been so many "demoninations" coming out for homosexual "Shepard's" I have NO idea where to begin.
I have called a few churches and left messages for the Pastor to call back so I can interview Him (no lady Pastors for me).
Any advise to where we can look? Anyone know anything about Presbyterians?
When I spoke w/ Pastor Joe, and I asked some very blunt questions, he was not afraid to answer. He instead asked what I believed, I then told him and he then led me to scripture.
I am going on Sunday to check them out. I'll get there early to speak w/ Pastor Joe, he told me to seek him out (I asked him I can call you Pastor Joe, shouldn't I use your last name?). He said no, he is Pastor Joe. For some reason I felt comfort from what he stated.
He stated they are strictly Biblical and everything they preach comes right from the Bible. I will find out on Sunday.
Why must you be so snarky? I created this thread for guidance because I know a lot of FReepers are Christian.
I do believe I am a Christian, but doing it on my own is not working, hence my thread.
Advise and guidance is all I ask....not snark.
I wish you peace on your journey in Christ. You already are focused on Him -- He will guide you to Him.
Actually, my experience comes from Catholics I know. I get NO information regarding the Catholic Church by any other means except of the practicing Catholics I know.
Yep, I’d visit an evening service as well and have. Generally the faithful show up there as well. I have learned there’s almost always a “core” of people present Wed. and or Sunday night.
Ha! There was one church I went to on a Sunday evening. A sad lot they were indeed, but blind to it. Even the Pastor failed greatly. Preaching about them being a “light to the community” and yet there attendance hadn’t increased in five years!
During the bible study the people asked the Pastor his opinion and he consistantly put the question back to them. It was obvious not only was the Pastor not prepared but he didn’t care one iotta about the study itself. Going thru the motions says it about right.
On very rare occassions the Lord will move us to speak up, and Oh did I resist! But He always wins out.. I stood when the Pasotr asked me for comment...(a stranger no less).. and basically told the Pastor he had not done his homework and what evidenced this as so. Further saying you cannot be a light to the community until your own lights are on, mentioning the attendance etc. etc. etc. etc.
I was stunned I think more than those who heard the words I was speaking. But once I sat down the Pastor dismissed them..a lady next to me came over in tears thanking me as she had been praying someone would come and do exactly what had just occured...the Pastor came up to me and stated..”Who are you!”....and we spoke quite frankly of the condition not only of his church, but of himself as well.
Now Elsie this is not at all the norm for me and yet I knew this was the Lord just the same. I learned later there was further discussion among the people and they were getting down to business with the things of God.
So yo u never know how things are going to go when you enter a church. Sometimes he takes us there to have a word given..not just to hear.
I can't give you any advice as I'm as much a traveler on this road as you are, all I can tell what God gave that helps me on my way.
daisy mae, you have been absolutely wonderful to me. I would NEVER chastize you.
I created this thread simply for guidance and advice. It seems there are some people here on FR whom enjoy causing trouble.....where none is seeked.
“and he then led me to scripture.”
Well that sounds like the right track!
Always good to hear a pastor say; “Let’s see what the Bible says about that”
I must be honest here. I do not like you. Your posts have been snark and mean. You are NOT someone I would go to for spiritual advise.
I personally believe you are a very mean spirited person. You can post all your usual crapola you do in every religion thread.
I for one WILL NOT be listening to what you have to say. This will be my last post to you.
Please, no apologies necessary. I truly believe the Lutheran church’s name has been tainted because of this.
All of those who have broken away should really consider a name change....having absolutely NOTHING to do with the Lutheran name.
Good for you, then you are discerning well. I think it depends on what you want from a service. I want to hear what God has to say to His flock...of which I am one. If a Pastor has prepared you will generally know when the Lord is speaking to you.
One church I atteneded the Pastor walked up the isle and I thought to myself, (wrongfully), oh this isn’t going to be good. He was a little man and hardly one would imagine could deliver a great sermon.......unitl he opened his mouth. Astounding hardly gives it credit...he was spot on and took the congregation deep into God’s word. It was momentous in every way. Most interesting was my personal bible study tied right in with the message. A good indication to return and see further.
Oh yes, it is always informative just by listening to the group. I went to a Wed. night bible study and was impressed greatly by those who commented as well as the Pastor who lead it. The group went deep into the things of God and everyone walked away knowing the Lord was not only among them but what was studied was remarkable. I knew I had to go to a Sunday service then...but generally they are little bit ‘lighter’ because Pastors know they are preaching to un-believers or guests as well.
If at a bible study the people are not engaged with the study or topic, and just answer questions by their book. It’s generally not a place for me...I want and need to go deeper and find the gold God has for us. If it’s pretty bland I might make a comment to see if they can or not engage. If conversation or opinions don’t ensue it’s likely not a gathering I will return to.
If you want the good stuff it will take a little more searching....God does not dispense His truths on ears of the deaf...or those who play churchianity. It is worth taking the time to find the best He has for you, and it is out there. You will not be sorry for looking..”Seek and ye shall find”.
If you are carrying your sins then you have not yet given them to Christ, am I right?
Jesus says......”Come to me,...you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.... Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,.... for I am gentle and humble in heart,.... and you will find rest for your souls....for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”... Matthew 11:28-30
You might want to think about meeting with Him...He’s waiting I would imagine. Just be there, He will take you the rest of the way when you meet with Him.
The Pastor was right to warn you away from JW’s. their bible has many errors as they translated it to fit their false teachings. I had met with Jehovah witness early on in my search also...but they kept insisting I use their bible, I refused and used the standards most use today. In no time the differences were amazingly sharp...they really do get it mangled up pretty bad...and yes they are a false religion.
Since you sound young in the faith, or perhaps not quite there yet, I would recommend the New International Bible..commonly refered to as the NIV. It is a direct translation and words are clearly understood in modern English. The King James is also good but old english is not always easy to read for some...but either/or you are good to go with. I use several good translations when studying..each gives light and even use Ungers Bible Dictionary and other references as well. But for reading I tend to like the NIV. It’s just very clear and understandable.
I also agree with the “Communion”...it is not the actual blood and body of Christ. We do this as a rememberance for the life Christ gave for us...just as Christ gave to his deciples at the last supper they shared together. He said “Do this in rememberance of me.” and if that’s good enough for his deciples it’s good enough..and more for me.
The bread and fruit of the vine simply represent his blood and body. But it is a solume moment as we reflect on all which Christ gave for our salvation.
I also like the fact he encouraged you to read the scripture about this. This would indicate the Pastor trusts the Lord to reveal to you the truth. And that’s a good indication. It wasn’t enough he said..he wanted you to check it out for yourself.
Don’t fret that you cann’t understand what you read...hopefully the Pastor will give you one of their bibles and then read it again. You might be pleasantly surprised how much you understand then.
For now it sounds good...so I’d go to the Sunday service and also their bible study to see further.
Some churches sound good but are very legalistic...time will tell as you walk this walk, and trust Christ to show you as you go. He will....
here’s a good local church in tampa
http://www.rockycreekbaptist.org
I’ll join some others suggesting that you investigate the Church of Christ if you want to find a scripturally-based non-denominational church. They strive to pattern themselves strictly after the first century church you read about in the Book of Acts. Being autonomous, they are generally very conservative, religiously and socially. Half of my family remains LCMS [which I often visited growing up], but I hear grumbles from them how liberal even it has become. Some people find it hard to break with family religious tradition, even when their denomination has changed.
Exactly..and Amen to that!
Well you and I are off on the wrong foot with that statement....God is the one responsible for scripture and that thru His Spirit. I do not hold to a church who practices churchianity. Where they see themselves thru the eyes of the Vatican rather than thru the eyes of Christ and His word. Jesus said to "follow ME". I believe He ment just that and not a church...the church is 'a building' where believers meet..and then they go out among men and reflect Christ to an unsaved world.
When a church denomination centers it's members on vast numbers of rituals and various readings and classes to memorize volumes of literature, and repetively learn specific prayers to idlols and departed individuals and such, then they have deveated from the centrality of Christ Himself and the relationship He desires of us.
It becomes "legalistic" the very thing Christ warned us about. People get trapped into doing enough, learning enough, doing enough to be acceptable to Christ. It's a work's program that robs people of the joy of the relationship they have in Christ...and instead becomes a burdensome stone that weighs them down.
Further when young people have just begun their walk with God it is not wise to burden them with "service" until they have a strong foundation under them. Far too many go into service un-prepared and unfortunately haven't a clue what they are doing. Even paul did not jump ahead of where the Lord would have him..and that was with those who knew Christ well, before he was sent to minister.
Those who have a relationship with Christ rarely forget what the mission is, most never do.... He is what decipleship is about...He is the reason we preach Christ crucifed. There is no Gosple message without Christ.
As far as those discussing the things of God on these threads. You are mistaken they are mean spirited...for the most part the open threads are intended for passionate debate...and rightfully so, even the Apostles debated Gods truth..passionatley....if you want a softer side of Christianity the wonderful moderators can direct you to the devotional threads and others more to your suiting.
But when it comes to the open threads..tempers and passions with indeed do and will esculate...especailly when lies or untruths are spoken. We are called to defend the truth and that can mean with "volume" when it falls on deaf ears. Regardless if you think they are foolish.
Jesus debated the Saducees and Pharasees of His time...he called them white washed hypoctites, a brood of vipers, and various other "woes" against them. So if the kitchen is too hot people need to leave.
I’m sure there are many of us here who’d be very interested in how your next Sunday goes.
Sounds like a good choice but didn’t catch what denomination.
When my son moved here, he went to a different church every Sunday until he found the one where he fit.
My preference used to be Southern Baptist but I now prefer Christian Church.
Good advice HITHL. And the authors are equally as good.
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