Every congregation is different, so one size doesn't fit all.
My congregation gets along fine despite some differences in eschatology.
We've got pre-trib, post-tribe, a mid-trib or two, and some closet A-mils, I suspect.
I'm a closed communionist, maybe the only one in my church.
Most are close-coms, and a few are open-coms, but they tolerate me quite well.
There are probably a half-dozen avowed Calvinists; the rest are non-Cals, who put up with us DoGs without dissension.
What wonderful saints you must have to put up with rogue "Doctrines of Grace" believers. However if it was me, Id consider releasing them of their heavy burden of putting up with your kind & plant a Doctrines Of Grace church. Otherwise move to one.
Like Tom said, every church is different and has doctrines that in their local church culture are disputable and some that are not. For example, we have a deacon and a couple of others who are KJV only people. But they understand that the pastor and the church as a whole is not KJVO and, although we may talk about it, we do not destroy fellowship over that. But we have lost some KJVO people because they could not accept my preaching from the NASB and began teaching KJVO.
I think that a church cannot accept widely diverse beliefs if one if going to be preached from the pulpit and other is going to be taught in SS/Bible study classes. Over a period of time, that church will become one or the other.
Actually, putting up with me is not quite accurate.
This is the same church that called me as minister of music 48 years ago; where I am choir director today;
the same church that elected me a deacon 44 years ago; elected me chairman of deacons 20 years ago;
the same church where I have taught in various capacities;
the same church whose pastors have allowed me to fill the pulpit on layman's day, and in their absence.
And this church has elected Calvinists as pastors on at least three occasions.
A Calvinist teaches the largest Sunday School class; a Calvinist is Sunday School Director (who just returned from a mission trip);
A Calvinist led Wednesday night Bible study last week.
Or maybe you don't know about the lead pipe they have for you when they want you to go out back and look at the pretty weather.....LOL j/k again, Bro. Tom.
Its wonderful to know that there are churches who choose to not split over the least little thing. I have said this many times, "There are way too many things to agree with than to disagree with." Jesus, He is the Tie that binds!! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
No, It means you choose a church carefully; one that puts an emphasis.
It is one reason to stay away from the Charismatic movement who put experience as more important than doctrine.
A well known Charismatic radio host was quoted as praying:
"Oh Lord, Deliver us from doctrine."
They sacrifice doctrine on the altar of unity.
I'll mention this again. If you ever go through a church fight, you will go to great lengths to avoid going through one again.
Our church did
30 years ago, and I vowed I'd never go through another one, unless it was over doctrine.
I won't sacrifice doctrine for the sake of unity, but I'll sacrifice getting my way.
And, rarely is doctrine the cause of division.
I'm a DoG, everybody in the church, including my pastor, knows that. I just don't wear it on my sleeve, and I don't start arguments over DoG.
I think all the Doctrines of Grace have been disputed on BB at one time or another. Sad really!
If a person sees things from a worldly perspective, sin is merely a human dysfunction with "personal happiness" as the primary agenda. So the gospel is presented as a plan for individual fulfillment rather than a pathway to discipleship.
As I have been cultivating a relationship with my new pastor, he is firmly convinced that pragmatism is a primary culprit in creating a self centered agenda in churches today. Pragmatism measures truth by its practical utility. What is right and true is whatever works.
I personally & firmly believe its "Humanism" thats the center problem thats destroying Orthodox Doctrines of Grace.... "the greater good of God" is being replaced with "Man as the measure of all things" always exchanging Godliness for Wordliness.
What I first saw here in my own state of New Jersey 25 years ago that was happening to the liberal apostate churches is now happening to Baptists, OPC, & other biblical churches....they are replacing doctrine with worldly wisdom. Give it another 10 perhaps 20 years & doctrine will be gone & for the most part, so to will be the churches that used to be biblical.
Think that the Church is going down the slippery slope of believing that God is not the Saviour of us, that somehow we save ourselves, or at least " allow/permit/co assistance" Him in the salvation process!