In search of a church....

[mikalikat]

Following up to the original post in this thread, tomorrow is Friday. I received a telephone call LAST Thursday or Friday wherein I was told that the associate pastor of Calvary Chapel Salem would be calling me to chat. I have not heard a word from him nor any other pastor from that church, nor have I received a return phone call from the third church I called. Not that I'm whining, I just find it absolutely PITIFUL that people whose job it is to harvest souls cannot follow up and make a phone call to meet with someone for even just a few minutes. I am saved as is my husband. But what if we weren't? What if we were unbelievers that went church hunting because something was niggling at the back of our minds and we felt the need to find a church? This is absolutely deplorable. But alas, a sign of the times. Thus, my friends, I do believe our search for a church will halt unless He otherwise directs us and I'll simply look for a homeschooling group for Ali. My heart aches for the lost that will not receive a return phone call.

[open door]

Praying that you find a church in your area, but if you can't, like Carl I believe it was pointed out - go the home church route. You can teach your child Sunday School. You can find other believers in your area who would like to attend. Most likely a few - that's fine, the only requirement is that they sincerely seek the Lord and His True Word. You know it - give it to them.

[mattfivefour]

Praying that you find a church in your area, but if you can't, like Carl I believe it was pointed out - go the home church route. You can teach your child Sunday School. You can find other believers in your area who would like to attend. Most likely a few - that's fine, the only requirement is that they sincerely seek the Lord and His True Word. You know it - give it to them.

[Faith]

I wish I could find a church that teaches and believes in 'dispensations.'

I'm now in a Southern Baptist Church for the last 10 years,and it's pretty much 'dead' except for my SS teacher.

She just bought 'Dispensations Truths' that I encourage her to read...

Kat, it's hard to find good churches today~

[LdyinChrist]

I was raised in a Southern Baptist church....my name is still on roll there.

I believe they teach some truth but they do not teach prophecy. there is no life there.

I saw a friend of mine the other day and asked her if her church taught the rapture.
She said I'm sure they do...and looked kind of puzzled

It breaks my heart that people are just so into "church things" and not into scripture!!!

I meet with a small group...there are 3 of us....but it is the most exciting and fulfilling time of the week for me.

We continue to pray for the church we came out of...they have just voted to build a new building for worship....I thought how can they be doing this !!!

They are very earthly and carnal...but some may be those who are not watching and may be snatched at the Lords coming.

They teach from Southern Baptist literature and most teachers do not even open their Bibles but depend on these...

Oh Oh Oh....pray and if you you can't find a church building...find a group that believes the TRUTH.

[WhisperWisdom]

My mother and I have been searching for a church as well here in Kentucky. We tried one recently where there was literally no life at all inside. They were very big on social activities, but the actual sermons and singing itself was so wooden that it was like a chore to them! Plus, both my mother and I are hard of hearing, and they had their speaker system up so loud that it literally was interferring with our hearing aids in trying to understand them! Needless to say, we never went back.

I'm debating about trying out another church tomorrow. I hate trying out churches and realizing right off the bat that it's not the right one. Most Sundays, I simply watch John Haggee and Jimmy Swaggert's sermons on TV, since they are in close captions and for the most part, do try to teach us the Word. Still, I long for the church.

[Perpetua]

I wish I could find a church that teaches and believes in 'dispensations.'

I'm now in a Southern Baptist Church for the last 10 years,and it's pretty much 'dead' except for my SS teacher.

She just bought 'Dispensations Truths' that I encourage her to read...

Kat, it's hard to find good churches today~

I agree, it's hard to find good churches today. I'm in a non-denom reformed baptist type church, they understand God's sovereignty and Calvinism, but overall pretty much "dead." I've reached the point that I don't find the pastor helpful at all -- his views are too off-base, not taking the Bible that seriously, as in his beliefs of Old-Earth, amillennialism and preterism (everything in prophecy already fulfilled except Christ's return). So I get my bible study and instruction from reading Spurgeon sermons, and listening to pastors I find helpful.

Here here are plenty of traditional Southern Baptist Churches and equivalent general evangelical churches that are gospel-light, more focused on music entertainment and shallow messages, nothing of any depth. Then there are a handful of Sovereign Grace, reformed churches, but they deny the truth of premillennialism and especially denounce dispensational premill.

[open door]

I was raised in a Southern Baptist church....my name is still on roll there.

I believe they teach some truth but they do not teach prophecy. there is no life there.

I saw a friend of mine the other day and asked her if her church taught the rapture.
She said I'm sure they do...and looked kind of puzzled

It breaks my heart that people are just so into "church things" and not into scripture!!!

I meet with a small group...there are 3 of us....but it is the most exciting and fulfilling time of the week for me.

We continue to pray for the church we came out of...they have just voted to build a new building for worship....I thought how can they be doing this !!!

They are very earthly and carnal...but some may be those who are not watching and may be snatched at the Lords coming.

They teach from Southern Baptist literature and most teachers do not even open their Bibles but depend on these...

Oh Oh Oh....pray and if you you can't find a church building...find a group that believes the TRUTH.

I have the same background you just related, and that is why I'm here, and not there. The Southern Baptist Convention has gone astray, and continue on that path.

[open door]

My mother and I have been searching for a church as well here in Kentucky. We tried one recently where there was literally no life at all inside. They were very big on social activities, but the actual sermons and singing itself was so wooden that it was like a chore to them! Plus, both my mother and I are hard of hearing, and they had their speaker system up so loud that it literally was interferring with our hearing aids in trying to understand them! Needless to say, we never went back.

I'm debating about trying out another church tomorrow. I hate trying out churches and realizing right off the bat that it's not the right one. Most Sundays, I simply watch John Haggee and Jimmy Swaggert's sermons on TV, since they are in close captions and for the most part, do try to teach us the Word. Still, I long for the church.

Whisper, I would strongly encourage you to do what Mika did - before going to the church, arrange a meeting with the pastor to go over their doctrinal beliefs. Be prepared - tht way, you will know right up front where they stand.

[WKUHilltopper]

If I may, what is this? "Being berean"

To test everything, including one's self by Scripture.

I have the same background you just related, and that is why I'm here, and not there. The Southern Baptist Convention has gone astray, and continue on that path.

Sadly I've heard this. Fortunately, Southern Baptist Churches are not beholding to the SBC and can do want they want independently. But you have to be concerned with the "culture" swirling around. I've also heard that some seminaries are becoming "Calvinistic". Don't like that one iota.

[minvab]

So I am new to the forums and found this thread which I found interesting as I have been looking for a church as well. I grew up in church, but really turned my back and rebelled big time against God. I was still in that state when a few months ago the Holy Spirit literally and spiritually woke me up telling me "SOON". I didn't need to ask what was meant by "SOON", I knew exactly what He meant. It amazes since that time as I look around to see how close we truly are to the end.

Anyway, I saw some negative posts here concerning Calvary Chapel. This kind of scares me as lately all of the teaching I have recieved is from them....mostly Skip Heitzig from Calvary Chapel Albequerque, NM. I do not live there, but after hearing him on the local radio station I purchased his teachings where he goes scripture by scripture through the entire Bible. I am shocked at how quickly I have grown. Things I seem to understand now that alluded me for year....like what walking in the Spirit really means. But now I fear I am buying a load of lies. I try always to critically assess anything I am taught, based upon what I understand from my own reading of God's Word and I have yet to have an alarm go off when listening to Skip Heitzig. Rather I have come to realize how little of my heart and life I had surrendered to God.....I get conviction upon conviction everytime I go through one of the Bible studies I have of His. So many ways I see where I have fought to keep God out of certain areas of my life as I tried to keep the reigns. I have gone from merely thinking of God to desiring Him and wanting to submit more and more of myself to Him.

Anyway, I hope that I am not buying a load of lies. At the end of the day, I want God and His truth to rule and reign completely in me. I know that I have opened myself up to lies over my many rebellious years and I pray for every lie of the enemy and decietful way of my flesh to be torn out of me....even if it hurts temporarily I just want it gone. I want nothing but Him and His truth in me.

So I have learned how much I love Calvary Chapel's "through the Bible" teaching style, and have been contemplating going to a local one. Is there something I am missing within their doctrinal beliefs that I should aware of?

Thanks

[LdyinChrist]

So I am new to the forums and found this thread which I found interesting as I have been looking for a church as well. I grew up in church, but really turned my back and rebelled big time against God. I was still in that state when a few months ago the Holy Spirit literally and spiritually woke me up telling me "SOON". I didn't need to ask what was meant by "SOON", I knew exactly what He meant. It amazes since that time as I look around to see how close we truly are to the end.

Anyway, I saw some negative posts here concerning Calvary Chapel. This kind of scares me as lately all of the teaching I have recieved is from them....mostly Skip Heitzig from Calvary Chapel Albequerque, NM.

Menvab

welcome to the forum first of all

this amazing because it is so much like my experience.

I can truly say God is Faithful

He sought and drew me back into His dear fellowship after going astray for years.

We can truly give Him all the praise, honor, and glory!!!!!

I'm not sure what this calvary church teaches or believes but I have come to found that their are only 2 religions in the world.

1. Grace

2. Works

can you expand more or give a site to this church?

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

[minvab]

LdyinChrist,
First thanks for the welcome. Yes God is faithful. I know I am forgiven, but it would be a lie to say that my heart is broken that I ever left him. I was a fool, but as you said He is faithful. He sought me at a time when I was definitely not seeking Him. I belong to Him, I am His. I want nothing else but for Him to rule and reign completely in me and over my entire existence. I want to live for His pleasure and to bring Him glory in everything I ever do or say.

So to Calvary Chapel, perhaps I need to make my question a little more clear. Calvary Chapel is nondemoninational denomination really....if that makes sense. Anyway, I saw where someone was saying people are being forced out if they speak out against this "emergent church" stuff. Has Calvary Chapel embraced this philosophy?

[mikalikat]

Hi there and welcome. According to Adrian (Mattfivefour) the founder of Calvary Chapel has strayed somewhat from the original doctrine that founded the church, though his son and another fellow are still strong (see #2 in this thread). I have only had one experience with Calvary Chapel and it was in Central Oregon. Other than the Sunday in which the pastor spent the ENTIRE message time blathering about how he went away for a week and his whole house was renovated by members of the church (snoooooorrrrrre), I found the expository teaching to be very good. I liked that method of going through the scriptures and breaking down each chapter bit by bit. I guess you need to ask each Calvary Chapel pastor (and talk to the senior pastor, not the associate) how they feel about Chuck Smith and the doctrine they teach. If the name Rick Warren or Bill Hybels come up and they start drooling with admiration over either of those men, RUN as fast as you can out of the church lest you drown in saliva. I have found that putting these pastors in the spotlight and really asking solid questions (how do you feel about women preachers, does The Purpose Driven Life have a place in this church, have you read the Shack and what are your thoughts, are you pre-trib, what are your feelings about Israel) will give you a good idea in a very short time what is going on in their heart and head.

[minvab]

Well Calvary Chapel is nondenominational and in that, though they belong to a larger group in a way, each church does have leeway I suppose. I am glad I read this thread though as I would've blindly gone to one based on my experiences thus far. So at least this has opened my eyes a bit to be more discerning.

I really feel as if I am behind the power curve here. I have heard nothing but good about "The Shack". I have it, but must admit I haven't gotten that far into it. What does it espouse that is off base?

[minvab]

Disregard my question about The Shack. I found a thread concerning it.