How do non-denominational Christians pick a church?

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graceandglory said:
Just because you don’t call it a concert, doesn’t mean that’s not what the people get when they go there. See what happens if your music ministers don’t show up. I know, I am a former music minister. Just give it time. You see, when the music minister doesn’t show up at my Catholic Church, or the pastor is switched for an old retired priest who doesn’t speak in a dialect I understand, Jesus still shows up.
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Bravo, Bravo! I’m so proud of you! The great thing about our church, is that we have many"music ministers",people who can lead worship, so if our designated worship leader doesn’t show, Jesus does,and we can have music! My experiences with concerts has been that they involve paid performers; which we have none of:cool:
 
1beleevr said:
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Bravo, Bravo! I’m so proud of you! The great thing about our church, is that we have many"music ministers",people who can lead worship, so if our designated worship leader doesn’t show, Jesus does,and we can have music! My experiences with concerts has been that they involve paid performers; which we have none of:cool:
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Would it be more acceptable to you if we called your worship services a concert in which no money exchanges hands?
 
graceandglory said:
You said this way better than me.

More on Spousal Theology. Don’t worry, it’s probably more palatable to an evangelical than to many Catholics…
christopherwest.com/page.asp?ContentID=70
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Thank you for the kind words:D And after nearly 43 years with Christ, I still don’t have a desire to become a catholic! I cannot put into words, the deep joy and fulfillment that I derive from my relationship with Christ! And it means nothing that you two dismiss it as shallow! It appears to me that we are all delieiously content with our union with Jesus!👍
 
AmericanJosiah said:
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LONG ago, there was one congregation in the village or area. So Christians went there. In many cases, all the congregations were associated with one denomination because “the religion of the prince is the religion of the subjects.”

Later, people had strong denominational loyalties and would generally register at the congregation of that denomination closest to them - the “parish” system was largely followed - formally or informally.

Today, denominational loyalties are weak and there is little to no concern or interest for what congregation is closest to home. The “community church” is gone - except in very small or isolated towns, gone for most Americans certainly, 80% of which live in metro areas where there are MANY churches within reach of their car on a Sunday morning.

I know of no Catholics who simply registered at the parish closest to them. They all shopped around. My brother-in-law and my sister worship at a Catholic parish about a 30 minutes drive from their home - passing right by a number of Catholic churches in the process. They like the pastor there, the church seemed friendlier than the others they visited, and it was regarded as the only one around that is kid-friendly (they have a baby) and where there are a number of younger families. They also liked the family oriented activities.

Protestants often “church shop” too. What they are looking for varies considerably. Studies show that very high on the list is where they feel embraced, welcomed and “at home.” They may have a list of things important to them. I WISH that theology mattered more to Christians, but the level of ignorance is astounding and the level of commitment to such very weak. This is largely true for Catholics, too - from my experience. Even where denominational loyalty exists - it’s often more for cultural and tradition reasons, not because of a firm understanding and passionate embrace of all that denomination’s dogmas.

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When I was a Protestant this is what I observed in my friends and I started to do the same thing. It is actually one of the reasons I started to question being a Protestant. Now I do go to the closest Catholic Church. One of the reasons is I believe we should be supporting the Church in our local neighborhood. The other is if I was to go out and find the “cool church”, am I seeking God or man?

God Bless
 
PRmerger said:
Would it be more acceptable to you if we called your worship services a concert in which no money exchanges hands?
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Actually, it would be disrespectful to Jesus, who did not give us any direction as to how to worship Him! If we are singing, “Hosanna,” by Hillsong, or “How Great Is Our God,” or even “Not to Us,” we are praising and worshipping our Father, with glad hearts! Unlike you, our worship group, which is acoustic, does not entertain the congregation, but worships along with them!😛
 
graceandglory said:
You said this way better than me.

More on Spousal Theology. Don’t worry, it’s probably more palatable to an evangelical than to many Catholics…
christopherwest.com/page.asp?ContentID=70
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Loved this quote from the site. Thanks for the reference, BTW!

Only to the degree that we are “one in spirit and love” with Christ the Bridegroom are we able to love one another as he loved us. It is an experience that comes to those who persevere in Christian prayer. Let us, then, not be afraid to persevere through the painful purifications that lead to us to “nuptial union” with God. Lord, teach us to pray!
 
1beleevr said:
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Actually, it would be disrespectful to Jesus, who did not give us any direction as to how to worship Him! If we are singing, “Hosanna,” by Hillsong, or “How Great Is Our God,” or even “Not to Us,” we are praising and worshipping our Father, with glad hearts! Unlike you, our worship group, which is acoustic, does not entertain the congregation, but worships along with them!😛
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I have been to a Hillsongs concert. I know and love Hillsongs praise and worship… (albeit, from the 90s…) I know that kind of praise and worship. I can experience that any time I go to a good Praise and Worship concert. But I am inviting you to experience more.

Jesus DID give us direction!
John 4:24
**they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." **(John 4:23-24)

I am suggesting to you that you have the spirit down. That’s good. But that is not the fullness of your Christian faith. I bet you want to challenge me and say that I must not have experienced praise and worship the way you have. Not so. Without showing you old photos or videos :eek:, I don’t know how to prove it on an anonymous forum site, where you don’t really get to know me.
 
PRmerger said:
Not shallow. Just platonic. A deep friendship.

But, sad that this friend does not long for more intimate union with his Beloved.
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Actually my friend, the longer I’m with Him, the more intimacy I share with Him; don’t be so condescending and territorial!😉
 
aussie_jaz said:
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.
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You haven’t named anything particular. I can understand that you don’t want to discuss personal things on a public forum, but you’ll never find answers if you don’t bother to formulate specific questions. I suggest that you make a list of the top two or three specific things that trouble you about the Catholic faith you grew up with, then call the Catholic Answers apologists line and ask those questions. (And listen to the answers.) Then you can stop drifting like a jellyfish and start swimming the Tiber.
 
When i dropped the Church for my local non-denom,i left my first “true” worship service deeply puzzled…there was something lacking,i couldn’t figure out what though…A close friend told me next week we have communion,that got my hopes up a bit…before the next service i was back in the Church kneeling before my Lord,i finally understood and knew the truth. Never again has my shadow darked the door to that non-denom
 
graceandglory said:
I have been to a Hillsongs concert. I know and love Hillsongs praise and worship… (albeit, from the 90s…) I know that kind of praise and worship. I can experience that any time I go to a good Praise and Worship concert. But I am inviting you to experience more.

Jesus DID give us direction!
John 4:24
they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:23-24)

I am suggesting to you that you have the spirit down. That’s good. But that is not the fullness of your Christian faith. I bet you want to challenge me and say that I must not have experienced praise and worship the way you have. Not so. Without showing you old photos or videos :eek:, I don’t know how to prove it on an anonymous forum site, where you don’t really get to know me.
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Nor do you really get to know me; but it seems you have formed opinions based on a few lines in a response! I don’t believe that John 4:24 necessarily deals with the practice of how we sing praises to our God! Are you beginning to understand why some people consider a certain number of catholics to be arrogant! Where do you guys get your direction as to what type of music to play at mass? I mean they didn’t always play funeral type music in the Bible did they?
 
graceandglory said:
Just because you don’t call it a concert, doesn’t mean that’s not what the people get when they go there. See what happens if your music ministers don’t show up. I know, I am a former music minister. Just give it time. You see, when the music minister doesn’t show up at my Catholic Church, or the pastor is switched for an old retired priest who doesn’t speak in a dialect I understand, Jesus still shows up.
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👍
 
1beleevr said:
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I mean they didn’t always play funeral type music in the Bible did they?
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I take it you don’t have an ear for good music.😃

How about’s we use the music the apostle’s listened to during their worship…gee what would that be none? Let’s not forget the folk whom say no to music during worship…
 
1beleevr said:
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but it seems you have formed opinions based on a few lines in a response! ?
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Yes, we do our best to earnestly try to understand where someone is coming from and write our responses to the best of our ability. You sound exactly like me 20, 15, 10 years ago. Because of that, I share with you what I WISH someone would have shared with me, but never did. I’m a musician, my son is a musician. This is a contentious spot in our house. Losing weekly praise and worship concerts, and not leading worship is one of the many sacrifices I had to make on my journey to the Catholic Church. I am sharing with you a part of my testimony.

There has to be something more measurable and less subjective than style, quality of music, and the people’s physical response to music in determining what is worship in spirit and in truth.
 
fbl9 said:
I take it you don’t have an ear for good music.😃

How about’s we use the music the apostle’s listened to during their worship…gee what would that be none?
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Actually, it would have been Jewish plain-chant, which is the direct ancestor of Gregorian chant. 👍
 
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