WHICH CHURCH ???
One of the most critical and important questions
a person can ask in today's society of unrest and confusion, is which church
should I attend? That is an all important decision for a person to make,
especially if the individual is new to the idea of professing a religious
belief. What follows is a simple guideline for such a person to consider,
as the quest for knowledge and advice continues.
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Is the religion recognized as one of the world's
major religions, such as the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim
faiths?
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Within any of the above classifications, is there
a particular sectarian or denominational persuasion you are considering?
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Do you have a doctrinal or scripture bias for
or against a particular religion - why?
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Is someone available whose knowledge you can trust
to help you make a decision?
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Are you willing to spend some serious time in
scripture and/or comparative religion study, in order to arrive at a conclusion?
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Do you have the support of your family, friends
or spouse, to aid your searching?
Since we humans are decidedly individual, and staunchly
cling to that individualism, the answer to finding a proper place and mode
of worship can be very formidable and confusing. Consequently, many will
find themselves in a quagmire of indecision and some may even fall by the
wayside. That dear hearts, is a shame, and we should all execute calm and
kindly attitudes when we are approached by anyone one, of any age or nationality,
who has a religious question. The person is asking, in hopes of learning
from someone who is trusted. Never, ever, should that trust be jeopardized.
Please think for a moment about what offends you:
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Are those people who want to argue religion welcome
in your home?
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Are you offended when someone tells you your Bible
isn't accurate?
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What about "Bible Bashers"? (people who
prefer threats and harsh accusations)
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Do you know the person's style of life? (Sincere
or hypocrite supreme!)
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Do you feel you must worship exactly like some
other person?
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How many items can you add to this list?
The fact is, people have a tendency to move from
church too church, rather than grow up and stay in one. Once again, the
reasons are individual, but there are things we can list:
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Boredom due to age
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Hurt at the hands of the church's hierarchy
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Maturity factors
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Imbalance of ages
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Lack of vibrancy in services and programs
Many "mainline" churches today are
in near turmoil because they can't compete with secular programs that seem
to steal away the younger members of churches which are "liturgical" in
nature. Since many these churches have a set ritual, they are often at
a loss to keep younger people. Also to be kept in mind is the fact that
a great deal of contempt and peer pressure is applied to our young people
and teenagers, by the secular world. Conversely, when new programs are
introduced, they are often challenged because they deviate from the norm.
"We've always done it this way" is the battle cry of those who, well intentioned
or not, can cause a schism.
The answer then will always
end up in one of three ways.
1. The person will give up on Church and religion.
2. The person will become a church hopper
and never find a depth of faith.
3. A precious few will take the advice of
Matthew 7 (all of the chapter).
One thing hasn't been mentioned yet but is the
most important advise a person can receive-------------------
A Sinner's Prayer
God, I don't even know if you're real. I don't
know if you exist or anything else. But I do want to know. I'm confused
by all the talk I hear, and by how there is so much arguing and name calling
and everything else by people who say I should believe the way they do.
I hurt inside, and I feel like I can't keep going on anymore. Sometimes
I feel like I'm losing my mind and just want to die. So if you're real,
and what I've heard about you being a loving and merciful God is true,
reveal yourself to me. Let me know what calm and peace feel like, and that
you can "save" a person from what some people say is sin. I need to know.
Please help me. Thank you God! Amen.
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