Finding the right Church?

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Malia_Belen

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So, my whole plan in life was to graduate from college, find a job and find a good church because I’ve always known that I want to marry a Christian husband and raise a Christian (not just in name only) family. Well, I’ve finally graduated and found a job but I’m almost thirty and my search for the right just church is more difficult than graduating from college twice. I thought I’d know when I found the right church because the way a felt you know I guess a feeling of God in the church of something but I don’t know. I have visited tons of different churches (presbyterian (sp?), episcopalian, baptist, catholic, non/interdenominational, AME, etc) but it’s really difficult I feel okay in some churches, good in many, peaceful/calm in a few…but it never fails that when I feel good in a church then read about what they believe that I find some things that I am totally against or don’t believe in or am uncomfortable with. Sometimes I even wonder when I do think I’ve found a good church, I wonder if Satan would try and make me feel comfortable or good in a bad church and uncomfortable in the right church. How much power does he have? How do you find the right church? How did you find the right church?
 
I think this must be harder for you as a protestant because there are so many denominations!

Have you really sat down and thought about what you believe? Or, from the other side, what you don’t believe? This may make it easier to pick a denomination to look at. So, if you really really disagree with point A, and churches 1 and 2 teach that, you probably won’t want to go to either of those congregations. In addition, it’s a great exercise. Too many people don’t really know what they believe and as a result are wishy washy about many things.

I must admit I never understood how protestants could church hop. I mean, presumably, different denominations believe different things…

Anyway, as a catholic, the most important thing to me would be finding a parish with a holy priest - I have seen too many parishes with liturgical abuses, or that were spiritually dead. It of course is a bonus if it is close by, and if the church is pretty, and if they have lots of service opportunities! At at the other extreme, I do NOT like charismatic type things… anything that is remotely touchy-feely, no thanks.

You mentioned you had been to some churches where you agreed with their doctrine but you didn’t like it anyway - why? What made you feel uncomfortable? God doesn’t want us to always be comfortable - we stop growing if everything is comfortable all the time! Maybe you were meant to start some sort of group, or help revitalize one that’s been lacking.

Saying some prayers for god to lead you to the place that’s best for you couldn’t hurt, either 😃
 
Satan can definitely trick you into feeling bad in a good church, or good in a bad church.

Your say you’re considering the Catholic faith. If that’s true then for God’s sake, get yourself to a Catholic church already! 🙂 The devil can also trick you into delaying your RCIA.

If you feel weird or strange in certain Catholic churches, there’s bound to be a handful in your area. Check them all out. If you have the opportunity to try out a Latin mass as well, I would highly recommend it! (there’s a link in my signature to a directory) There’s also various other Catholic ‘rites’ like Byzantine and Ukrainian, that are all equally wonderful.

A lot of converts have gone through awful ordeals to become Catholics. Don’t underestimate what the devil can do. I would be happy if he’s bothering me… it means he doesn’t like what I’m up to, which is always a good thing. One of the saints said, “Live your life so that every morning when you get out of bed, the devil shudders and say, oh no, she’s awake!” 🙂

Seriously, with the Real Presence, with Jesus literally there in the tabernacle, there’s no way you can turn down the Catholic Church! Check out a mass whenever you can (and remember only Catholics can receive the Eucharist).

God bless Malia 🙂
Ljubim
 
Malia_Belen said:
So, my whole plan in life was to graduate from college, find a job and find a good church because I’ve always known that I want to marry a Christian husband and raise a Christian (not just in name only) family. Well, I’ve finally graduated and found a job but I’m almost thirty and my search for the right just church is more difficult than graduating from college twice. I thought I’d know when I found the right church because the way a felt you know I guess a feeling of God in the church of something but I don’t know. I have visited tons of different churches (presbyterian (sp?), episcopalian, baptist, catholic, non/interdenominational, AME, etc) but it’s really difficult I feel okay in some churches, good in many, peaceful/calm in a few…but it never fails that when I feel good in a church then read about what they believe that I find some things that I am totally against or don’t believe in or am uncomfortable with. Sometimes I even wonder when I do think I’ve found a good church, I wonder if Satan would try and make me feel comfortable or good in a bad church and uncomfortable in the right church. How much power does he have? How do you find the right church? How did you find the right church?
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Hi Malia, totally devout Catholics are going to tell you they are the one true Church. Catholics are very good at talking about who decides disputes if not the Catholic Church? The problem I see is they miss the fact everyone, including themselves, have their interpretations and beliefs. In reality they themselves have interpreted their belief I hope from studying Scripture to determine if they indeed believe the Church was built upon Peter and not only upon Peter’s faith in Christ. Then they must interpret Peter being given keys to heaven somehow meant more than the power to bind and loose which was not only given to Peter but to all the disciples. Then they must interpret the gates of hell will not prevail without any reform necessary along the way. Of course Christ is going to assure the gates of hell do not prevail in the end.

So I believe all any of us can really do if we are truly honest with ourselves is to study and pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Does this mean everyone is going to be completely correct? No. Does the devil have a lot of power? Yes in an imperfect world until Christ comes again. How then can we know if we are being led where God wants us? All any of us can really do is strive to follow Him the best we can. Know He understands why we see and feel Him in whatever church we worship in. And trust we are where He wants us to be when we feel His comfort and peace in whatever church we are in. I pray you find His peace wherever you feel that to be. God bless.
 
Malia_Belen said:
So, my whole plan in life was to graduate from college, find a job and find a good church because I’ve always known that I want to marry a Christian husband and raise a Christian (not just in name only) family. Well, I’ve finally graduated and found a job but I’m almost thirty and my search for the right just church is more difficult than graduating from college twice. I thought I’d know when I found the right church because the way a felt you know I guess a feeling of God in the church of something but I don’t know. I have visited tons of different churches (presbyterian (sp?), episcopalian, baptist, catholic, non/interdenominational, AME, etc) but it’s really difficult I feel okay in some churches, good in many, peaceful/calm in a few…but it never fails that when I feel good in a church then read about what they believe that I find some things that I am totally against or don’t believe in or am uncomfortable with. Sometimes I even wonder when I do think I’ve found a good church, I wonder if Satan would try and make me feel comfortable or good in a bad church and uncomfortable in the right church. How much power does he have? How do you find the right church? How did you find the right church?
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No church or denomination is perfect. My advice is that you pray, read your Bible and let God lead you in the right direction. RESEARCH is a main factor. God encourages us to study. Many people/churches do not want you to know the Word on your own.

Also, make sure that church follows the Bible and nothing more. God has all authority and nothing should be placed over Him.

John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Nothing shall be ahead of Christ and when it is, then that is not of God and those things we should stay away from.
 
Malia_Belen said:
So, my whole plan in life was to graduate from college, find a job and find a good church because I’ve always known that I want to marry a Christian husband and raise a Christian (not just in name only) family. Well, I’ve finally graduated and found a job but I’m almost thirty and my search for the right just church is more difficult than graduating from college twice. I thought I’d know when I found the right church because the way a felt you know I guess a feeling of God in the church of something but I don’t know. I have visited tons of different churches (presbyterian (sp?), episcopalian, baptist, catholic, non/interdenominational, AME, etc) but it’s really difficult I feel okay in some churches, good in many, peaceful/calm in a few…but it never fails that when I feel good in a church then read about what they believe that I find some things that I am totally against or don’t believe in or am uncomfortable with. Sometimes I even wonder when I do think I’ve found a good church, I wonder if Satan would try and make me feel comfortable or good in a bad church and uncomfortable in the right church. How much power does he have? How do you find the right church? How did you find the right church?
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As a recent convert I went through the finding the right church. I started with the protestant churchs and while I liked the music and the people were ok I just did not get what I was looking for. So I went and found a church that teachs what I belive. I was led to the catholic church and while i don’t get all that I want out of it such as the socialization I had at protestant churchs (catholics in my area just aren’t all that friendly/welcoming to new comers) but I get what I need a deeper relationship with Jesus which in the end is all that matters. So go to the church that deepens your relationship with god becuse if your going to treat church as a social club you’ll just keep on being disapointed.
 
Truth_Seeker123 said:
No church or denomination is perfect. My advice is that you pray, read your Bible and let God lead you in the right direction. RESEARCH is a main factor. God encourages us to study. Many people/churches do not want you to know the Word on your own.

Also, make sure that church follows the Bible and nothing more. God has all authority and nothing should be placed over Him.

John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Nothing shall be ahead of Christ and when it is, then that is not of God and those things we should stay away from.
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Agreed, find out what you believe in, then research it.
I will pray you find the “right church” for you:)
 
Malia_Belen said:
it never fails that when I feel good in a church then read about what they believe that I find some things that I am totally against or don’t believe in or am uncomfortable with.
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I understand that you cannot fully join in a church or community with which you cannot agree, but it does raise the question of whether you or the church needs changing. 😉
Malia_Belen said:
I wonder if Satan would try and make me feel comfortable or good in a bad church and uncomfortable in the right church. How much power does he have?
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He cannot overpower your will unless you first invite it. He can try to make you feel comfortable or uncomfortable doing something though, and may even succeed at times. Fortunately, though you cannot and really should not try to turn your feelings “off,” you can learn over time to discern which feelings correspond to truth.
Malia_Belen said:
How do you find the right church? How did you find the right church?
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General recommendations to anyone seeking: God is always loving and seeking you, without fail, wherever you are, and giving you sufficient grace to love and be faithful to him. Therefore always seek the truth and be willing to change accordingly; follow your conscience with your actions and at the same time always seek to better form your conscience according to truth. Above all, love God and your neighbor in everything you do. When you do something wrong, or at least something you believe to be wrong, repent, confess your sins to God, and return to doing what is right and good. When you are doing this, God will see that you are also striving to live by his grace and be faithful to him who is the source of all truth, even if you occasionally err along the way (e.g. through ignorance). 🙂

If you are interested in exploring Catholicism specifically, there are a number of basic books you might find helpful. I might recommend to a beginner, for example, Catholicism for Dummies by John Trigilio and Kenneth Brighenti, Catholic Christianity by Peter Kreeft, Evangelical Is Not Enough: Worship of God in Liturgy and Sacrament by Thomas Howard (especially for people coming from a Protestant background), and a Catechism of the Catholic Church (especially for reference).
 
ljubim said:
A lot of converts have gone through awful ordeals to become Catholics.
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I did. When I came into the Church many years ago, I was in more than one awful RCIA program, and never had access to a good one. Fortunately, there were many other resources to help my on my journey: faithful and knowledgeable Catholics eager to help, good books and websites to read, etc. I am also happy to say that many of my friends who are also converts had wonderful RCIA experiences-- some programs are very good. 🙂
 
Truth_Seeker123 said:
No church or denomination is perfect. My advice is that you pray, read your Bible and let God lead you in the right direction. RESEARCH is a main factor. God encourages us to study. Many people/churches do not want you to know the Word on your own.

Also, make sure that church follows the Bible and nothing more. God has all authority and nothing should be placed over Him.

John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Nothing shall be ahead of Christ and when it is, then that is not of God and those things we should stay away from.
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TS, you should just come out and say what you mean instead of dancing around the issue. Your not so subtle message that the Catholic church does not want you know the Word and is somehow above God is ridiculous. The Catholic church complied the bible we all hold so dear. Go to usccb.org/nab/today.shtml and you are exposed to readings every single day. Did you know that every three years, the Catholic church has a cycle of readings that cover the bible? Does that sound like that Catholics are not exposed to Scripture?

Malia, I will be praying for your discernment, wherever the Spirit may lead you. I pray, that with God’s grace, He leads you home.
 
fermat said:
TS, you should just come out and say what you mean instead of dancing around the issue. Your not so subtle message that the Catholic church does not want you know the Word and is somehow above God is ridiculous. The Catholic church complied the bible we all hold so dear. Go to usccb.org/nab/today.shtml and you are exposed to readings every single day. Did you know that every three years, the Catholic church has a cycle of readings that cover the bible? Does that sound like that Catholics are not exposed to Scripture?

Malia, I will be praying for your discernment, wherever the Spirit may lead you. I pray, that with God’s grace, He leads you home.
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What are you talking about? I was speaking from personal experiences. I have had questions about the Bible and actually had church members and higher authorities tell me and others I know basically to just pray and don’t worry about it.

Seriously, why would you come into this thread (one that I didn’t start) to single me out with accusations?
 
Hey TS123, what churches have you found to be to your liking that you think will help the OP?
 
adstrinity said:
Hey TS123, what churches have you found to be to your liking that you think will help the OP?
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I would answer you, if I knew you were being serious. Let’s help this person and not cause trouble.
 
Malia_Belen said:
but it never fails that when I feel good in a church then read about what they believe that I find some things that I am totally against or don’t believe in or am uncomfortable with. Sometimes I even wonder when I do think I’ve found a good church, I wonder if Satan would try and make me feel comfortable or good in a bad church and uncomfortable in the right church. How much power does he have? How do you find the right church? How did you find the right church?
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I was lucky enough to be born into a family who baptized me and raised me in the Church founded by Jesus Christ.

If you are truly seeking I have two suggestions. The first is to distinguish between 1) your feelings, the emotional response or comfort level which is a subjective response to the experience of attending a particular church or service; and 2)the church itself, its doctrines and practices, its history, leadership and membership, which you will only appreciate after taking steps to learn these factors.

The second suggestion is to return to where you were when you did have a church home, analyze what led you to move on, and see if these were issues of doctrine, teaching and practice of that faith, or if they were “people” type issues, again, your subjective emotional response to those people, their style of worship etc.

If you have been brought up in almost any Christian denomination you have been taught to ground your faith in Jesus himself, through reading, hearing and praying with what he taught, said and did. Return to regular reading and prayer with the scripture, daily if possible, concentrating on the Gospels. It is good to begin with Mark, the shortest, just listening to the actual words (not with a commentary or bible study for this first reading) and praying with the scripture. You cannot go wrong if you follow this plan, unless you make the mistake of re-wording the message with your own spin on it, or unless you take direction and interpretation from anyone who is teaching without authority handed on by Christ through his apostles.

When you do this reading and prayer, always ask God at the beginning and end of each session, your basic question: Where do you want me, Lord? Where is the Church you founded? Where is my home?

No the Bible is not the ultimate authority. Jesus is the ultimate authority.
 
Truth_Seeker123 said:
I would answer you, if I knew you were being serious. Let’s help this person and not cause trouble.
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I tell you the truth: This time, aside from everything else I’ve posted, I am being serious, just this once. What churches have you found that could help the OP?
 
Malia_Belen said:
So, my whole plan in life was to graduate from college, find a job and find a good church because I’ve always known that I want to marry a Christian husband and raise a Christian (not just in name only) family. Well, I’ve finally graduated and found a job but I’m almost thirty and my search for the right just church is more difficult than graduating from college twice. I thought I’d know when I found the right church because the way a felt you know I guess a feeling of God in the church of something but I don’t know. I have visited tons of different churches (presbyterian (sp?), episcopalian, baptist, catholic, non/interdenominational, AME, etc) but it’s really difficult I feel okay in some churches, good in many, peaceful/calm in a few…but it never fails that when I feel good in a church then read about what they believe that I find some things that I am totally against or don’t believe in or am uncomfortable with. Sometimes I even wonder when I do think I’ve found a good church, I wonder if Satan would try and make me feel comfortable or good in a bad church and uncomfortable in the right church. How much power does he have? How do you find the right church? How did you find the right church?
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Also Matthew 7:20 says Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
 
Truth_Seeker123 said:
Let’s help this person and not cause trouble.
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Then you should jump off this thread. All you want to do in your threads is attack Catholics by saying that believe things that we don’t. When we answer you with what we really believe, you don’t ever respond and then start new thread.

Your signature is another not too subtle statement of what you believe.
 
fermat said:
Then you should jump off this thread. All you want to do in your threads is attack Catholics by saying that believe things that we don’t. When we answer you with what we really believe, you don’t ever respond and then start new thread.

Your signature is another not too subtle statement of what you believe.
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Again, why are you accusing me of something that has nothing to do with this thread? You’ve already reported me and accused me of doing something that you obviously do to other people.

What does my signature mean? Care to explain?
 
For the record when I asked Truthseeker if he believed Catholics follow the antichrist, he refused to deny it.

While this says much for his honesty, it doesn’t say much about any other aspect of his personality.
 
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