The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Pointers for finding a new church/denomination

I'd like to sit back and take a long look at beliefs and doctrines of some of the denominations but I'm not sure where to start. We've got a book that lists all the denominations, but its light on doctrine and long on who did what to cause the split. Might end up staying where we are but I'd at least like to see what some other folks think--er, namely you all. Thanks in advance for your help.

doulos,

I'd like to ask you a question about your question if you will permit me. What are you looking for? Are you unhappy with your present church home or do you just want to discuss differences between denominations and congregations?


Wes

Nah, nothing that simple. There's a Baptist church on every corner in this part of the country. If you don't like one, go find another. Plus, since they're all pretty well autonomous they're GOING to be different--good or bad.

We (my wife and I) have had to move around a bit since we were married and we've seen a bunch of different Baptist churches. I think its more of a general discontent with the way things are going and we agree we'd like something more for us AND the kids. Especially the kids--they're going to need a rock solid foundation to survive in this ol' nasty world as they're growing up. Neither of us got it where we're at now. We'd like to take a look around and see what else there is.

To answer your question, I guess its because we're not really happy that I'd like to discuss the differences between the denominations and their congregations. Does that help?

Note:
I've been to weddings at Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran and Non-Denominational churches. The only one I can't see actually attending is the Episcopal one because that whole kneeler thing could send a guy to the Chiropractor real quick. The Methodist one was outside at a park but the gal that did the wedding was as drunk as the bride before the night was over (reception wise). I don't think I'm interested in that either.

doulos,

Methinks you should first determine within what theological genre you think you belong and how firmly. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I ask that because you, perhaps tongue-in-check although perhaps seriously, mentioned several denominations that you have looked at which are diametrically opposed theologically. Once we can establish where you are at and what you are looking for, then it will be much easier, albeit not easy, to give you some of the major differences of the denominations that at least profess to hold to that same theological system.

In short, let's see if we can narrow down the scope of things else I would guess that one would not be able to list all the differences that exist between every single denomination, just in Protestantism, in a lifetime; at least what is left of mine. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/giggle.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

doulos,

Thanks for answering my question. That's helpful.

You might like to post on the Highway's Church Locator Forum. It's a good place to search for a new church home in your area. Just ask for advice on good churches near the town you're located in and you should get some good suggestions. However, since the-Highway promotes Calvinism and the Reformed faith you will get replies that recommend these churches.

In your note you listed some of the churches you've attended. However, I didn't notice any Reformed or Presbyterian churches. So I presume you're a Baptist from you association with Baptist churches. Are you looking for a Reformed Baptist church?


Wes

Some indication of your own theological convictions would be very helpful; indeed, without that I haven't the foggiest idea how to help you narrow things down <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />.
Certainly stay away from the major recognized cults (Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Scientists, etc.)<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/flee.gif" alt="" />, and if you believe in the inerrancy of Scripture you should be wary of most of the "mainline" denominations (e.g., United Methodist, Episcopalian, Presbyterian Church USA, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, etc.)<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/sick.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/puke.gif" alt="" />. There are large conservative evangelical denominations that embrace the inerrancy of Scripture and reject liberal theology (e.g., Presbyterian Church of America, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Southern Baptist Convention, etc.) <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/BigThumbUp.gif" alt="" />, and there are even good churches within the more liberal mainline denominations that faithfully teach the whole counsel of God <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/applause.gif" alt="" />. My own experience is also that Independent (Fundamental) Baptist churches tend to be legalistic, contentious, and major on the minors (beers, queers, and the King James Bible)<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/argue.gif" alt="" />. SBC (Southern Baptist Convention) churches are generally a better bet <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bravo.gif" alt="" />(especially after the "takeover" or "conservative resurgence"), but there is still tremendous diversity between individual churches and associations. If you can find a Reformed Baptist church --- praise the Lord and go!!! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/ClapHands.gif" alt="" />

Anyway, if you're still clueless I would recommend Ron Rhodes' Complete Guide to Christian Denominations, which is more succinct and to the point than the other major reference work by Frank Mead. After you've narrowed it down from there the good folks here could probably help you narrow things down even more.

Also, here's a little comparison chart that may be helpful. I'm sure there are better ones but this one was easy to find:
http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/denominations_beliefs.htm


In Christ,

Brad J. Hammond

I'm not the dogmatic type, but I do still believe in truth...I'm sure the rest of you here do too. So here goes: Reformed theology is the right theology. If you go to any of the churches you mentioned then you are commiting yourself and your kids to WRONG teaching. I hate to sound so arrogant, but I didn't make these ideas right, I have just found them so.
I spent way too many years in an SBC church and left because of a terrible anti-intellectualism, bad doctrine (oh the Arminianism!), and the social club atmosphere. When I started searching for a new one I literally exhausted all of them within 30 miles of me and didn't find any that were satisfactory.
I had to go non-denominational to find one that was theologically Reformed and practiced a sound ecclesiology.

I encourage you to read a book called "Nine Marks of a Healthy Church". http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/product.asp?isbn=158134631X
This book will help you know what you are looking for. Only when you find multiple churches that live up to these standards can you then justify choosing between them on terms of personal taste. Your choice in Church is really not like deciding what flavor of ice cream to eat. It's more like deciding what medicine to take for an illness. Religious doctrine is an objective truth claim, some are right some are wrong. Theology really matters.

Sorry to sound so obnoxious but I believe this strongly.

You don't sound dogmatic or obnoxious to me at all (what doulos may think is another matter). I also believe that Reformed theology is the "right" theology, because I believe it is the theology not just of the great Reformers, but of Jesus, Peter, Paul, & c. However, unlike John Owen (bless him) or the good folks over at Outside the Camp, I do not believe that accepting or understanding the five points is essential to salvation; therefore, I expect to meet many Christians (i.e., born again, regenerate saints) who perhaps do not know, agree with, or understand the doctrines of grace, and I will try initially to meet them where they are at.
I'm new to this site, but it appears that not everyone who posts here rings all five bells exactly the same way, and if I'm not mistaken, doulos earlier indicated an ignorance of what a Reformed Baptist was (sorry if that's not the case). I thought it best just to get the ball rolling and say where the most egregious errors might be found (the kind that imperil one's very soul). If you want to make the case for Reformed churches (pedo or credo?) to our friend here, I'll be happy to chime in (assuming that's necessary).
As for SBC churches, the Reformed Baptist church that I attend here in Maryville (Grace Community Church) is affiliated with the SBC, as are many in the Founders' Conference. I recently fled <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/flee.gif" alt="" /> an SBC church when the hyper-Arminianism (aka Rick Warren's Goat Driven Model) became too much to handle. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/Banghead.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/puke.gif" alt="" />


Vicit Agnus Noster,

Brad J. Hammond

I just want to make it clear thazt not all Southern Baptist Churches are bad (though the majority are). Check out this site: http://www.founders.org

(it doesn't list all Reformed SBC churches, but it lists most. If the church is not on there, generally the church has members listed in the Founder's Friendly Individuals section).

There are some other good Reformed church directories, which I listed under my earlier post describing what Reformed Baptists are.

The comments of my brother from the great state of Tennessee does remind me that there are many good non-denominational denominations (that's not confusing is it?). Usually only the Church of Christ or Christian Church insist that their denomination is not a denomination (since it's the true church that goes back to Jesus), and unless Max Lucado is the pastor, I'd advise you to stay away from those guys for sure. But there are many Bible or Community churches that vary from Fundamental or Pentecostal to mainstream evangelical or Reformed. There's not any real way to tell until you go there and talk to the pastor or elders (unless the sign out front gives you some other clue). The Evangelical Free Churches (a non-denominational denomination) are very diverse (some charismatic, some not) but do hold to a high view of Scripture. Hope this is helpful.


In Christ,

Brad J. Hammond

I'm actually disappointed with that chart. It's lumps so many things together and doesn't take into account the differences between, say, that Presbyterians Church in America and the Presbyterian Church (USA), or the American Bsptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention (which in itself has variation- such as Arminians and Calvinists). I don't think the Presbyterians here would like being represented by the PCUSA just as much as the Baptist wouldn't want to be represented by the ABC.

Pilgrim:
Mostly tongue in cheek. I think its safe to say I'll be sticking with the Protestant side of things. I went to some Catholic cathedrals over seas and some here in the states and they sort of gave me the eebee jeebies. Especially the ones with dead bodies under glass. *shudder

Wes:
I'm not sure what a Reformed Baptist church is but it sounds interesting. I don't know if I can get around that Original church thing though as it sounds like a rather outlandish claim to make especially these days. I've done some study of Calvinism--nothing major or in depth. Luther has always impressed me. It takes some serious brass to stand up to an organization like the Church in his day. I think, if I remember correctly, I was able to get around four out of five points of Calvinism. I'd have to look at them again to tell you which ones but most Baptists fall in there somewhere whether they are able to vocalize it or not.

BradJHammond:
Oh yes, the cults are a non-issue. I've shooed way too many JW's and bicycle riding Mormons for that to even be a consideration. I've got to tell you that this: got a belly laugh. I got accosted one day in a Christian Book store for reading NIV outloud "Thats not a real bible!" Sheesh. Right now we're going to a "Purpose Driven" SBC church which is starting to get on my nerves. Been going on for about a year now so their not quite so militant about it but I'm pretty sure that the cliques that were already in place have been set in concrete the small groups. I'm not sure what a Reformed Baptist is but I'm adding it to my list of things to look into. I've actually got some old friends that go to an Evangelical Free church that sounds pretty good. It's a long way off though. I'm also not sure what their theology is like.

jyeager:
You're not alone in this. I've had a great number of friends who've done the same thing for the same reasons. As for the dogmatic thing, well I've got to try really hard not to sound worse. I've mellowed a bit over the last decade so I can say "I don't agree with that" rather than "You're an idiot!". That's dogmatic.

SR:
of this you can be very sure at least the part about the Baptists. I'll check that founders website for sure.

Thanks all for your posts. It is much appreciated. For now I think I'll try looking into these that Brad suggested: (e.g., Presbyterian Church of America, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Southern Baptist Convention, etc.) Reformed Baptists.

Questions:
What the heck IS a synod anyway?
What are some questions I need to answer to decide what my theology is? I can tell you right now I'm a Inspired/Inerrant Scripture person.

This might appear to be a trite answer to this question, but I sincerely think it would be a good place to start. Take a look at this chart as it shows the differences between the two theological systems which people adhere to within Christianity: A Brief Comparitive Study.

I thought the dead bodies in the sanctuary was more of a Greek Orthodox thing, but the real issue with Roman Catholicism (and the Orthodox churches too) is their denial of justification by faith alone and their denial of Scripture alone as the infallible rule of faith and practice.


Which Reformed Baptists are making that claim? Are you confusing Reformed Baptists with the Landmarkists?


What really should be your question is this: "Was Luther a stalwart defender of the Gospel, or was he a fool at best and a heretic at worst?" Luther's stand impresses me first and foremost because he loved the Gospel and was willing to defend it at all costs. I only mention this because your reaction against the Catholic church wasn't with reference to the Gospel.


Well, actually, most would not categorize the majority of Baptists today as Calvinists (though the further back in history you go the more Calvinist Baptists you see). Some have said that all Baptists are "one-point Calvinists" (eternal security, which is actually only one part of perseverance of the saints). But what is a one-point Calvinist except a four-point Arminian?

You'll find all sorts of resources on Calvinism here on this site, by the way <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


In some denominations, it's a level of church government that ovcersees a group of churches. (I'll lay off the issue of where it's found in the Bible for now, seeing as I could spark a debate over ecclesiology...)


I think you answered your own question <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> What does the Bible teach about God, man, salvation, etc.? Not that one has to start from scratch, but one does have to remember that Scripture alone is our infallible rule for faith and practice. Are you a new to theology? I kind of get that impression.

Doulos:
If you'd like to find out more about Reformed Baptists here's a good article:

"What is a Reformed Baptist"
http://www.prbc.org/ReformedBaptist.htm

and a good audio by James White:

"Why I am a Reformed Baptist"
www.prbc.org/Sermons/122798PM.RAM


P.S. No Reformed Baptists that I know of think we're the Original Church. That's Landmarkism, which again you're more likely to find in an Independent, Fundamental, Old-Fashioned, King James Only Baptist Church (there's actually one with that designation just up the road from me).