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Looking for church scriptures

Discussion in '2004 Archive' started by Emily, Jan 10, 2004.

  1. Emily

    Emily New Member

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    Hello everyone!!!

    My husband and I have been looking for a church.

    The one I believe he is going to chose for us is a non-denominational church..

    My husband is not a strong Christian, and truth be told, I am only now really finding who I am in Christ..

    before we join this church, I want my husband to really realize how serious a comittment joining a church is. I personally believe that when you join a church, you are comitting yourself to working for God through that church, and I dont believe in church hopping (which is what we have been doing for 3 years)

    I am really really trying to let him be the leader though and make our spiritual decisions for us, but I think it would be helpful if I were able to present him with some scripture so that he can better make a decision.

    The few reasons I do not like this church is
    a. they dont preach against sin strongly enough
    b. distance.. it takes OVER a half an hour to get there each Sunday.. most of the time, we are late.
    c. Its really big.. Its very easy to get lost in a church that is too big, and while it might be easier if we were stronger Christians, we are both pretty new, and I think we need a strong accountability.

    The church he wants to join however does stand by the 5 fundamentals.. They are not baptist by name, but if you read their doctrinal statment, it reads almost identical to a Baptist church's doctrinal statment.

    I have been praying about this, and if this is where he choses for us to be, then of course I will be submissive and join him there, but he is not really a man of prayer, so I dont know how much thought he has actually given to this, other than he likes the music and the relaxed atmosphere there..


    so, if anybody can point me in the right direction of the importance of church membership and sticking to your church, I would be greatly greatly thankful.

    Emily
     
  2. Helen

    Helen <img src =/Helen2.gif>

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    Emily, you said your husband is not a strong Christian, but nevertheless he is choosing a Christian church that seems straight in its doctrine. Don't stand in his way! Make arrangements for that drive back and forth every Sunday and thank God your husband is willing to go to church!

    Suggestion: ask him if you two can read Bible at home together. You don't have to analyze or dissect it as you read, just read it. King James, New International Version, New American Standard, New King James...don't worry about the version, as long as it is one of the basic standard ones. Just see if he is willing to read a chapter or two a day out loud with you. Pray before you read for wisdom and afterwards in thanks. Then just quietly think about what you have read. Talk about it if you feel like it. Just get it read.

    It is God's Word, not ours, which will give you all the leading you need and will put your heart at peace.

    God bless you both.

    Helen
     
  3. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    Sometimes traveling a longer distance can be a great time to talk.

    I would recommend that you find a church where someone will disciple both of you.

    Be content with the church your husband picks though. If he goes only to the one you like he will probably not take any leadership in it.

    There is no perfect church. If you do find one don't join it because you will ruin it.

    Just think about how many times today that you don't even agree with some things you thought you believed a few years ago. I encourage people to visit several chruches. Each church will have its strengths and weaknesses in both doctrine and practice. If a chruch differs from what you have been taught that might be good.

    Early in my Christian life I went to a church that taught me. I also fond out that when I went to another church that some of those things I had learned were poor theology and I didn't even know it. I did have some ideas though when I began to ask questions and got no answers.
     
  4. Baptist in Richmond

    Baptist in Richmond Active Member

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    Emily,

    Helen (and Barry) are some of my favorite posters, and I really cannot add anything to her eloquence. As always, she has given great counsel.

    I just wanted to add that I will be praying for you and your husband.

    [​IMG]

    BiR
     
  5. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Emily, I am a strong supporter of the Local church. A church an hour away is not a local church. As you said you are often late. In addition; in Michigan as well as New York (65" of snow so far this year) it may be unsafe to drive such a distance to a church.
    You also mention the church is very big. I am also in favor of smaller chuches. IMHO, I think folks like large churches so they get lost in the crowd.
    Botom line, it would be better to attend this church an hour away then none at all. I will keep you and your husband on the prayer list.

    In Christ
    boB
     
  6. micah

    micah New Member

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    QUOTE:
    The few reasons I do not like this church is
    a. they dont preach against sin strongly enough
    b. distance.. it takes OVER a half an hour to get there each Sunday.. most of the time, we are late.
    c. Its really big.. Its very easy to get lost in a church that is too big, and while it might be easier if we were stronger Christians, we are both pretty new, and I think we need a strong accountability.


    I drive about 30 minutes myself to church and I also attend a very large church. The thing about a large church is (atleast at mine) there are alot of bible studys and small groups. Thats really a better place I have found to find folks to hold you accountible. I have found my church also has alot of resources for those of us newer to the faith. I attend a bible study and a womens small group. Just my 2 cents worth. I do pray you find the right place.
     
  7. Emily

    Emily New Member

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    Thank you all for your posts..


    I found them all very helpful.

    I believe I will just truly be submissive and pray for my husband to lead us instead of my praying against him to take us to the church that I want to go to. I know its the right thing..


    It probably is also the right thing for me to stop being a chronic visitor to the church that I like so much.. It only makes it harder for me to join the other church.. ya know?

    btw saltcity
    The church is almost exactly 12 miles away from our house.. If there werent so much traffic and stop lights on that particular road, it might be considered a quick drive, but its a horribly busy road, especially on the weekends.. (its right by our major mall)
     
  8. BM

    BM New Member

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    Emily, We feel the same way you do, there is a very nice church about an hour away but we dread driving that far, but then again we drive that far to Wal-Mart and don't seem to mind it. :rolleyes: We've decided to let the Lord lead us! He knows where he wants us.
     
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