Unique Yelp-Like Platform Helps Christians Find the Perfect Church
- Posted on September 14, 2011 at 7:14am by
Billy Hallowell
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For many Americans, finding a church can be a difficult task. With so many considerations to make and with complicated personal tastes often making the process overwhelming, one can easily find him or herself visiting many houses of worship before settling into one that fits individualized specifications.
Plainly stated: The task of church selection isn’t an easy one to undertake.
Enter FaithStreet, a unique, New York City-centric (although other cities may be coming soon) web site that takes on the monumental task of assisting people with their church-finding needs. Think Yelp meets Match.com meets the Yellow Pages.
But this isn’t your average, run-of-the-mill search site. FaithStreet combines the power of personal experience, knowledge, a diverse set of search items and an easy-to-use platform to provide a comprehensive look at all of the worship options available to New Yorkers.
To the right, see all of the categories one can search when looking for the most fitting house of worship. From congregation size to type of music, tailoring one’s church experience is easy with this interactive tool.
On its website, FaithStreet describes its aim:
Our goal is to cover every congregation in Metro NYC with a basic, user-friendly profile. We combine in-the-know church member recommendations, enhanced church-generated content (like videos and pastor bios) and a category-based search tool to bring people and churches together.
Founded by former attorneys Sean Coughlin and Ryan Melogy, FaithStreet is a powerful medium that provides churches with a virtual presence that is like non-other.
Through their work, Coughlin and Melogy open technological doors for pastors and congregations alike. New York is an extremely diverse city with hundreds (if not thousands) of churches that operate under the radar (i.e. without the masses even knowing they exist). But with FaithStreet, these churches can now be easily discovered.
Additionally, the site brings Christian believers to one location where they can communicate, share reviews, advertise events and outreaches and the like.
Recently, The Blaze caught up with Coughlin to speak further about his motivation to leave his career as a lawyer to delve into such a unique (and like all start-ups, financially-risky) project:
Below, he talks more about his personal story and what led him to create FaithStreet:
So far, Coughlin says that reaction to the project has been very positive. In a bustling city with so many people who are on the run and who may not have time for intensive church visits, the tool has proven very useful thus far.
The Blaze caught up with Casey Hurley who has personally used the platform. Hurley praises the site’s objective reviews of churches and says that it “makes the task of finding a church a lot less daunting when you have a whole group of people doing the same thing.” Watch her comments, below:
FaithStreet is certainly a unique idea. While it’s currently only available in New York City, it may be a good idea to check out the features and to begin to tinker with them. You never know — the site may be coming to your city next.
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Comments (129)
This_Individual
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 1:48pmOur religious focal point is our home, so my comment is comming from a different paradigm.
Report Post »You don’t need a Church (as I do not need a temple) to celebrate your God’s gift of love and enlightenment.
trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 2:08pmThis is actually a great question in Christian circles: Must I belong to a church to be a Christian. No, of course not. Being a Christian means having a personal relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. This does not involve any other men, buildings or sacraments.
That said, being part of a local body of believers is NECESSARY for Christian growth. It allows you to serve and to be served. It gives the believer the chance to participate in corporate worship and not just personal praise. It encourages the believer to grow in his knowledge of Scripture and to help others grow also. It also allows the believer to tithe, which is an important part of worship that atheists just do not understand. The more you give the more you are blessed, I can personally attest to this as can many others.
Too many people worry about politics in a church, personalities, or prestige. The main concern should be doctrine! Of course there are hypocrites in every church, of course there are pew warmers and those seeking the preeminence of everyone. Read Paul’s epistles and Revelation, read 3 John. These problems have always been with us. Just don’t get caught up in it. Serve the Lord with an open heart.
Yes, Christians NEED to belong to a church…Not for salvation, but for growth.
Report Post »Centralsville
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 2:17pmNot going to church is a copout. We are supposed to follow the example of Christ. He went. We are to love the lord our God with all our heart. I think that would include meeting with other Christians at least one day a week, as commanded, to spread the word and bring new people in. You are supposed to give a tenth of your income to the church. Convenient if you don’t go and keep it yourself. I am glad the early Christians followed the example of Christ, God on earth, and grew the early church rather than stay at home and keep the good word to themselves. Many literally gave their lives for Christ. As Christianity dies in a country the “believers” quit going to church. They mistakenly think in their hearts they are so much better than all the “hypocrites” that go to church. If you love God with all your heart you will go to church and worship with other believers.
Report Post »jzs
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 2:38pmDo they exclude churches that preach “social justice?”
Report Post »ELAN114
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 3:23pmAs a Christian I believe that partaking of the sacrament is a requirement, perhaps that is because of my denomination but still. The next requirement for the sacrament would be that the person performing it be endowed with the authority to bless and pass it. So just based on that very basic tenant a church with proper authority is required, in my mind.
Report Post »Again this is just one item of many.
trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 3:42pmElan114,
Which sacrament? The Catholic church recognizes 7. As a Baptist I do not recognize any sacraments, but we do perform the Lord’s Supper as a memorial. We also baptize, of course, but that is simply a profession of faith and not a requirement of salvation. It is, however, a biblical command and is still taken quite seriously.
My challenge to you, and it is a private challenge and not designed to be aired in a public forum, is to search Scripture on this topic. Does Scripture require any sacraments for salvation, and if so, must they be performed by someone who is “qualified” to perform them? This is actually where the free church, of which most Baptist denominations are a part, began.
Report Post »BostonBakedBean
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 6:03pmHere is some clarification re: eternal marriage. Matthew 22:23-30 (or its counterparts, Mark 12:18-25 and Luke 20:27-36) is often used by critics to argue against the LDS doctrine of eternal marriage. The Sadducees, who didn’t believe in the resurrection, asked the Savior about a case where one woman successively married seven brothers, each of which died leaving her to the next. They then tried to trip up Jesus by asking him whose wife she will be in the resurrection. Jesus’ answer is almost identical in all three scriptural versions.
Report Post »Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. (Matthew 22:29-30)
This scripture is one of the most misunderstood scriptures in the Bible. If one is to understand it properly, one must take into account the following:
The question that the Sadducees asked was not a hypothetical one but was based on a real case of a woman who married seven brothers in succession, and that Jesus is commenting on this particular case.
The original Greek of this passage makes it clear that Jesus intended no statement concerning the marital status of the righteous in heaven.
The eternal unmarried state is the state of the angels in heaven, but it is not that of the heirs of salvation.
For a detailed response, see: Further discussion of Matthew 22:23-30
trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 6:26pmMat 22:23 εν εκεινη τη ημερα προσηλθον αυτω σαδδουκαιοι οι λεγοντες μη ειναι αναστασιν και επηρωτησαν αυτον
Mat 22:24 λεγοντες διδασκαλε μωσης ειπεν εαν τις αποθανη μη εχων τεκνα επιγαμβρευσει ο αδελφος αυτου την γυναικα αυτου και αναστησει σπερμα τω αδελφω αυτου
Mat 22:25 ησαν δε παρ ημιν επτα αδελφοι και ο πρωτος γαμησας ετελευτησεν και μη εχων σπερμα αφηκεν την γυναικα αυτου τω αδελφω αυτου
Mat 22:26 ομοιως και ο δευτερος και ο τριτος εως των επτα
Mat 22:27 υστερον δε παντων απεθανεν και η γυνη
Mat 22:28 εν τη ουν αναστασει τινος των επτα εσται γυνη παντες γαρ εσχον αυτην
Mat 22:29 αποκριθεις δε ο ιησους ειπεν αυτοις πλανασθε μη ειδοτες τας γραφας μηδε την δυναμιν του θεου
Mat 22:30 εν γαρ τη αναστασει ουτε γαμουσιν ουτε εκγαμιζονται αλλ ως αγγελοι του θεου εν ουρανω εισιν
Show me where it would lead you to believe this is an actual person. Especially when compared to the
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 9:59pmHey Trollage, Matt spoke Greek?
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 11:20pmMatthew was an educated Jew, a tax collector. He would have spoken in Hebrew but would also have known Aramaic and Greek. It is argued whether his Gospel was originally written in Hebrew or Greek, but it was most likely based on John-Mark’s Gospel and was probably written in Greek.
In any case, most early manuscripts are in Greek.
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on September 15, 2011 at 4:06pmTroll, Gratias multas. Multas benedictiones.
Report Post »americanfirst
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 1:41pmPeople spend way to much time looking for the distinctions they have with other religions than for the similarities.
Report Post »You may be surprised to find that the various denominations have much more in common (particularly where it matters the most) than not.
Notice that you may share the Atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and that He is the only TRUE and living SON of GOD. But instead, you’ll focus on methodology, or name of church, or what book you read.
I‘ll submit Jesus Christ doesn’t care about any of that. What he cares about is us and whether or not we claim him as our Savior and whether or not we are capable of choosing HIM to lead and guide our lives everyday w/ gratitude in our hearts for the gift. He designed all for our joy and discovery and I resent and refuse to believe that any one of us reserves the right to define whether or not YOU qualify.
With God – one thing is for sure… is NOT about strength in numbers. It’s not a comparative issue between individuals or churches. It’s about whether your genuinely striving to be right with him every day. It’s about whether we fell a sense of personal responsibility and accountability to the human family since after all, you FIND yourself as you GIVE YOURSELF AWAY a little every day.
It is not right to defame and diminish another group of people to defend your agenda.
The current political condition should teach us that much!! There is no honor in it!
Mormons ARE Christian – get past it!
Centralsville
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 1:35pmI see the atheists are out in strength on this issue. So angry that they are going to hell when they die. Nobody has killed more humans than the atheists. Nobody is even in the same ball park. They are in a league of their own when it comes to killing tens of millions, more likely hundreds of millions when you include babies in their mother’s wombs. You don’t fool me Satan.
Report Post »TeaPartyRebel
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 3:36pm@centralsville
I’m gonna call BS on you there (and yes, I am a devoted follower of Jesus Christ).
1st, because your position is unverifiable. There is no way of knowing how many people have died at the hands of “atheists”.
2nd, because it’s inflammatory towards the very people, with whom we are supposed to be sharing the good news. Nothing good comes of this type of tribalistic “you’re more evil than me” stance.
3rd and lastly, because almost every war in the history of mankind has been fought over, either, territory or religion. We have about 1.5 million abortions in this country per year. That is roughly 52.5 million lives snuffed. Granted I am not minimizing the heinous nature of that, but about 1/3 of this nation was killed in the civil war. Both sides claiming the mantle of Christianity.
The crusades killed millions, as did the Spanish Inquisition. The dark and middle ages are rife with examples of the “church” slaughtering massive numbers of humans. All in “defense” of a God who does not need our piddly defenses, and attacking the very same people he sent his son to die for.
We might want to worry about the log in our own eyes, before we start lasering in on the splinter in the atheist’s eyes.
Just thinking out loud, brother.
Report Post »americanfoodblister
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 12:49pmWant to get Rich ?? Start a religion..what a joke…
Which brand of Gawd are you buying…..?
Report Post »Al J Zira
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 12:30pmSince many out there seem to know the ingredients of the correct church to follow, I have a question. Does the “perfect” Christian church, one that’s as close to the original teachings of Christ, have a trinity as its core belief? How about Christmas and Easter? It’s been long established that these were perversions of the original faith brought on as a means of appeasing pagan worshipers in order to bring them into the fold of the church. So does anyone avoid these doctrines?
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 12:43pmThe Trinity is clearly shown in Scripture though it is not given this name. The idea is clear in the first church father’s writings and denial of it has always been considered a heresy. The Nicene creed sealed this and denied Arianism. Unitarianism has always been around and still remains, but the majority of Christianity recognizes the Trinity. You can argue it if you like, I certainly cannot defeat a heresy that has been around since the beginning, but it is to your own determent and Scripture is clear as can be on this.
As far as Christmas and Easter…You are right…They both have Pagan influences. We do not know FOR CERTAIN (I emphasize this because some feel they do know) when Christ was born but it matters not. We choose Christmas to honor His birth. If you disagree with this practice then don’t celebrate it. Likewise, Easter Sunday is not tied to Passover, but it has become the day when we celebrate Christ’s resurrection. Does the exact day matter?
You present fun arguments, but seriously, it is not a road-block to most Christians.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 1:03pm“It’s been long established”
I believe “established” only applies if you are talking about the LIBERAL establishment.
And Easter not tied to Passover, Trolltrainer? What on earth are you talking about. It most certainly IS tied to Easter, even though the Jewish calendar is not used and the method for calculating the date had simplified. There is no history behind Easter except the Passion of Christ which occured during passover.
As for Christmas, it has been a long established idea that its date is attributable to Aurelian’s choosing the celebration of Sol Invictus on Dec 25 back in the late third century. But this is not testified by the earliest sources. There is a tradition that holds dec 25 was the day he was born because March 25th is the day he was conceived, and this is held to be due to the idea that a perfect life ends on the same day it begins. So if he died on March 25th, then he was conceived on that day, and nine months later he was born. It is hardly scientific, but that is irrelevant. The question is whether there would be good religious reasonsd for the church to choose Dec 25th as the date of his birth, and there was.
Report Post »Al J Zira
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 1:05pm@Trolltrainer: Thanks for having a different opinion and not trying to crucify me for mine, I appreciate it. I would argue that if there is a trinity it would be a pretty important part of the christian faith. Since there can only be one true God introducing the idea that there are three gods of lesser standidng would be something that Christ would probably have defined clearly.
Report Post »I think in Peter it says, and I‘m paraphrasing because I’m not too good at bible quotes: there will be false teachings amoung you and exploit you with counterfeit words. Kind of soundls like God knew that immediately after Christ’s death there would be a twisting of the teachings of Christ. I don;t want to reopen the Nicene Council arguments but you have to admit the idea of a trinity should have been clearly stated if it exists.
trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 1:23pmI think you misunderstand the doctrine of the Trinity. There are not 3 gods, only 1. God makes Himself available in 3 different ways to perform 3 different roles. I would disagree that Scripture does not lay out the trinity clearly, I believe it does. Look at Christ’s baptism when the Holy Spirit descends on him as a dove and the Father speaks, “This is my Son in whom I am well pleased.” The Holy Spirit is the Comforter mentioned in John 14. He is given a new role during Pentecost when He started indwelling all believers. Jesus also clearly calls Himself God throughout the NT. “Before Abraham, I AM.” The Pharisees certainly knew what He meant, that is why they wanted to kill Him.
Anyway, I know I am not going to change your mind on this. But there is good reason why orthodox theology has recognized The Trinity. No, majority does NOT make something right, but it should certainly be an indication that there is reason behind a belief.
Report Post »Al J Zira
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 2:00pm@Trolltrainer: I understand the definition of a trinity but just taking your examples makes my case. “Behold My son with whom I am pleased.” If that‘s not a distinct seperation between God and Jesus I don’t know what is? Now if God had said, behold my son whom is equal to me and I am pleased then you’d have a case. “Before Abraham, I am.” does not mean Christ was God. IT means Christ dwelled with God in heaven as Michael. Otherwise every angel in heaven could be considered God.
Guess we could go round and round on this.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 2:18pmBut Christ is not an angel, He is the only begotten son of God!
Yes, three separate parts of the same entity. Separate but equal.
And yeah, we could go around all day.
Report Post »ELAN114
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 3:32pmHere is something that tripped me up for years and I now know the answer but curious what other say
Matthew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
If they are the exact same then why is Christ asking if there is another way? He should know there is none so why ask the question? “nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.“ But again they are the same so why not ”nevertheless not as I will, but as I wilt.”
Report Post »ELAN114
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 3:37pmSorry if this double posts, Blaze is being weird.
Here is something that tripped me up for years and I now know the answer but curious what other say
Matthew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
If they are the exact same then why is Christ asking if there is another way? He should know there is none so why ask the question? “nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.“ But again they are the same so why not ”nevertheless not as I will, but as I wilt.”
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 4:06pmElan,
Christ was not asking for another way, He was “sweating” the ordeal He was about to go through.
Jesus of Nazareth was fully man. He hungered, He got thirsty, He was scared, and He wept. He was/is also fully Deity. He performed miracles at will. He even says He could call down more than 12 legions of angels to spare Him the ordeal of the crucifixion.
I understand it is an impossible position, it cannot be understood let alone explained. It simply is what it is. If you diminish Christ’s Deity then what good was His crucifixion? If you diminish His humanity then what was the need? Man has erred on both sides of this from the beginning. Unfortunately, if you do not recognize the Deity of Christ can you really put your faith in Him for salvation? That is exactly what the Bible asks us to do. I know it is right because I am Spirit led, I went through a conversion and the Holy Spirit entered my heart. It changed my life in an instant. I do not fully understand it and certainly cannot explain it, but it was God’s way of reaching us while still allowing us free will because we most certainly could not reach Him ourselves.
But as for the argument here, yes, Jesus was fully human and He was sweating blood because He knew what He would go through. He prayed to the Father. He was tempted by Satan. He knew what it means to be human.
Report Post »ELAN114
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 4:28pmPlease understand I am playing devils advocate here. I believe Christ to be the Creator of this world and our only means of salvation. But you state “But as for the argument here, yes, Jesus was fully human and He was sweating blood because He knew what He would go through. He prayed to the Father. ”
Report Post »So He prayed to Himself?
Again devils advocate, I know my answer I am just wondering what the stance is. I wondered growing up if Christ was a sycophantic, I know better now but how does this all play with the idea of the trinity? And without diminishing Christ’s glory? I found my answer, though I am sure others will argue I diminish His glory, I argue otherwise.
trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 5:20pmElan,
I will try to be as respectful here as possible. First, please be aware that I do not recognize the BoM as inspired Scripture. First off, Joseph Smith is hardly the first person to make himself out as a prophet with a new revelation. Deuteronomy 18:22 gives us the test for a prophet, Smith fails! First off, where are the gold plates? Moroni claimed native americans are descended from Jews. Wrong…DNA testing shows otherwise. There are references in BoM to horses in North America before AD 400. Not…The text of the BoM itself has been changed in OVER 4,000 places! I am sorry, the Bible does not change. I will not even get into the D&C and the Pearl of Great Price…
Do you want to talk about failed Mormon doctrine such as polygamy? One of the first signs of turning away from God is sexual perversion. Beware ANY religion that dabbles in strange sexual practices…And they all seem to do, everyone from the Zwickau Prophets to Jim Jones, David Koresh, Warren Jeffs…Joseph Smith was no different, at least he liked grown-ups…In a sermon in 1844 Smith said God was once as we are now. He was once a man like us. He then went on to tell how we must also learn to be gods ourselves. Don’t be fooled, you want to argue about the Trinity, but your religion is polytheistic.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 5:21pmI will skip fun facts such as the cause of Smith’s untimely death and the Mountain Medows Massacre, but let’s talk about doctrine. As I mentioned, Mormonism is polytheistic. Heavenly Father is married to Heavenly Mother and produced Spirit Children. They all lived together in pre-existence near the star Kolob (Abraham 3:3 Great Pearl of price). All humans are children of these heavenly parents and lived with them in the First Estate before being born of earthly parents. Two of God’s sons wanted to be the savior of the earth; Lucifer and Jesus. Lucifer wanted to take away our free will. Jesus’ plan allowed us to keep free will in accordance with Heavenly Father’s (Elohim’s) wishes. Elohim accepted Jesus and Lucifer revolted. Enter the Holy Bible…The two thirds of the Spirit Children who did not rebel with Satan were blessed to be born to human families on earth. Alas, some lacked valor and were cursed. These are black people. Yes, your religion is/was racist…This changed in 1978 though, thanks to prophet Kimball who simply had a “new” revelation…
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 5:22pmListen, I could go on…Though I tried to be nice about it your Jesus is just not the same as my Jesus nor is your God my God. I would rather have to explain Trinity than have to face everything that is wrong with Mormonism. Mormons are great people. Awesome people who mean well. I do not doubt your faith and devotion, it is just sadly misplaced. I do not understand if the average Mormon knows the doctrine behind the church, or if you are just fed this a little at a time, but it disagrees with Holy Scripture. We are not all gods, we will not all someday have planets we can save of our own, God was not once human, and Jesus is not Lucifer’s brother.
Report Post »ELAN114
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 5:50pmWow you really dropped the bomb on me. :) Though still didn’t answer the question, was he praying to Himself in the garden? Honestly science is nice but I put as much stock in DNA analysis being flawless as I do global warming, not totally convinced. Polygamy ya that thing that multiple people righteously practiced in the old testament but then sadly we get the perverted Warren Jeffs of the world. Sorry I really am not in the mood to write a book to combat all the one liners.
Report Post »But I do testify that Christ created this world and is indeed the God of the Old Testament. As for being Gods I believe that my earthly father, who happens to be a carpenter, had I told him I wanted to follow in his footsteps would not have told me I could do so only if I did not out do him. Rather I believe he would want me to be all he is and more. Does a Heavenly Father who is all powerful not love us so much that for those who prove themselves capable he will impart to us all He knows, this will still not diminish the fact that he is still our King. We cannot be greater then God, but a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.
But one should not worry about that so much as really being all they can be and be ready to accept judgement whatever it might be. I think I am done with this string, we could go all day and get no where. I am a Mormon and a Christian and NO ONE can convince me otherwise, for God has already confirmed it to me. :)
ELAN114
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 6:00pmBy the way any Mormon that claims they WILL be a God doesn’t understand what it takes and I would worry that such a lack of humility might be their downfall. Focus on living a Christlike life and then we’ll see what happens. But being a Mormon does not equal a free ticket to the top, actually it puts you in greater peril because with great knowledge come greater responsibility, you can be forgiven for what you do not know, but to know and fail to act upon it is certain to be a mark against you. Oh so much to say and no time with my slow typing *sigh* Love y’all.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 6:07pmIn answer to your question, Jesus was praying to His Father. In the second form of the Trinity He was a man at that time, God the Father is a separate part of the same entity. Was Jesus talking to Himself? No. No more than He was talking about Himself when He told the disciples that the Father would send the Comforter. The Father sent the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name.
I am sorry, I did not mean to “bomb” you, I just want to lay it all on the table before we start nitpicking on this doctrine. Your concept of Jesus is not my own. I only recognize the Holy Bible as inspired Scripture. Does this leave gaps in my theology? Yes, it does. But I feel this beats creating my own special revelation to figure things out.
Report Post »ELAN114
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:37pmI just can’t stay away :) I understand where you are coming from, but I have a few things, that ppl point out as not being able to happen. You talk of not making up a revelation, what if it isn’t made up? We Mormons catch sooo much flak for the stance that ours is the only true church and my answer is that I believe God loves us so much that he does not leave us without a clear straight and narrow path, with out diverging forks in the road, some leading to the right some to the left. I believe he is the same to day as yesterday but knows mans faults and reveals things to us as we can handle them. Why can’t we have a prophet today? Why can he not use a young malleable boy to restore that which is lost like he did with the young Samuel or the slow of speech Moses, does Joseph being a flawed man making him ineligible while other such as Johna were not.
Report Post »As for the Bible being correct, we believe it to be correct in as much as it is translated correctly, and after years of it being passed word of mouth, then written down and translated, which if you have ever spoken another language you know things get lost, and voted on etc. could something not have been lost? And would not a loving God restore it?
I don‘t expect anyone to answer these questions and I don’t know that it matters if they do. I have already asked them and have my answer. I hope that all find the truth and are willing to lay down their lives for it, and if you can’t say that I hope you keep search
trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 9:05pmOkay Elan, but you hit on my entire point which is how do you trust someone’s revelation? It is argued even among evangelicals, but I firmly believe some sign gifts mentioned in the Bible are not in use in this age. The gift of prophecy is one of these. How does a prophet prove himself? Can he be wrong about anything? What if his prophecies fail? Who is to say he is real or just another kook? Why does God need to give us further revelation beyond the Bible canon? Everything we need is given us. Are there things that are not very clear? Sure. But the things we need to know are dogmatically stated. How do you prove to me that Joseph Smith was a true prophet? Why would I believe the BoM? I can give you reasons for believing the Bible.
As far as this game of pass it on that everyone likes to use when discussing the accuracy of the Bible, the NT was written by the people who were there or at worst people who were in contact with the people who were there in the case of John-Mark and Luke. Literary critics have tried to make many issues where none exist but all their arguments are easily answered. If they are not satisfied by those answers it is their problem. As far as translation goes, we have the Bible in the original languages with many, many early manuscripts and fragments. The few disagreements between these are insignificant. The doctrine and meanings are unchanged. We have the same texts as the first Christians.
Report Post »ELAN114
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 9:34pmWe are encouraged to pray for confirmation about EVERYTHING. What has to be asked is is the prophet speaking as the prophet or is he having the gut reaction of an imperfect person, pray. I had a bishop that could really put his foot in his mouth which tested the thin skinned, I realized that was Bill. But when Bishop Jone, same person spoke it was inspiring, insightful and brought great measure of the spirit. Even reading Joseph Smith’s history which is where he details his revelation of the restoration, he names his failures his short comings, in D&C he openly rights of his chastisements by the Lord for his failures.
Report Post »As for the Bible which do you read, the American Standard Version, Geneva Bible New Testament ,King James, the Ebonics Bible, the Bible that removes the word virgin. LDS revelation says the King James is the most correct. I know Joseph added to some verses but that restores such things that were lost such as there being three degrees of glory within Heaven not two. It is AMAZING how single word can change the whole meaning of something, why not correct what was a humanly errored word?
President Hinkley, who is part of the reason I became LDS because of the humility he showed and the spirit he brought. He said “Our whole strength rests on the validity of that vision. It either occurred or it did not occur. If it did not, then this work is a fraud. If it did, then it is the most important and wonderful work under the heavens.” If a fraud then my mis
trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 10:53pmI use the KJV as my personal Bible but I use many sound translations when doing a study. I have found some passages where the NIV beats KJV and others where KJV is best. But the differences are mostly meaningless. Of course when in doubt you can go back to the original languages with the aid of a concordance.
I am glad your church at least uses the KJV. Pay particular attention to any passages that your church insists have been corrected. Go back to the original language or other translations. Read some commentaries on what other thoughts are on the passage. Be especially careful when extra-biblical revelation is supposed to override what the Bible gives you. Question with boldness and let the Spirit lead you. In the end this is all any of us can do. I was raised Catholic and my parents remain in that faith. I do not argue with them, they will not change. My worry is not that they do not believe in the things necessary for salvation but that all the added doctrine they believe might hold them back. In the end nothing else matters except placing your faith in Jesus Christ. We spend too much time fighting over secondary doctrine such as eschatological beliefs. Keep it simple, put your faith in Christ, and all will be answered eventually…Just not in this world…
Report Post »americanfoodblister
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 12:28pmWant to get rich ??
Start a religion. What a joke.
Which brand of gawd are you selling today..
Report Post »Al J Zira
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 12:40pm@AmericanFoodBlister: because religions have been started or a better description would be churches, that doesn’t make religion or God the problem. You can turn on your TV anytime on Sunday and see the televangelist with thousand dollar suits, gaudy churches and begging for donations. And their wrong and should be ignored and recognized for what they are; an abomination of the original teachings. But again, that doesn’t make the church system wrong.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 12:46pmGod can be big business. Likewise, other “religions” have been too. The temple changers made their money as did the sellers of icons and relics. Silver statues to Artemis cause problems in the Bible, Paul almost drove a guy out of business.
Man is corrupt, does it surprise you he has even corrupted religion?
Jesus still saves though.
Report Post »americanfoodblister
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 12:51pmWe believe in gods therfore we kill………
Report Post »Al J Zira
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 1:11pm@ AmericanFoodBlister: OK, you lost me on that one. People that truley neieve in God don’t kill other people. If you want to sight the Crusades, Muslim Extremism or whatever as examples there’s no argument there, they and the wars like them were wrong and God never sanctioned those actions. But hey, what do I know?
Report Post »The Third Archon
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 5:27pm“But again, that doesn’t make the church system wrong.”
Report Post »You’re right–it’s wrong for a completely different reason; preaching something to be true, and acting in a manner that is based upon absolute certainty in the aforementioned belief, without any proof that what you say and act upon must be true, or is at least probably true (more likely than not). That is the great sin of faith (blind faith rather–faith without evidence; justified true belief is belief in something that is true based upon causal reasoning that suggest one ought to hold that belief based upon the preponderant of evidence, and it is the basis of the way we think, understand the universe, and make inferences based upon our observations).
trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 5:39pm3rd acorn,
I have plenty of proof. You are simply blind to it. That is your problem…Not ours. :-)
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 6:21pmFOODBLISTER- Why are you so adverse to an individual’s free will to choose a faith or GOD/GODS?
Report Post »I’m not saying that you have to believe in a GOD/GODS, but why be abrasive to those who chose that path?
1956
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 12:01pmIn the end, you still have to go to the church and check it out. Since I have no idea what or who is behind this site, and what church I go to is such a personal decision, I’ll stick with the old-fashioned route and just look up churches in the phone book, talk to others about what church they go to, talk to the ministers of the churches.
There were problems with the church I had been going to and so I’ve been looking for another one. I sure as heck won’t use this to find one. I know there are those that think a church is a church, but that just isn’t so…
Report Post »godhead
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 10:56amReligion is the scourge of God. Take it from me.
Report Post »youmeanwags
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 11:12amFor those who point out that “religion” can be vexing, you are right. But Christ is not vexing. Start with the word of God, and stay with it. By doing so, you’ll know if your church is on the right path.
http://www.TestDriveJesus.com
Report Post »Centralsville
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 11:18amAs a Christian I believe that the Bible is the word of God. It is your Christian duty to honor the sabbath, go to church and help spread the good news of Christ. Without Christ you are lost and your opinion means nothing anyway. As survivors of the last century we should all remember that atheist governments killed tens of millions. More than any religion on this earth ever killed. I am not even counting the millions of babies killed in the womb. When you don’t belive in God all humanity is expendable.
Report Post »chipmunk
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:44pm@HEAD
Report Post »To each his own. So if you feel that way, change your moniker. And also stay away from the articles on faith & religion. Right??????
joe1234
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 10:56amI wonder if they let you search for a church filled with hot well-endowed rich women…
Report Post »Jack of Hearts
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 11:48amKickagrandma says she’s looking for a new church… just saying.
Report Post »joe1234
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 11:56amI’ll have to be nice to her then…LOL
Report Post »brian8793
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 10:04amIf you believe God is a man, go to this Church
If you believe God is only a spirit, then go to this Church
If you believe in speaking in tongues, go to this Church
If you want to always hear about hell and the rapture, go to this Church
If you want to listen to the best band this side of the mississippi, go to this church
If you think the mark of cain was a tattoo, then go to this Church
If you like a pastor that rolls around in a BENZO, go to this Church
Dang Christians, it seems like your God has a hard time making up his/her/it’s mind with all of these different churches!
Oh, that’s right. I should just go to a “non-denominational” Church. Those are always politically correct, especially the ones that marry queers.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 10:40amI know your post was written to show how ludicrous it is, but you are right. To fully understand why it is this way you would have to understand Christian history.
But choice is good. I am Christian by faith, Baptist by chance. Instead of playing the denomination game my concern is that I am in a Bible believing church. Church does not save you, Christ does. Church is simply a gathering of like-minded believers. As long as they do not teach heresy and the worship is biblical then the name over the door is meaningless.
Report Post »louise
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 10:43amBrian, just open the bible and read it and ask God to speak through his scriptures to you.
Report Post »This article is quite disgusting to me.
What they are doing is reducing God to a piece of software.
TH30PH1LUS
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 11:06amThere’s no such things as “the perfect church”. And if there was, it would stop being “perfect” the minute you started attending. Point being, churches are made up of people.
1. Is the Word of God proclaimed with conviction and without compromise, or is it just feel-good psychology?
Report Post »2. Are people engaging in real worship, or just being entertained?
3. Does the leadership expend time in preperation for ministry, or do they just throw things together last minute? Is there a standard of excellence – encouraging everyone to give their very best?
4. Appearance of the facility – are things clean and in order?
5. Fiscally sound – are they drowning in debt? Do they use wisdom with funds?
6. Are people friendly?
mpm17268
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 9:40amI went to the faithstreet.com website and couldn’t find any listings in NYC for the fourth largest Christian denomination in the United States: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormons). I know for a fact that there are LDS congregations in NYC and so I am puzzled by this omission and wonder what’s going on here? Any theories or ideas?
Report Post »Jack of Hearts
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 9:54amYep, it’s not Christian. You need to look under “C” for “Cult” or “S” for “Science Fiction” like the Scientologists.
Report Post »gsplgtr
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 10:07amAnother reason that the LDS were not included is their stance on marriage. They believe that marriage is eternal where Jesus, himself, told the Sadducees that there will be no need for marriage in heaven. How can you contradict the Savior and still be considered a relevant church?
Report Post »LibertyGoddess
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 10:08amJack of Hearts, are you Christian? You may not agree with someone’s theology, but you should never be found attacking someone’s faith. Anyone who follows Jesus Christ is a Christian.
Report Post »Centralsville
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 10:28amAs someone said, Christ said there is no marriage or male and female in heaven. Mormons do have some strange beliefs in their added book that contradict the Bible. The Bible also says to call no man father but your father in heaven as the Catholics do. To much deference to an earthly hiarchy for me. But both have the Bible where anyone can find the truth and both have millions of believers in Christ.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 10:47amLibertygoddess:
“Anyone who follows Jesus Christ is a Christian.”
——————————–
Sorry, Libertygoddess. You can call yourself anything you like but unless you are born again and have had a conversion experience you are no Christian. You do not belong to the Body of Christ. I know this stings many people, but it is biblical and the truth. Look it up yourself, your Bible clearly says this. Jesus is not the twice-sired brother of Satan and we are not all little gods. There are no golden tablets. Look at your faith with skepticism, require them to prove they are right. EVERY faith should do this! I do. You cannot afford to be wrong! You believe in God, you seek salvation. Please, listen to me, make SURE you are on the right path!!!
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 10:50amcentrallsville,
Wisely said! You are 100% correct. Salvation is by faith alone.
Report Post »Jack of Hearts
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 11:14am@Libertygoddess
Report Post »Trolltrainer beat me to it but makes the point well. I totally agree that everyone has the right to their own beliefs and they can worship Apollo, Odin or Isis as far as I’m concerned and I will defend their right to do so. However, there is no way that Mormons are Christian or part of the Christian church. You can invent your own religion (like Joseph Smith) or even set up a church where Liberty Goddess is an object of worship (I’m sure you are worthy of it) but it wouldn’t make it Christian just because you said it was.
ELAN114
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 12:28pmI do not have time for a complete testimony and probably do not have time to respond, sorry have to get back to work.
Report Post »That said through my time with the Methodist, Episcopalians, Catholics, born agains, non denoms and a slew of others I became determined that I would never be a Christian for with them I felt not the love of Christ but rather the attitude of a clique, that condemned me to no end.
It was not till I met the Mormons that I knew the love of Christ for they loved me no matter the venom I threw at them, they did not shout at me when we disagreed. They brought before me answers to questions that none other could answer, or who had given answers my heart told me were false.
I now know a church cannot be judged by a handful of members for we are all flawed humans but with the LDS Church through the simple love of Christ I am today a thousand times the man I ever thought I could be. I no longer hold ill feeling for those who turned me off to Christ, but it hurts to see so many judge my God because of what some of His imperfect children do.
Christ is the God of the Old Testament and the New, he is the Savior of all mankind, it is only through faith in Him, baptism in His name and the ability to repent through His grace that we are saved. Tell me I am not a Christian if you wish but I know whom I pray to every night and it is not Joseph Smith, it is not President Monson, it IS the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 12:54pmElan114,
It started out reading your post I wanted to respond that you have a feel=good religion and that what attracted you to this church was the same as what attracted Beck. As you continue I see that the theology YOU POST is sound. It sounds as if you are a saved Christian, I cannot, nor would I want to, judge if this is indeed the case. It is not my business anymore than my salvation is yours. As another poster says in here, I would never say a Catholic, Mormon, or JW cannot be a saved Christian. As long as you understand what saves you. God does indeed give us plenty of wiggle room with theology, I believe He has a sense of humor and He enjoys this diversity. I also believe it was intended to keep us interested.
All I ask is be sure you are biblical on your theology. That is all any of us can do.
God bless you my sister.
Report Post »ELAN114
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 1:10pmThank you Tolltrainer. FYI I’m a guy :)
Report Post »Pronounced Ee- Lon, based on a book character.
trolltrainer
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 1:26pmMy apologies, in my haste I read it Elaine, I did not think about what I was typing.
Report Post »ELAN114
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 3:19pmCompletely understandable, perhaps I should change it :)
Report Post »Centralsville
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 9:33amMy wife and I went through many churches of many denominations before we found the church that we felt followed the Bible the closest. We even went through many classes at those churches studying their beliefs. I found it interesting and informative and a learning process. Christ went to church and God commands us to go. Don‘t think Christ didn’t find the church full of sinful people. I always marvel at people who say the church is full of sinners and hypocrites. It shows that they themselves don’t know their Bible very well and have completely missed the message of Christ. The Bible says none of us are good and we are all filthy in the sight of God. Why do they think we all need a savior and why did Christ die on the cross. I did find in our searches that there are many liberal denominations that don’t like the Bible very much. One of the best indicators is if they allow women to head the church which the Bible forbids. Those are the very denominations that are now pushing for homosexuals to head the church. Once you accept the new religion of political correctness and start down that road of changing the Bible to fit your views it doesn’t stop. The other thing I run from is churches that teach name it claim it religion. That God wants everyone to be rich. The Bible teaches us the opposite. That you can’t love God and money both because only one can be your master. As long as there are churches and as long as the Bible exist the truth will always be out there.
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 9:21amThe wafer was a bit stale, and they didn’t have the best wine, but the music was pretty good. I give St. Shmo’s two and a half stars.
Secret tip: make sure you sit in the back row, so you can get to your car fast after the service.
Report Post »mycomet123
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 9:53amTo bad they don’t have a drive-in service–you know getting out of the car & walking to the church can be very taxing!
Report Post »gsplgtr
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 9:06amThe apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church “ I hear that there are DIVISIONS” among you…..” What were those divisions? Who’s for the teachings of Peter, Paul,Jesus. We call these divisions DENOMINATIONS. They are all based on who’s teaching we like the most and each divisions we create we water down the truth of the scripture! As long as people are flawed ( for all have sinned, there is none righteous no not one) there will be NO PERFECT CHURCH. Stop lookng at the name over the door. If you have rcieved Jesus(Yeshua) as your personal Lord and Savior, you are my brother or sister in Christ!
Report Post »777jenn
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 12:11pmAmen! I reject ‘denominations’ too. Very very hard to find a church that actually TEACHES the real TRUTH! Believe me..I have searched. I prayed daily for God to lead me the TRUTH. No accident I came across The Shepherd’s Chapel. Not a building (well, it IS..but not in my state!) but a network that goes around the world via satellite, simply reading the Word of God and teaching UNDERSTANDING of it, by explaining the ORIGINAL meanings of the words in their original languages! Last year, a few months prior to 8/28, Glenn spoke of my pastor on his Fox show. Pastor Arnold Murray was the scholar who was finally able to translate the Bat Creek Stone from ancient Hebrew into English. I find the teachings along with the recommended tools of the Shepherd’s Chapel are excellent! Easy to understand the letter that God sent to each of us, the Bible.
Who needs a building? I go ‘to church’ every day. Denominations DIVIDE.
God wants us to know the truth, and to LOVE Him….and for us to help as many of our brothers & sisters as possible to be AWARE that the antichrist comes FIRST. He expects us to STAND.
Report Post »Ampleforth
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:40amMy family has been on a church odyssey after leaving the Methodist Church. We quit the UMC because of the liberal leanings of the church hierarchy, and we disagreed with how they were allocating our tithes.
The trouble is, is that we are still Methodists at heart. We were raised in the church. We’ve tried a variety of different churches, and none of them suit us. As a Methodist and a Southerner, I wish, hope, and pray that the UMC will split and the old Southern Methodist Church re-forms. I want out of the UNITED Methodist Church but still hold firm in my faith.
Of the many things that trouble me about today’s world, this issue troubles me the most. It has been difficult trying to find a fit at another church. I thought I found a unaffiliated “bible study” church last year. A family member goes to a similar church in another state, but I live near a college town. The church I found is populated by college professors, and they hold meetings about the evils of pop-tarts, McDonalds, and bread that has been bleached. In other words, they’re lunatics.
Report Post »zorro
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:47amGood luck finding your way, brother. Pray and the Lord will guide you.
Report Post »louise
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:51amAmpleforth,
Report Post »This is becoming more and more common in these last days. The Truth of God has separated out those who are true believers. I encourage you and your family to continue on in the faith and try to stop thinking of yourselves as Methodists, but as children of God.
TomFerrari
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 10:13amIt amazes me that PEOPLE change their Churches / doctrine.
Does anyone think GOD changes?
His laws have already been given to us, and they aren’t changing.
Good luck finding a Church home.
My best advice is to seek out one that follows Biblical teachings, and mold yourself to it.
All have sinned and fall short…
So, finding a Church that FITS US, is a lot like CHANGING the Church’s doctrine to suit us.
(which is your complaint, as I understand it.)
Accept the possibility that you, yourself may not be 100% correct, and just seek out the most truth-based, Biblical Church/congregation you can find.
I don’t think God is going to be asking for “membership cards” on judgement day.
Report Post »I DO think he expects us all to do our absolute best to obey His law and to live a Christ-like life.
777jenn
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 12:15pmAmen to having trouble finding a Truth teaching church, brother! Try the Shepherd’s Chapel on tv for a REAL Bible Study! Just try it once and you’ll see….God’s Word & nothing but!
Report Post »zorro
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:39amI’ve always found the concept of “finding the perfect” church funny. Say what you mean. What you really mean is, “I’m looking for the church that tells me what I want to hear.”
Report Post »Jamestownrd
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:45amJesus approves of only two churches ..and theybothteach one common message.tell those who claim to be of The tribe of Judah that arr not actually of Judah that they are liars…John haggee..tossed out on his big fata_s
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 9:31amJames,
Report Post »John Hagee teaches the scripture. If you have a problem with him, you have a problem with scripture…not to mention spelling and punctuation.
godhead
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 11:02amGonzo . . . Yes! By all means defend Pastor Hagee. I happen to agree with his view that Catholicism is a theology of hate. Go forth and preach his good word! Bring all unbelievers to his citadel of truth! (And ask Ted Haggard to supply a few toys while you’re at it.)
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:35amThey should have a theology tab. A chuch’s theology seems a bit more important than music style. Just picking a denomination isn’t enough. If you pick Baptist, Westboro Baptist could theoretically come up…and it’s not a Baptist church IMHO.
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:34amIf you ever could find a perfect church, and you joined it, it would no longer be perfect. LOL
It begins with you!
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:36amEdit button…and me. lol
Report Post »stoptheliesbho
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:44amAgreed. Churches are imperfect because they are made up of imperfect people. However, there are churches out there that are downright evil (Westboro Baptist) or just lacking in correct teaching of Biblical theology. I think it’s a great idea to “search for a church” and get some assistance doing it. But I also think though that God can use you WHEREVER you are – it‘s not about us being ’happy’ in a church. It’s about serving others and glorifying Him.
Report Post »lynskinners
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:33amInteresting. I went to FaithStreet and guess what “church” was not on their list of churches?
MORMON!
Do you know why?
Because Mormonism is not a church, it’s a CULT!!!
Question with BOLDNESS!
http://www.utlm.org/
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:40amAnd what would you say if they posted something about Synagogs?
Report Post »wise grandma
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 9:59amI agree they do not teach the true Christian faith, but being nasty to them wll not turn them to Christ. I have know many mormans and yes they are gravely misled, but I was never unkind I just tried to show them the way away from the teachings of a falsehood. I also studied so I could understand their teachings and was surprised at how misled these poor people are. Pray for them.
Report Post »americanfirst
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 1:25pmThe Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) is absolutely, undeniably CHRISTIAN. No question.
Report Post »I have been a Catholic, I have been non-denom, I have explored many Christian faiths of which they all do much good.
But the best in my limited experience is the Mormon church. By far and away!
Which is interesting to me because it went against all my training too! I was told the same hogwash about them not being Christian. Not true. In fact, I‘d say it’s Christianity squared. It is not for the faint of heart. This is a very edifying church but it requires you to show up and take personal ownership of your life and your choices.
The Mormons teach their entire congregation from the Bible (King James) and the Book of Mormon (which essentially is just another testimony of Jesus Christ). This year they’re teaching from the OT, next year the NT, following year BoM. It’s the real deal.
It’s fantastic. It’s not a rock concert! It’s not drop your change and nod your head and hurry home and nothing ever changes. It’s not that!!!!
The entire faith centers itself around the Atonement of Jesus Christ and his tender mercies in our lifes.
All you have to do to evidence that is show up anywhere and just sit in and listen. But I will bet you…you’ll be surprised to find how massively incongruent it is with what those that want to keep you away from Mormons say. It draws people much closer to God and isn’t that the plan?
I LOVE the Mormon faith it IS Christian enough
nealb4zodd
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 6:36pmLynskinner is misinformed when it comes to religion and faith.
Report Post »louise
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:26amThe Church are the “called out ones”. That means all who have been called and turned and believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God.
Here is a good article,
Report Post »http://newswithviews.com/baldwin/baldwin662.htm
louise
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:40amanother comment….in almost all of church buildings today when you walk inside the front door, what do you first see? A stage for the band? Or a pulpit. I personally like the home gatherings. It doesn’t matter how man or how few because Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered together in My Name, I am in your midst.
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:45amlouise.
BINGO.
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 12:12pmTHANK YOU, Louise!!
Think the day is coming when we will go back to the small, home gatherings that we read about in Paul’s letters. That is what we were supposed to have all along. No big churches where you go once a week for an hour, toss money in a plate and then take no responsibility for God’s other children for the week.
Got to wondering about the Nicolaitans, which Jesus hated this year and started trying to research them. Seems history on them as a people or group has been carefully deleted, but people have analyzed the name:
The full meaning of Nicolaitans, in its native tongue and in its ecclesiastical setting, is that the bishops and prelates of the Church have gained a triumphal victory or conquest over the LAITON, the laity, until they have been compelled to submit to the arbitrary dominion of men who have become that thing which God hates – ‘Lords over God’s heritage’
Leads me to believe that our current “Organized Religious Systems” are not what God/Jesus had in mind. You might want to research them yourselves.
Report Post »louise
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 1:49pmVennoye,
Report Post »The word Nicolaitanes is from the name Nicolas who was a leader in the Jerusalem church. A very informative section of scripture that sheds light on him can be found in Acts 6:5…but read the whole chap. to get full context.
The main issue here is that there was a complaint lodged and the 12 called the whole congregation together and told the people to select from among yourselves brethren, (next part is very important) 7 men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge.
I have to shake my head because man always has a propensity of shooting himself in the foot doesn’t he? Anyway, Nicolas was one of the 7 chosen. BUT he was a proselyte (meaning he was new to the faith). The congregation was charged to select 7 men full of the Spirit and wise. A proselyte was not spiritually mature yet. read on down through the rest of the chapter and you see contention brought against Stephen who was a father (spiritually wise) to the church. Later on, Stephen is stoned to death…and Saul was there (this is before his conversion). After reading in Acts jump over to Rev. 2:6,15. the church of Ephesus is being commended for “putting to the test” those who call themselves apostles. hmmmm….Was Nicolas a self-annointed apostle? Sounds that way doesn’t it. Not a good thing to do.
You probably already know all of this and more than I do.
vennoye
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 2:21pmLouise, I did find the information on Nicolas and researched that, but since there are references in two of the seven churches about the Nicolaitans–I think there is more to it than just Nicolas. Not too many things that Jesus said he hated, so I have to think it is important, just have wished there was more information. Thanks.
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:10amPersonally, I like the Calvary Chapels. They teach thru the bible.
They are non-denominational and have grown over the years. At first it was called the Jesus Movement. Some of you may remember the Jesus Freak Movement of the 60′s. It continues today…it grew and continues to grow!
http://calvarychapel.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvary_Chapel
Report Post »godhead
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 10:58amMe, I like the Catholic church. I know Pastor Hagee, who joins Glenn wherever he goes, called it “the great whore” but don’t let that dissuade you.
Report Post »MARCH4HIM
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 12:00pm@GODHEAD
You cut on pastor Hagee and you mock fellow christians ,then turn around and sing the praises of former President Carter…
And those days…There wil be many anti-christ
You better look in the miror and repent brother..
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:02amForgive the grammatical nitpick.
I hate “he or she” verbal constructions necessiated by our PC abhorence of the normative masculine. But when one introduces the subject as “one” why not use the reflexive pronoun that matches it, “oneself”, rather than the clunky “himself or herself”?
“One can easily find oneself visiting many houses of worship” is far more natural than “one can easily find him or herself visiting many houses of worship”
Just striking one more perhaps futile blow against the degradation of the English language.
Report Post »GIDEON612
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:15amYou may have missed the point here. This whole article is about those that are seeking maps to the stars homes that are bogus.
Report Post »Your body is the temple of God if you keep it clean of evil and sin. You MUST be born again and the Holy Spirit will dwell in you. God will give direction and the specific purpose he has for you.
If one goes searching for churches, more often than not, one has missed God before they left their home.
Islesfordian
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:32amTo what are you responding? It certainly isn’t what I wrote above.
Report Post »welloddyfriggindah
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:50amYeah Is, that’s what I thought!
Report Post »hillbillyinny
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 7:52amChurch = People of God, not a building of stone, mortar or wood! Denominations are a human development, and, although they may have developed at a point in history when they made sense. I in today‘s world a return to the True Gospel of Christ in the New Covenant with the guidance and reflection on the Old Covenant is to go down God’s path rather than the path of men.
Search, pray, combine with other Christians and people of God and live for the Complete Love of God expresses in his Word (communication peice), Jesus.
Report Post »GIDEON612
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:03amYou are right on. But the denominations were brought about by Satan. It is the old divide and conquer trick and it has worked. Look at the Body of Christ in this day in age and imagine if we continues as the Church example given to us in The Book of Acts.
This is what the disciples did. The Acts of the disciples. We are not called to be Christians and pew warmers. We are to put ourselves under the authority of Jesus Christ.
Searching for a feel good church and a god that suits your tastes is putting other gods before God. We are to conform to Him and never the other way around.
May God richly bless you all as you seek His face and not His hands.
(God Almighty is not an ATM machine, don’t follow the prosperity doctrine either.)
Report Post »tobinnieto
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 7:28ami know, why don’t Christians conform themselves to the church that Christ founded.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 7:42amThere you go! We have recently “resigned from” a church denomination because it is too much teaching politically correct agendas and not the TRUTH of the WORD OF GOD. Every time we offered THE TRUTH as opposed to the distortions of a man-made doctrine, we were met with stony silence. After almost forty years in this denomination, hoping it would awaken to the TRUTH, we are “outta there” for good.
Home church, like home schooling, may be what we end up doing. Meeting with others of like mind and heart who want to study GOD’S WORD and to pray, worship and sing praises to our LORD GOD, might be “just the ticket” for us. And, tithing directly to GOD rather than to upkeep of a building or some “feel good” bogus charity makes more sense to us.
Report Post »truthisnotsubjective
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 7:48amand not the one Joseph Smith founded. Glenn talks about the truth setting you free, but yet he ignores the Truth of the New Testament and believes in the lies of Mormonism and its false Jesus. Glenn is going to lead millions of people to a false spirituality and most Christians don’t even say anything because they place country ahead of eternity. Watch this video:
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWGONFkWoXc&feature=related
Islesfordian
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 7:56am“the church that Christ founded”
Well, it depends on how you define that church. Protestants look to the church founded by Christ being defined by its Gospel. Catholics look to the ecclesiastical structure as being of equal importance. Sadly, the Bible does not give definitive answers to which method of identifying the “true” church is correct. The answers usually pointed out only make sense when read within the same conclusions that said answers are proposing to prove, thus becoming circular arguments.
We are then left to arguments based upon reason, and while my reasoning leads me to estimate the Roman church as the best candidate for the “true” church I m also not yet persuaded by reason that the concept of a “true” church is necessary or valid.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:13amI should be clearer. I remain unconvinced that the concept of “the” true church is necessary. There are many false churches that preach a false Gospel but there may be more than one true church, just as there are many true Christians who may be divided for various superficial reasons. The idea of a divided church is obviously a scandal and not a good situation, but solving that problem does not mean that one of those church has to be defined as the only true one and the rest accomodate themselves to it. But belief in the one true church generally stem from a belief that the church Jesus founded cannot err or be divided. That is not a belief I hold. But it wasn‘t one I was raised with and I haven’t been reasonably convinced that I should adopt it.
Report Post »Jack of Hearts
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 9:00am@Kickagrandma
Report Post »Sounds like you think you are the only one who knows “the truth”. Having followed your posts on here for some months now I think you should consider the wildly improbable idea that it might be you who’s out of step rather than everyone else. Your often violent posts are not a form of Christianity I think many people would recognise – hence the “stony silence” of your audience. Probably stunned them into silence. A little more modesty and willingness to listen (I suspect from your constant use of capital letters that you tend to shout in real life as well) might have got a different reaction. Just saying.
brian8793
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 10:14amKICKAGRANDMA, The Bible says there is only one word, one faith, and one baptism. The Bible says God organized “A CHURCH.”
His one true Church is either The Mormon Church, or The Catholic Church. Considering the catholic church is about to go bankrupt, I think we know what it is.
Mormons are hated almost as much as atheists. That lines up with the Bible, doesn’t it? Doesn’t it say that the Saints will be persecuted?
Report Post »joe1234
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 12:09pm@kickagrandma…uh given my query at the top of the page, and response by jack of hearts..have I told you how good you look today? ;-)
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 7:21am.
For many Americans, finding a church can be a difficult task.
For many Americans, finding God is even harder…………
Report Post »Jamestownrd
Posted on September 14, 2011 at 8:50amfinding one that is not a 513 C
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