Jonathco
Puritan Board Sophomore
Hi everyone,
I hinted at this in my introduction (here), but I've got a bit of a dilemma that I'd appreciate some insight and wisdom on. I am hoping for some constructive and edifying advice, and not a lambasting for currently attending a non-reformed church.
I, along with my wife and children attend a mainline baptist church in our town; we've attended for about 2 years now, since moving to the area. The preaching is biblical, I've never heard anything heretical taught or preached, and my wife and children are growing in their faith like never before. Having said that, in the past few years, as I have become more convinced in my understanding of reformed theology and have embraced the 1689 LBCF, I've come to feel we should attend a church that is reformed and confessional (which our church is not).
Challenge 1:
In my searching, it does not appear that there are any Reformed Baptist churches with an hour drive of where I live. Certainly, there are a few that are farther out than an hour drive each way, but that is problematic with little ones and would create challenges with being able to be active in the church throughout the week, at that distance.
Challenge 2:
My wife and children are indeed growing in our church; there is fruit in their lives and their walks are deepening with God through church teaching as well as our family studies at home (which I lead and ensure doctrines of grace, depravity, election, etc. are taught). I am hesitant to uproot my wife and kids over things that perhaps I need to humbly not allow to become a stumbling block for me, especially when they are clearly growing in their faith.
Things that concern me with our church:
Thanks in advance for the advice everyone. Like I said, I am truly looking for counsel, as I am unsure what to do.
I hinted at this in my introduction (here), but I've got a bit of a dilemma that I'd appreciate some insight and wisdom on. I am hoping for some constructive and edifying advice, and not a lambasting for currently attending a non-reformed church.
I, along with my wife and children attend a mainline baptist church in our town; we've attended for about 2 years now, since moving to the area. The preaching is biblical, I've never heard anything heretical taught or preached, and my wife and children are growing in their faith like never before. Having said that, in the past few years, as I have become more convinced in my understanding of reformed theology and have embraced the 1689 LBCF, I've come to feel we should attend a church that is reformed and confessional (which our church is not).
Challenge 1:
In my searching, it does not appear that there are any Reformed Baptist churches with an hour drive of where I live. Certainly, there are a few that are farther out than an hour drive each way, but that is problematic with little ones and would create challenges with being able to be active in the church throughout the week, at that distance.
Challenge 2:
My wife and children are indeed growing in our church; there is fruit in their lives and their walks are deepening with God through church teaching as well as our family studies at home (which I lead and ensure doctrines of grace, depravity, election, etc. are taught). I am hesitant to uproot my wife and kids over things that perhaps I need to humbly not allow to become a stumbling block for me, especially when they are clearly growing in their faith.
Things that concern me with our church:
- It does not practice the regulative principle (LBCF, ch 22). Our church is not charismatic nor do we use lights/fog machines or anything of that sort, but certainly we sing modern songs that I do not believe to be theologically deep, and little concern is given for how we worship God.
- Formal church membership does not exist (LBCF, ch 26). If you attend regularly, you are a "member", which means nothing in our church.
- In general, "no creed but Christ; all you need is the gospel" is taught from the pulpit often. I embrace and submit to the inerrancy and sufficiency of scripture, but struggle to think we must therefore not study sound theological works from the reformers and the puritans because of this.
- Stay put, embrace the fruit in my family's life, and teach reformed truths at home (to compensate what is not being taught)?
- Find a Reformed Baptist church no matter how far the drive required?
- Something else altogether?
- We know several other Reformed Baptist families in the area in our same boat; perhaps the Lord will lead us to be a part of a RB church plant eventually?
Thanks in advance for the advice everyone. Like I said, I am truly looking for counsel, as I am unsure what to do.