Finding the right church for me....pls help

Advice? I'll go for it.
Don't be a martyr. I've not seen anyone say "I couldn't stand this church, so I knew it's where God wanted me".
Check out the churches statement of faith and see if it's scriptural, or call and talk to them if that isn't possible. If it agrees with scripture go check it out, and if you like it there ya go.
Simple enough.
Gina

 

I have to agree with Gina. I just went though this. I went from a Independant Fundamental Baptist Church to a Southern Baptist Church. While not everyone was wild about my decision, they did in the end realize that it was mine. The church you look for has GOT to fit you like a glove. If it doesn't try another.

The best place to find a church is talk to people that you trust. Those that share your belief's. In my case, I felt compelled to go there. I felt a draw to move form the IFB to the SBC. Sometimes that is the way God works. When he wants you to do something he tends to make it known .

Good luck and keep us posted please, I will keep you in my prayers

Wendy

 

One suggestion is to go to a church for several weeks. One service is usually not enough to get to know the church.

 

I agree, My wife and I attended our current church for about 6 months before we joined. We wanted to be certain that we were aligned with the philosophy of the leadership, and really know how various parts of the ministry operated. You cannot know a church by visiting a few services, you have to make friends, talk to the pastor(s) and get involved as much as possible as a non-member to really determine if you will be able to agree with what is going on there. I am not big on leaving churches, nor attending ones that I have problems with, so we decided it would be much less painful to make sure before we joined.

 

Lori,

First, let me commend your attitude. Your first statement that you want to be where God wants you to be and not just where "I" (eg. you) want yourself to be puts you soooooooo much further along than you can possibly realize. I see so many people asking this same question for the advice of others and hardly ever do I see any of them making that statement first. When it gets brought up by the advisors, they end up replying "Oh, yeah, of course, I meant that," but it comes off like an afterthought rather than the truth. Therefore, I commend you!

Second, here's my two cents.

As you pray over your decision, might I suggest an exercise in prayer and study of Scripture. Prayer is two way communication, but don't forget, God speaks through Scripture as well as prayer and circumstances.

While none of us will find a Scripture that says "Lori, Thou shalt attend and join (Insert name here) Baptist Church," we will find the charactertistics of what, all things being ideal, a New Testatment church is like.

I suggest taking a notebook and reading through the Book of Acts during the week. Read and look for the characteristics of the early church. What were it's positive charcteristics? What were its negatives? (Remember, not everything in Acts is a role model for us; some is there as an example of what NOT to do; be sure to sift those things out carefully? What were the positive and negative characteristics of its leadership as well as its members? How did it deal with crisis? How did it deal with conflict? How did it arrive at consensus? How did it affect the people around it? (Look for the descriptive as well as the practical). Now, go through your study either as you go or after you are done in a very prayerful manner. Highlight or underline those aspects that the Lord speaks to you personally about? Look for the things that really speak to not just your personal situtation, but also to your overall walk with the Lord. The Lord might show you some personal things you need to work on yourself. He may show you some of your strengths as well?

Now take that information into your world and find a church that fits those things for you personally. Don't forget also that you are not just going there to have your needs met, but because the Lord knows of a local church that needs you as well. Where you are strong, they may be weak. Where you are weak, they may be strong, and so forth.

Because of the attitude of your heart right now, that you want what the Lord wants for you. You can be assured, that He will lead you to that local church.

 

Lori, if the reading is the problem, try an audio version. There are quite a number of recordings around in different translations. Quite honestly sometimes too much emphasis is put on 'reading the bible' when hearing it will serve the same purpose.

(NO folks, not against reading, do support ereading as much as possible, so don't jump on the issue here)

Will pray with you and for you for God'sleading to the right church for you to be in.

Regards
Bob

 

Lori,

I had to go back to my roots (the preaching, singing, etc. that I was saved under) in order to find peace about which church to attend. Yes, as others have said, prayer and bible study (reading or listening) do play a critical role in your decision.

I also used the approach of what could I bring to this church, versus what can it do for me. In my case, it was initially my tithes and offerings; however, as a new church start, I believe that was, and still is, a crucial place of service at the church. Of course, since then, I have received more from God than I can ever give in time and money, and I am also enjoying other areas of service. It truly is more blessed to give than to receive. Also, did I mention pray, pray, pray.

God bless, and I will make a special mention of you in my prayers.

 

Lori, I know that many people on this board are against the views of the Sword of the Lord, but we do have these churches in the Houston area listed on our website. Maybe you can get in contact with them if you have not already visited. I pray you find a good church soon.

Christchurch Baptist Fellowship
Dr. Johnny Pope, Pastor
12501 Champion Forest Dr.
Houston, TX 77066
(281) 866-8377
christchurchbaptist.msn.com
www.christchurchbaptist.org

Frontier Baptist Temple
Pastor Bobby J. Campbell
1923 Antoine B-2
Houston, TX 77055
(713) 784-7601

Westside Baptist Church
Pastor Richard D. Butts
9300 Hammerly Blvd
Houston, TX 77080
(713) 467-2763
Slogan - Standing for the old time gospel and the authority of the Word of God

 

FBCPW, I believe all those churches you listed are fairly decent churches, if I remember correctly, whether they are in the SOL or not.

There are also many good conservative SBC churches in Houston. Just check the SBC website at
http://www.sbc.net They have a place for you to look up churches in your area on their site.

 

Lori,

If you look here: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=11893X&netp_id=106276&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW

You will find this book:
The Quiet Time Companion
WILLOUG / Inter-varsity Press / 1999
Retail Price: $14.99
CBD Price: $11.99 - You Save $3.00 (20%)
CBD Stock No: WW11893X
ISBN: 0830811893
Availability: Available to ship on or about 10/27/04.


If you think that using print material to help you through quiet times is useful, this is an EXCELLENT resource. It contains a variety of studies. Some are whole book studies; some are character studies; some are issue studies; some are word studies; etc. It's not a devotional type of book. You actually have questions to answer about the text that make you think about the Bible passage for that day. The authors/editor don't/doesn't spoon feed you either, so you're not getting a "this is what the text is about" interpretation. It's a "What does this passage say about....?" type of format, followed with "How does this apply in your life?" kind of format. Usually, there are four or five questions for each passage each day. It takes about half an hour or so to work through it, and it is self-paced. If you use it the way it's intended, you'll actually get through the whole Bible in two years.

I HIGHLY recommend it.