Comments on: Wanted: New Church Home http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/30/what-to-look-for-when-choosing-a-new-church-home/ A Ministry of Shepherds' Fellowship Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:54:00 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Keith Arnold http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/30/what-to-look-for-when-choosing-a-new-church-home/comment-page-1/#comment-156517 Keith Arnold Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:29:54 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/30/what-to-look-for-when-choosing-a-new-church-home/#comment-156517 Thank you very much for this timely post. We're on this issue from the other point of view: we're planting a brand-new church, and it's a real encouragement to get this kind of an affirmation. It's always a good feeling to see that our priorities and values are the same as those of someone established and respected. Well, okay, we're still working on that "Evidence Of Order" thing. We may be a little disorganized, but we're working on that... - Keith Thank you very much for this timely post. We’re on this issue from the other point of view: we’re planting a brand-new church, and it’s a real encouragement to get this kind of an affirmation. It’s always a good feeling to see that our priorities and values are the same as those of someone established and respected.

Well, okay, we’re still working on that “Evidence Of Order” thing. We may be a little disorganized, but we’re working on that…

- Keith

]]> By: Jeff Flora http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/30/what-to-look-for-when-choosing-a-new-church-home/comment-page-1/#comment-156242 Jeff Flora Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:00:15 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/30/what-to-look-for-when-choosing-a-new-church-home/#comment-156242 Thank you for this post. My wife and I after being married in 1984 attended a church for 3 years before becoming reformed in our doctrine. We moved to a second church which we attended for 17 years at which time God directed us along with three other families to begin a new church with the blessing of the leadership of that church. I can say from my experience that the churches we have belonged to shaped where we are today. I wholeheartedly agree with you that the church you choose has eternal consequences. There is only one part of this post that I would disagree with, though it is a small part, and that is the consideration of the size of the church. I understand from a pragmatic viewpoint that it could be an issue but not from a biblical one. In other words, if you left that paragraph out, the other principles would cover the concern raised in it. I plan to pass this along to others to encourage them in their search. Jeff Thank you for this post. My wife and I after being married in 1984 attended a church for 3 years before becoming reformed in our doctrine. We moved to a second church which we attended for 17 years at which time God directed us along with three other families to begin a new church with the blessing of the leadership of that church.

I can say from my experience that the churches we have belonged to shaped where we are today. I wholeheartedly agree with you that the church you choose has eternal consequences.

There is only one part of this post that I would disagree with, though it is a small part, and that is the consideration of the size of the church. I understand from a pragmatic viewpoint that it could be an issue but not from a biblical one. In other words, if you left that paragraph out, the other principles would cover the concern raised in it.

I plan to pass this along to others to encourage them in their search.

Jeff

]]> By: Desert Shepherd http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/30/what-to-look-for-when-choosing-a-new-church-home/comment-page-1/#comment-156199 Desert Shepherd Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:26:23 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/30/what-to-look-for-when-choosing-a-new-church-home/#comment-156199 Thank you for this very helpful post. My family & I have just moved to another state and I went through this very process. I would agree that the most critical aspect of finding a church home is the prompting & leading of the Holy Spirit. One thing I might add... in this age of internet technology, do a simple Google search of the pastor. I went to a Wed. night Bible study at one local church and enjoyed the pastor's exposition of Acts 6. The doctrinal statement on the church website was typical to evangelical churches, all the majors beliefs were covered and there was particular emphasis on the authority of Scripture, so I looked forward to attending the service on Sunday. I did a Google search of the pastor's name & found his blog site. I was disappointed to find that he made almost daily entries that were blasting at and attempting to tear down the Reformed doctrine I believe in so fully. I would even call his posts venomous and condescending. So, while the pastor may be a gifted teacher & the building & location well suited to my family, doctrine must be at the heart of it all. Even in such a remote and seemingly barren place as we are in, we did find a small, faithful congregation where we can attend and serve for His glory. God always has His remnant and His Spirit will lead you to them! Thank you for this very helpful post. My family & I have just moved to another state and I went through this very process. I would agree that the most critical aspect of finding a church home is the prompting & leading of the Holy Spirit.
One thing I might add… in this age of internet technology, do a simple Google search of the pastor. I went to a Wed. night Bible study at one local church and enjoyed the pastor’s exposition of Acts 6. The doctrinal statement on the church website was typical to evangelical churches, all the majors beliefs were covered and there was particular emphasis on the authority of Scripture, so I looked forward to attending the service on Sunday.
I did a Google search of the pastor’s name & found his blog site. I was disappointed to find that he made almost daily entries that were blasting at and attempting to tear down the Reformed doctrine I believe in so fully. I would even call his posts venomous and condescending.
So, while the pastor may be a gifted teacher & the building & location well suited to my family, doctrine must be at the heart of it all. Even in such a remote and seemingly barren place as we are in, we did find a small, faithful congregation where we can attend and serve for His glory.
God always has His remnant and His Spirit will lead you to them!

]]> By: Marilyn http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/30/what-to-look-for-when-choosing-a-new-church-home/comment-page-1/#comment-156105 Marilyn Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:54:14 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/06/30/what-to-look-for-when-choosing-a-new-church-home/#comment-156105 Good article. Sadly, after being "slapped down" for objecting to some of the changes when my former church (I was there 15 years) became "seeker-friendly" I doubt I will ever have a church home again. I will attend services of course, but cannot allow myself to get into a position where a church can hurt people like my last one did. And it can happen to *any* church. Good article. Sadly, after being “slapped down” for objecting to some of the changes when my former church (I was there 15 years) became “seeker-friendly” I doubt I will ever have a church home again. I will attend services of course, but cannot allow myself to get into a position where a church can hurt people like my last one did. And it can happen to *any* church.

]]>