Hello everyone. As I've noted before, I live in Gloucester County, Virginia. It is north of busy Hampton Roads and east of Richmond. As I became a Presbyterian I realized that options are extremely slim for conservative Calvinist and Presbyterian families in my neck of the woods. These are not exact, but I have some crude maps drawn up:
^ Once again, rough estimate. If you live somewhere in this area of Virginia however, there are two churches that have Reformed Confessions of Faith within a fair distance. One is an Anglican church (ACNA) that uses the 39 Articles. One is a Southern Baptist church that uses the 1689. As far as I know, the Southern Baptist church is faithful to its confession. I am unsure about the Anglican church. Matters are especially worse for you if you live on the Eastern shore. Now, I do not doubt that I, as a conservative and Calvinist Presbyterian, am in a religious minority in this part of the state, but I suspect that in this area there must some families who believe like me. I am blessed to live in Gloucester, and have about an hour drive down south to an OPC in York County, but not everyone gets that luxury.
I am also an exclusive Psalmodist, and while I in good conscience attend a hymn-singing church, I know some EP families prefer to find a church with similar views. Once again, a rough estimate, but most likely if you live somewhere in these red counties, you must travel over an hour (or more, for me it's about 3 hours) for an EP church.
What is a good way for a laymen to attempt to gauge interest for a church plant in their area? Does anyone know if other conservative Presbyterian churches, or EP congregations have been planted in eastern Virginia, but failed? Thank you for any advice.
^ Once again, rough estimate. If you live somewhere in this area of Virginia however, there are two churches that have Reformed Confessions of Faith within a fair distance. One is an Anglican church (ACNA) that uses the 39 Articles. One is a Southern Baptist church that uses the 1689. As far as I know, the Southern Baptist church is faithful to its confession. I am unsure about the Anglican church. Matters are especially worse for you if you live on the Eastern shore. Now, I do not doubt that I, as a conservative and Calvinist Presbyterian, am in a religious minority in this part of the state, but I suspect that in this area there must some families who believe like me. I am blessed to live in Gloucester, and have about an hour drive down south to an OPC in York County, but not everyone gets that luxury.
I am also an exclusive Psalmodist, and while I in good conscience attend a hymn-singing church, I know some EP families prefer to find a church with similar views. Once again, a rough estimate, but most likely if you live somewhere in these red counties, you must travel over an hour (or more, for me it's about 3 hours) for an EP church.
What is a good way for a laymen to attempt to gauge interest for a church plant in their area? Does anyone know if other conservative Presbyterian churches, or EP congregations have been planted in eastern Virginia, but failed? Thank you for any advice.
