Scott Bushey
Puritanboard Commissioner
Roger,
Emmanuel Baptist is a beautiful assembly of Gods people.
tell Pastor Fisher I send my regards.
Emmanuel Baptist is a beautiful assembly of Gods people.
tell Pastor Fisher I send my regards.
Non Denominational Members
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[quote:e9814d39a4][i:e9814d39a4]Originally posted by fredtgreco[/i:e9814d39a4]
[quote:e9814d39a4][i:e9814d39a4]Originally posted by Gregg[/i:e9814d39a4]
Scott, do you think the Lord will be more pleased with your church attendance/affiliation with a larger denomination, than Loriann's small home fellowship? [/quote:e9814d39a4]
Greg,
If the house church is simply a church that meets in a house, and has a minister of the word who opens the Scriptures and preaches the Word, then it is no different from a congregational church.
But if there is no minister of the word, and if the sacraments are not rightly administered and discipline is not rightly administered, then God is indeed less pleased with it.
I also have grave misgvings about the failure to worship on the Lord's Day, as is CLEARLY the Biblical pattern (see the last few chapters of John, the whole book of Acts and Revelation 1.
I also believe that while a congregational church is a true church (the ecclesiastical form of government being of the [i:e9814d39a4]bene esse[/i:e9814d39a4] and not the [i:e9814d39a4]esse[/i:e9814d39a4] of the Church) , there are problems of a lack of connectionalism and accountability. It may be completely otherwise in Lori's situation - I do not presume to know the facts - but often times a house church (which glories in a form of extreme non-connectionalism) is subject to despotism and crancky theology. (And yes, that can also occur in connectional churches, but not to the level in house churches) .
I tend to think that those who believe house church situations are better than "boring" church they have had in the past do not bear the scars of being in (the vast majority) of odd, despotic house church situations. [/quote:e9814d39a4]
Reply...
Hi Fred, I used to belong to a Congregational Church here in Connecticut.
I'm not really sure most people believe house churches are necessarily better, but rather they seek closer fellowship than can be had in a larger denominational church where they may feel like they are lost in a large crowd or churches that only want to grow in number instead of in closer fellowship with one another (very different than the church in the book of Acts isn't it?). People often get discouraged because of this.
My:wr50:
[quote:e9814d39a4][i:e9814d39a4]Originally posted by Gregg[/i:e9814d39a4]
Scott, do you think the Lord will be more pleased with your church attendance/affiliation with a larger denomination, than Loriann's small home fellowship? [/quote:e9814d39a4]
Greg,
If the house church is simply a church that meets in a house, and has a minister of the word who opens the Scriptures and preaches the Word, then it is no different from a congregational church.
But if there is no minister of the word, and if the sacraments are not rightly administered and discipline is not rightly administered, then God is indeed less pleased with it.
I also have grave misgvings about the failure to worship on the Lord's Day, as is CLEARLY the Biblical pattern (see the last few chapters of John, the whole book of Acts and Revelation 1.
I also believe that while a congregational church is a true church (the ecclesiastical form of government being of the [i:e9814d39a4]bene esse[/i:e9814d39a4] and not the [i:e9814d39a4]esse[/i:e9814d39a4] of the Church) , there are problems of a lack of connectionalism and accountability. It may be completely otherwise in Lori's situation - I do not presume to know the facts - but often times a house church (which glories in a form of extreme non-connectionalism) is subject to despotism and crancky theology. (And yes, that can also occur in connectional churches, but not to the level in house churches) .
I tend to think that those who believe house church situations are better than "boring" church they have had in the past do not bear the scars of being in (the vast majority) of odd, despotic house church situations. [/quote:e9814d39a4]
Reply...
Hi Fred, I used to belong to a Congregational Church here in Connecticut.
I'm not really sure most people believe house churches are necessarily better, but rather they seek closer fellowship than can be had in a larger denominational church where they may feel like they are lost in a large crowd or churches that only want to grow in number instead of in closer fellowship with one another (very different than the church in the book of Acts isn't it?). People often get discouraged because of this.
My:wr50:
Scott Bushey
Puritanboard Commissioner
Greg,
Read my recent post (today) to Derick Dickens (DrDad). It addresses your idea about closer fellowship.
http://www.puritanboard.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=3581&page=2#pid44577
Read my recent post (today) to Derick Dickens (DrDad). It addresses your idea about closer fellowship.
http://www.puritanboard.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=3581&page=2#pid44577
What if there isn't a Presbyterian church where one lives? I live here in the Sierras and while looking around for a church I realized that driving 20+ miles one way and often 40+ miles one way was what one would need to do. Nothing would make me happier than to have a OPC Presbyterian church within driving distance. I am even giving serious thought to moving close to 30-40 miles south of me near Vallecito (Angels Camp) where Rushdoonys Chalcedon group is. I need to think about this since I am alone and stuff like this takes planning. I also admit my naiveté when it comes to non-OPC churches and which may or may not be 'Biblical'.
~ Beth
~ Beth
sastark
Puritan Board Graduate
Beth,
I noticed that your location is "California Sierras, Southwest of Lake Tahoe". I am in Sacramento. Are you within driving distance of Sac? I attend a wonderful Reformed church here (see http://www.evangelicalreformed.org). I also know of an OPC church in Rocklin. I'm not sure if these are within driving distance for you, but if so, we'd love to meet you at church!
If I may ask, if you are not within driving distance of Sacramento and its suburbs, where in the Sierra Nevada are you located? I know there is an OPC church in Sonora, if that is closer to you. If you want to U2U me a more specific location (I'm not asking for your home address, just your city or county even), perhaps I could do a little research and see what is near you?
I noticed that your location is "California Sierras, Southwest of Lake Tahoe". I am in Sacramento. Are you within driving distance of Sac? I attend a wonderful Reformed church here (see http://www.evangelicalreformed.org). I also know of an OPC church in Rocklin. I'm not sure if these are within driving distance for you, but if so, we'd love to meet you at church!
If I may ask, if you are not within driving distance of Sacramento and its suburbs, where in the Sierra Nevada are you located? I know there is an OPC church in Sonora, if that is closer to you. If you want to U2U me a more specific location (I'm not asking for your home address, just your city or county even), perhaps I could do a little research and see what is near you?
[quote:73695d0bcc][i:73695d0bcc]Originally posted by sastark[/i:73695d0bcc]
Beth,
I noticed that your location is "California Sierras, Southwest of Lake Tahoe". I am in Sacramento. Are you within driving distance of Sac? I attend a wonderful Reformed church here (see http://www.evangelicalreformed.org). I also know of an OPC church in Rocklin. I'm not sure if these are within driving distance for you, but if so, we'd love to meet you at church!
If I may ask, if you are not within driving distance of Sacramento and its suburbs, where in the Sierra Nevada are you located? I know there is an OPC church in Sonora, if that is closer to you. If you want to U2U me a more specific location (I'm not asking for your home address, just your city or county even), perhaps I could do a little research and see what is near you? [/quote:73695d0bcc]
I am in the Jackson area and I am aware of the Sonora group which is actually down near Chalcedon or Rushdonny's group in Vallecito, CA. It is close to thirty miles south of me, whereas Sacramento and Stockton are 40+ miles away. I am actually surprised that there are not more OPC groups here in my area, since Amador County is rather conservative.
~ Beth
Beth,
I noticed that your location is "California Sierras, Southwest of Lake Tahoe". I am in Sacramento. Are you within driving distance of Sac? I attend a wonderful Reformed church here (see http://www.evangelicalreformed.org). I also know of an OPC church in Rocklin. I'm not sure if these are within driving distance for you, but if so, we'd love to meet you at church!
If I may ask, if you are not within driving distance of Sacramento and its suburbs, where in the Sierra Nevada are you located? I know there is an OPC church in Sonora, if that is closer to you. If you want to U2U me a more specific location (I'm not asking for your home address, just your city or county even), perhaps I could do a little research and see what is near you? [/quote:73695d0bcc]
I am in the Jackson area and I am aware of the Sonora group which is actually down near Chalcedon or Rushdonny's group in Vallecito, CA. It is close to thirty miles south of me, whereas Sacramento and Stockton are 40+ miles away. I am actually surprised that there are not more OPC groups here in my area, since Amador County is rather conservative.
~ Beth
Abd_Yesua_alMasih
Puritan Board Junior
[quote:9157c38307]I noticed a few folks here dont really belong to any particular denomination but have seemed to started their own fellowship. I just wondered as to why you didnt join a Presbyterian church since the ones I am thinking about are certainly paedo. Is there something that just does not sit well with you in any particular denomination? [/quote:9157c38307]I can see where these people come from and while I am not one of them as such I could almost be and could see why it could be good at some times.
I come from New Zealand and you would find it very hard to find a Presbyterian Church here although I have heard it mentioned a few times in a New Zealand context. Most churchs are anglican and catholic for traditions sake and there are a few Baptists churchs. Just to give an idea of what New Zealand is like - by 2010 they do not think there will be a single Methodist church here. We are a country of atheists. Many of the "churchs" that do exist are so liberal they never do much. 2% of our population classes themselves as active Christians while 10% attend church now and again. This is a country where the Prime Minister can say "dont vote for them (a different party), they have radical Christian elements" and get voted in. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy in the western world and I live in the city with the highest rate within New Zealand... go figure...
As you could imagine it is near on impossible to find a Church you would agree with. Right now I go to an Apostolic and a Baptist church but I dont agree with the Apostolic as much. Some elements in there though I do agree with as they also have no better place to go.
I come from New Zealand and you would find it very hard to find a Presbyterian Church here although I have heard it mentioned a few times in a New Zealand context. Most churchs are anglican and catholic for traditions sake and there are a few Baptists churchs. Just to give an idea of what New Zealand is like - by 2010 they do not think there will be a single Methodist church here. We are a country of atheists. Many of the "churchs" that do exist are so liberal they never do much. 2% of our population classes themselves as active Christians while 10% attend church now and again. This is a country where the Prime Minister can say "dont vote for them (a different party), they have radical Christian elements" and get voted in. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy in the western world and I live in the city with the highest rate within New Zealand... go figure...
As you could imagine it is near on impossible to find a Church you would agree with. Right now I go to an Apostolic and a Baptist church but I dont agree with the Apostolic as much. Some elements in there though I do agree with as they also have no better place to go.
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