What church do you attend? Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Edit Profile

Former Adventist Fellowship Forum » ARCHIVED DISCUSSIONS 3 » What church do you attend? « Previous Next »

  Thread Last Poster Posts Pages Last Post
  Start New Thread        

Author Message
Yossariana
Registered user
Username: Yossariana

Post Number: 11
Registered: 8-2004
Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 5:13 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I am still a SDA member and it's really hard to take the decision to write a letter that you want to come out of it.
I want to ask you what church do you attend, or if you meet ocasionally, well, almost all of you are in the USA.
For my friend who's praying for me, I'm ok here in the UK, the weather seems not so friendly, but I survive with it. I'm working at a nursing home until I will become registered as a nurse here, and I love my job. I am working with dementia old people, and sometimes I am surprised by their faith. Even if their brain seems not to work so well anymore, they still sing hymns and say 'god bless' everytime you are doing them a favour. One day, one of them, found it very difficult to stand up...and started to sing 'Stand up for Jesus'...and everyone else sang along.
My husband Steve is ok, and I thank God that I didn't listen those SDA who were against our blessed relationship. I know God is with us, in everything and Im not afraid anymore.

Thank you for your prayers...I think of you:-)

Yours in Christ,
Yossariana
Belvalew
Registered user
Username: Belvalew

Post Number: 107
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 10:15 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Dear Yossariana,

You sound brave. The best thing you can do for yourself and your husband is to find a good faith-based congregation to be a part of. As was discussed on here yesterday, it is just too easy for former SDA's to become nothings. I've seen it in my friends, and in my family members who gave up on becoming perfect so they just "dropped out" of church. I did it myself for about 10 years. Not a good decision.

I now attend a Presbyterian church and am fed on the word of God each time I attend. That doesn't mean they are the only resource like that. You need to find a good fit for you and your family. My greatest opportunity to feed on the word of God is on Wednesday nights when the women of the church meet to study the Bible, one book at a time. Right now we are in Romans and I'm loving it. The most beautiful thing about becoming a former for me was that I could study Paul's epistles and not have to "divide out" his comments about the fulfillment of the Law. I'm so happy that my life is no longer controlled by the Spirit of Prophecy books. Those books will dry up your bones from the inside out.

God bless you. Stay firm in your decision to seek Jesus through the pages of scripture only. It is worth whatever you have to leave behind to climb into the lap of the Savior!

Give me Jesus!
Belva
Madelia
Registered user
Username: Madelia

Post Number: 123
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 11:24 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yossariana,
I love hearing what you have to say about the people with dementia!! A few years ago I did some volunteer work at a group home for women with dementia. I would play the piano, and boy, they would sing along with the old songs and hymns. It was such a blessing!
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady

Post Number: 989
Registered: 3-2004


Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 12:06 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yossariana,
I really like your name. Besides that, ask God to help you write your letter, and when He knows you are ready to send it, you will. Also pray about a church to attend. It took me 5 months to find a church to attend. When I learned that the people went to church on Sundays, just to worship God and not because it was the sabbath, it made it much easier to attend a church on Sunday.
I have put your name in my prayer book and will pray for you every day.
God is awesome and He will help you. He keeps his promises.
Diana
Vchowdhury1
Registered user
Username: Vchowdhury1

Post Number: 117
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 12:56 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yossariana,
God Bless you in your journey. It took me 4 years to find a home church after I left the sda religion (I was an sda for over 35 years. My parents are still very much sda). But the journey was worth it. I now belong to a very Christ centered Presbyterian church. The people at this church are true, true Christians that love the Lord with all of their heart, soul, and mind. It is a perfect place for my son to grow up in. When I attend Sunday school, the Holy Spirit is so present there that I have problems holding back the tears when the teacher teaches and we sing all of those old fashion gospel songs. Before joining the Presbyteran church, I started to attend a Seventh-Day Baptist church, but it was very dry and boring. I attended the Seventh Day Baptist church for 3 years because I think that it helped to ease my guilt at the time about still keeping the "Sabbath". But since learning about Jesus, Love, & Grace, I have no problems worshiping God any day of the week, including Sundays:-)God Bless you.

--Valerie
Dane
Registered user
Username: Dane

Post Number: 101
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 1:17 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yossariana,
Finding a church will probably take a considerable amount of time. I would suggest that a good screening process should involve determing the view of scripture that any particular church has. You can ask the church leadership if they believe that the Bible is inerrant and wholly authoritative as the complete Word of God.

Dane
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 1349
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 5:25 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi, Yossariana! It's really good to hear from you again. I'm glad to hear you and Steve are doing well.

As others have said, God will guide you to the church where He knows you'll be able to grow in Him. Dane is right; you do need to be sure that the church is a solid, Bible-teaching church that believes the Word is inerrant.

Ask God to guide you and Steve to the place where He knows you will thrive and grow. It really is important to become part of a body of believers; it's an amazing thing to become part of a group of people united around Jesus who will support and pray for you, and with whom you can study Scripture.

Stay grounded in your own Scripture reading, and trust God for His guidance to the right place in His time.

He is faithful.

Colleen
Cy
Registered user
Username: Cy

Post Number: 6
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 6:56 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hello, Yossariana.

My wife has always been a Presbyterian and for many years we attended our separate churches.

She joined me occasionally at the SDA church while the church had a grace- & Christ-oriented pastor, but then after a couple of years he left. Since then, the local church has been pastored by an Ellen White- & "One True Remnant Church"-emphasizing pastor, and my wife was unable to take that emotionally (can't say that I blame her!)

I joined her occasionally at the Presbyterian church that she chose, and there is a nice group of friendly, accepting Christian believers there. Also, they had a pastor, Frank, that I consider to be a wonderful counselor. Frank helped us as we considered the decision to have children (in spite of our spiritual differences at the time) and then helped after the passing of our first child. Even though our first daughter wasn't full-term when born, Frank led a funeral for her in the Presbyterian church.

So, it's been a natural decision for me to now regularly attend the Presbyterian church with my wife. I've decided within the past few months that the Bible and my faith are leading me out of the SDA church, but over the past two or three years I've had several occasions to speak at my wife's church. It is amazing to me what God has done for us and how He is patiently leading and teaching me!

God bless and guide in your search for a church home,
"Cy"
Carol_2
Registered user
Username: Carol_2

Post Number: 247
Registered: 2-2002


Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 7:45 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thank you Cy for sharing with us. It was a blessing for me.
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady

Post Number: 995
Registered: 3-2004


Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 9:09 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Welcome to the FAF Cy. God has led you, cradled you and your wife in His arms with the death of your little one and He will continue to lead you to Him. He is an awesome God.
Diana
Tracey
Registered user
Username: Tracey

Post Number: 172
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 9:14 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

HI there and Welcome!

I have never been an SDA but the forum here is so helpful and support here is wonderful. My church is non-denominational and other than being a Christian.
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 1355
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Friday, February 04, 2005 - 9:19 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Cy, thank you for sharing more of your story with us. God is so faithful. Reading your account of slowly discovering that God is leading out of Adventism (and to Himself) reminds me that none of this awakening we experience is self-generated. From the time Adam and Eve sinned, man's natural self hides from God, and God goes looking for man.

He chose us in Him before creation, and He pursues us and lifts the veil from our eyes.

Praise God!
Colleen
Yossariana
Registered user
Username: Yossariana

Post Number: 12
Registered: 8-2004


Posted on Sunday, February 06, 2005 - 10:16 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I must admit that God's people are evreywhere, waiting for the second advent. At least I discovered that going to a church is more like socializing with other Christians and share experiences, but is not a 'must' like SDA stipulates. If 2 or 3 Christians gather together to sing praises to the Lord they have the promise that Jesus will join them.

Yossariana
Susan_2
Registered user
Username: Susan_2

Post Number: 1466
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Sunday, February 06, 2005 - 8:53 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi, your picture is lovely. I hold my membership at a local Lutheran church. When I am in another part of the state over a Satuday I like to attend the Seventh Day Baptist church down there. When I am in Hawaii I attend a little Baptist church as the little town I am at has no Lutheran congreation. Wherever grace and true gosple is being taught is the True Church of Christ. Personally though I prefer a church that practices the litergy. However,I do realize this is a personal preference.
Yossariana
Registered user
Username: Yossariana

Post Number: 13
Registered: 8-2004


Posted on Monday, February 07, 2005 - 6:55 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks Susan for your cpmpliment! The picture was made just a few weeks before our wedding. Actually we had a very strange wedding, with 2 witnesses, a friend and that was it. I dreamed about having a 'church wedding', but the SDA just would not agree with a non SDA partner. So, it was then, when I started to have big questions about the authority of the church. After meeting some SDA boys, I was totally disappointed with their spirituality, but when I met Steven, now my husband...I was amazed with his character, kindness and his honesty and I just couldn't understand why the church was so against our relationship. Lots of SDA friends were skeptical about us (and still are), saying that I'm making the biggest mistake and thought Satan will lead me astray. But
through Steven the Lord has shown me His love and I thank Him always.

I am happy with God!
Susan_2
Registered user
Username: Susan_2

Post Number: 1468
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Monday, February 07, 2005 - 7:22 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

So, Yossariana, which one of you two is the SDA, you or your hsband? My son recently married in a SDA church. The presiding minister even mentiod during the ceremony that it was the first wedding ever at that church to include the ring ceremony. The groom and the shers all wore ther navy uniform. The minister was a retired navy chaplin who is now a prctcing SDA mnister up in Northeran California. The best part cme nine months later-the twins.
Bb
Registered user
Username: Bb

Post Number: 69
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Monday, February 07, 2005 - 9:27 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

When I got married in an SDA church it was on a Sat. night. We had two simple floral arrangements and the preacher wanted to hold up the ceremony till after sundown (in the summer) because he didn't want anyone "carrying" the flowers into the church i.e. "working on the Sabbath". Seems very weird now.
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 1367
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Monday, February 07, 2005 - 9:59 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yossariana, praise God for leading you to your husband. He knew even before you did exactly what you needed, and He knew that Steven would be a strong, Christian husband who would be able to give you spiritual stability and leadership.

Colleen

Pheeki
Registered user
Username: Pheeki

Post Number: 473
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Monday, February 07, 2005 - 11:50 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

We took my 13-year-old SDA niece to our new church with us on Sunday. I wondered how she would do because the kids at the SDA church we used to attend usually talked and played throughout the service (definately not listening).

Anyway, it turns out she tried to talk but the other teenagers kept telling her to be quiet...I saw a sour look on her face at one point but by the end of the service she was smiling (she told me it kept her "entertained" -not the purpose of going but I'll take it!).

At the close of the service, the pastor had us spend 10-minutes writing down our testimonies and then had us find 3 people we don't know and practice giving our testimony and the teenagers had to participate and couldn't stay in the teenage group. The pastor said, "If you sit there for 10-minutes and don't have any testimony to write, instead of going to a group, come see me." Well, my niece obviously didn't have a testimony and so she left and went to the bathroom.

I find it so sad, and it hasn't been in the too distant past that my kids were talking and playing in church...I praise God we found a place that holds the teens accountable and have peers that do listen...from this listening my children have learned so much and really love this new church. I feel so blessed!
Lydell
Registered user
Username: Lydell

Post Number: 668
Registered: 7-2000
Posted on Monday, February 07, 2005 - 2:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yossariana, my family attends a Vineyard church. Solid Bible teaching and a far more casual service than the SDA. Like the others, I would encourage you to find a church home. You are right 2 or 3 can meet and praise God. We tried just meeting as a "home church" when we first left the SDA. But we find it lacking in some serious ways.

For one thing, our growth comes when we are in a group where there is accountability, challenges to move beyond the focus of such a small handful of people, and opportunity for service...and for that matter He really does desire to have us occassionally rubbing up against people who disagree with us on some stuff. Takes the rough edges off of both people.
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 1371
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Monday, February 07, 2005 - 10:07 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

PHeeki, I can so relate to your account of your church engaging the teens. I'm still amazed that teenagers actually have a testimony, love Jesus, and participate in church. What an awesome thing!

God is awesome, as Diana always says!

Colleen
Susan_2
Registered user
Username: Susan_2

Post Number: 1472
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Monday, February 07, 2005 - 10:31 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Pheeki, I think your neice acted typical for a SDA youth. I just think the SDA youth have had a stiffleing exposure to Christianity and when confronted with an opprtunity to share their Christian faith and experience they are just lost. And, honestly,I think this is true of SDA adults, too. As we were discussng on a different thread when SDA's are in the presence of the words "Christian" and "Jesus" being used in a very personal way the SDA's tend to get very uncomfortable. Thy think the term "wittessnessing" means talking about the weekly Sabbath,their health message (which is a total joke), and the state of the dead. After that they get into the IJ and some other of their distinctive doctrines but generally SDA's don't wittness the risin Jesus. At the Lutheran church the youth and even the children are very much involved with the enire church and its programs. Being Lutheran the kids study the catachism and then they take their first communion and as teenagers they are confirmed. On confirmation Sunday they each give their testemony before the congreation. It is so wonderful! And, after the kids have taken their first communion at around age seven they get to be alter boys and girls, which means the get to sit in the very front pew. It's just so wonderful observing the youth and children have such a fire for Jesus.
Carol_2
Registered user
Username: Carol_2

Post Number: 253
Registered: 2-2002


Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 11:23 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

OK, does anyone have a recommendation for a good church in Tempe, AZ or vicinity for a college student?

My daughter has not attended church regularly since we left the SDA church three years ago. It was pretty traumatic for her.....she was baptized at around age 10, like all good little SDAs, but I don't think she really had a clue, just like I didn't at that age.....I did not really give my life to Christ until I was 31 years old!

At first she thought it was cool we were leaving, because she had been raised in a very liberal SDA church & school, living in a liberal SDA home where Christ was the focus, not rules....and always thought there were a lot of strange people in the SDA church based on her experiences at summer camp, Pathfinder camporees, campmeeting (the worst!!!) etc. (I can remember her shock and horror that they actually unplugged the soda machines on Sabbath at campmeeting in Collegedale.) However, as time passed, I think she started feeling "lost," without that SDA label.

Following our departure from Adventism, she attended church with my husband and me a number of times, but was intimidated I think by the on-fire Christian teens there....all the loud singing & praising....the raised hands, etc. As hard as the kids tried, she never felt comfortable there.

In summary, she is now in Tempe at ASU, and has recently mentioned that she thinks she should try to find a church.

Any suggestions????
Jeremy
Registered user
Username: Jeremy

Post Number: 340
Registered: 10-2004


Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 1:34 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Carol,

You've probably heard of former SDA Pastor J. Mark Martin's church, Calvary Community Church. My family usually watches their services live over the web several times a week, and that would definitely be our choice for a church home in the Phoenix area. :-) It is in Phoenix but may be a bit far, and if your daughter doesn't want a church with "loud singing & praising....the raised hands, etc." then she may not be comfortable there. :-)

Another church that I found online recently actually meets on the campus of ASU. It's called New Covenant Bible Fellowship. Their service structure, etc. sounds a bit different, but you can check it out at http://www.newcovenant.ws/

Jeremy
Carol_2
Registered user
Username: Carol_2

Post Number: 254
Registered: 2-2002


Posted on Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 7:04 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks so much Jeremy! I wasn't sure where Mark Martin's church was.....was hoping it was close to ASU.

I'll share both with her.
Jeremy
Registered user
Username: Jeremy

Post Number: 342
Registered: 10-2004


Posted on Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 12:32 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Carol, I used to live in the Phoenix area (I'm currently in east-central Arizona), and I'm trying to think how long it would take to get from ASU to Mark's church. It actually isn't that far, I don't think--probably less than 20 minutes or so, definitely not more than 25 minutes probably--unless there's traffic.

Jeremy
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 1404
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 10:37 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Dale Ratzlaff attends Mark's church, and he and Carolyn say it is absolutely wonderful: great worship, and superb Bible messages from Mark. It's probably worth the drive!

Colleen
Jeremy
Registered user
Username: Jeremy

Post Number: 344
Registered: 10-2004


Posted on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 8:00 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yes, I agree that it's worth the drive. And I forgot to mention that it's an all freeway drive from ASU, so it shouldn't be a bad drive. :-)

Jeremy
Carol_2
Registered user
Username: Carol_2

Post Number: 255
Registered: 2-2002


Posted on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 11:23 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm confused, as I fly into Phoenix to visit my daughter....and Phoenix is very close to Tempe. At least the Phoenix airport is just minutes away from ASU.

Actually my husband and I are flying out next weekend, so am hoping we can visit Mark Martin's church.....don't know how we'll be for time though, it's a short trip and have an elderly uncle that doesn't drive to shuttle around some, plus visit my daughter. Hopefully she will want to go....I checked out the website, sounds like my kind of church! I think Mary actually liked the idea of our church here, she just wasn't used to the worship style and was overwhelmed and kind of intimidated. She sure likes it a lot better than the traditional style or the "Bringin in the Sheaves" kind of church, which is our way of referring to a more traditional style (no offense at all to those of you who like the traditional style....I just happen to love the contemporary praise & worship style.)

Thanks again for the tip! Love you all...

Add Your Message Here
Posting is currently disabled in this topic. Contact your discussion moderator for more information.

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration