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advice for other denominations needed

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by joey, Nov 10, 2011.

  1. joey

    joey Member

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    Our family is moving to a much smaller town at the end of the year and it is possible that there may not be an actual baptist church there.

    Can you all give advice on which of these denominations' beliefs are closest to the Baptist Church's? On Google map I can see Uniting Church, Anglican Church, Assembly of God and Presbyterian Church.

    I would not go to the Uniting Church as it has accepted the world's views on homosexuality and I am very reluctant to go to another charismatic church again.
     
  2. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    All you have left then is the Presbyterian church. A conversation with the pastor of that church will shed light on whether it skews left or right.

    Otherwise, you may have to plant your own Baptist church.
     
  3. Ruiz

    Ruiz New Member

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    Of the four, I would eliminate the following:

    Uniting Church-very liberal
    Anglican- while there are some good Anglican Churches out there (J.I. Packer is an Anglican), they tend to be liberal.
    Assembly of God- I am not Charismatic.

    As for the Presbyterian Church, I would need to know what type of Presbyterian Church this is. If PC-USA, I would hunt for another church (they openly endorse homosexuality). If the PCA, OPC, or a variety of other denominations, I may consider it.
     
  4. Robert Snow

    Robert Snow New Member

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    For me I would start, and probably finish with the Assembly of God church.
     
  5. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    Bingo.

    And I doubt there are many PC-USA, PCA, OPC, etc. churches in Australia anyway.
     
  6. Ruiz

    Ruiz New Member

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    The only reason why I press people away from planting their own church is because there could lack accountability. Yet, if you could find a mother church who will unite with, give you support, and accountability, I am all for you trying to plant a church.
     
  7. zrs6v4

    zrs6v4 Member

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    This is a question looking for a simple answer, but in reality the answer is not so simple. The issue you are dealing with is much more than theological. I really believe it also begs the personal questions between you, God, and your family in Christ must ask.

    I will answer your question in two ways. If you are wanting a simple answer that is that you should look at their beliefs. If they are outright in heresy (accepting of homosexuality) then can that, its better to not go unless you go confront them and leave a day later. So look for one who is closest to the Bible even though they all will say they are. I would look at the Presbyterian 1st then the Assemblies of God. I agree closer to the Presbyterians than the Assemblies of God.

    Now, you and your family need to sit down together and with God and decide who you are, what God is using you for, how mature you all are (new Christians <5 years born again?), and so forth. Not even knowing who you are personally (not to be harsh) makes it extremely difficult on giving you advice. If you do not want to do the will of God with a close body of believers and just go to church on Sundays that is one thing, but if you are really interested in doing Church and are a more mature Christian maybe God does want to use you to begin a church where you are going. Who knows, the answers are endless. I reccommend spending time with mentors and close friends in Christ to work together to do God's work the way He calls us in your new location because you know each other better than you do your online brothers and sisters.
     
  8. Luke2427

    Luke2427 Active Member

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    It is possible that the Presbyterian Church is solid. I'd find out what KIND of Presbyterian church it is.

    If it is PCA, it is probably very solid. That is an excellent branch of the Presbyterian movement. ARP is good too. OPC is pretty tight, but solid. But if is PCUSA, it may not be good at all. PCUSA is, as a movement, quite liberal.

    If I were not a baptist, I'd be a PCA Presbyterian.

    They have a little better than 300,000 members and are only about 40 years old. Yet they have 1,400 missionaries.

    THAT is INCREDIBLE. SBC has 16 MILLION members and only 5,000 missionaries. PCA is far more evangelistic per capita.

    Add to that that EVERY SINGLE PASTOR in the PCA MUST have an M. Div. to pastor and ascribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith- that tells you the kind of quality ministry you're going to find in PCA. They are theologically conservative.

    So if the Presby church is PCA, there's a good chance it is a VERY GOOD church.
     
  9. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    You make a good point. In addition, I'm sure the SBC has the tools to provide some support and instruction that could be valuable.

    I'm a layman and starting a new church would be a daunting undertaking without some help.
     
  10. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    I agree with the others about the Presbyterian Church. Can you also look in neighboring towns? Around here, it's possible to have to travel up to 30 minutes or more to get to a good church. I'm not sure how it is around you.
     
  11. joey

    joey Member

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    A local directory gave a Baptist church's name but I cannot find the address yet. As I cannot drive I am trying to consider all my options while looking for houses to buy in the local area.

    Planting a Baptist Church is out of the question. I accept God's will that church leadership is for men only. I would not be the type of person to take a leadership role regardless! :)
     
  12. joey

    joey Member

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    In Australia I am pretty sure the Anglican Church is still generally faithful to christian teachings but I have the impression it is more liberal than some other denominations.

    I don't know a thing about Presybyterian churches so I thought that mature christians who contribute to this theological area would be able to explain any differences between Baptist and Presbyterian doctrines.
     
  13. 12strings

    12strings Active Member

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    Are you in Australia? If so, this may not apply, but I have also come accross some very solid Grace Brethren Churches... Pretty much Baptist with 2 exceptions:

    -3 dippings = a Baptism (father, son, Holy spirit)

    -They practice footwashing.
     
  14. joey

    joey Member

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    I have the difficult circumstance that I came back to God many years after I had foolishly married an atheist husband. He is pretty tolerant of my beliefs overall on the (unwritten) condition that I don't preach at all to him.

    He seems to be pretty willing for me to look at houses closest to churches I am comfortable with because he has seen quite a few times I have made good christian friends wherever we have moved.

    The decision on which church has to be made pretty quickly unfortunately as rental properties are extremely scarce and houses seem to be bought as soon as they are put on the market. (Mining boom district).
     
  15. joey

    joey Member

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    Yes I am. I haven't heard of Grace Brethren before.
     
  16. joey

    joey Member

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    When I was living in Melbourne for a couple of years I went to my local Assembly of God church. I have several criticisms of that church. I thought their worship music was extremely good but I felt very uncomfortable at times there. I realised after leaving for another city that it was a lot to do with my introverted temperament and my dislike that to many of their songs that were "my love for God" focused and not focused on worship of God Himself.

    The pastor was very good at the performance side of his sermons. After leaving and listening to a lot of christian online material I realised why I had sometimes felt unsatisfied after the service. Too much focus was on personal experience/everyday rules for a successful walk with God (law not grace), pastor built sermons around isolated bible verses, and hardly ever mentioned salvation's meaning for Christians themselves after they are saved (only ever directed towards non-believers for altar calls).

    In my women's Bible study they all spoke of personal experiences of God talking to them all the time and speaking in tongues. I felt left out and self-conscious because I did not experience anything they described.

    Overall I think me going to a charismatic church is like a square peg trying to fit in a round hole. I do not doubt the genuineness of charismatic christians' faith at all. I liked their firm belief "that if God said it, he meant it" a lot.
     
  17. WWJDKID

    WWJDKID New Member

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    [snipped - personal attack]
     
    #17 WWJDKID, Nov 10, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 10, 2011
  18. CF1

    CF1 New Member

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    I grew up in a small town with no Baptist church. We drove to the next biggest town every Sunday and Wednesday for church. In our town there was only Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and about 25 bars for 2000 people. Mining town culture. Houses were cheap there. We had little money from Dad working in the mines, and preaching many Sundays. My Mom wishes we could have lived in a bigger town for all those years. That town was not a great place to raise Christian kids.

    Small town people get used to having to commute to bigger towns for many things: shopping, church, hospitals, etc. Its similar to living on farms where you have the same thing. Maybe this is what you will find once you get settled there.

    How far away is the next biggest town?
     
  19. Martin Marprelate

    Martin Marprelate Well-Known Member
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    If the Anglican churches come under the arch-diocese of Sydney, then they may well be evangelical. Peter Jensen, the Archbishop of Sydney is great!
    There are also some very good Presbyterian churches in Australia, but you will need to check each one out.

    Baptists are a little thin on the ground in Oz. Why not try this one?
    http://www.sgbc.org.au/ It's on the outskirts of Adelaide, but if you can move where you want, why not there? It's Reformed Baptist, but that's where I would prefer. Just don't invite Winman to worship with you. :smilewinkgrin:

    You might also try this one. http://www.adelaide-church.org/

    Failing that, try either a Brethren church or a 'Free Evangelical' one.

    Steve
     
    #19 Martin Marprelate, Nov 10, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 10, 2011
  20. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    joey,

    Seems like you have several limitation (no vehicle, unbelieving husband, ect).

    Have you talk to your current pastor? In addition, even if there is not a Bible believing church, you may be able to find a female friend with whom you would be able to at least have a Bible study. Remember, Mat 18:20 tells us where two or three are gathered, I am in the midst of them. after starting a Bible Study, I do like the ideal of contacting the International Mission Board.


    Does anyone have a recommendation of a good book for Joey? - in reference to having an unsaved husband?

    But most important, we need to pray for the salvation of joey's husband! :praying:

    Keep us posted, OK! :1_grouphug:

    Salty
     
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