Confusion about... C H U R C H

[xblack_x_rosesx]

So, here's the rub: I've never been to church. I mean, as a kid my parents took me to go to Sunday school and stuff, but as soon as I was old enough to be done with that, we never went again.

My parents are both very strong christians, and the reason (I believe) we never went to church was because my dads parents were extremely strict christians, made him go everyday of the week for 18 years, even when he was sick blah blah blah, so he grew up with a deep resentment for church, and he didn't want to ever force any of his kids to go.

Anyway, I grew up with a hearty knowledge of how sinful the "establishment" is, and how it's about whats in your heart, not whether you attend service and pay money and what not.

Bottom line: I'm so confused. I'm living on my own now, and I just don't know. I'm not a strong christian at all... I'm not even sure IF I'm christian. I just don't know, and I just HATE the idea of Church, but I think being in a community of people with faith could help me.
I don't know anyone who is religious though, so how do I go about finding a church to go to?
And there are SO many different denominations, how do I know which one to go to??
Should I even bother?

Urhggda.

Anyway, thanks!

[Radical Dreamer]

I don't really know what churches are like in your area, or what kinds of churches are available. That being said, the first thing I'll do is suggest the church I go to. It's based in my state, but the sermons are broadcast worldwide every Sunday (at 11:15AM and 6PM EST) and Tuesday (at three different times; I forget when) on the internet. You can stream them here live on Sundays/Tuesdays, and there are three years' worth of full sermons on the website as well that you can watch whenever you please:

http://www.newspring.cc

It's called NewSpring church, and it's very contemporary, very culturally relevant, and extremely Biblically sound. Also, the church is non-denominational--they simply preach scripture and keep Jesus at the forefront. The senior pastor, Perry Noble, is a very down-to-earth guy, and very easy to pay attention to. He approaches scripture in a really applicable way, making every sermon important to apply to your walk with God.

Granted, attending a webservice may not do too much for your social situation right now (though you can always invite friends to watch with you!), but the website does provide a chatroom during services that you can use to discuss the message/get connected to some people. That being said, I don't know if you'll be able to use this as the only church you have, since I can't say how much it will be able to do to get you connected with other Christians face-to-face--but I do know that since I started attending this church this past summer, I've become more and more serious about my relationship with Christ, and I've begun to own my faith as something that I believe, instead of something I was simply taught.

Anyways, I hope this helps a little! Even if it's just something you use temporarily or every once in a while, I really encourage you to check it out. I think you'll enjoy it!

[xblack_x_rosesx]

That's really neat!
And it's definetely a start!

Thanks so much RD ^_^

[NothingClever]

If you are in the Calgary area and hate the idea of church you might want to check out http://www.wkc.org, map http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=51.017318,-114.189019&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=51.018209,-114.189277&spn=0.012932,0.0315&z=15&iwloc=addr. They also have two pod-casts http://www.wkc.org/podcast and http://www.uneditedspirituality.ca. As far as I know the second one is largely the same message as the first just in different format.

They like to focus on providing church for those who don't know what to do with traditional church. They are non-denominational to the best of my knowledge, however some might call them liberal. They also tend to deal with questions that most other churches don't address directly. Personally, listening to the podcasts pulled me through a complete breakdown in my relationship with God over the last year or so. I've only attended in person once and don't remember much about the actual service.

Other than that if you're in Ft. Mac. I would recommend FBC on Franklin Ave, downtown or possibly MGA (haven't been there in several years). Both because they have larger, more diverse congregations for you to find friends in. I never did attend a church when I was in Edmonton. I have friends from Medicine Hat and Lethbridge that I could ask if you're in those areas.

Hope this helps some!

[xblack_x_rosesx]

I'm actually in Camrose right now, soooo many churches. And old people o.o

But I'm moving to Edmonton in a few months... so if you could ask some of your buddies some slice that'd be great : )

[NothingClever]

Well, so far these are the recommendations: The Project (young adults) at Mill Woods Assembly, Zion Baptist (near Whyte Ave), or Ellerslie Road Baptist. All in Edmonton, of course Hopefully one of them will be near you when you move. These are all from one friend so I may get more.

As for your earlier question about denominations, I wouldn't worry about it to much. First, most of the differences, in my experience, tend to be theological rather than practical. That is, most churches agree on how you should act out your faith, but not on how you should understand it. The theological differences are as important as you make them. They bother some people and not others.

Second, there can be radical differences in atmosphere between churches of the same denomination. The Christian Reformed Church I attend here would horrify most of the CRC congregations in Edmonton according to a friend. We have people attending church in shorts, something that would scandalize most Edmonton CRC.

Hope that helps. I'll let you know if I get any more suggestions.

[TGJesusfreak]

I'd like to talk with you a bit. Can I PM you? I wanna see if I can be of any service.

[Strafe]

Well you know, Church is not a building, or an actual material object you really "go to".

Church is what Christians are supposed to refer to as the gathering, or community of the believers in fellowship in Christ. Whether or not we gather in a building is irrelevant to what we are.

It is a good thing to be in a church, because it keeps us accountable not only with God, but through each other. We may fall out or go astray if we are on our own. It is the idea of worshiping together, and remaining in God's presence together. Though the bottom line is about your own faith, it is good to be in a community of believers.

Somehow, the idea of church became material, meaning the building that a church gathers in.

But you already know all that, it seems. One thing I tend to dislike about many "churches" I know is their focus on the material, or the ritual. Sometimes, they are only church in name, which seems to be what you hate. The rituals of church are good, and will probably come with understanding of what they mean, but they are not the core issues at stake. The churches in name fall into the idea of church, rather than church itself. Which is the "establishment" that your father seems to hate. Meaning perhaps the church is not a church at all. But I say this cautiously, because God may work through those churches as well.

It is the same for Christians. Not that many "Christians" are Christians. It is the idea of words

Keep in mind, wherever the Holy Spirit is or leads, is where the church should be. The empowering presence is what really makes church the church, rather than rituals (Again, I say rituals are good because they have deep meanings as well)The holy spirit comes when you are alone, but is found more easily in a church, where pastors, and leaders can encourage you.

I don't like explaining these ideas in words. It is rather inappropriate to describe aspects of Christianity in words, as words are small. Powerful, at times, but small in the face of prayer itself. It would be impossible to describe the holy spirit in words. But rather, these things are defined by encounters with the spirit, which is probably something you're sick of hearing too.

Nothing we tell you can change you in and of themselves. Its not about what we tell you. You will hear the same thing over and over again. Rather, ask for prayer. That is where the answers are.

[Makachop^^128]

Will be praying ^^

[TGJesusfreak]

Well you know, Church is not a building, or an actual material object you really "go to".

Church is what Christians are supposed to refer to as the gathering, or community of the believers in fellowship in Christ. Whether or not we gather in a building is irrelevant to what we are.

It is a good thing to be in a church, because it keeps us accountable not only with God, but through each other. We may fall out or go astray if we are on our own. It is the idea of worshiping together, and remaining in God's presence together. Though the bottom line is about your own faith, it is good to be in a community of believers.

Thank you Strafe! I agree wholeheartedly!

[airichan623]

I want to just warn you: many TV preachers (but not all) are "prosperity preachers." In other words, its not so much about God, Christ, redemption, and the Holy Spirit, than it is about getting rich "through God." (Meaning Joel Osteen mostly) Just an FYI.

I'd recommend connecting with another strong Christian that has a small group. They are not "churchy" but are a real study of the word of God.

I pray that you find a group of believers that you can fellowship with together.