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A Baptist without a church

Discussion in '2004 Archive' started by trailblazer, Dec 7, 2004.

  1. trailblazer

    trailblazer New Member

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    Help! I'm really, really, struggling here!

    Will make this as short as possible.

    At age 9 I became a Christian and was baptized in a Southern Baptist Church. Attended unitl age 13. Moved New England. No Baptist church to walk to. Fell away. Married a Catholic. Recommited at age 40ish. Went to a Congregational church w/ a Baptist for a pastor. (great church)

    Recently moved further north. Absolutely amazed at what we had to choose from. Cannot find a church to fellowship in again it seems. We are totally, totally confused! Are very discouraged to find out that not only are there the SBC's and the ABC's but that the new IFBC's won't have anything to do with either of them it seems! Then we find out there are over 100 DIFFERENT Baptists!

    My husband, now a Christian, and I believe the Charismatic tongues and prophesing gifts decreased as the NT written Word increased. Also, don't go along with the dispensational/pre-millenium teachings that are so pervasive today. We started asking the pastors what their positions are due to so many churches with different positions. Can't get direct answers. "Come visit they say - they're non-essentials we're told." Go to visit and they're preaching on those non-essentials while they're prayers are in tongues. BUT, we can't voice our concerns that otherwise we will be DIVISIVE.

    We are ready to sit and watch TV. Can at least turn it off.
     
  2. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    What about a calvary chapel? Or perhaps a methodist church? Are there any in your area?
     
  3. trailblazer

    trailblazer New Member

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    Isn't Calvary typically Charismatic?
     
  4. trailblazer

    trailblazer New Member

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    Isn't Calvary typically Charismatic?
     
  5. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    They vary from church to church. Some are very charismatic, others are more "old time Gospel", so to speak.
     
  6. Bro. James Reed

    Bro. James Reed New Member

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    Well, I am a little biased, but are there any Primitive Baptists in your neck of the woods?

    To go with the wonderful doctrine, the singing, preaching, and praying is wonderful, and the love of the people towards one another is something rarely seen in the world.

    I could look for one in your area if you're interested.
     
  7. trailblazer

    trailblazer New Member

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    Bro Reed,

    I live in Southern NH. There doesn't seem to be any here
     
  8. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    RAYMOND, N.H. (BP)--Less than two years into its church-planting mission in New Hampshire, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary has graduates serving as pastors of churches across the state.

    From the town of Berlin in the state's northernmost county to Londonderry in the south, Southeastern graduates are preaching the gospel in five newly established Southern Baptist churches. And one church that was on the verge of closing its doors is now showing signs of revival as attendance has quadrupled since a Southeastern alumnus became its pastor.

    Southeastern forged a partnership with the New Hampshire Baptist Association in January 1997 aimed at establishing 50 Southern Baptist churches in the state over the next decade. During the past two summers, nearly 100 Southeastern students and faculty have taken the gospel to New Hampshire, a state of more than 1.1 million people, most of whom are lost without Christ.

    That's part of an article from Baptist Press.
    http://www.sbc.net/default.asp
    Diane
     
  9. FBCPastorsWife

    FBCPastorsWife New Member

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    How close are you to Nashua? You might want to look at this website www.nashuafbc.com

    Their website is very informative on their doctrinal standards and their mission in their community. Hope you find something soon. Please keep us updated in your search. God Bless... [​IMG]
     
  10. trailblazer

    trailblazer New Member

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    Dianne,

    I have checked this one one out, and as I said;

    "We are very discouraged to find out that not only are there the SBC's and the ABC's but that the new IFBC's (Independant Fundamental's)won't have anything to do with either of them it seems!

    ...don't go along with the dispensational/pre-millenium teachings that are so pervasive today."

    I am not one that just goes along with what I was taught just because someone else says it's scriptural. I believe that Christ requires us to scruitinize it to scripture. I do that diligently. That is why I cannot, no matter how much I respect people like Billy Graham, Charles Stanley, Chuck Swindoll or John McArthur. I love listening to their preaching and get a great deal of inspiration from them but when they start preaching on their pre-millenial/dispensational positions, I have to turn it off because I just don't see it in John 5:28-29 or Luke 17:22-37.

    So, when I seek out other churches that don't hold to dispensational teaching it seems as though I am faced with the other dilemma; that of the Charismatic tongues, prophesying, and supernatural gifts being for today as I believe they gradually ceased as the NT written word increased. (I Cor. ?)

    As I also said, I e-mail them and ask them what they teach on these two important doctrines and I don't get direct answers. If it doesn't say in their Statement of Faith on the internet I have to attend and just hope I find out. We are in our 60's now and simply do not have the time that is required to do that kind of searching.

    The church that I came out of and do have a great deal of confidence in is about an hours drive from here. That's too far for winter driving first of all. Secondly, you can fellowship as you can with a church that is closer. You can't run down on a Wednesday night for Bible study. You can witness to new Christians and then have no place to send them.

    Sorry this was so long. I deeply appreciate your concerns and your time.
     
  11. Bro. James Reed

    Bro. James Reed New Member

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    Have you ever been to a Sovereign Grace Baptist Church before?

    Don't know how close they are to you, but I found a couple for you:

    Savoy SGBC
    664 Main Rd.
    Savoy, Massachusetts 01256
    William Plenge, Pastor [email protected]

    Salem SGBC
    290 Main St. (UMC building)
    Salem, New Hampshire 03079
    Maurice Bergeron, Pastor [email protected]

    From what I understand, SGBC'ers are like Primitive Baptists in many ways, doctrinally speaking. I've never been to one of their services, but that is my understanding from those who have been.

    Good luck finding the church home that will be the best fit for you.

    Bro. James
     
  12. Rich_UK

    Rich_UK <img src =/6181.jpg>

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    Calvary Chapel are definetley charismatic. I have attended 3 of them throughout the years and although they may differ in style at times, they all hold to the same statement of faith. It doesn't include the mention of the sign gifts, but, if questioned, they all must suscribe to the same faith. Chuck Smith ( The Calvary Chapel head) is a tongues speaker but he doesn't believe that it should br practiced in a public sermon. His reasoning being.. *The Holy Spirit never interupts himself, so therefore, he wouldn't speak thoughout the giving of a sermon message* They teach that the gifts are all relevant and available today.

    Just stating what CC believe.
     
  13. AVL1984

    AVL1984 <img src=../ubb/avl1984.jpg>

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    You could also see if there are any Evangelical Free churches in your area. I have been to several and find them pretty doctrinally sound. Also, some Presbyterian churches (PCA, but not the PCUSA).
     
  14. Broadus

    Broadus Member

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    I second AVL1984's advice. If you cannot find a Baptist church holding to reformed doctrine, then I would definitely look into EFree and Presbyterian Churches in America (PCA).

    Where in NH are you? A Baptist church in southern NH worth investigating is Island Pond Baptist Church in Hampstead. I'm not sure where the current pastor stands on issues, but a few years ago their pastor search committee was very receptive to a pastor holding to reformed doctrine.

    Bill
     
  15. Greg Linscott

    Greg Linscott <img src =/7963.jpg>

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  16. Greg Linscott

    Greg Linscott <img src =/7963.jpg>

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  17. williemakeit

    williemakeit New Member

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    I guess I am missing something here. How many Sunday mornings have you visited the local SBC/ABC/IFB churches in your area? I am having a hard time nailing down exactly what you would hear every service that would offend your reformed stance. IMHO, it would be rare to hear anything more than an occasional 'Jesus is coming back', especially in the more comtemporary churches/services. Is there anything specific within Baptist doctrine that makes it your first choice? Although I do not like referring anyone to non-Baptist churches, I am with the others in suggesting that you and your husband get under sound Bible-preaching, regardless of the denomination. It sounds like you have been 'back' in church about 20 years, but you did not mention how long it has been since your husband converted, but we all need to be in fellowship somewhere.
     
  18. trailblazer

    trailblazer New Member

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    Bro Reed,
    You are so kind. As well as the others on the post. My faith in Christians is renewed once again. However, I have never heard of Savoy, Ma. so it cannot be within reasonable driving distance.

    As an update for those who have shown concern, we did choose to attend a service in a little Baptist church about 1/2 hour from where we live - a bit far but not bad. I had e-maild him and asked him several questions about our concerns about dispensational teaching and the Charismatic gifts of speaking in tongues and propehsying for today but we got no direct answer. "Just come and visit, we can talk about them" was what he e-mailed back. We went anyway on Sunday and again to the Wed. nite Bible study. Were very pleased to see that there was a good balance of young and old and there appeared to be about 10 different ethnic groups mixed in. The people were very responsive and the sermon was fine although we left still not having the questions answered.

    I e-mail another Pastor a little closer but no response at all.

    We are still in limbo, so please keep us in your prayers if you will. Thanks
     
  19. Bro. James Reed

    Bro. James Reed New Member

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    You're certainly in my prayers.

    I've never been in this kind of a situation...been in the same church my whole life. I can't imagine how hard it must be to go through.

    If anything good comes out of 'wandering' it will strengthen your beliefs as you search out the scriptures and compare the beliefs of the different churches to what the Bible says.

    Sometimes we can be in one place so long, and we know wheat we believe, to where we will neglect our Bible reading and studying. I know I have not studied near as much as I should.

    I'll be going to Fayetteville, GA all next week for vacation, and a family reunion the next weekend, so hopefully I'll get to do a little more bible study and a little less Baptist Boarding.

    God Bless. Bro. James

    PS I know of a perfect little church for you. The only catch is you'd have to move down to Houston. ;)
     
  20. trailblazer

    trailblazer New Member

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    Have a nice trip and thank you so much.

    As for Houston? We've moved enough in the past 5 years. Time to stay put for a while! LOL
     
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