help choosing a denomination!

[SquareEnixGamR]

i need help deciding on a denomination that has heavy emphasis on spreading Christ's love and being a loving person more than anything else.....any suggestion?

[Ashley]

totally wrong forum--and I'm not even sure CAA is a good place to ask this question, because while we have a wide range of denominations....I would hate for member A to bash member B for recommending a denomination to you.

For now I will move this to the proper forums and the staff will watch it closely. Anyone gets nasty and it will be locked.

[Slater]

I highly disrecommend the Hindu version

No really, denominations are waaaay overrated here in America. I don't know what I belong to, but I know one thing... the only thing that God cares about in the end is what you think of Jesus Christ, who He is. That's more important than any denominational issue.

[ShiroiHikari]

maybe you should go denominationless...denominations don't really matter anyway. there are a lot of good nondenominational churches out there.

[agasfas]

Personally, I'm a Baptist, but I have occasionally attend a non-denominational church. In every denomination there will be good churches and bad ones.

My only advice is to just follow your heart. Visit a few churches and go w/ what feels right. I can't tell you what is the right one for you, because different people have different views. The most important thing is that the church teaches the Word of God.

[Hitokiri]

Even though I go to a Evangelical church, I think denominations aren't important. What matters is your relationship with Jesus Christ.

I would say pray about it and (hate to say this) experiment with different denominations and churches. If you feel you are being fed with the word of God and this is where God is leading you, that church would be good I guess.

[Rogie]

As most have already said, I agree that denominations are not necessarily a big deal. Some churches of a certain denomination can be entirely different from other churches within the same denomination, so you should do what agasfas suggested, and visit a few churches and wait for God to tell you where to stay.

Good luck!

[Stephen]

Like has been said, I think the best thing to do...would be to scout out the local churches. Hit 4 or 5 of them, and see which one you like the most. Everyone is different...so having someone tell you where to go is useless.

[CDLviking]

Some churches of a certain denomination can be entirely different from other churches within the same denomination, so you should do what agasfas suggested, and visit a few churches and wait for God to tell you where to stay.

Good luck!

This is one of the great things about the Catholic Church. You can go to any Catholic church throughout the world and the liturgy will be substantially the same, and beliefs will not change. I won't go into a theological discourse on the virtues of the Catholic Church here, but I will pray that the Holy Spirit lead you, and, as always, I am open to answering any questions anyone may have through PM.

[anime4christ]

Of course, just like anyone else, I would recommend my church's denomination, but we all know what can happen with that. I recommend reading and studying the Bible very carefully, and choose a church that fits the Biblical description as closely as possible. Example, the Bible says to dress modestly, a church where all the girls run around in swim suits at church would definetely be off the list.

[termyt]

I belong to the Church of Christ/Christian Church denomination and that is reflected in my theology, but there are good things and less good things about every denomination. Mine is no exception.

What I think is most important is preaching Biblical truth. I think just about every denomination has churches which do this well and others that do not. What the local church preaches is more important then the stances taken by the church's national governing body (if it has one). So, don't assume all United Methodists are like Hillary Clinton and don't assume all Churches of Christ are like Max Lucado.

So, I typed a lot of words, but my advise is the same as everyone else's. Look for a church in your area that is a good fit for you. Your own relationship with God is most important, so find a church family that helps you develop that.

[Wise Dragon]

Personally I regard the use of denominations as a means to divide the overall church of God. I know that a lot of people might dissagree with me but I have been to many diffent churches who basically teach the same thing, but they refuse to work together because there denominations are different.

The only advice I can give you is to pray about it and see how well each church can actually practice what they preach. We should be more concerned with saving souls than fighting over our petty differences. I ll keep you in my prayers.

[Steeltemplar]

I don't want to turn this into a debate, so I'll put it as a personal recommendation.

I converted to Catholicism from Protestantism three years ago (I was confirmed and all at the age of 21). Catholicism rocks! Seriously, I would not go back. I admire Protestants and see them as my brothers and sisters in Christ. In fact, I owe my faith in part to a strong Protestant upbringing. But I truly believe in Catholic doctrine and I am most happy here.

[SquareEnixGamR]

im pleased to report that i have found a church^^. after going to a few, i realized that denominations really are just ways to separate christians. i mean we are already separate from everyone else....why separate more? well God is great and now i go to a non denominational church...thankx for your prayers everyone!

[Stephen]

Glad to hear it! Maine can be a hard place to find a church somtimes...(I just noticed your location) But even here in the pine-filled north there are still good churches lol.

[JediSonic]

I'm also a catholic, and I'd strongly recommend looking into catholocism for yourself. If denominations really do just break up the church... the Catholic church is what was there before everything got broken up I could go on and on about it, but this isnt really the best place to do it! Good luck on your walk with Christ regardless!

[Stephen]

Um...considering her last post...I don't think your post was needed....

[Azier the Swordsman]

I'm personally non-denominational myself. Nothing at all against the other denominations, as far as I'm concerned, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. My main concern for picking churches is who or not is teaching the true word of God and not just preaching some 'feel-good' message.

[Cap'n Nick]

Congratulations on finding a church home! I hope our advice was helpful in your search. I am glad that those that have commented here have been in such harmony and I echo the sentiment that it is the church, not its banner, that should ultimately determine your place of worship. However, there is an important corallory to this that I believe has been overlooked.

If denominations do not matter, is it really important that one not have one? The most common reason for joining a Non-Denominational church is to join into an organization committed to compassion for all Christians as well as intellectual and spiritual integrity. Indeed, all Christians should be committed to these things. But are those in denominational churches prohibited from practicing them? Certainly not!

I am blessed to have a particularly poignant example of healthy denominational function in my own life. I am a member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Note that my affiliation with this denomination does not and has not prevented me from expressing disagreement on doctrinal matters, or from freely and frequently engaging in friendship, fellowship, good works and even worship of our God with Christians of any and all affiliations. And, I dare say that I do all of these things without being an exception to the policy, purpose, or general nature of my larger church.

Cliques, legalism, exclusion - these things do happen in denominational churches and as Christians we should always be on the lookout for them. But to say that renouncing the support of a larger organization frees a church from these hazards is to demonize these people that have come together in the name of God on a national as well as community level. You have found what you are looking for and in this I wish you the best. But I also say that no denomination or lack thereof has a monopoly on reason, compassion, and all the good things that come from faith in Christ, and that we should never act that way no matter how good our intentions may be.

[Madeline]

Choosing your denomination is something between you and God, not something you should ask people on a forum.

In my opinion, denominations are just brick walls that keep Christians apart. God said that He didn't want the church to be divided, and with denominations we are doing just that! I'm a Christian, that's the only title I need. I don't need "Catholic", "Protestant", and “Methodist", "Baptist" or "Pentecostal" labels to define me.

[Cap'n Nick]

As I mentioned in my previous post, my denominational affiliation has certainly not been a "brick wall" between me and other Christians. If anything it has been a branch of support that has allowed me to reach out to all people, Christian and non-Christian alike.

I fail to see why coherent, definable stances on nuanced doctrinal issues is an impediment to faith and fellowship. Christians and churches of different opinons on matters of faith can and do work together. When they do not it is not their labels that keep them apart - it is their hearts.

[Kura Ookami]

Personally i'm non-denominational and that's working out for me. What is important is that you believe that Jesus died on the cross to save us all. That is what makes you a christian no matter what your denomination is. Interesting how there's really three main groups of christians. Catholics and protestants and of course non-denominational ones like myself. Choose a denomination or dont choose one as guided by God. Dont jjust choose a denomination just to be part of one.

[uc pseudonym]

On the topic: I am glad that you found a good church and wish you the best there.

I fail to see why coherent, definable stances on nuanced doctrinal issues is an impediment to faith and fellowship. Christians and churches of different opinons on matters of faith can and do work together. When they do not it is not their labels that keep them apart - it is their hearts.

I agree with you: denominations aren't factions warring against each other, they're groups that collectively believe similar things. Organizations can help us better do God's work, and denominations can be effective forms of organization.

Catholics and protestants and of course non-denominational ones like myself.

This is nitpicking, but I don't think I agree with your classifications. Many nondenominational groups in effect have Protestant beliefs; they merely are not affiliated with a specific denomination. Similarly, there are denominations that do not fall into either of those categories.

[Ashley]

I'm not even sure why this thread is still going. The member in question found his church home, and they don't need our opinions on the matter any further. So unless SquareEnixGamer says so, other all discussion on this thread is moot.