Church - What Should I Look For In A Church Before Joining?

First, the KJVO position is extrabiblical, and to many is a form of idolatry. We had on KJVO pastor promptly banned for alluding to his Bible as "God". I would ask you...what is the Word of God in languages besides early english?

Second, an elder led church is the scriptural mandate of church government found in Scripture. In no place is it taught that a sole pastor to have full authority, nor the congregation.

Please do stick around to discuss these issues...they make for good debate. I would suggest that you direct your posts in more of a question format, as many on the BB don't like to be taught unless they ask the question.

 

You have a faulty understanding. Using the KJV is a matter of preference not principle.

Perhaps the first thing one should look for in a church is that it holds to the NT teaching about what a church should be. Since KJV is not mentioned anywhere in the NT, it is quite easy to dispense with that characteristic.

 

My church possesses a KJV, but uses a ESV and NIV more. So...tell me in 20 words or less what God...er, you...think about my church?

 

I do believe the pastor should seek God's will for any direction he wants to take his church. I do not believe that God will tell me before he tells my pastor, or instead of telling my pastor. And I do believe the pastor should get the benefit of the doubt.

On the other hand, I don't believe God will tell only the pastor, and not tell other Godly, spiritual members of the congregation.

 

I haven't looked for a church for 45 years, so I'm a little rusty.

Here are some things I would look for:

1. How it worships. Is it true worship, or part entertainment? Are you comfortable with the music, does the pastor preach from the scriptures?

2. How it teaches. A visit to Sunday School will tell you about its teachers and its teachings.

3. How it fellowships. Is there a genuine love among the members? If there is, you'll be able to sense it. If not, you'll sense that, too.

It make take several visits to get a feel for 1 through 3.

4. Finally, is this where you believe God would have you serve. This is the most important thing to discern. Remember, you are looking for a church to serve, not be served.

 

In my neck of the woods, only a very few don't see a church, even when not especially looking for one.



Ed

 

Let me follow up my last post by saying there are ~ 60 churches, that we know of in my home county of ~ 16,000, give or take a few hundred population. There may be some few house or otherwise very small churches that I do not know of, being I'm only a layman, but these would be very few. I have been to every one of them, covering about 250 miles, or so, with very little wasted running (I'm a long time cab driver, with a hack's acquired instincts, plus I already know the roads fairly well, having lived here more than 50 years of my life.) except one which I simply forgot about (I was three times within a city block of her, at that!), even knowing where it was located, in a single day. I was delivering a notice about an upcoming church historical display for all the county churches in our county festival. I even went to a couple that had closed, or moved recently, without my knowledge.

I just have to believe there would be at least 1 or 2, out of that 60, that one could find, that they could pretty much get along with, if they really wanted to, frankly.

It's not like there are only four possible choices, in my county, and even the most distant of the 60, is located only about 25 miles away, at the extreme tip of the county, from my home. 20 of 'em are located within 5 miles.

Ed

 

Let's join the board and insult every church represented here that doesn't use the KJV. The sheer arrogance of such a post is not surprising considering that these other qualifications would probably be required too.
All the women must wear dresses and remain silent.
It must firmly believe in dispensationalist theology.
The acronym SBC must not be mentioned unless it is too criticize.
The Cooperative Program is an abomination.
Secondary Separation is a must.
Gail R. is considered a saint.

 

Please don't include me in this one, for I've not insulted any church, of any sort, regardless of any affinity at anything.

One may agree or disagree with what she preaches and/or practices, and still not insult her.

(Yes, a church is a "she;" a church is not an "it.")

Incidentally, I'm fairly sure I can pretty much follow along in my own Bible, with whatever English Bible version another happens to read from, provided I have adequate light and my glasses.

That's English.

Following the reading from a Spanish, German, Korean or Japanese edition would be a little tougher.

Ed

 

Ed, I'm on your side. I'm not insulting any church. Although I will have to admit my sarcasm that must not have worked. I'm only pointing out some the other church requirements that some would place on us in addition to the KJV.

 

OK, so far, I agree

I disagree. Recently, when my wife and I searched for a new church, we immediately marked any church off our list that held this position. The church we joined uses the NIV in services. However, members carry a variety of versions.

I agree that their paramount concern must be the glory of God and furthering the gospel. However, these are not accomplished by a primary emphasis on separatism but by a primary emphasis on loving the brethren and loving our neighbor as ourself.

Our pastor and deacons are servant-leaders and the church is congregationally governed.

 

Whew.. I just checked our church and we possess a KJV!!

So, I guess because I read out of the TNIV this evening we don't qualify?

Sorry Dr. It sounds as if you have been indoctrinated by the Hyles doctrine... Or maybe Schaap? Or maybe a college in FL?

You did leave one thing out... every member must be a subscriber to the Sword of the Lord.

I am ABC/USA and I am proud of our diversity. I guess you would consider our church to be heretical...

But I don't serve man.. I serve God!

 

Where are the good doctor's responses? Does he start threads and run?

 

Hi webdog

You said........

What about in.......

James was the pastor here, and had the “full authority”, to make this decision.