Baptist in a strange land (well, church)

Well, I didn't think this quite fit in the other denominations, as it's not really to debate differences, but just a friendly little discussion on experiences.

But anyway, how many of you other Baptists have spent time in other churches. As a younger kid, I spent some time in a VERY pentecostal church (women rolling around on the stage at foot of performers, shreiking, etc... it's the only church bus that would come get us though), and even some time was spent at a quaker church as a kid. Not to mention, my time with the Mormons.

Anyway, here is the deal... I wanted to use my guitar talents in worship. Unfortunately, they didn't quite fit at my SBC church, which I had been trying to move out of a while anyway as we moved from that town several years ago and wanted something closer. So, I get invited to my friends church, as she knows I play the guitar and want to do so in worship. So, I'll spare all the details of that adventure at this time, but in a nutshell, it looks like I'll be sticking around at this church for a while to at least help grow a music ministry. The church is an AoG church.

I did tell my family that I wasn't totally in agreeance of some of their doctrines and practices. So far though after three sermons, I've not heard anything that is conflicting with what I beleive, and the preaching is actually spot on.

I've been able to select and play classic hymns, and have free reign at choosing some more modern stuff also. All seems to be going well and I figure I get my chance to worship, become more skillful, and if the chance to play at a Baptist church arises after this one is established, I'm there. I just feel very comfortable supporting the SBC and it's programs and missions, and given the choice prefer that structure.

But, there was one Sunday, where a visitor started on some mekka-mekka-hi-mekka-hiney-ho stuff, but it was limited to her. Then when the service was ended, and she didn't get to showcase her tongues (translation: nobody paid attention to her) she said "I need to go to my church so I can let it all out." But then she went into the womens room and started doing the stuff at the top of her lungs, came out and said she felt better, then went outside and smoked a cigarette. Ummm... ok.

This was very interesting for my Baptist-born-and-bred kiddos, to say the least. To me, I don't buy into it due to my time with the pentecostals as a kid (one of whom admitted to fake it, and is now the pastor of the same church we attended as kids), and rank it right up there with the Mormon "burning in the bosom". As mentioned though, she is not a regular or member. She came to watch her daughter play piano once.

Anyway, are any of you in foreign territory because of whatever situations? Do you feel like you'd rather be back in a more familiar realm, or does it suit you fine? Like I said, nothing related to this church has really struck me wrong, although there have been a couple "baptist" comments, but I just am familiar with the SBC and given the choice, prefer to support that body.

 

Update!

I've been away from that church for a while. Decided my desire to worship with music didn't outweigh the oddities and issues I was finding in the struggling church. It didn't help that the pastor kept making anti-Baptist comments either (he must have felt he "got" me, as he also started nixing my hymns, and replacing them with more "choruses".)

Breaking from our old "out of town" church we had left our membership with and attended irregulary worked for the best though. We are now members of a new church, that has sound doctrine, is very missions driven, and has many opportunities to serve. After our decision to transfer membership, I discovered I may get a chance to play guitar (and hymns at that!)