If you had to change your denomination, which would you choose and why?

[delizzle]

This is a simple question intended to encourage Christian unity. Much time is spent on this forum arguing about why the other denomination is wrong. This is naturally understandable of course because this is an "Other Christian debate forum". However, I would like to use this post to come together to talk about what we think other denominations have right. I will begin.

If I had to choose a denomination, I would probably have to go with the Assemblies of God. I agree with just about all of their fundamental beliefs. The only exception would be their statement that "Speaking in tongues is the initial physical sign of baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Reference to these fundamental beliefs can be found at this link.
Assemblies of God (USA) | Official Website

 

[delizzle]

Noticing the lack of participants, it seems as though people would prefer bashing other denomination rather than praising them for what they do right.

 

[Rob_BW]

Lol, dude, this isn't always the fastest moving forum. And even if it was, 3 hours in the middle of the workweek isn't exactly a great length of time.

This is a startling question. Maybe give us a whole day to ponder before condemning us, okay?

 

[tyndale1946]

Well I know I would never leave mine but, if I did are, The Puritans still around?... Why?... Their doctrine was plain and simple. deep and rich and what more could a child of God want?... So you are AOG?... Good Christian people!... Brother Glen

 

[utilyan]

Noticing the lack of participants, it seems as though people would prefer bashing other denomination rather than praising them for what they do right.

Are we going to get a baby update? You just leave us all worried here.


I think folks should join the absolute worst church they can find Because then it would take ACTUAL faith in God to keep going.

God tends to pull for the underdogs.


Among people we admire those who stand up and protect others would even die for another, To hold religion to that standard is a religion that stands up for other religions, protects other religions, would die for other religions.

To first think religions are groups who would hold each other's hands.

I come from a faith where God let his son die for you, letting my religion die for you is a lot easier.

Love, Kindness and Compassion is my priorities. Matters of God can't be distinguished from matters of Love.

Not everyone gets brought up that way.

Its the idea of how would an all power being display love versus how would an all loving being display power.


PS.
If I don't bash your denomination its going to make mine look better.

 

[Jerome]

Well I know I would never leave mine but, if I did are The Puritans still around?... Brother Glen

Yes, many of the Puritans' churches are still around after nearly four centuries. Look for "Unitarian" or "United Churches of Christ."

First Church Boston - Unitarian Universalist

First Church in Boston was established on July 30, 1630. When John Winthrop and his party stepped off the Arbella, their first official act, even before drawing up a charter for the city, was to create by themselves, and sign, a Covenant for the First Church in Boston.

Trinitarian Puritan churches eventually joined together in the United Churches of Christ, such as this one where Pastor Mark Dever of Capitol Hill Baptist Church was once a minister:

Topsfield (Massachusetts) Congregational Church - United Church of Christ

 

[Jerome]

Noticing the lack of participants, it seems as though people would prefer bashing other denomination rather than praising them for what they do right.

Many have weighed in on the question in previous threads:

Other Christian chruches

IF Not A Baptist, Which Church Would You Be Attending?

What denomination would you be?

 

[kdm1984]

Evangelical Free is the only other one I'd consider at this point.

 

[delizzle]

Many have weighed in on the question in previous threads:

Other Christian chruches

IF Not A Baptist, Which Church Would You Be Attending?

What denomination would you be?

Oh. Okay.

 

[JonShaff]

I'd at least change the sign above the door to say, "The Church that Meets on the Corner of Ridgeway and James." The more i think about it the more i am confident that unspiritual people named local fellowships.

 

[Rob_BW]

Since I came up Mennonite, I would feel comfortable back with them. Or at least the Mennonite churches back in western Maryland. The ones around here... But at any rate, I feel like I have moved on from many of their beliefs.

Presbyterians? The OPC seems like a good, theologically conservative bunch. But it's all PC-USA around here, and there's still that whole baby dipping thing.

Out of all of the churches local to me, I have to give the AME Zion church the award for best food, and for a Baptist that has to count for something. But Methodism....

Evangelical Free Church might be a good place to start. They seem like they're also the most ripe for a Baptist insurgency, too.

 

[kdm1984]

Going through this and the other threads listed above, it's interesting that so many here are open to the EFC. I read some exegetical articles by them not long ago and found them very sound both in content and tone. Had no idea so many other Baptists also have a certain respect for them. Must be a common discernment lens we are sharing here!

 

[Rob_BW]

Going through this and the other threads listed above, it's interesting that so many here are open to the EFC. I read some exegetical articles by them not long ago and found them very sound both in content and tone. Had no idea so many other Baptists also have a certain respect for them. Must be a common discernment lens we are sharing here!

If I had to guess, I'd say thank D.A. Carson and Chuck Swindoll.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

I am not interested in denominations.
Any church that preaches the Gospel, doesn't encourage extra-biblical prophecy or 'tongues'-speaking and doesn't 'baptize' babies is OK by me.

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

Most likely, it would be Baptist or Christian Reformed -- depending on where I lived.

 

[TCassidy]

I believe "Baptist" is not a denominational name but a doctrinal identity. If there was no doctrinally baptist church close enough to be faithful in attendance I would start one.

When my wife and I were in San Diego a young family, he was a career Marine officer, from our church was transferred to Adak, Alaska as head of security for the Navy installation on the island (he was a Major).

The only church was Catholic, pastored by a Catholic chaplain.

One Sunday morning they got up, got dressed in their Sunday clothes, but had nowhere to go. As dad sat on the sofa, his oldest, Charles, 5 years old, brought his bible and laid it in his dad's lap and said, "Dad, I guess you will have to do it." So dad had them sing a few songs, he did a short devotional, they sang another song, and ended the "service."

The next Sunday when it was time for dad to start, they couldn't find Charles. After about 5 minutes of looking he came walking up the sidewalk with about a dozen of his little friends. He had invited them to "church."

When his tour of duty was up their double garage had been converted to a a make shift auditorium and there were about 150 Navy and Marine personnel in attendance, along with a few permanent party civilian employees.

When he got back to the states he resigned his commission (he had over 15 years invested in his career - just 5 more years to retirement), attended seminary, and has been pastoring a church ever since.

If there isn't one, start one.

 

[Salty]

If there isn't one, start one.

Thats what I did in Wildflecken, Germany

and now that Baptist church speaks in tongues! .
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Okay, and now for the rest of the story.
shortly before our American base was closed-
An American missionary came in to work with the locals.
Fellowship Baptist in essence became a German speaking church.

 

[delizzle]

I believe "Baptist" is not a denominational name but a doctrinal identity. If there was no doctrinally baptist church close enough to be faithful in attendance I would start one.

When my wife and I were in San Diego a young family, he was a career Marine officer, from our church was transferred to Adak, Alaska as head of security for the Navy installation on the island (he was a Major).

The only church was Catholic, pastored by a Catholic chaplain.

One Sunday morning they got up, got dressed in their Sunday clothes, but had nowhere to go. As dad sat on the sofa, his oldest, Charles, 5 years old, brought his bible and laid it in his dad's lap and said, "Dad, I guess you will have to do it." So dad had them sing a few songs, he did a short devotional, they sang another song, and ended the "service."

The next Sunday when it was time for dad to start, they couldn't find Charles. After about 5 minutes of looking he came walking up the sidewalk with about a dozen of his little friends. He had invited them to "church."

When his tour of duty was up their double garage had been converted to a a make shift auditorium and there were about 150 Navy and Marine personnel in attendance, along with a few permanent party civilian employees.

When he got back to the states he resigned his commission (he had over 15 years invested in his career - just 5 more years to retirement), attended seminary, and has been pastoring a church ever since.

If there isn't one, start one.

Amen! The first century church was in homes. After all..

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Matthew 18:20 NIV

 

[Rebel1]

I've been away a while due to having flu and complications afterward, so I've fallen way behind on my responses to threads. I saw this thread and wanted to respond immediately.

I would have to eliminate baby-baptizing denominations, so around here that would leave only pentecostal, charismatic, and Church of Christ. Any of those would be difficult for me. I do believe in all the spiritual gifts, but not in a pentecostal interpretion of them.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Since I came up Mennonite, I would feel comfortable back with them. Or at least the Mennonite churches back in western Maryland. The ones around here... But at any rate, I feel like I have moved on from many of their beliefs.

Presbyterians? The OPC seems like a good, theologically conservative bunch. But it's all PC-USA around here, and there's still that whole baby dipping thing.

Out of all of the churches local to me, I have to give the AME Zion church the award for best food, and for a Baptist that has to count for something. But Methodism....

Evangelical Free Church might be a good place to start. They seem like they're also the most ripe for a Baptist insurgency, too.

I attended a Mennonite Church in Phillipsburg NJ and discovered the pastor is gay. This could only happen in Jersey...