The "Perfect" Church... I would like your input

Luvnlife · Lion King Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 1200 Location: US

Hello;

Recently, I have been chastised for attending a church that believes in the Trinity (because I do not believe in the Trinity).

I pointed out that, as Christians, we are seeking to learn more about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We need to be nourished. Guided to a degree. My belief has not changed as a result of attending this church. They are good, spiritual people. They do not focus on the Trinity but they do teach directly from the bible.

Here's my problem/question: Let's say I am in search of the perfect church. Does it exist? What am I looking for?

1) A church that worships Mary as the Mother of God?

2) A church with many different books that don't mesh with what the bible teaches?

3) A church who does not think Patriotism is important (though our nations young men & women have fought and died for their freedom)?

4) A church who believes that they are the one and only true church and stand in judgement of all others?

5) A church with modern-day prophets who were polygamists?

6) A church who believes that we will rise up to meet Jesus in Heaven?

7) A church whose dress codes, values and rules have changed even though the bible and the teachings under the new covenant have not?

8) A church that does not require their members to follow certain laws like registering because they don't want their sons to fight our nations wars beside their nations brothers?

9) That Jesus is Michael, the archangel?

Help. Where is this perfect or near-perfect church that I should be attending?

Love, Luv
_________________
Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Biblegateway Christian Viewpoints

james · Grizzly Bear Joined: 18 Sep 2007 Posts: 738

Luv
I have had a few experiences with churches also. I use to go to a Baptist church and stopped going there because the pastor was such a loving man he would not correct anything or anyone, by this he created an unhealthy enabling church and he would not teach things from the Bible that he felt might "offend". And I have been to the other extreme, involve in a church which I believe their Bible teaching was right on. Only problem was the were always condeming of other with the "I thank God I am not like them" atitude. It would just grieve me so much Spiritually, everytime someone would say that, the parable of the two men at the alter would come to mind. How the one would boast of how righteous he was and the other just dropped and said Lord forgive me a sinner.
So in light of all this I do not believe there is a perfect church in the sense everyone agrees on everthing.

But we should ask God where does He want us to go. God may put you in a church group that you do not agree with at all, so that you may witness of Him to maybe just one person out hundreds. Just let God use you and you will see He has a grande purpose for you and maybe it is just to witness to one or maybe thousands, you never know. So if you get an offer to go to a Catholic church, Jehovah Witness church or where ever, just go and be a witness, just plant seed. You may not see the growth, but just do not fear to plant, anywhere God leads you. Remember we have Christ and the Apostles for examples and they went everywhere and anywhere GOD LED THEM.

lone-traveler · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 1:28 pm Post subject:

Hi James that was a good post...

Hi Luv,
here's some verses of where the church can be found.

Act 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed [them] to prison.

Rom 16:5 Likewise [greet] the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

1Cr 16:19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

Col 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Phm 1:2 And to [our] beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

I don't know luv..but:

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

where is the kingdom?

Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

1Cr 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1Cr 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 3 different divisions?

1Cr 11:22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise [you] not. Question

1Cr 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

2Cr 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy [our] brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

Gal 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

wasted it?

Act 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

Act 15:4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and [of] the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

Rom 16:27 To God only wise, [be] glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. [[[Written to the Romans from Corinthus, [and sent] by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.]]]

1Th 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians [which is] in God the Father and [in] the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Hbr 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Rev 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet [are] like fine brass;

Rev 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

still lookin... Wink

hugs
lone
_________________
Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

MoJo · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 5:36 pm Post subject:

Luvnlife · Lion King Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 1200 Location: US

Thanks, James for your thoughts. I don't know if I am attending the church that I have been attending because I have something to offer or because I am learning from them, from their behaviors toward one another and strangers and people in the community. From the biblical principles they teach. I also find it helpful to have a foundation outside the home that supports Godly things for my daughters sake as it's so hard to be a kid these days and it's hard to be a parent these days. I think it's important to teach about God in the home but when raising children, I thiink it's important to have a community of people who support and back what you are teaching. I've never expected perfection but I've always expected heart from the church I go to and I feel the heart of the church I attend is loving and seeking God.

Love, Luv
_________________
Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Biblegateway Christian Viewpoints

Luvnlife · Lion King Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 1200 Location: US

Hi Lone!

Thanks for your post. It backs what I have stated several times, that there is no one true religion. Jesus flock comes from many different religions. They may all believe a little differently but God is looking for heart, faith, goodness, charity ... not perfection.

The kingdom of God is within you....

Thank you for pointing these scriptures out.

Love, Luv
_________________
Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Biblegateway Christian Viewpoints

lone-traveler · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 6:18 pm Post subject:

Same here Mo,
This is the first forum I ever took part in and I've been here for awhile.
You know, some say this isn't real fellowship because it's like virtual reality it's not really real..LOL

You know what I find awesome about it?
You can try the spirits without havening to judge by appearances...
we miss so much when we use our eyes instead of our ears..

But there are a lot of people out there who like to put you on the pedestal and raise you up and knock you down themselves with their judgments of you.
It makes them feel powerful. They can control what you wear, how you fix or don't fix your hair, what kind of car you drive..you know..the superficial glob that they envy and are jealous that you have. So they like to make you feel inferior to their superiority...

I wear jeans and t-shirts and old worn out sneakers...
I still smoke..nasty habit I know..and I swear like a trucker cause I am..
you think I would be accepted in lets say the crystal cathedral the way I am..or do you think I would be judged according to my appearance..LOL..

look what the cat dragged in.. Shocked

LOLOLOL... Laughing

I'd rather be judged by the words I speak then by the clothes I wear or the truck I ride in..
it aint no cadillac..LOL...

HUGS
lone
_________________
Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Luvnlife · Lion King Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 1200 Location: US

MoJo said:

lone-traveler · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:46 pm Post subject:

Hi Luv,

You know, the church is refered to as a "WOMAN".

And I was thinking about doing a study on the "virtuous woman" in proverbs 31.

what do you think?

hugs
Lone
_________________
Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Luvnlife · Lion King Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 1200 Location: US

I'm open to it. I wonder if MoJo would be interested in joining the discussion...

I'm asking formally...Mo...would you like to join our study on Proverbs 31?

Sometimes I think we are lead somewhere that we did not plan to go for a reason.

What do you say?

Love, Luv Very Happy

_________________
Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Biblegateway Christian Viewpoints