After almost five years of living my life for Christ, I've decided to it may be time to leave my church. I currently attend a non-denominational charismatic church. I have grown so much in my walk with the Lord and I've have been blessed. However, I've reached a point that I do not agree with some of the my church's emphasis on certain spiritual gifts. My church is mildly charismatic that some people do get "slain in the spirit" and stuff like that. I just cannot believe this is from God. Everything I've read and prayed about says no. I've been on the BaptistBoard.com for a few months and I tend to agree with Baptist doctrines and beliefs.
I love the people in my current church. They have encouraged and edified me many times. I just sense that it is time to move on and I wanted to look at the Baptist church. But there as so many with so many different affiliations. I live in Northern California (San Jose area). Can someone reccommend some Baptist churches in my area? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
A Brother in Christ,
ChurchBoy
Looking for a Baptist Church
Discussion in '2003 Archive' started by ChurchBoy, Aug 21, 2003.
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There's a church search right at the top of the SBC page. I'm sure other's have them on their web pages. However, this is the link I have.
http://www.sbc.net/default.asp
It's by zip code.
Diane -
Why not try the Baptist World Alliance, I think thay have a number of connections with different Baptist Churches from a selection of Baptist Denominations.
http://www.bwanet.org -
What flavor of Baptist are you looking for? If you read this board much, you can tell there are at least 31 flavors here. If you are looking for an SBC church, find the state convention's web site. They may have a link to an association in Santa Clara County. If you want something really ultra-conservative, you might try shopping up the road in Berkeley. I hear they are pretty conservative up there... ;)
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There ares many "flavors" of Baptist churches. I want to research all the major ones. Why are there so many "flavors" of Baptist Churches?
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Probably for the same reason you are leaving a charismatic denomination: disagreements over doctrine.
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Can someone name some of the major Baptist denominations?
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CLICK HERE for a thread that has links to most Baptist groups in the United States. California is kind of out of my range, but the major bodies there are probably American Baptist Churches, General Association of Regular Baptists, Southern Baptist Convention, and independent Baptists. The American Baptist Association probably has about 100 churches, and there are some Primitive Baptists scattered around.
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ChurchBoy, here are the ten largest Baptist groups in California, with number of churches (from Baptists Around the World, 1995):
</font>- Southern Baptist Convention - 1146</font>
- American Baptist Churches in the USA - 555</font>
- National Baptist Convention, USA - 525</font>
- National Missionary Baptist Convention - 250</font>
- Conservative Baptist Association - 215</font>
- Baptist Bible Fellowship International - 149</font>
- National Baptist Convention of America - 125</font>
- Baptist General Conference - 125</font>
- General Association of Regular Baptists - 109</font>
- American Baptist Association - 98</font>
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I went from a Pentecostal church to the Seventh Day Baptist Church, for no other reason than their focus on Bible study, check them out at -
http://www.seventhdaybaptist.org/ -
Circuitrider <img src=/circuitrider2.JPG>Site Supporter
CB, what might work out even better than trying to sort out all the major Baptist groups in California is to look in the phone book under Baptist (independent) and start visiting some churches. You might find a warm and friendly church that is right down your alley.
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Squire Robertsson AdministratorAdministrator
Speaking as someone who lives just up US 101 from you, I'd just let my fingers do the walking through the Yellow Pages. There must be at least two pages of Baptists in the SJO phone books (no need for the BWA here). San Jose is large enough that the phone company splits it up between two sets of books one volume for the white pages (the alphabetical listings) and another for the yellow (categorical business listings). We don't run strong in the number IFB churchs so, take your pick from there.
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pinoybaptist Active MemberSite Supporter
Hey, Church Boy:
It's been 17 days and 3 Sundays since you posted but if you're still looking for a Baptist church why not PM one Primitive Baptist here who lives in California. His church might be near yours. -
Squire Robertsson AdministratorAdministrator
Uhmm, Pinoy, the closest Primative Baptist on the Board that I know of is in Southern California. IIRC, he is in the San Diego area which puts him about 12 plus Interstate driving hours south of Silicon Valley. Distances out here can be tricky for Easterners.
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Our prayer is that Churchboy finds a Baptist church soon.
While he is NOT a "baptist" per se, we are allowing this thread to continue here to help him in his transition TO a "baptist" church. -
ChurchBoy, I see your in CA. I don't know what part but if your in Lemon Grove, here's a wonderful Baptist church. http://www.lighthousebaptist.com/
God bless and may he point you in the right direction.
HomeBound -
Squire Robertsson AdministratorAdministrator
Umm, Homebound, Churchboy lives in San Jose, CA. That's located on the southern tip of San Francisco Bay. The church you recommended is in the Sandiego area. He and I could make a Sunday morning service there if we started out Friday evening, overnighted somewhere around Bakersfield, drove all day Saturday to Lemon Grove, overnighted there so we could be ready for a Sunday School and Morning Service. If we left after church, we'd be home sometime Monday night.
California is a biiiiig state. Okay, Texas is bigger in the lower 48. -
Wow! Thank you everyone for the all information and encouragement. I have not yet visited a Baptist Church but I will soon. I am moving in a few weeks and I have been preoccupied with all the preparations to move. I have researched some of the churches that people have graciously listed on this thread.
Thanks again
A Brother in Christ,
ChurchBoy