[Granite]

Originally Posted by ThomasJ

Heh. Equally oddly, we'd actually looked at moving there earlier this year, though for completely different reasons.

Out of curiousity, you listed yourself as being a former 5-point Calvinist and Post-Millenialist, would former Theonomist apply as well?

Yikes. Just, yikes. Eerie.

Yes, I most certainly was.

[Jackson]

Originally Posted by Jackson

Which one?
Philidelphia, International, United, World Wide?

Hello....? OMEGA.......???? You there?

[DavidK]

Originally Posted by Imagine

I've always thought of non-denominational as more of an "invitational tag" than a denominational tag- as in an invitation to anyone, of any denomination, to feel free and at ease and not like they must be a certain denomination to attend or believe.

Yeah.

I've attended many congregations of different denominations as a guest. There's something wonderful in worshipping the Lord in a way that isn't familiar. It requires focus, rather than relying on the formats and traditions I've gotten used to and easily feel the presence of the Lord in.

It's also good to fellowship with those who have different roles in the Body of Christ, learning to appreciate their unique viewpoints and giftings.

I look forward to the day when all Christians will identify themselves with His name only. 1 Co 1:12-13

David

[Quincy]

Well I usually confuse people so umm, I'm a late 20s yr old self worshpping, demon obsessed, deist named James Quincy. Add a pinch of theatrics while you're at it.

[Rusha]

Well, I attended the Freewill Baptist Church, from age 5 thru 12. When I turned 12 and was put into Christian School, I started attending the church that the school was located at, Tabernacle Baptist, Concord, CA. I attended that church up until the I was about 21 years old, and that is the last church I have been to and actually liked.

[Quincy]

Originally Posted by Jinkx

Well, I attended the Freewill Baptist Church, from age 5 thru 12. When I turned 12 and was put into Christian School, I started attending the church that the school was located at, Tabernacle Baptist, Concord, CA. I attended that church up until the I was about 21 years old, and that is the last church I have been to and actually liked.

Don't feel bad I had to go to a Church of Christ for 18 years.

[bybee]

Originally Posted by ThomasJ

Would prefer it actually. I've been looking into various Anglican churches recently in fact, but I have a bit of a hard time figuring out what their position is on certain specific doctrinal issues. I essentially agree with everything outlined in the 39 Articles, but I'm not sure to what extent modern Anglican and Episcopal Churches actually hold to them.

I'm an Episcopalian. The 39 articles are worth looking into but they are general statements meant to assist in church governance. We believe in the Bible, Tradition and reason, "three legged stool". I am a faithful and supportive member of my church because I get to be in the presence of some godly people there and share worship and fellowship with them. Also, I've learned that we come in all sizes, shapes and practices, therefore, it behooves me to hold my tongue and reserve judgment. Better to help people feel welcome, to move over and make room for them. I love the comfort of a known liturgy. I love the beauty of much of our hymnal. Our "Book of Common Prayer" contains a wealth of comfort for me. I often read the morning and evening prayer services at home by myself for the comfort which they bring to me. Yet, in my heart of hearts, I would describe myself as a follower of Jesus of Nazareth without whom I would be lost.

[Town Heretic]

I was brought up in the Episcopal faith, then spent a little time in my teens among the Methodists and hung around the Church of Christ for a bit. I was an atheist then, but respected the intellectual integrity of the first, the easy acceptance of the second and liked the inherent goofy quality surrounding the third.

I haven't had much to do with churches since my conversion.

According to a test I took somewhere around here I'm a 100% match with the profile of an Orthodox Quaker. I don't know much about them and I'm not certain how I feel about it, but I should add that I do wear a hat well, so who knows? (Sorry if you weren't immediately thinking of the Quaker Oats man) I don't care for powdered wigs though or vests--but I am fairly friendly. I suppose it could go either way for me. (Yeah, still picturing him)

[bybee]

Originally Posted by Town Heretic

I was brought up in the Episcopal faith, then spent a little time in my teens among the Methodists and hung around the Church of Christ for a bit. I was an atheist then, but respected the intellectual integrity of the first, the easy acceptance of the second and liked the inherent goofy quality surrounding the third.

I haven't had much to do with churches since my conversion.

According to a test I took somewhere around here I'm a 100% match with the profile of an Orthodox Quaker. I don't know much about them and I'm not certain how I feel about it, but I should add that I do wear a hat well, so who knows? (Sorry if you weren't immediately thinking of the Quaker Oats man) I don't care for powdered wigs though or vests--but I am farily friendly. I suppose it could go either way for me. (Yeah, still picturing him)

How about a Viking hat? It makes a man look so manly. peace, bybee

[Rusha]

Originally Posted by EvilIsOnlyAConcept

Don't feel bad I had to go to a Church of Christ for 18 years.

Heh, I don't really feel bad about it, however, there were differences between the Freewill Baptist Church as compared to the one I started attending as a teen. It's odd that the same religion (Christianity) would have such opposing views on issues such as eternal salvation and predestination, especially since they were both Baptist churches.

[heir]

Originally Posted by katoikei

So.! tell me...what DENOMINATION are ye all, and what is your faith background...?

I don't belong to any church, but identify myself as being a member of the body of Christ; identified with Christ's death, burial and resurrection.

There are so many churches out there to choose from, but it seems to me (even by reading this thread) that they are turning people away from a relationship with God because they misapply and distort the word. It is enough to make anyone sick. Makes me wonder though, Why, if someone were seeking a relationship with God, did they let these men stand in the way of having one?

[Town Heretic]

Originally Posted by bybee

How about a Viking hat? It makes a man look so manly. peace, bybee

Interestingly enough, a mint julep in the right hand can have the same effect.

And by effect I mean the pillaging and burning, etc.

Or perhaps you're one of those innocent dupes who have long believed the Yankee lie

that Atlanta burned by their hand as an act of war...

Only those who have never glimpsed the seething, barely restrained fury

of "The World's Largest Cocktail Party" could be so nescient in consideration.

...of course it didn't help that Georgia was little more than the world's largest work release program either.

[chickenman]

Originally Posted by Jinkx

It's odd that the same religion (Christianity) would have such opposing views on issues such as eternal salvation and predestination, especially since they were both Baptist churches.

It's actually a shame, isn't it? That's a product of people failing to understand God's Word rightly divided, settling on a reasoned-out view, then interpreting the Bible in light of that view (rather than the other way around) so they can hang onto it for dear life.

[godrulz]

Originally Posted by judging u

I don't belong to any church, but identify myself as being a member of the body of Christ; identified with Christ's death, burial and resurrection.

There are so many churches out there to choose from, but it seems to me (even by reading this thread) that they are turning people away from a relationship with God because they misapply and distort the word. It is enough to make anyone sick. Makes me wonder though, Why, if someone were seeking a relationship with God, did they let these men stand in the way of having one?

You are part of the universal Body of Christ, the invisible Church. Given the Scriptural emphasis, it is also important to identify with local expressions of the Body of Christ for corporate worship, instruction, fellowship, service, evangelism, gifts, etc. A biblical Christian is one who is part of a local church since Christ loved the Church and died for it.

While imperfect, there is no good reason to abandon God's family/army on earth to be an oxymoronic 'Lone Ranger' Christian.

[heir]

Originally Posted by godrulz

You are part of the universal Body of Christ, the invisible Church. Given the Scriptural emphasis, it is also important to identify with local expressions of the Body of Christ for corporate worship, instruction, fellowship, service, evangelism, gifts, etc. A biblical Christian is one who is part of a local church since Christ loved the Church and died for it.

While imperfect, there is no good reason to abandon God's family/army on earth to be an oxymoronic 'Lone Ranger' Christian.

I know gr. I believe it is important that a Christian find a home church with like-minded Christians. Right now for me and my family, we have put our search on hold. We are in the middle of a move so once the dust settles we will continue our search in that new area.
We may never find a great church for we know that there is no perfect church, but one that gets close to what we believe would be nice.

I find great peace knowing that whether or not we find a great church we are identified with Jesus. That's enough for now. That's all I was saying. Really.