Picking
the Right Church
(How do you know?)
United Presbyterian Church in Reedsport, OR |
There are many reasons a person goes to church for the first
time, but how do you know which one is right for you, especially in lieu of the
great number of different denominations?
A large part of that question concerns your personality—what
you like, what you expect. Some people like glitz and glamour, loud music
and show—the underlying feeling is that if they have money, God must be blessing
them. If you’re that type of person, you need a Pentecostal, Charismatic
or independent church.
However, size and money are not necessarily signs of God’s
involvement. For example, the mainline churches such as the Presbyterians,
Methodists, Lutherans and a handful of others, normally don’t do loud and
raucous services, but are deeply committed to doing God’s work in the
world—quietly—and without drawing attention to themselves. Often the only way is
to attend and either be turned on or off by what happens. If turned off, that
doesn’t mean Christianity is wrong or bad; it merely means that that particular
church or denomination is not for you. Believe me, there are some strange
denominations out there that range from snake handlers to “holy rollers.”
There are denominations that don’t believe in doctors, don’t believe in modern
conveniences (such as the Amish), and those that believe in prosperity through
God—a false, but very popular doctrine. There are also some off-shoots of
Christianity, such as the Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons, who have their own
particular bias and slant on the ancient faith; they also believe that they are
the only way to eternity.
Every
faith has radicals at both ends of the spectrum, including Christianity.
Christianity tends to be divided by several divisions, such as the manner of
baptism—full emersion or sprinkling.
(Personally, I don’t think God cares.)
Some
denominations take a radical stance on abortion—that it’s a form of murder.
Other denomination believe that it should be the very last choice, but is OK in
some instances—such as when it puts the mother’s life in danger—but never as a
birth control method. Some denominations believe that homosexuality is a
gross sin, while others believe that homosexuality is merely the way in which
God formed those particular individuals. The Bible itself is quite clear
on the subject...and yet 1 Samuel 18 cannot be construed in any way other than
as a homosexual attraction between Jonathan and David who, according to Judaism,
was God’s favorite. (Note: it’s not clear how David responds.
Click here
for the text.)
The only aspect of Christianity that nearly all denominations
seem to agree on is this: Jesus was the Son of God. After that, all
agreement seems to fade away. For example, some say that as long as you
believe in Jesus, you’re “Saved!” Others say, “No! Belief is only
the start; that if you truly believe, then you become a doer.” Both
viewpoints are Biblical, which harkens back to whether or not the Bible is
“inerrant” or “inspired.” Me? I believe that when we begin to
believe we begin to behave differently. We still fall far short of
perfection, but we continue to improve in our behavior and in our treatment of
other people and our world. Belief tends to make us want to do
and be better.
In my mind Christianity is predominantly about making the
world a better place with God as your partner, guiding and steering in an
unobtrusive manner that allows you to make all the choices—the first choice
being that you want know God better and to have Him lead you. (It may take
a long time to arrive at that decision.) Everything else is personal, such as
your world or political view. (Christians are republicans, democrats and
independants; that’s a personal choice with one tending to be liberal, the other
tending to be conservative, which again, is dependent on who YOU are.
I hope this helps in any decisions you might have. I’m
always here and I answer friendly or questioning emails. You can make an
appointment or just drop in if you’re in Reedsport, OR. I'm the pastor of the
Presbyterian Church Or, you can email me simply by
clicking here.
1 Samuel
18—Jonathan’s Covenant with David
1. When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of
Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
2. Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. 3.
Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.
4. Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing, and gave it to
David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. 5. David went
out and was successful wherever Saul sent him; as a result, Saul set him over
the army. And all the people, even the servants of Saul, approved.
(Explanation of who is who: David is a young boy who
killed a giant with a slingshot. Saul is the king. Jonathan is the
son of king Saul. In time David becomes the king.)