churches????

[Hessian]

The "Good Church"...is way too vague.

Lets have a little more qualification:

Contemporary?
Traditional?
Pentecostal
High Church?
Denominational?
Nondenominational?
Southern?
Chapel-style?


and what still is true in this area....Black or White? (I was asked that question when I first was looking for a church 20 years ago--it still rings true.

The Four things that turned me off of Pentecostal worship was...
a) The non stop repetition of shallow choruses--everybody just waiting for the spirit to move them...
b) Condemnation of Calvinism and any who might counter their Armenian views
c) The Huge time commitment: You pass a pentecostal church and they are still rolling around at 1:30 on a Sunday-ouch!
d) The overemphisis on the demonstrative gifts and insistance that "If you ain't been speakin in Tongues, boy,...you ain't saved!" (Clearly unbiblical!)

1/2 of my life has been married into a Pentecostal Family so please don't infer that I have only had limited exposure...I'll tolerate it when I visit her side of the Family only out of courtesy.

 

[BS Gal]

Lets have a little more qualification:

Contemporary?
Traditional?
Pentecostal
High Church?
Denominational?
Nondenominational?
Southern?
Chapel-style?


and what still is true in this area....Black or White? (I was asked that question when I first was looking for a church 20 years ago--it still rings true.

The Four things that turned me off of Pentecostal worship was...
a) The non stop repetition of shallow choruses--everybody just waiting for the spirit to move them...
b) Condemnation of Calvinism and any who might counter their Armenian views
c) The Huge time commitment: You pass a pentecostal church and they are still rolling around at 1:30 on a Sunday-ouch!
d) The overemphisis on the demonstrative gifts and insistance that "If you ain't been speakin in Tongues, boy,...you ain't saved!" (Clearly unbiblical!)

1/2 of my life has been married into a Pentecostal Family so please don't infer that I have only had limited exposure...I'll tolerate it when I visit her side of the Family only out of courtesy.

You had me at the huge time commitment......

 

[janey83]

I've been very happy with Trinity United Methodist in Prince Frederick.

Would you say it's more uhhh...old fashioned than most churches? I was raised Methodist and have only found 1 or 2 church that doesn't use powerpoint slides for hymns, and doesn't have acolytes (sp?), etc.

 

[BS Gal]

Would you say it's more uhhh...old fashioned than most churches? I was raised Methodist and have only found 1 or 2 church that doesn't use powerpoint slides for hymns, and doesn't have acolytes (sp?), etc.

Try United Methodist in Lex. Park by the Firehouse on Great Mills Road. Went to a wedding ceremony there and was really impressed by the preacher (or whatever the Methodists call them). I am going on Sunday - first time in church in many, many years. Hope his sermon is as good as his wedding sermon.

 

[2ndAmendment]

The Four things that turned me off of Pentecostal worship was...
a) The non stop repetition of shallow choruses--everybody just waiting for the spirit to move them...
b) Condemnation of Calvinism and any who might counter their Armenian views
c) The Huge time commitment: You pass a pentecostal church and they are still rolling around at 1:30 on a Sunday-ouch!
d) The overemphisis on the demonstrative gifts and insistance that "If you ain't been speakin in Tongues, boy,...you ain't saved!" (Clearly unbiblical!)

1/2 of my life has been married into a Pentecostal Family so please don't infer that I have only had limited exposure...I'll tolerate it when I visit her side of the Family only out of courtesy.

I go to a pentecostal church.
a) Does not happen at our church.
b) Never heard any condemnation of any other denomination at our church.
c) What is wrong with spending time with God? Our church does not even have a clock in the sanctuary. Most other churches I have gone to had a clock at eye level of the pastor, so he could "cut it short" if he needed to. The early Christians met together for days at a time; often lived together communally. Spending time together with other Christians praising God and praying is not a bad thing for a Christian to be doing. If the football game (fishing, whatever) is more important, then maybe your priorities are not quite in line with "You shall have no other gods (priorities) before me."
d) I think our church does over emphasis tongues, but our pastor has told me when I mentioned it that neither he, nor the church, believed you have to speak in tongues to be saved. You can, but you don't have to.

Just as not all Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, <supply your="" own="" denomination="" here=""> congregations are the same, neither are all pentecostal congregations the same.</supply>

 

[Hessian]

Your sincerity & background...

prove that you wouldn't accept skewed doctrines or allow for shallow attempts at "whipping up the crowd."

However,... there is an odd paradox that has yet to be solved with Pentacostal churches:

Many clearly attempt to fill the need of the "Seeker"...thus we have greeters instead of ushers, we have a live band up front, we have pastors "hangin loose" in jeans, we have dropped all the liturgical "stuff."

and yet there is a need to have someone explain all the bizarre behaviors ...utterances, shaking...pleas for healing,...releasing the demons of this or that addiction-
This certainly cannot feel inviting to the new comer. I see this in the churches up in Maine where the congregations steadily shrink: they just don't connect well with people seeking stability and answers. Congregations of 25-40 are very typical.

Regarding nonpentecostal churches that have also desperately tried to morph into a "contemporary" worship: we see skits, banging music, "cool" activities and yet the depth of faith has become very thin. The prayer warrior elderly feel that their churches have deserted them. Pastor's tickle the ears of their congregation and never wish to offend.
Yet Christ said he actually came knowing there would be divisions in families because of the uncompromising FAITH.
We compromise too much...

PS: regarding that time commitment: Scripture clearly urges none to "forsake the gathering of the brethren..." and I have NOTHING pressing to get home (Football is dull, I don't fish,...and there are too many things to fix around the house...) HOWEVER: the gathering of the Brethren does NOT have to be 4 hours every Sunday...a "worship" service that stretches for over an hour BEFORE the preaching begins is stretching the ego trip of the "Worship" leader...as they search for the latest Worship tune from Michael W Smith.

 

[vraiblonde]

Larry's aunt is an Episcopalian minister and one of the coolest people I've ever known. Not cool as in she smokes pot and listens to rap music, but spiritually cool - nonjudgmental, accepting, yet never far from teaching and leading mode. She's not the minister that will tell you you're going to hell if you don't change your wicked ways, she's more like, you'll find peace and serenity through a relationship with God and it will make your life more rewarding. She's kind of a female Joel Osteen.

So maybe check out an Episcopalian church and see what it does for you

PS, all Episcopalian churches are BYOB.












j/k

 

[2ndAmendment]

prove that you wouldn't accept skewed doctrines or allow for shallow attempts at "whipping up the crowd."

However,... there is an odd paradox that has yet to be solved with Pentacostal churches:

Many clearly attempt to fill the need of the "Seeker"...thus we have greeters instead of ushers, we have a live band up front, we have pastors "hangin loose" in jeans, we have dropped all the liturgical "stuff."

and yet there is a need to have someone explain all the bizarre behaviors ...utterances, shaking...pleas for healing,...releasing the demons of this or that addiction-
This certainly cannot feel inviting to the new comer. I see this in the churches up in Maine where the congregations steadily shrink: they just don't connect well with people seeking stability and answers. Congregations of 25-40 are very typical.

Regarding nonpentecostal churches that have also desperately tried to morph into a "contemporary" worship: we see skits, banging music, "cool" activities and yet the depth of faith has become very thin. The prayer warrior elderly feel that their churches have deserted them. Pastor's tickle the ears of their congregation and never wish to offend.
Yet Christ said he actually came knowing there would be divisions in families because of the uncompromising FAITH.
We compromise too much...

Our pastor wears a suit. If he gets hot, he will take off his jacket and maybe even his tie. We do have a band with keyboards, drums, guitar, bass, timbals, congas, and bongos. Our congregation is lively and there is not need for an alter call; most are up front before the service is over. Last Sunday, I think we had 380+, and the congregation is growing. People are receiving the Holy Spirit, tongues are being spoken and translated when there is a predominate tongue speaker. We have had healings, cancer cured, babies born to couples that were told they were infertile, alcoholics that have stopped drinking. Miracles? I think so. Evidence of the Holy Spirit at work? Absolutely.

I think some pentecostal churches try to "force" feelings. We don't. We encourage yielding to the Holy Spirit. God does the work; humans don't. When God is in charge, it is evident. When He is not in charge, it is also evident. Most churches are shrinking, pentecostal or not. Where the Holy Spirit is, the body of Christ is growing.

 

[2ndAmendment]

PS: regarding that time commitment: Scripture clearly urges none to "forsake the gathering of the brethren..." and I have NOTHING pressing to get home (Football is dull, I don't fish,...and there are too many things to fix around the house...) HOWEVER: the gathering of the Brethren does NOT have to be 4 hours every Sunday...a "worship" service that stretches for over an hour BEFORE the preaching begins is stretching the ego trip of the "Worship" leader...as they search for the latest Worship tune from Michael W Smith.

I find that "funny". I don't feel the service is long. Often I am surprised it is over when it is. I don't mind spending my time praising God. And when the service is dismissed, many stay around. Some even come to both the 9AM and the 11AM services and then come back for the 6:30PM service. And back on Wednesday night and again on Saturday night and some for Tuesday morning. :shrug:

 

[2ndAmendment]

PS, all Episcopalian churches are BYOB.

Bring Your Own Bible.

 

[vraiblonde]

I went to Pax River Assembly of God a few times - that was a fun church. They roll around and speak in tongues, pass out in the aisles, all kinds of goings on. But they're some of the nicest people in the world and they have great music.

 

[2ndAmendment]

I went to Pax River Assembly of God a few times - that was a fun church. They roll around and speak in tongues, pass out in the aisles, all kinds of goings on. But they're some of the nicest people in the world and they have great music.

You are right. They are nice people. The church I go to doesn't have as many people hitting the floor, especially during the service. The gifts are not to be quenched, but they are also not to be abused. The gifts should not detract from the service or the worship of God by the congregation. If "falling out" or other demonstrations of the gifts get out of control, then, as Paul wrote, we become clanging gongs and people that come in think we are drunk or crazy. Our pastor trys to keep an even balance according to scripture. I think some pentecostal churches do a poor job of balance.

 

[Ernie]

2A,
With a congregation that big, I am very surprised your church does not have a ranger and missionette program on Wednesday nights. That is a good youth ministry.

 

[2ndAmendment]

2A,
With a congregation that big, I am very surprised your church does not have a ranger and missionette program on Wednesday nights. That is a good youth ministry.

We have a couple of youth programs, GAP (9-13) and Core (14-18), and Crossroads (yound adult 18-35). We have a church service on Wednesday nights.

 

[bustedstufftoo]

I was joking 2A. I am pentecostal as well and we do neither.

I am moving to the area soon and I am planning on visiting around to find a church for my family.Do you mind saying what church you attend? I liked your laid back sense of humor!

 

[KingFish]

I think he may go to the church in post #4. F.G.A.G.

 

[2ndAmendment]

I am moving to the area soon and I am planning on visiting around to find a church for my family.Do you mind saying what church you attend? I liked your laid back sense of humor!

I don't know about "laid back", but we have a good time. Lots of action and humor.

First United Pentecostal Church in Lexington Park.

 

[BrassieChic]

I attend Encounter Christian Center located in Charlotte Hall and its non-denominational. Check out their website www.EncounterMinistry.com . It's an awesome church with wonderful people. The congregation is combined with white, latino, african american, a really nice melting pot! Not too over the top! I was raised in an AG - Pentecosal Church and even after years of being a member THEY sometimes scared me a little. The Pastor of this Church is in his mid 40s and was raised NY City...the Bronx! Very contemporary Word and the music is great!