Denominations

agape1cor813 · August 2012

I've been thinking about this for a while, because since DH and I moved up here I haven't found a good "home church." We were attending one church for a while, but after several months because the church was a little too "rock 'n roll" and contemporary for me.

I've been wandering from church to church and reading about a lot of them, but I feel like it's just not getting any clearer. I'm trying to discern and find truth as best I can, but sometimes it feels like I'm just comparing different brands of vanilla-flavored ice cream (as in most of them are good, but it's hard to tell which is best).

How did you all come to be at the denominations you currently attend? Is it the same church you grew up attending? How do you discern truth when there is so much variety in belief and style?

(Note: I'm not looking to start a "my-denomination-is-better-than-yours" snipefest. I just want to hear everyone's experience and reason's they believe what they believe.)

GJones27 · August 2012

I'm Orthodox Christian, and I was raised in that tradition. However, I have also chosen to be Orthodox, because I feel like I'm "home" in that church. I have never felt comfortable attending mass with guitars and drums and people dancing down the aisles. Orthodox Christianity is very mystical and inward-looking (the best comparison is perhaps a formal, Latin Catholic mass with Gregorian chants). That type of worship is the way I best connect to God.

I also like many other things about my faith tradition. For example, because the faith is so focused on mysticism, it isn't a church that gets involved in politics like other churches in America. Even though the form of worship is on the conservative side, the beliefs of the church aren't dogmatic. It's also a very ancient faith tradition, so I always feel like I am part of something greater. Every single thing in a service is rich of meaning and symbolism; nothing has changed through the generations.

The only thing that is hard is being a part of such a minority religion. It's very hard to meet other Orthodox Christians. Society forgets that we have a different Easter, so events, for example, will be planned on our Easter. It's sad when an article in a newspaper talks about Christianity, and its analysis is always limited to Catholicism and Protestantism, so we lack a voice. Many Orthodox Christians are also forgotten in the Middle East, and they are often persecuted. But this has nothing inherently to do with the faith.

catwine · August 2012

We are currently without a home church as well but have visited a few different denominations only to find they werent for us. I've been in Pentecostal churches and camps for my whole life while my Fiance grew up "holiday" Catholic.

Since I grew up Pentecostal I never doubted anything I was taught until college when I began attending a non-denominational community church. I discovered a few things I had been taught were not biblically sound and that really bothered me (I'll share if anyone asks but I don't want to offend). Before we decided to visit a church m fiance and i would look at their website to see their beliefs and values.

We've come to the conclusion that we prefer non-denominational hurches over others but ca't really put a finger on "why".

RebeccaJac · August 2012

I am Baptist, and grew up Baptist, but wouldn't hesitate to transition to a handful of other denominations.

The trick with finding a place is that you're never going to LOVE everything. You need to find a place where you feel God can use you, a place where you can serve and use your talents to serve God.

Ash61612 · August 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_denominations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:1e096abf-51a4-4028-bcb4-08ad90745efaPost:5ddea862-e108-4fff-a9b3-9af479428226">Re: Denominations</a>:
[QUOTE]I am Baptist, and grew up Baptist, but wouldn't hesitate to transition to a handful of other denominations. <strong>The trick with finding a place is that you're never going to LOVE everything. You need to find a place where you feel God can use you, a place where you can serve and use your talents to serve God.
</strong>Posted by RebeccaJac[/QUOTE]

agree

mrandmrsbrist · August 2012

I was raised Baptist and we currently attend a non-denominational church. I totally agree with what RebeccaJac said about not loving everything about a single church. Just try to be as happy as possible and learn to let a few things go.

naomikb · August 2012

I am Lutheran. I was raised Lutheran and attend the church that I was raised in. I like most of it (services, music, community outreach) but when we have kids I would consider switching churches to one of the other ones in the area (likely United or Anglican) that have a larger kid population and youth program. Our church has a collaboration with the Anglican church and share (?) communion so that would be an easy transition.

ochemjenn · August 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_denominations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:1e096abf-51a4-4028-bcb4-08ad90745efaPost:c2c3c165-8401-4775-b041-363bfea674a7">Re: Denominations</a>:
[QUOTE]We are currently without a home church as well but have visited a few different denominations only to find they werent for us. I've been in Pentecostal churches and camps for my whole life while my Fiance grew up "holiday" Catholic. Since I grew up Pentecostal I never doubted anything I was taught until college when I began attending a non-denominational community church. <strong> I discovered a few things I had been taught were not biblically sound and that really bothered me (I'll share if anyone asks but I don't want to offend).</strong> Before we decided to visit a church m fiance and i would look at their website to see their beliefs and values. We've come to the conclusion that we prefer non-denominational hurches over others but ca't really put a finger on "why".
Posted by christinavy[/QUOTE]

I'm curious about what you were taught that wasn't Biblically sound, if you don't mind sharing. I know practically nothing about the Pentacostal demonination.

DH grew up attending an Episcopal Church, but I grew up just going with different friends, so no one church. I started going with him sometimes in college, and I liked it. Otherwise, in undergrad I'd been attending a non-demoninational church, and I never felt quite comfortable there, but that's the church I had a ride for. It was too comtemporary for me. When I was getting my Masters I attended a Methodist church, which I liked better than the non-demoninational one, but it wasn't a great fit, so I started watching the Episcopal services online instead after about a year.

Oddly enough, the first church we tried when we moved to SC was the worst church experience I've had, and it was an Episcopal Church. The next one we tried was much better, and we're still there.

GunzNRoses213 · August 2012

I grew up EC which is Evangelical Congregational. It's a fairly small denomination. You should deffinatly check out websites and what they believe, depending on the denomination though you might have some that put what the denomination stance/statements are but individual churches may vary . If that makes sense. So the doctrine listed may or may not be 100% what is said/done.

I was in Brethern Church for awhile and I didnt actually read into what they believed until later on but by that point I was already involved and really liked it a lot .. Once in a great while the pastor would say stuff I didnt agree with but I just kinda let it slide because it was a Bible believing 100% church and you could see growth and strength in the congregation. They really cared about each other , big kids ministry etc. It was a great place... I found that church by accident.

PS. I dont do rock n roll either... Nothing but the Blood all the way ... [ its a hymn in case somebody really didnt get that ] And we are now at a congregation where they are mostly older people becuase people my age typically like the Rock n Roll ..

If it's biblically sound , honest preaching , good small group/friendly people that you can share and become friends with and benefit from I wouldnt let a lable stop me.

azdancer8 · August 2012

Let's see...

My parents did an Episcopalian church/school when I was little.

Most of my teen and college years were Presbyterian (PCUSA).

I tried Catholic for a short while, not because it fit my beliefs the best, but because it was the only church near where I lived at the time.

Then found a Presbyterian church (PCA - and yes, the two different Presbyterian branches are more different than people realize.)

Now DH and I attend a Baptist church - he is the music minister there.

I don't know if my beliefs have just conformed to fit the Baptists, or if deep down those already were my beliefs and the Baptists just helped me realize them. But I think of all of them, the Baptist denomination has done the best at really keeping the Bible as the focus without adding or subtracting things to make people "happy".

HopefulLife · August 2012

Fi attended his Southern Baptist church growing up and that's where we go now. I liked it there alright but when I went away to school I tried non-denominational, methodist, and brethren. I really like the brethren one and if I could, I'd probably try to find one in my area (but there isn't one) so I just attend the SBC with my fi (which is where we're marrying).

fpaemp2011 · August 2012

I grew up Conservative Southern Baptist. I attended the same church my great-grandparents and grandparents helped to physically build. Now, my husband, who was raised in a "basically Baptist" non-denominational church, is a youth pastor in a Berean Fellowship church. They're basically "Midwest Baptist." If we had to choose our own church, though, we'd look for a CSB. We're theologically and idealogically in line with them and enjoy the blended style of worship found in most CSB churches. It may just be our church, because we've visited some other Berean churches with praise bands, but many of our members are from such strict, legalistic backgrounds that the worship is almost oppresive. Heaven forbid if there's more than one piano and one vocalist. I miss drums and guitars.

ochemjenn · August 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_denominations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:1e096abf-51a4-4028-bcb4-08ad90745efaPost:ea26291a-4ed9-4e06-801a-1d0e1de87609">Re: Denominations</a>:
[QUOTE]I grew up EC which is Evangelical Congregational. It's a fairly small denomination. You should deffinatly check out websites and what they believe, depending on the denomination though you might have some that put what the denomination stance/statements are but individual churches may vary . If that makes sense. So the doctrine listed may or may not be 100% what is said/done. I was in Brethern Church for awhile and I didnt actually read into what they believed until later on but by that point I was already involved and really liked it a lot .. Once in a great while the pastor would say stuff I didnt agree with but I just kinda let it slide because it was a Bible believing 100% church and you could see growth and strength in the congregation. They really cared about each other , big kids ministry etc. It was a great place... I found that church by accident. PS. I dont do rock n roll either... Nothing but the Blood all the way ... [ its a hymn in case somebody really didnt get that ] <strong> And we are now at a congregation where they are mostly older people becuase people my age typically like the Rock n Roll ..</strong> If it's biblically sound , honest preaching , good small group/friendly people that you can share and become friends with and benefit from I wouldnt let a lable stop me.
Posted by GunzNRoses213[/QUOTE]

yup. I liked the contemporary music for large group (Intervarsity) in the evenings, just not Sunday morning. It may have something to do with the fact that I'm not fully awake at 10am....

Purple&7 · August 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_denominations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:1e096abf-51a4-4028-bcb4-08ad90745efaPost:c2c3c165-8401-4775-b041-363bfea674a7">Re: Denominations</a>:
[QUOTE]We are currently without a home church as well but have visited a few different denominations only to find they werent for us. I've been in Pentecostal churches and camps for my whole life while my Fiance grew up "holiday" Catholic. <strong>Since I grew up Pentecostal I never doubted anything I was taught until college when I began attending a non-denominational community church. I discovered a few things I had been taught were not biblically sound and that really bothered me (I'll share if anyone asks but I don't want to offend). </strong>Before we decided to visit a church m fiance and i would look at their website to see their beliefs and values. We've come to the conclusion that we prefer non-denominational hurches over others but ca't really put a finger on "why".
Posted by christinavy[/QUOTE]

I'm Pentecostal and I'm just curious as to what you were taught that wasn't biblically sound. I grew up Pentecostal, but did attend Baptist schools growing up.

AshNoel8 · August 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_denominations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:1e096abf-51a4-4028-bcb4-08ad90745efaPost:5ddea862-e108-4fff-a9b3-9af479428226">Re: Denominations</a>:
[QUOTE]I am Baptist, and grew up Baptist, but wouldn't hesitate to transition to a handful of other denominations. <strong>The trick with finding a place is that you're never going to LOVE everything. You need to find a place where you feel God can use you, a place where you can serve and use your talents to serve God. </strong>
Posted by RebeccaJac[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>I agree! </div><div>
</div><div>I grew up Presbyterian and H grew up Lutheran. I belonged to a Presbyterian church growing up and H and I joined a different Presbyterian church about a year after we started dating. We got married there and then about 4 months after our wedding we felt God was calling us in a different direction. So we started looking around for a church and the church we attend and serve at now is a non-denominational. It is very big and absolutely contemporary and we love it! </div>

mattycam · August 2012

In Response to Denominations:
[QUOTEHow did you all come to be at the denominations you currently attend? Is it the same church you grew up attending?
I grew up with an Evangelical/Pentecostal background. The church I have been attending since I was 7 is Evangelical. It is a small church (and has gotten even smaller over the years). The church I attend sings a lot of traditional songs but adds some contemporary as well.

How do you discern truth when there is so much variety in belief and style?
Any church I visit or even the one I am attending now has to have a biblically based teaching. It is important that I know God for myself and know scripture for myself and not assume that because someone is behind a pulpit everything they are saying must be the truth.

Posted by agape1cor813[/QUOTE]

catwine · August 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_denominations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:1e096abf-51a4-4028-bcb4-08ad90745efaPost:89c991cc-8a97-49dc-9d92-6881d2ecfcd2">Re: Denominations</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Denominations : I'm Pentecostal and I'm just curious as to what you were taught that wasn't biblically sound. I grew up Pentecostal, but did attend Baptist schools growing up.
Posted by Purple&7[/QUOTE]

I was taught that everyone should be able to speak in tounges and I felt like a bad Christian becuase I couldn't. After reading the passages on gifts of the spirit I realized that's just 1 gift that Christians have. There were so many others but that's the one that was emphasized at my church. We would have regular services at church and camps where people would just be bursting out into toungues for the first time and I couldn't...so I always felt so bad and guilty. Only after leaving the Pentecostal church did I learn that's not my gift and probably never will be (it's serving, btw. I like helping people).
Maybe not all Pentecostal churches are like that...but all the camps, churches, vbs, youth retreats etc taught that way.

iamjoesgurl · August 2012

We grew up in different denominations. I was Wesleyan and DH was Baptist. We are now attending a non-denominational church. There seem to be so many more churches that are non-denominational these days. (Or did I just not know about non-denominational churches when I was growing up?)

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