| Author | Message | ||
| Jim02 Registered user Username: Jim02 Post Number: 139 Registered: 5-2007 |
I saw a term in my surfing, "New Testamnet Church" I could also say New Covenant. Is this a movement? What would you label this website? Does it have one? Does it have a category. The predominant theme here seems to evolve around some key doctrines. Does this have a group label. I ask this because, I suspect there are better ways I can hunt for this info on the web if knew the terms or labels. Also: I would not be surprised that this project begins a new class or denomination designation. Seems like this arena is not properly served by most existing denominations. At least not yet. Are we seeing a movement here? | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 1039 Registered: 9-2006  |
Jim, I didn’t bother to read all the way through the website, he refers to several web pages, but from what I read the guy wants to plant churches with a denominational name and after his own ideals and just call it the “New Testament Church” I think the problem he will encounter will be that after a while the “New Testament Church” will be that denomination, a denomination is simply a gathering of Christians who want to follow a certain set of beliefs that most closely resemble their own, anyone is welcome to correct me on that. He also wants to reform the churches of today; however I presently attend a church that goes along with my beliefs more closely than other denominations although I started out in a non-denominational church, I am equally happy in both. The thing is, what does these churches have that would make me more at ease than the denominational local church I now attend. His aim seems to be to plant churches that are devoid of membership roles and other things, my concept of the purpose for planting churches would be to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and work for the furtherance of the gospel, I can do that where I am. So the answer is yes, I think this is a “New movement” of sorts, but certainly not a new idea. That idea has been tried more ways than you can shake a stick at. River | ||
| Jim02 Registered user Username: Jim02 Post Number: 141 Registered: 5-2007 |
I wonder if FAF could be the beginnings of its own denomination. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6290 Registered: 12-2003  |
Jim, FAF won't become a denomination. Former Adventists need to become part of thriving Christian communities. They need to learn to study the Bible with people who don't have Adventist "cling-on" ideas. They need to learn how a true Christian community functions. Think about Mormons--if Mormons leave Mormonism, we would never recommend that they get together and form a new "former Mormon" denomination. It would be likely to have too many theological and cultural problems that would possibly erupt from within it. Adventists are no different. Every aspect of our "Christianity" has been colored by Adventist practices, traditions, culture, and secrets. FAF is vital because as we leave, we MUST have support from people who understand how we think. Most Christians don't really understand our questions. FAF is a place where we can answer each other's questions theologically and emotionally from a position of clear understanding of each other's paradigms and "filters". But we have to learn to worship with people who don't have cultic backgrounds. It is amazing how much I have learned, both about the Bible and about living as a Christ-follower, submitting my life to every word of Scripture, from the people at our church. So no, FAF won't become a new denomination. But we will be here to provide the insight, help, answers, prayer, "normalizing", venting, and even comic relief that only we can provide each other because of our unique shared trauma. (Yes, trauma--let's call it what it is!) And we continue to thank God for the "never-beens" He brings us who have made it their personal business to understand our heritage and to provide outside affirmation, support, and insight as we help each other grow in the Lord Jesus. God is faithful! Colleen | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 1053 Registered: 9-2006 |
A denomination in that sense does not represent a certain set of beliefs and ideals but represents a common denominator. Just as this forum has a common denominator and even I as an outsider have a common denominator with this forum due to necessity. Denominations in themselves are not bad or to be looked down on, this common denominator enables the Christian to work together toward a common goal to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. It is when we take the approach of allowing the common denominator to be the end goal and not that of the gospel of Jesus Christ that we fail. If we are just about the denomination rather the the common denominator we are resting our work on the wrong goal and we need to change that goal. However having the Gospel put forth being my common denominator I happily serve in the denomination for the furtherance of the gospel. So this forum can exist with its common denominator without ever even coming close to be a denomination in the sense of a church denomination of numerical records and membership roles. However the forum cannot exist in and of itself without the common denominator. It cannot exist if we fall too far outside that common denominator. It cannot exist without the resources, will and dedication of the Administrators either. Of course all this in IMHO  River | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6301 Registered: 12-2003 |
River, you said that so well! Thank you for making that clear. Colleen |
