| Author | Message | ||
| Bartdanr Registered user Username: Bartdanr Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2004 |
Hi Brothers & Sisters in Christ, I was wondering where God has led you, once He led you out of the SDA church. What kind of churches do you now attend? In Christ, Daniel | ||
| Pw Registered user Username: Pw Post Number: 279 Registered: 6-2004 |
I went through a few churches once I left the SDA in 1986. I went to a Presbyterian church, a Church of Christ (be careful with those guys) and some non denominational churches. It wasn't until 6 years later I attended Calvary Chapel and that's where I've been ever since. I've moved a few times but I still attended the Calvary's in the area I was living in. Right now I'm at the one in Ft. Lauderdale. I love it. It's such an awesome experience with great music and an excellent Bible study. Plus I got involved in the missions which has been an incredible ministry in how God brings you in contact with people from all over and yet, how connected we are through his Spirit. | ||
| Dennisrainwater Registered user Username: Dennisrainwater Post Number: 108 Registered: 8-2000 |
Hello Daniel! When God led us out of the SDA church, He planted us in an almost ideal church in which to hear the simple Gospel, grow, and HEAL. This church was a Calvary Chapel, and with a delicious twist of irony, it met on Sundays in the SDA church building in a neighboring town!! We had visited that church many times as SDAs, and it was such mind-bending experience to go to the same building now -- and hear such a refreshingly different message!!! Some time later we moved to another state and had a very painful experience with an ego-filled, abusive pastor in another Calvary Chapelóso it became clear that not all CCs are as safe as the one God placed us in to start with... While we lived on the West Coast, we were very impressed by the vigorous and fresh nature of the many non-denominational churches out there. But we now live in North Carolina, and that kind of church is much less common back here, for some reason... What we have settled into here is a smallish Southern Baptist church where we are loved and blessed. From my experience, there is going to be a slightly higher quota of quirks and frustrations from most "denominational" churches, as all too often the process of merely possessing a denominational distinction drives a tendency to allow your focus to drift too much toward your group's "distinctives", and away from the pure and simple Gospel of Christ. I was surprised to learn that this is not a uniquely Adventist malady! We feel MOSTLY comfortable with our home churchówe love the people, are 95% in agreement with its doctrine, enjoy the teaching and leadership of our pastor, and there are no major points of difficulty. Honestly, for most folks, I think this is as good as can be expected this side of Christ's return. We are content. There are little things that can sometimes be a burr under our saddleómostly due to the rigidity of denominationalism... But that need only mar our blessing and experience there if we allow it to. And the NT makes it clear that we ought not to major in the minors... It will be fun to keep an eye on this threadóIím eager to hear other folksí experiences! Very happy to be part of what C.S. Lewis calls ìMere Christianityî! Den <>< | ||
| Bob Registered user Username: Bob Post Number: 43 Registered: 7-2000 |
Bartdanr, for over six years, I have been worshipping at Crossroads Christian Church in Corona, California. Crossroads is a large (5,000+) nondenominational congregation. I love my church so much that I am reluctant on any given Sunday to visit some other church, because I know I will have missed something wonderful at Crossroads! | ||
| Esther Registered user Username: Esther Post Number: 119 Registered: 5-2004 |
My husband and I started this journey in March of last year. For a period I was for the most part alone with my questions and so through a very distinct intervention from God, ended up worshipping sporadically, and seeking the wisdom of an Evangelical Free church and Pastor. I truly treasure the warmth and help I found there at a time when I felt my world was falling apart. Recently however, the Bible study group my husband and I, and another married couple started...has been our fellowship of choice. We meet several times a week and are just studying the NT books. Every so often we're joined by other former or semi-former SDA's who are at differing points in their journey's. This gift God has given us is truly a miracle...that we have been able to have such a local support system, and friends to share our "aha moments" and our frustrations with. This journey with God...is undescribable in it's awesomeness! He truly is in control...and the phrase "I'm just a Christian" rolls proudly from my mouth. | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 1391 Registered: 11-2002 |
Through a series of miracles I have been drawn to the Lutheran church throughout my life. So, around five years ago I was working with a lady who attends one of the local two Lutheran churches. She very gently and kindly about once a week would say to me, "Susan, it would be so nice if you'd visit at the church. I think you'd like the service." So, on Christmas Eve five years ago for the first time I went. I tried to sneek in late, sit in the way back and sneek out early. It didn't happen that way because as soon as those people saw someone they didn't recognise they inisted I sit with them and have munchies. Then the pastor saw someone new and he right away came over to extend a harty welcome. Then the part-time semi-retired assistant pastor came over and convinced me to get involved with a home Bible study that met weekly. When I travel I like attending different Lutheran churches. When I'm on a military base I like attending base services. I've gone to other churches and I find I am drawn to churhes that practice a litergy. I like the formality. I like the reverance. Where I attend they have two services on Sunday mornings. The first is an upbeat service with drums and gutiars and what is called "praise music". The second service is the traditional with the chior and a lot of low-toned hymms. We also sing a lot of the old traditional hymms in the second service-Amazing Grace, Jesus Loves Me, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, those sorts of songs. Also, I regurally attended the 7th Day Baptist church for many years. In fact, I still woud be attending there except the church got too small to maintain and is no longer in existance. Until the SDB church became no more I often went to the SDB on Saturdays and then the Lutheran on Sundays. But, I do gain such a blessing from the traditional formal liturgical service. On Monday evenings I often attend the Prayer and Praise service over here at the local (Oh, horrors of all horrors, you SDA's reading this!) Catholic church. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 1298 Registered: 12-2003 |
Hi, Bartdanr--welcome! We attend an Evangelical Free Church in Redlands, California. God clearly directed our family here, and it has been a place where all four of us have grown in Jesus and in Biblical grounding. It has been a wonderful place for our boys who have been mentored by an excellent youth pastor who is not shallow and who holds kids accountable. We have wonderful music and wonderful Bible teaching. Esther, I completely understand your Bible study fellowship. We had a home church for two years with our neighbors as we extricated ourselves from Adventism. The time will come, though, when you'll probably sense God nudging you toward a congregation where you can become part of a larger fellowship, experience Bible study/teaching with people who have no Adventist baggage (Scripture will look different when you see it through the understanding of people who have learned it from a different perspective!), and where you can become involved in ministry and outreach with other Christ-followers. There is something wonderful about being a part of a congregation of Just Plain Christians who honor Jesus above all, take the Bible seriously, and don't divide over secondary disagreements. Colleen | ||
| Thomas1 Registered user Username: Thomas1 Post Number: 157 Registered: 4-2002 |
Hi Daniel, As one raised and educated in Adventism, I parted company with the organization in the early 80's and I must confess, had no experience for several years. My first non-SDA membership was in the United Methodist Church. I completely enjoyed our local congregation but have some real problems with many of the liberal stands taken by the national conference of the church. Having come from a "top down" organization (SDA) I really discvered that this type of organization is fraught with too many dangers. After years of serious study, I am a member of a Baptist church holding membership in the Southern Baptist Convention. I based my choice solely on the committed study of the New Testament and my desire to find a church which patterned itself by New Testament guidelines. Southern Baptist churches are completely "congregational" in makeup, yet share volentary membership in the state and national SBC organizations as a way of furthering our mission outreach and providing acountability in belief. Last fall, I was blessed by God to be called to start an adult Sunday School class. We began with two and in 5 months are up to 14 very serious students. It's wonderful. I would suggest that in selecting a church you find a congregation whose beliefs are based completely on the written word of God. Don't get hung up on denominational or non denominational titles. There will allways be "doctrines" which don't quite fit your understanding. But, make the core Gospel message your bedrock of belief, and make sure it is theirs, as well. Also look for a church whose primary mission is evangelism. Blessings in your search. There is real LIFE after Adventism! Following HIM! <>< Thomas | ||
| Thomas1 Registered user Username: Thomas1 Post Number: 158 Registered: 4-2002 |
PS I forgot to add that my membership is in Ocala, Florida | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 596 Registered: 7-2003 |
By the way Colleen, this is off topic, but is related to the E-Free you attend in Redlands. This last Friday I was at a work related gathering where I was introduced to a new employee and his wife who are moving here from California. I thought it was rather odd that they seemed to keep glancing over at me repeatedly. Finally, the wife came over and said, "Excuse me, but we read a certain publication, it's called 'Proclamation'. Do you know it?" Evidently they recognized me from the picture on my last article, but weren't sure it was me. Once we established that we were all formers they told me that they know you and had been attending your FAF meetings at the E-Free in Redlands. Small world! You're doing a great work Colleen. Your ministry is touching lives and those lives will touch others all around the country. There used to be a time when I could go almost anywhere and know people through my SDA connections. Maybe someday I'll be able to go almost anywhere and know people through FAF connections! Thank you for all you do Colleen. Chris | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 193 Registered: 7-2004 |
Well we are still in motion. The local E-Free church has a pastor with a deep commitment to the 10 Commandments, we made one visit and crossed it off of our list. Lutheran doctrine fits us well on grace and the role of the law and we attend from time to time with my step-father. The pastor has top notch sermons but neither of us like liturgical services. We have a number of Baptist churches in the area and have attended a few of the ABC (yes we are a little more liberal than could probably be comfortable in SBC). One was great, but had no kids for ours to interact with. Two others were a little too focused on the law and how obedience was the action that brought God's presence into our lives. We concluded this was backwards and moved on. Several non-Denom's, but most of those in our area have pastors with Baptist seminary training and some of these pastors seemed to take their role a little too seriously for us. The local vineyard church has great teaching in the sermons but is so huge we feel lost (and the music is a little too repetitive for our taste) but I am impressed with the sermons and their active service in the community. We haven't ruled it out. For now we are bouncing between two Methodist churches that we really like (after checking out three others we could live without). I'm not sure that covers all of the bouncing around we have done in the last 8 months, but it is close. | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 103 Registered: 8-2004 |
I'm still not settled into another particular church, but I'm grateful that God is in charge of my life and that His plans are the best for me! BTW, welcome to you! I don't remember noticing you here before. helovesme2 | ||
| Dane Registered user Username: Dane Post Number: 97 Registered: 4-2004 |
Hi Daniel, My wife and I left SDA in '82. We immediately started attending a Baptist church (American), as my wife had cousins there who invited us. It was too far from home for convenience so after a couple of years we started attending a Church of Christ(middle of the road type). We stayed a number of years but were always bothered by what we perceived as a tendency to legalism. We now are attending a new start up church affiliated with the Missionary Church denom. This is mainly a mid-western group and tends to be very grace oriented. Dane | ||
| Dane Registered user Username: Dane Post Number: 98 Registered: 4-2004 |
Thomas, You mentioned above that you left SDA in the early '80's. We did too. Were you influenced by Ford and Brinsmead? I'd be interested in your story. Dane | ||
| Vchowdhury1 Registered user Username: Vchowdhury1 Post Number: 113 Registered: 7-2004 |
When I left the sda church 4 years ago, we joined a local Seventh-day Baptist church. This church was very small and painfully boring, but for 4 years I took comfort in the fact that at least it wasn't sda. I attended this Seventh-Day Baptist church because for quite sometime I had guilt about giving up the "sabbath". Now, as the result of study and learning about "grace" and the "new covenant", my son and I now attend our local Presbyterian church and love it! We've only been attending about 6 weeks, and we are already involved in many activities in the church. My son, for the first time, is going to attend the church's winter camp for 6th graders, and believe it or not, I am already on the church's welcoming committee  | ||
| Goldenbear Registered user Username: Goldenbear Post Number: 47 Registered: 12-2004 |
Hi Daniel: We are still transitioning out but right now we are attending a Christian & Missionary Alliance Church. We live in a very small community in the west and their aren't many options. I have come to the conclusion that what I was looking for was not a denomination but a group of people that were committed to the gospel and seeking a real relationship with Jesus. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 1302 Registered: 12-2003 |
Chris, how amazing! I'm curious as to who the couple is--if you feel free to tell me, email me at proclamation@gmail.com. How great that they recognized you from your article! In reading all the posts above, I'm struck again by the fact that out "there" in Christianity, the individual churches are often quite different from each other even if they have denominational affiliations. I've actually heard from quite a few "formers" who have really found homes in Baptist churches where they hear the gospel on a regular basis (to my surprise--I tend to think of Baptist churches as quite law-based, but I've no personal experience with them.) On the other hand, Ric, you experienced an EV Free church with a 10 Commandment-bound pastor. So completely different from ours! Each church really is unique. BTW, we found that the praise music at our church has grown on us. We initially knew Trinity was 'home" because of the incredible Bible-teaching and the unmistakable presence of the Holy Spirit. The music has become a wonderful added blessing. As you probably know, I am steeped in classical music training, and nothing can move me to tears faster than Mozart--except now I have to say certain praise songs make me cry as readily (even more so, sometimes!) as Mozart! BTW, Dale Ratzlaff was a pastor for a time during the mid-late 90s in a Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, Dane. It does have a reputation of being a solid, gospel oriented church. Colleen | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 318 Registered: 7-2004 |
Welcome Daniel, The churches we have tried and enjoyed the most is Calvary Chapel and Christian Alliance. We currently enjoy a non-denominational community church in our little town. The grace and peace of Christ will guide us all to the fellowship He desires. | ||
| Praisegod Registered user Username: Praisegod Post Number: 216 Registered: 3-2004 |
Like many of you, I've also tried many different churches. Somehow I believe the Lord is just trying to show us what all else is going on in Christianity. If I analyze myself, I recognize that I'm extremely leery of denominationalism even after three years. The denomination that I've found that varies the most widely is the UMC. There have been a couple of UMC I would have enjoyed a lot, but not in my area. Before I moved I also really enjoyed Calvary Chapel. For those of you unfamiliar with them, one of the marks is that they preach straight through a book of the Bible, not missing any texts. Since it opened a few weeks ago, I've been attending a church plant of the Open Bible church. This one is like Calvary in going through the Bible. They are doing the Old Testament for midweek service and the New Testament on Sundays. All I know is that I'm ready to belong somewhere but don't want to move ahead of where the Holy Spirit would have me. Praise God... | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 1392 Registered: 11-2002 |
This if for all you Baptists out there (And, everyone else, too.). The Baptist minister was giving a firm sermon on the Baptist understanding of temperance. With thunder in his voice he said, "Give me all your beer after church so I can go dump it in the river." Then he added, "I want all of you with wine in your homes to bring me all your wine after the service so I can go dump it in the river". Then he ended with saying loud and clear, "If any of you have whiskey at your house bring it to me after church so I can go dump it in the river." He sat down. The elder stood up front in the church and said, "Now for our closing hymm let's all trun to page 352 in the hymmnal and sing, 'Shall We Gather At The River'". |
