How do I choose a Church?

[jmcrae]

First you leave your current Church, then ask yourself : “if Jesus were alive today, what Church he would belong to?”
It is very simple…

The one He started - the one that has not only the beautiful architecture and artwork, but also the room for the homeless to come in and have a bite of something to eat, sit down, and rest their weary bones for a spell - the one that manages not only to have the greatest art, literature, and philosophy in the world, but also the best organized services for the poor, the lonely, and the sick.

Instead of the one that looks like a warehouse because spending money on the building would take away from the poor - but then somehow also doesn’t have anything for the poor, either.

 

[Lilyflower]

SD Catholic, I owe you an apology. Post 478 I miss-read as your post. I now realise that was not your view but one that was expressed in response to another contributor.

Blessings and peace

 

[SD_Catholic]

SD Catholic, I owe you an apology. Post 478 I miss-read as your post. I now realise that was not your view but one that was expressed in response to another contributor.

Blessings and peace

That’s OK… I’ll clean my tears up and try to move on

For some reason I didn’t quote the poster I was commenting towards:blush:

SD

 

[Cinette]

All Christian or pseudo-Christian churches, assemblies and congregations claim to “follow the Bible.” Many claim to be “based” on the Bible. But none are actually based on the Bible, not even the Catholic Church.

The true Church is based on Christ and the Apostles, which is the only foundation one can find in the Bible for the Church.

The Bible is the witness to Christ’s true Church and came out of the Sacred Tradition of that Church. So, it is an intrinsic part of it. Any church that claims to be based solely on the Bible is seriously delusional for no church has ever been founded on the Bible, but on men, be they the Apostles whom Our Lord himself chose or others claiming to know better than Christ who have formed their own churches using the Bible for their own ends.

When I came across this thread I thought I will sit this one out. What a silly subject!

Then I saw your post and to me this is a sensible post. Of course, the bible emanated from Sacred Tradition. What else?

:tiphat:

 

[Cinette]

Ok. I fail to see what’s arrogant about belonging to a Church that you believe to teach correct doctrine. Isn’t that what you do as a member of the Catholic Church? And, further, if you came to believe that the Catholic Church was ***not ***the Church that Jesus had established or, alternatively, that it had morphed into something else, would you remain Catholic?

Don’t you see sweetheart (granny speaking) you don’t set the standard - you don’t set the pace. You believe what Christ has taught whether you like it or not.

This is not a Menu. You say Ok I’ll have some of this and some of that because I LIKE IT.

It is not easy to be Christian. It may not be fun sometimes. You just have to accept the teachings - like it or not.

:bowdown2:

 

[Cinette]

If you’re serious about your faith, and not just interested in fellowship or good day care or children’s programs for example (which, let’s be honest, are primary concerns for many people Protestant or Catholic…), then you look around at the Churches that are available to you in your area and see which you believe are teaching the truth. If you believe that you have a choice between those Churches, you determine which one you are most comfortable with. Many of the same considerations which go into choosing which Catholic parish you will attend also would factor into the decision here. How close is the Church to your home? Does it appear that the clergy is knowledgeable and knows what they are doing? Is it a friendly church? How are the facilities for children’s education? Etc.

FIRST YOU SELECT THE CHURCH

Than you consider the distance from your house
Are there facilities for children etc. etc.

BUT FIRST you join a Church that is Christian and follows the teachings of Christ and the Apostles.

:ehh:

 

[Cinette]

I think they call them synagogues.

Oh so the synagogue wrote the NT??

:extrahappy:

 

[Cinette]

Yes, the Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran Churches.

Real Presence?

Catholic yes, Orthodox yes,

Anglicans believe in many different things and some even believe in the real presence.

Lutheran? No, I got it from the "horse’s mouth - they believe that the real presence is only when one receives the bread. What is placed on the tongue or land of the receiver. Whatever left over goes to the birds.

Hey, man!:nope:

 

[Cinette]

I noticed after reading this thread (and many others of a similar content) that when asked about what church one should join it all comes down to what “I” want or “I” believe. What makes “me” feel right. What “I” understand.

It’s all about ME, MYSELF and I…with just a little sprinkling of you (as in "what makes ‘you’ feel good).

What about what God wants? What Jesus wants? Or the Holy Spirit? And I don’t mean “Whatever the Holy Spirit guides me to do what “I” want”.

And how about Truth? Truth isn’t supposed to make you “feel good”. As a matter of fact, quite the opposite! Truth can be very uncomfortable.

I want to be Catholic. The reason isn’t because I get all warm and fuzzy inside. It isn’t because of the fellowship or the social gatherings. It isn’t even because “I” want to. It’s because God is telling me to. I know it’s going to cause many problems with family, friends and loved ones.

That’s why I’m not quite home because of the anguish & fear of loss of and possible persecution by loved ones (but that’s a subject for another thread)

The point I’m trying to make is that please don’t leave the Catholic Church based on emotions or conveniences. Jesus didn’t start the Church so we could all feel good & to be accomodated. He started the Church so we could worship Him & to be a part of the Body of Christ. And of course to spread the Good News to all nations

You have made my point exactly. I was thinking about these postings when I went to the shops and I thought - this doesn’t begin with me! It all began with Jesus 2000 years ago and like it or not this is the truth I am supposed to embrace - not something that makes me feel good and fuzzy! As I said in an earlier post being Christian is not easy.

We cannot say “I don’t agree with this or with that”. The truth is the truth like it or not - agree with it or not!
:yup:

 

[Cinette]

The Roman Catholic Church is as confusing in its diversity as the Evangelical Church, if not more so.

For example, I live in Madrid, Spain. If I want to join a local Roman Catholic parish in my barrio, I can choose between various parishes led by the following priests:

1. A traditionalist: a member of Opus Dei who believes that the church should focus on reaching the centres of earthly power
2. A charismatic homosexual who believes in the legitimacy of homosexual sex
3. A moral relativist, who thinks the Vatican is out of step with modern Spain and argues for women priests
4. A Brazilian liberation theologist, who speaks much about social justice but little about heaven
5. An ailing octagenarian, who is theologically orthodox but puts even hyperactive children to sleep

Which parish should I choose? Not so easy.

Now, it gets even more confusing. If I want to join one of the many communities in these parishes, I can join:

1. The Neo Catecumenals, who conduct private masses, and think I should move to the poor neighbourhood
2. The Charismatic Renewal, which believes I should speak in tongues
3. Opus Dei, who are into mortification and santification through professional work and want me to tithe my earnings directly to them
4. Various Marian groups, that talk a lot about Mary but who speak very little about a personal relationship with Jesus

Compared to this ecclectic group of Roman Catholic priests and movements, I think the Evangelical church is relatively homogenous by contrast.

People are different and have different needs and tastes. Hence, the large number of Evangelical churches. I think this is a strength and one of the main reasons that 40%+ Americans are in church on a given Sunday versus only 15% of people in Spain, where the Catholic church has traditionally had a monopoly.

There may be outward characteristics but all have the same beliefs. for example, I am a Catholic who during week Mon-Sat go to my local Parish for daily Mass and on Sundays I go to a parish which is further away which is under the Jesuits. Sometimes I go to Praise and Worship group called Family of God where presently they are having a Healing Seminar (just finished a Life in the Spirit Seminar). I do not consider myself Charismatic per see because I do not have many of the outward characteristics but I do speak in tongues. The group comprises Catholics from different parishes.

We are all Catholics. I am not too fond of Opus Dei as they are a little too staid for me and I have an issue with them which is a long story.

Just like you have different religious Orders: Franciscans, Jesuits, Dominicans, etc They are not different denominations. They embrace different spirituality or manifestations thereof. But they all BELIEVE THE SAME DOCTRINES AND are in communion with the Pope.

I do not think you are a good representative of the Catholic Church. Perhaps you should join the RCIA and learn about the Church so that you can choose your parish

TEIMOSO!!

:tsktsk:

 

[progma]

Catholic absolutly. Orthodox yes. Anglican perhaps. Lutheran I doubt it.

Lutherans do believe in the real presence, but not transubstantiation; in other words, when one takes communion the presence is simply there and it is a mystery. That is one of the reasons many Lutherans (such as myself) can more easily convert to the Catholic Church (or vise-versa) and also a major difference in Lutheran churches as opposed to the “fundamentalist” type churches.

 

[progma]

Real Presence?

Catholic yes, Orthodox yes,

Anglicans believe in many different things and some even believe in the real presence.

Lutheran? No, I got it from the "horse’s mouth - they believe that the real presence is only when one receives the bread. What is placed on the tongue or land of the receiver. Whatever left over goes to the birds.

Hey, man!:nope:

Maybe the Lutheran you got this from was not Missouri Synod. Lutherans do take measures to properly dispose of the wine and host that is left over after communion as it has been consecrated.

 

[Cinette]

Maybe the Lutheran you got this from was not Missouri Synod. Lutherans do take measures to properly dispose of the wine and host that is left over after communion as it has been consecrated.

Dispose? Consume?

 

[catholiconce]

If I were to leave the Catholic Church for a “bible believing” church, how would I choose one? The following is a list of local churches who all claim to follow the Bible. Do I choose one based on the fellowship they provide, on the worship music style that they provide, maybe what they teach as doctrine, or should I find one that believes what I believe?

ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ALLIANCE BIBLE CHURCH, ALOHA CHRISTIAN CHURCH(DISCIPLES OF CHRIST), ALOHA CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTER, BETHEL UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH, BROOKWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH, CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH, CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF HILLSBORO, CHURCH OF CHRIST, CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS, COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH, COMMUNITY OF CHRIST CHURCH, CORRIDOR BAPTIST CHURCH, EVERGREEN CHRISTIAN CENTER, FAITH CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF HILLSBORO, FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD, FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, U.C.C., FOREST GROVE BIBLE CHURCH, FRIENDS CHURCH OF HILLSBORO, GOLDEN ROAD BAPTIST, HELVETIA COMMUNITY CHURCH, HERITAGE BAPTIST CHURCH, HILLSBORO FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST, HILLSBORO NAZARENE CHURCH, HILLSBORO CHRISTIAN FAITH CENTER, HILLSBORO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HILLSBORO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, IGLESIA EVANGELICA HISPANA, LAUREL COMMUNITY CHURCH, ORENCO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, OUR PLACE - YOUR CHRISTIAN CHURCH, REEDVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, SALVATION ARMY, SCHOLLS COMMUNITY CHURCH, SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH OF FOREST GROVE, SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH OF HILLSBORO, SINGING HILLS CHRISTIAN CHURCH, SONRISE BAPTIST CHURCH, ST PETER’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, TUALATIN PLAINS PRESBYTERIAN, UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST COMMUNITY CHURCH, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, VALLEY HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH, Westport Church, WESTSIDE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP, WEST VALLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH, WORLD OF FAITH FAMILY CENTER, WORLD OF FAITH CHRISTIAN CENTER, ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH

Oh I would say Calvary Lutheran.

 

[progma]

Dispose? Consume?

Either/or. The wine can either be consumed or poured down a special drain, the name of which escapes me right now. The host get put away for next time. I haven’t learned yet how the CC does this - is it similar?

 

[Cinette]

Either/or. The wine can either be consumed or poured down a special drain, the name of which escapes me right now. The host get put away for next time. I haven’t learned yet how the CC does this - is it similar?

The precious blood is consumed and the Host is kept in the Tabernacle.

 

[progma]

The precious blood is consumed and the Host is kept in the Tabernacle.

Thanks! Similar. I am still learning.

 

[SD_Catholic]

progma:
Hi progma… I hope you find many of the answers to your questions at CAF… May God Bless you in your journey into the Catholic Faith:thumbsup:

SD

 

[progma]

Hi progma… I hope you find many of the answers to your questions at CAF… May God Bless you in your journey into the Catholic Faith:thumbsup:

SD

Thank you so much.

 

[SD_Catholic]

Thank you so much.

you are so welcome

SD