How do non-denominational Christians pick a church?

[Prodigal_40s]

to me being non denominational is not to have a church as that would be having a denomination. i have what i consider to be good morals and i have my belief in christianity and as long as i stick to them i believe i am doing right.
im pretty sure this would sound totally unacceptable by some people especially staunch catholics and they may have a good case for that but with the experiences in life i have had i find too many things many believe in most denominations (very much including catholics) that are just unacceptable to me to see as truth.
i grew up as a child in the catholic church and since have tried a couple of others but i came to a point where i had to do it on my own if i was to continue life as a christian. a priest even said to me once to find your own way when i had asked him for some advice and guidance and that basically turned me away from having trust in the catholic faith after trying to go back to my roots.
so basically non denominational christians , in my view , dont have churches because that would make them denominational.

One of the problems I suffered from was not being taught the Catechism or indeed the fundamental elements of the Catholic church. I accept that things may have been unacceptable to you as a child but I recommend you doing some RICA classes from a teacher with a good theological knowledge of the history of the church. The fact that the church is responsible for developing Western civilisation and includes schools, hospitals and the term University is a Catholic one. The faith does require obedience and involves submission because it’s hard being a Catholic but the reward is pretty good I think, certainly compared with the forfeit. I hope that this doesn’t sound dictatorial because I’m not trying to be. I think that people have turned away from the church because they haven’t been told the message properly.

God bless you

 

[aussie_jaz]

One of the problems I suffered from was not being taught the Catechism or indeed the fundamental elements of the Catholic church. I accept that things may have been unacceptable to you as a child but I recommend you doing some RICA classes from a teacher with a good theological knowledge of the history of the church. The fact that the church is responsible for developing Western civilisation and includes schools, hospitals and the term University is a Catholic one. The faith does require obedience and involves submission because it’s hard being a Catholic but the reward is pretty good I think, certainly compared with the forfeit. I hope that this doesn’t sound dictatorial because I’m not trying to be. I think that people have turned away from the church because they haven’t been told the message properly.

God bless you

It was not just that things were unacceptable as a child but various issues throughout my life ,issues about me and about others and certain aspects of life itself that i have and still am unaccepting of. Things that have been taught or spoken of by priests , etc… and attitudes and views of people in the faith that i could never in anyway agree with. I could not feel right within myself attending churches , catholic or other , with views and attitudes seen or the teachings of such things.

 

[Bluegoat]

Xavierlives,

Believe it or not, my Church isn’t a “denomination” either! Some things you might want to consider when making your decision:

1. Do you want to be in the Church that God founded upon the Apostles of Jesus Christ, with Peter as its head? (read Matt. 16:18)
2. Do you want a Church that thinks it’s perfectly okay to have many “denominations”, or do you want to be in a Church that recognizes Jesus’ prayer that we all be ONE in faith? (read John 17:11)
3. Do you want a Church that has continued to teach the same social morality for almost 2000 years, or one that changes its mind on key topics every few years? (read John 15:10)
4. Do you want a Church that recognizes the SAME Holy Scriptures that were in use when Jesus walked the earth? Or is it okay to use a Bible with some books missing (protestant)? Or perhaps with many books ADDED (Mormon)?
5. Do you want a Church that helps you change your life to conform to God’s model, or one that allows you to change your god to conform to your model?

Answer ALL these questions carefully and prayerfully, and I’m SURE you’ll find the Church you’re looking for VERY NEAR YOUR NEW HOME!

I always find list like this telling people to become Catholic a little weird, and I think they are totally ineffective.

For example, saying “Don’t you want to be part of the Church founded on Peter, read this Bible verse!” Well, most Protestants have read that verse before, and they probably do not agree that it means anything like what the Catholic Church says. So they will likely shout NO! to that question.

On the denomination question, Catholics have a somewhat unique understanding of unity so the Protestants in question likely consider themselves parts of the Church, and only a denomination in the same way they consider the CC to be. So agin, no bite.

The other points are similar, or they refer to things those people see happening in their Protestant Church just as much as in the Catholic Church - conforming to the will of God, for example.

Even if these points were ultimately correct, put this way I don’t see how they are helpful. Anyone who was so easily convinced is probably already a Catholic.

 

[Prodigal_40s]

It was not just that things were unacceptable as a child but various issues throughout my life ,issues about me and about others and certain aspects of life itself that i have and still am unaccepting of. Things that have been taught or spoken of by priests , etc… and attitudes and views of people in the faith that i could never in anyway agree with. I could not feel right within myself attending churches , catholic or other , with views and attitudes seen or the teachings of such things.

I still think from what you’ve said, you haven’t spoken to the right people. I know that you know your own mind but maybe there are things that you haven’t heard. I recommend listening to the podcasts contained in the website See URL below:

catholictelevision.org/main.php?nav=04&content=20

Michael Voris is a very knowledgeable Catholic and he is worth listening to. I hope that you do listen to it

God Bless

 

[VintageRachel]

As a former non-denominational Christian, it was ALLL about the pastor. Oh, and the music. If the pastor had a good message and the music was powerful, I was sold. And I refused to attend a church that said bad things about other churches. Even before I was Catholic, I wouldn’t tolerate it. That’s how I ended up being a Methodist for several years because the UMC church I went to happened to have the bells and whistles I was looking for. And then I became Catholic and priorities/church requirements changed and I have never looked back! But even finding the “right” parish can sometimes be difficult.

 

[Prodigal_40s]

As a former non-denominational Christian, it was ALLL about the pastor. Oh, and the music. If the pastor had a good message and the music was powerful, I was sold. And I refused to attend a church that said bad things about other churches. Even before I was Catholic, I wouldn’t tolerate it. That’s how I ended up being a Methodist for several years because the UMC church I went to happened to have the bells and whistles I was looking for. And then I became Catholic and priorities/church requirements changed and I have never looked back! But even finding the “right” parish can sometimes be difficult.

Spot on about the “right” parish Rachel. I went to confessions the other day and infused in with my failings are my problems because they cause me to become weak. The priest told me “to find someone to talk to about it” and when I asked him about spiritual direction, he told me his parish didn’t offer it. The thing is though these are mortal men so I don’t expect perfection; that’s given to me through sacred scripture and tradition (implicit through scripture) and the overwhelming beauty and magnificence of the Holy Eucharist which is what my faith and life are all about. However as another mortal I get lonely and seek out support from the church custodians and community outwith the sacraments.

 

[graceandglory]

Is that a protestant joke?

Nope. I don’t think it’s funny, I find it very sad.

John 17:17-22

Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.
"I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.
And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one,

 

[AngloCatholic1]

Xavierlives (and Bluegoat):

Xavierlives wrote:
#1 - Same Church at Peter? I prefer a church founded up Jesus Christ.
#2 - I think we are all one faith. I use denominations very loosely as a demarcation between theology.
#3 - Same morals? Yes. We agree.
#4 - Same Scriptures? Yes. I’m pretty sure we are using the same scriptures (but I use only the scripture).
#5 - Conformity? I don’t think I have ever found a church conforming to a worldly model (besides cowboy church).

#1 - The ONLY Church Jesus Christ founded is the one He founded on Peter.

#2 - I wish we were ONE faith, but we’re not. Ask a Lutheran if he/she understands Purgatory. The Apostles did (1Cor3:15). Ask a Quaker if he understands that MUST be Baptized. Christ commanded it (Matt28:19); Peter insisted on it (Acts2:38, 1Peter3:21).

#3 - Same morals? Hardly. Anglican priests here in Canada are “marrying” homosexual “couples”. Anglicans and other “Christians” “feel” that abortion is NOT a sin worthy of repentance!

#4 - Same Scriptures? No. Catholic Bibles contain ALL of the Old Testament books that were considered Holy Scripture in Jesus’ day. You won’t find a Catholic Bible in a Lutheran, Anglican, Baptist, etc. church.

#5 - There are no churches which conform to wordly standards? Unplug yourself from the Matrix! Abortion, Homosexulaity, Marriage-divorce-remarriage, etc. are very common “normal” practices today, but not so long ago ALL Christian churches forbade them. So WHICH Church has refused to conform to the new worldly standard?

Serious food for thought, my Christian friend!

 

[jay29]

http://mgwriters.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/episcopal-bishop-katharine-jefferts.jpg

 

[AngloCatholic1]

jay29,

Amen, brother!

 

[Xavierlives]

Xavierlives (and Bluegoat):

#1 - The ONLY Church Jesus Christ founded is the one He founded on Peter.

And you point is … this is the only church?

#2 - I wish we were ONE faith, but we’re not. Ask a Lutheran if he/she understands Purgatory. The Apostles did (1Cor3:15).

1 Cor 3:15
If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Am I missing the purgatory?

Ask a Quaker if he understands that MUST be Baptized. Christ commanded it (Matt28:19); Peter insisted on it (Acts2:38, 1Peter3:21).

The only Quaker I know was baptized.

#3 - Same morals? Hardly. Anglican priests here in Canada are “marrying” homosexual “couples”. Anglicans and other “Christians” “feel” that abortion is NOT a sin worthy of repentance!

Sin is between the sinner and the judge. May he have mercy on them.

#4 - Same Scriptures? No. Catholic Bibles contain ALL of the Old Testament books that were considered Holy Scripture in Jesus’ day. You won’t find a Catholic Bible in a Lutheran, Anglican, Baptist, etc. church.

And why? Last time I checked, it was because the scripture Jesus quoted from was… err… lacking those. No matter. I’ve read them.

#5 - There are no churches which conform to wordly standards? Unplug yourself from the Matrix! Abortion, Homosexulaity, Marriage-divorce-remarriage, etc. are very common “normal” practices today, but not so long ago ALL Christian churches forbade them. So WHICH Church has refused to conform to the new worldly standard?

Umm… mine.

Serious food for thought, my Christian friend!

It was yummy.

 

[AngloCatholic1]

Yeah, it tastes good now, but not after your conscience has fully digested it…

"I took the small scroll from the angel’s hand and swallowed it. In my mouth it was like sweet honey, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour." - Rev. 10:10

 

[Xavierlives]

Yeah, it tastes good now, but not after your conscience has fully digested it…

"I took the small scroll from the angel’s hand and swallowed it. In my mouth it was like sweet honey, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour." - Rev. 10:10

**Romans 14:8-12
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.

9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
**

 

[Zooey]

I have always thought “non-denominational” is a poor term. It seems to me like, while they call themselves “non-demonimational,” most seem to follow the same basic Baptist/Evangelical track, when it comes to theology and/or worship - no infant baptism, sola scriptura, no real set “liturgy” to speak of, etc. I think “independent” or “independent evangelical” would be a better term.

That’s true, except that the question of charismatic vs. non-charismatic has to be addressed. I know a lot of unlabelled churches that have lost/gained members based on this.
Its really a BIG issue for lots of folks.

JaMc:

To me, a truly “non-denominational” church would be sort of like the Anglicans, before they were hijacked by the Left: (1) a few basic mandatory doctrines, with the rest desigated “matters indifferent;” (2) offering worship styles ranging from “High Church” liturgical to “Low Church” evangelical, and everywhere in between, and things along those lines.

Thinking about this…

 

[jmcrae]

I appreciate your wanting me to try the Catholic Church, but really I am a “protestant” (although I do enjoy some things, like Lent). Personally, I find some of the arguments lacking.
#1 - Same Church at Peter? I prefer a church founded up Jesus Christ.

“Peter” is the name given to Simon bar Jonah by Jesus - it means “Rock”. Without pausing for breath, in the same sentence, Jesus tells us that Peter is the Rock of Christ’s Church. See Matthew 16:18-19.

#2 - I think we are all one faith. I use denominations very loosely as a demarcation between theology.

Theology is the explanation of the faith. If the theology is different, then so is the faith.

#3 - Same morals? Yes. We agree.

If so, then that’s great! There are a great many Protestants who see nothing the matter with birth control, and don’t see God as having anything to do with marriage, or with their activities in the working world. They also see nothing the matter with remarriage after a divorce, even though Jesus very strongly condemns this, calling it “adultery”. See Matthew 5:32.

#4 - Same Scriptures? Yes. I’m pretty sure we are using the same scriptures (but I use only the scripture).

The Scriptures given by the Early Church in 405 AD was a Bible with 73 books in it - 46 in the Old Testament, and 27 in the New Testament. Many Protestant churches use a 66-book Bible, since they removed seven of the books of the Old Testament during the early 1700s.

#5 - Conformity? I don’t think I have ever found a church conforming to a worldly model (besides cowboy church).

There are also churches that welcome actively practicing homosexuals, and even allow them to be leaders of the congregation. There are also churches where women are permitted to preach during the service of worship. These churches are certainly conformed to the spirit of the age, rather than to the spirit of Christ.

 

[Through_Him]

to me being non denominational is not to have a church as that would be having a denomination. i have what i consider to be good morals and i have my belief in christianity and as long as i stick to them i believe i am doing right.
im pretty sure this would sound totally unacceptable by some people especially staunch catholics and they may have a good case for that but with the experiences in life i have had i find too many things many believe in most denominations (very much including catholics) that are just unacceptable to me to see as truth.
i grew up as a child in the catholic church and since have tried a couple of others but i came to a point where i had to do it on my own if i was to continue life as a christian. a priest even said to me once to find your own way when i had asked him for some advice and guidance and that basically turned me away from having trust in the catholic faith after trying to go back to my roots.
so basically non denominational christians , in my view , dont have churches because that would make them denominational.

So your roots gave you your basics, good morals, belief in Jesus Christ, recognize what is false or see the truth. And who taught you this? Grew up in where?

Did you want the priest to order you to come back with a threat or something?

I hope you will give the Catholic church another try.
Yes I came back to my roots in the Catholic church.

 

[MariaG]

Using that strategy, everyone would end up Catholic

Shhh! Don’t tell them ahead of time

Actually, though on a completely serious note, no one told me that praying for the Holy Spirit to lead me to all truth before I sat down and read the bible everyday would lead me straight to the Catholic Church.

And then have friends reject me as a Christian when I told them where I was led. But the servant is never greater than the master.

 

[MariaG]

Since my family has again recently moved, we have once again started the search for a church home. The search normally starts with denominations which are closest to our particular beliefs. Then we branch out. We have visited a couple of “bible churches” which really made me wonder, how do non-denominational Christians pick their churches?

I guess included in this question are sub-questions like does it take a while to find the right fit? Do you find yourself easily eliminating churches? What criteria is used?

I started off in a Nazarene, moved to Assembly of God and then to Evangelical before coming to the Catholic Church. So I don’t know if that counts, but first it was by invitation of a friend and prompting of the Holy Spirit. Actually, they all were that! Except the Catholic Church. That was all the Holy Spirit!!! And alot of friends trying to tell me I was doing the wrong thing.

I really think if you just pray for guidance, you will not be left wanting

God Bless,
Maria

 

[aussie_jaz]

So your roots gave you your basics, good morals, belief in Jesus Christ, recognize what is false or see the truth. And who taught you this? Grew up in where?

Did you want the priest to order you to come back with a threat or something?

I hope you will give the Catholic church another try.
Yes I came back to my roots in the Catholic church.

i have no problem in the fact that my basics in my morals and beliefs came from the catholic church but i can not accept the certain views and attitudes i have witnessed within the church.
the advice i previously mentioned that i got from a priest was when i had tried to return to the church and immediately i felt if this is the sort of advice a priest will give someone who is trying to come back into the church well theres something wrong there. Thinking more about it on my way home that morning i ended up feeling that mabye im being told that that is not the place for me and to keep looking.

 

[Xavierlives]

to me being non denominational is not to have a church as that would be having a denomination. i have what i consider to be good morals and i have my belief in christianity and as long as i stick to them i believe i am doing right.
im pretty sure this would sound totally unacceptable by some people especially staunch catholics and they may have a good case for that but with the experiences in life i have had i find too many things many believe in most denominations (very much including catholics) that are just unacceptable to me to see as truth.
i grew up as a child in the catholic church and since have tried a couple of others but i came to a point where i had to do it on my own if i was to continue life as a christian. a priest even said to me once to find your own way when i had asked him for some advice and guidance and that basically turned me away from having trust in the catholic faith after trying to go back to my roots.
so basically non denominational christians , in my view , dont have churches because that would make them denominational.

Are you saying that you don’t go to church or are you saying the church is inside all of us?