I'm not sure where to post this Evangelical

[a.baker]

I am sorry I am not sure where to post this. I doubt its a cult but I would like more info. on it. They always preach of scripture but its usually only one line per Sunday. What about the scripture as a whole? I attend an Evangelical Immanuel Church and I was just wondering is there anything with this doctrine that is false with Gods Word? I assume not but this Church makes me feel really depressed and unwelcome. It could be me, or it could be something else I am sensing and not quite seeing. I am a very vulnerable person at being deceived because I am new to much. If it is a good basic doctrine than the problem must lie within me and I must pray for God to show me what it is. It could be as simple as satan not wanting me to become stronger or grow. He wants to knock me back down again. So any info. would be greatly appreciated. I need to find fellowship in the flesh to help me strengthen. These people at this Church seems very stuck up and unacceptable of me. I feel as I am not good enough to go to there Church. So I am undecided of what to do or where to go on Sundays. I always leave feeling joyed with the Spirit but very sad of the people. I feel these people don't want to get to know me or listen to me talk. They listen to what I say to not be rude and than don't even acknowledge what I said or include me on conversation. I feel they could care less if I am there or not. People look at how much I put into the basket at tithing time which isn't much but they look. Everyone else puts theirs into envelopes. I feel they are ready to dismiss me and forget me. Every time. I am always the last one there after service and than they look at me to leave because they want to lock the doors so they can get on with there weekend of socializing fun. I am sad about Sundays really. Please help... where should I try?

[CoreIssue]

There are a number of churches from different denominations that use that name.

In the main I am not thrilled with them.

But there could be exceptions.

It is hard to find a good church. Especially if it is denominational.

[Jessie]

I feel the same way most of the time.

I was thinking last night that wemon need to be taught to take better care of the younger ones, instead what we have is cliques, rudeness, you name it.

I'm pretty quiet, one time I went to a baptist church and went to the wemons bible study.
the wemon were older than me (I was ok with it) and I did'nt know them.

so afterwards I felt really out of place when they all got up and started talking.
not one came to talk to me. not a one. pretty much did'nt even acknowledge my existence. then the pastors wife looked at me and said something about I needed to just get in there and went on her merry way.
I did'nt know her either, and I did'nt go back.


I like the tithing being done with a box in the foyer. no plates passed.

there was one church many yrs ago though that had the box,
I'll share my story I felt I needed to be in church. so I went thru the yellow pages and asked the Lord "where do we go?" a church not far from us.
and I kept hearing the most beautiful violin music in my head. just lovely.

well, dh went too and a missionary to rome was there, guess what he was playing?
the music in my head I'd heard. I never had met or seen them before.

this church was the most organized place I'd ever seen as far as it being a place like it should be for worship and all. then one of the leaders said I need to say this I dont know who its for, but God is going to lead you around but hes not going to lead you wrong.

we KNEW it was us. no wondering. and thats exactly what happened.
and nope they were NOT given to those words of knowledge like you see on tv.

I still remember the sermon the missionary spoke on.
John 15

I dont know how but it was like the basics and it has stuck with me for yrs now.
many yrs.

I dont think that will ever happen in my life again.

if you are feeling uncomfortable, is it just your awareness of being poor or is it them,
not being hospitable? more than likely the latter.

I wish I knew what to tell you about a good church. very very few good ones left.:hug:

[a.baker]

Oh your story gave me the chills Jessie, the good kind. It could be because I am poor because theres nothing but nice new fancy vehicles outside or it could be because I live in a big city even though the Church is kinda small. Maybe 130 members or so. When I told my mother in the begging where I was attending she told me not to go because stereotyping those people in that kind of Church are kinda stuck up was her oppinion. But no when I try to talk in conversations no one seems to acknowledge what I say or seems to have interest in getting into a conversation with me. Its kinda like high school in a way. You tell them hey I've seen that movie and they look at you kinda like, your talking face, and they don't comment and than continue on with their conversation like I'm not standing there. I feel like I'm trying to talk to the popular crowd and they have no interest in me because I am not popular. I haven't felt this way since high school. I feel like people talk about me behind my back... just a feeling but I could be wrong. I went to the pastor there once and was trying to talk to him about something personal and I was crying and he was sure antsy to get out of there and greet everyone during "fellowship". Someone even came up to him and was waiting impatiently for him to be done with me just so they could say hi... nothing important because he said what he wanted in front of me. I have cried 3 times trying to talk to people and everyone looks at me like I was weird and crazy. No one ever came up to me and reached out a hand either. They just starred. Boy did I feel like I was on stage. I was crying in silence but they noticed and ignored even though I was in the corner talking. Fellowship there is more like hanging out by the door so everyone can say hi and sneak out of there as fast as they can. I would like to spend all day at Church. Everyone can bring in dishes to pass for lunch, have something special for the kids while the adults having bible time. I also think a donation box would be best and most appropriate. I have never seen a Church with one of those, its always the plates or baskets. There are oodles of Churches around here but I am afraid of trying them out. We even have a Church called Church of the Servant. What in the world does that stand for? Just with the name I dare not go there, it seems awfully fishy just in the title. A little of everything is around here. Where I live is considered very religious and Dutch. Funny because I have a lot of German and Dutch in me. I really need to just pray about Chruch and fellowship. If anything comes up that you guys can think of or strikes you let me know. We'll see where God takes me.

[a.baker]

Concerning that Church of the Servant this is what I have found of what Jesus says.
John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
I knew there was something wrong with the name of that Church. Maybe that Church only follows the old testament... I don't know.

[Jessie]

looks like they are catholic.

is there a calvary chapel around?

[a.baker]

Yes there is Calvary Baptist but it is a huge Church. I could try it out.

[a.baker]

Last night I prayed about it and got an overwhelming feeling to go to back to the Evangelical Church today and tell the pastor everything. To tell him I would like much more scripture in the sermon instead of one or two lines. Tell him how I don't feel accepted and judged by my net worth. Tell him I would like it if we could get a bible study going on Sundays. And tell him we should have a lunch fellowship on Sundays. I will also tell him how everyone seems to have fellowship by the exit right after service so they can hurry and leave. I will also tell him that the fellowship at the Church makes me feel sad and I feel like the misfit in the church family. I will see how the pastor responds and I feel that will give me the ultimate answer if I need to search for another Church or not. For all I know God has sent me there for a reason. It depends on if these people want to listen to there sisters concerns. I feel pushed to do this so I will listen and see where it goes. It's definitely going to be hard not knowing how this Church will respond but I suppose thats what I am called to do this morning. I want to find a Church family I can get involved in. Maybe this is the start; the first step.

[kay-gee]

A.baker, it is important that you leave your social standing at the door. Your being rich or poor has nothing to do with fellowship. (read James). Do not be afraid to dabble out side of the "box" of denominationalism. Is there not a New Testament congregation in your area? The test is simple. If they aren't observing the Lords supper as a tenant of worship, they aint the new testament church! If I can be of any assistance to you, holler!

all the best...

[a.baker]

Kaygee, I am not treating this as a money situation they are. They judge me not me judging them. I am very happy to see my brothers and sisters getting something. I am not by any means am a jealous person. I do not judge on outside appearances they do. Thats what makes me sad is that they are judging me on what I have and what money I have to give. They don't look at me as a sister in a family; they look at me as a misfit because of my financial means and cast me out before they even give me a chance to talk. These people are worried about there own well being and if some one is poor they judge them as something being wrong with them. There is no bible study there. There is no biblical fellowship there and the sermon is always about one or two lines of scripture. They are more worried about socializing than they are are about caring for the lost. I am sorry if I seem offended but it seems I am hurt because I feel you know me and should know not by any means I would ever judge or be jealous because someone has a material I do not. I have Jesus in my life and thats the True treasure and it hurts me that these people don't see the same. They let money blind them. Thats all.

[Esoteric]

*sings* A good church is hard to find... Could be a top 10 hit, what do you think?

*smiles*

Yeah, I love my church, but we are non-denominational... The denomination I am closest to would probably be Presbyterian... But there are plenty of great churches out there, you just have to be sure and check them out objectively... Most importantly dont give up hope!

However back to the original question, there are so many variations... I have nothing against most Charismatics... In fact I would love to go to the Hillsongs conference one year...

My problems with Pentecostalism:
1. Baptism in the name of Christ only... Not only unBiblical, but AntiBiblical
2. Speaking in tongues as a sign of salvation...

Finally any church that teaches the Arminian Heresy should be avoided at all costs...

Mike

[a.baker]

Whats the Arminian Heresy?

[kay-gee]

a.baker are you still church shopping?

all the best...

[Esoteric]

The Arminian Heresy consists of any combination of the following arguments put forth first by Jacob Hermann, who was best known by the Latin form of his name, Jacobus Arminius

1. God's election is conditional on faith in Jesus
2. Jesus' atonement was for all people
3. God allows his grace to be resisted by those unwilling to believe
4. Salvation can be lost, as continued salvation is conditional upon continued faith

In its most extreme form the Arminian Heresy is Pelagianism...

Any church that teaches any of these doctrines alone (much less all or any combination) should be avoided at all costs...

Mike

[CoreIssue]

Esoteric is playing a game here.

He is a Calvinist and stated on another thread Christ was deified.

So, Christ was a man who became a god, by definition, and being esoteric means being an elite who has received hidden or obscure knowledge.

Calvinist believe God picks some to be save and the rest go to hell. They deny Christ died of the sins of all but only those who repent, in freewill, are saved. They believe he only died for the predestined few.

And no, Esoteric, I am not a Arminianist, I am a Secure Arminianist, if you know that that means.

By the way, Esoteric, not all Pentecostal believe in baptising in the name of Jesus Only, That is the Oneness or Jesus Only Movement, which most Pentecostals reject as a cult.

Further, believing one can loose their salvation, which I don't, does not put one in Hell. That is a slick way of trying to say only Calvinists are saved.

[Esoteric]

Esoteric is playing a game here.

He is a Calvinist and stated on another thread Christ was deified.

So, Christ was a man who became a god, by definition, and being esoteric means being an elite who has received hidden or obscure knowledge.

Calvinist believe God picks some to be save and the rest go to hell. They deny Christ died of the sins of all but only those who repent, in freewill, are saved. They believe he only died for the predestined few.

And no, Esoteric, I am not a Arminianist, I am a Secure Arminianist, if you know that that means.

By the way, Esoteric, not all Pentecostal believe in baptising in the name of Jesus Only, That is the Oneness or Jesus Only Movement, which most Pentecostals reject as a cult.

Further, believing one can loose their salvation, which I don't, does not put one in Hell. That is a slick way of trying to say only Calvinists are saved.

Sorry those are all Biblical... The Church has always rejected Arminianism as Heresy...

I never said God was a deified man... I said God was a man and yet he is God... It is called Trinitarian Theology... Wow, I must really threaten you for you to reach so harshly...

As far as my nickname, another nice attempt at an attack... But no, Esoteric describes my personality and my work... I am not Gnostic... But the veiled attacks are nice...

Only those who God chooses go to Heaven... But those whom he chooses willingly choose him in return. Always...

Mike

[CoreIssue]

Sorry those are all Biblical... The Church has always rejected Arminianism as Heresy...
That is garbage.

Calvinism didn't even exist until John Calvin created it.
I never said God was a deified man... I said God was a man and yet he is God... It is called Trinitarian Theology... Wow, I must really threaten you for you to reach so harshly...

Wrong. On another thread you said Christ in his deified form.
As far as my nickname, another nice attempt at an attack... But no, Esoteric describes my personality and my work... I am not Gnostic... But the veiled attacks are nice...

Your personality and work. That needs elaborated on.
Only those who God chooses go to Heaven... But those whom he chooses willingly choose him in return. Always...
Nope. Calvinism is false.

Christ died for all, not some.

[a.baker]

No Kaygee I am done shopping for a Church but thank x for your concern! :)

Yes Christ beyond a doubt died for all.