Just out of curiousity, since I am the Pastor at the First Christian Church here in Demopolis, I wanted to know what you and your family look for when selecting what church you want to call your church home.
Also, what would you like to see offered at a church if you are not attending anywhere now?
Wow...Well I am looking for love and not constant condemnation. I am also looking for freedom of worship, not to be made to worship in one particular way. If I want to stand there, I can stand there, if I want to clap my hands to praise the lord, I can clap my hands. One thing that will make me never to attend a particular church again, is a group of people who constantly condemn you and always tell you what you are doing wrong. I also want a church home that is there when you need them. From a family members illness to a rough day at work, they should be there to help you through it. And a side note, once you get burned by a church, it is very hard to find your church home again.
I want a congregation of the Lord's people who knows that it is more important to follow the will of Jesus and the Bible. Too many "churches" want to please the people and be entertaining rather than follow the laws of God and the examples set forth in the Bible. Some people say that this is outdated...that the church should change with the times. I disagree. With God being the creator of all things and being all-knowing, I believe that He knew times would change, but that his will would not.
So, what I look for is a church that follows the laws of God, not the feelings of man.
What I look for is exactly what my church gives me and anyone who walks through our doors, a feel of family, bible based teaching and a love for reaching out to others whether in the community or in other countries. Our church is very strong with the missions field and I think that's wonderful. I also felt like I belonged there from day one and you don't get that too often.
well for us church has been hard to attend we look for a warm, friendly enviroment and people who reach out to you. We go to fairhaven but basicly we just go there because I grew up going there as so has most of my family (they ones that still live here). I look for a preacher that teaches and not tells you are going to hell if you don't do "this... and this..." (which I do like my preacher for that) I look for just bascly a place that you can learn and feel comfortable at the same time!
I grew up Methodist. I went to first methodist in Demopolis. I loved it there. I now go to a Baptist church near McCalla AL. I really enjoyed it when we started. I have met a lot of good friends there. Right now we are without a preacher. Ours left to go work in the mission field. We have an interum (sp?) right now....he's really old and boring. The one that left was great! I always got something out of his messages. Most of the congregation is young couples 20-40s. We have a very good youth program. The youth pastor is only 25 and he is powerful in his messages.
"Your word is a lamp for my feet,a light for my path" Psalm 119:105
I look for a church where I feel the spirit of the Lord moving. I totally agree with what AUFan's Sis described. I want a church that follows the Bible. I feel that I have found that at Fairhaven.
I attend a church that teaches the Bible, and doesn't bow to political correctness. Also, I prefer a more traditional service. And, I want to feel welcome. When I lived in Demopolis, the Baptist Church that we went to had the most loving older people, and the preacher was outstanding! Unfortunately, the people our age kept to themselves, and we did not feel welcome at all. We went to one Sunday school class, as visitors, new to the town, and no one even came over and said Hello, or anything.
They've given me a number, and taken away my name!
We visited Fairhaven one time with absolutely no intention of changing churches. When we got in the car, my husband and I looked at each other and said, "Wow." We had absolutely no doubt that God wanted us there. It was hard leaving our other church, but we had to be where God wanted us. We love Fairhaven because our pastor preaches and lives the Word of God, our music minister radiates the love of God, and our youth minister energizes our young people with passion for God's work. We love our church because we know God is there. We know, however, that God is also in many other wonderful churches, not just ours. God leads different people to different places of service. I am excited that our town of Demopolis has so many wonderful churches where God is truly worshipped and preached. May God bless all of His Houses of Worship this Christmas.
I want a church that you know when you walk thru the doors that God is there. Lucylou and I have that feeling at Fairhaven. Brother Alan and I went to school together. I knew in Junior High he would be a great preacher someday. He knows the words of God and also knows how to convey them to his flock. The church we left was my families church. We went there nearly ten years. Taught Sunday school. Still had people tell us every Sunday thanks for visiting our church today we are so glad to have you. At Fairhaven you walk in the door feeling that they all know you and that you are wanted.
Nuff of the soap box. G-dawg I know you are a man of God. Don't get in a hurry to build your church up. Let God show you the way. Talk the talk and they will come.
AND ALL THE LORD'S PEOPLE SAID AMEN!!!!
Last edited by coach35; 12-16-2005 at 16:49 PM.
Be ye fishers of men, you catch'em he'll clean'em.
can I get an AMEN.
Wow...Well I am looking for love and not constant condemnation. I am also looking for freedom of worship, not to be made to worship in one particular way. If I want to stand there, I can stand there, if I want to clap my hands to praise the lord, I can clap my hands. One thing that will make me never to attend a particular church again, is a group of people who constantly condemn you and always tell you what you are doing wrong. I also want a church home that is there when you need them. From a family members illness to a rough day at work, they should be there to help you through it. And a side note, once you get burned by a church, it is very hard to find your church home again.
Wyldfire, you have just described our church (First Christian). I was very nervous about attending church because my oldest son has a lot of problems that make it nearly impossible for him to sit still and be quiet as is expected at most churches. In fact, because of his behavior I had stayed out of church for a long time, and my first day at First Christian we walked in 40 minutes late because of his behavior. I had obviously been crying and was still on the verge of tears - six months pregnant, single and toting a two-year-old, a smushed pie that the two-year-old had sat on in the car and a 10-year-old who clearly did not want to be there and had no problem showing his displeasure. I walked in just in time to hear Bro. Marshall say "and in conclusion." I was tired, upset and embarrassed. But not one person said anything about my entrance, in fact, everyone (and I do mean everyone) welcomed me and asked me to stay for the luncheon they were having for Bro. Marshall. It has been my church since that day. Now CedarSam goes with me as well and they have been just as welcoming to him. They have truly been there for me in my time of need, from the complicated pregnancy that nearly cost me and my baby our lives, to just putting up with my oldest son's problems. I have never felt as at home in any church as I feel in this one.
Some people complain because God put thorns on the roses; others praise Him because He put roses among the thorns
