Tell me about where and how you worship…
I broke the last post into two questions. I realized that perhaps I was asking too much in one place. So go to the post below to tell me how you see God moving in this generation. And, in this comment box, I’d love to hear about your church gathering. Home church, Fundamental, Emergent, Emerging, Reformed, Wesleyan Armenian…tell me what’s good about your fellowship. (That’s for Molly. I’m trying to use up all of her descriptions.) If there’s nothing good…then you need to be finding a new fellowship! 
)
Let me tell you about my local Church body. My husband pastors a Missionary Church in Michigan. We are an evangelical denomination which focuses on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and living a life of holiness. We are not necessarily denominationally bound, it is just a good fit right now. From a practical perspective, the denomination is dedicated to church planting and world missions. A good percentage of our budget is dedicated to missions. It is a good, good, good group of people….not perfect people, but it is surely a place where I see people seeking God and striving to live out that faith in a real way. I see them reaching out both within the body and without. We are continually challenged to grow, to avoid complacency. The leadership works diligently to equip ALL believers to minister, in whatever way God has gifted them. The moral bar is set quite high, but with forgiveness easily extended and plenty of hands to help the fallen brother. Doctrinally, it is an interesting mix which is mostly left to the discretion of the local pastor. Some of our churches are very much in the Wesleyan Armenian camp, while some out West and in the Southwest are Calvanistic. Our services are mostly traditional, because that is how the body desires to worship.
Your turn!
thereverendswife replied:
Oh c’mon, people! Somebody stop by and play!
September 30, 2006 at 8:00 pm. Permalink.
coxclan5 replied:
Okay here goes.
I grew up Quaker. No, that is not Amish. Far from it. but Quakers do advocate a simple lifestyle…the older Quakers 100 years ago and beyond DID look alot like the Amish/Shaker community. But not anymore. In fact the Quaker church has gotten very, very liberal, which was a huge reason I left. That, and the fact I married a southern baptist young man
We now go to a Southern Baptist church BUT…it is NOTHING like you would picture an SBC. We have a band, we are very contemporary….and might I say, I think we might even be “emergent” by today’s standards. I still don’t know what all that means and how I feel about it Holly. You know I’ve been pondering very deep lately at my blog and Mollys!!!!
I just know this. I want more of HIM. More of Jesus, less of politics and doctrine. More relationship, less “work”. More peace, more joy….more of a spirit filled life.
Our pastor asked an important question the other day which I think bears importance on the whole emergent/not emergent thing…
CAN GOD DO A NEW THING IN YOUR CHURCH? IN YOUR LIFE? IN YOU?
Yes, God can do a NEW thing if we are open to it and obedient, I think.
Lindsey @ Enjoy the Journey
September 30, 2006 at 10:56 pm. Permalink.
thereverendswife replied:
That’s great, Lindsey, thanks, hon!
I don’t know too much about Quakers – I have only attended one service, and that was in Kenya of all places!
I admire so much the way that you are seeking more of Jesus!
September 30, 2006 at 11:18 pm. Permalink.
didi replied:
I’ve been going to a PCA church for 5 years. I joined the congregation when it was a church plant and I’ve witnessed its growth (now about 150). Had I known it was PCA in the beginning I would have never attended, as I am not a fan of such a conservative denomination. But our pastor is fairly progressive, willing to dialogue, and will sit with mystery (he doesn’t give pat answers to tough issues). We follow a liturgy, which I LOVE. We have a jazz band. I’m a liturgy and hymn kinda gal. I love tradition, ritual, and deep meaning. I really tune out to when I hear “christianese” and “god talk”. I think I actually could convert to Catholism. Many of my heroes of the faith are Catholics (Mother Teresa, Henri Nouwen to name a few.)
Anyway, I like the fact too that we have liberals and conservatives (politically) and people who think very differently in terms of theology as well. I think our pastor does a great job at focusing on JESUS and creating a community where it’s okay to think outside the normal Christian box.
October 1, 2006 at 12:55 am. Permalink.
Donna replied:
I love our church…we have a good mix of people. We are SBC but no one is hung up on denomination…we are all doing our best to focus on Jesus each and every day. During worship service we sing both traditional hymns and praise choruses. Our pastor preaches right out of God’s Word and doesn’t add to it but carefully explains how the Word can be applied to our lives. I’m probably one of the most conservative members of our church but I look at that as a benefit because it broadens my viewpoint without shaking the foundation of my faith.
October 1, 2006 at 1:08 am. Permalink.
thereverendswife replied:
Thanks Didi and Donna.
Didi, you need a blog. I can’t get a mental picture on you…:) I can’t visit you and leave messages!
Donna – I appreciate your comment where you said, “I’m probably one of the most conservative members of our church but I look at that as a benefit because it broadens my viewpoint without shaking the foundation of my faith.” That’s a good way to look at it!
October 1, 2006 at 1:35 am. Permalink.
Shannon Miller replied:
Holly – I want to come back and get really into this later, okay? Great questions!
October 1, 2006 at 1:39 am. Permalink.
sarah replied:
Hi! Although I grew up mostly attending Churches of God (General Conference Denomination, there’s actually 3 Churches of God denominations…try explaining that one clearly!) and married a Wesleyan who works at a Nazarene University, we currently attend a Vineyard Church. The church was planted in our town three years ago and is young, growing, and vibrant. I have loved getting to know such a variety of people there and have particularly appreciated their praise band on Sunday mornings. They are a very prolific church which is always exciting because who doesn’t love holding new babies? Well…because of all of those babies, I’m off to the nursery this Sunday!
October 1, 2006 at 12:21 pm. Permalink.
erika replied:
My family came to the Lord through the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church when I was around 6yo. It was a church plant, brand new, meeting at a local school. I have such fond memories, though I don’t recall much of the “legalities” (aka doctrine). Everyone loved coming together to worship as a group. I don’t think I’ve been in a church since then that felt as “meshed” as that one. I also still appreciate the close interaction I got with foreign missionaries all through the year. I yearn for a similar experience for my children.
Since then I’ve been in Baptist, non-denominational, Presbyterian, Methodist, and even a little Evangelical Congregational church. I’ve experienced traditional and radically charasmatic worship. I’d have to say that I prefer. . . everything. I’d probably be happiest in a “blended” service where I can have “the best of both worlds.” But, I think what I’m realizing more and more is that it isn’t about what makes me happy. I need to find joy in worshipping God whenever, wherever and however. So I’ve come to love traditional and contemporary alike.
Right now we are attending a Baptist church. We just moved here 2 mos. ago. The church appealed to my husband and I both right off the bat. The people were relatively family. They have two differents services, but we’ve been going to the traditional (a time preference more than anything). Mostly, the pastor really impressed me. He is the most down-to-earth, humble, “real” pastor I’ve ever heard. (Except my now Southern Baptist preacher dad. . . but that’s another story).
So, in a nutshell. . . I like to worship anywhere I can and I like to worship in any way that God calls me.
October 1, 2006 at 9:18 pm. Permalink.
thereverendswife replied:
That is wonderful, Erika. Thank you!
My husband and I were talking last night about the fact that there will be no denominations in Heaven. I asked him what God thought about all of our denominations. Ecumenism is kind of a strange thing here on earth, whether it should be or not is another thing. Ecumenical services have always seemed watered down to me (but that may just be my perception.) But in Heaven, we WILL worship as one, and the doctrinal differences won’t matter a lick – because we will know Truth and won’t have anything to bicker about.
October 1, 2006 at 9:46 pm. Permalink.
thereverendswife replied:
I didn’t finish my thought well, there. I was wanting to say that I bet God thinks our denominations are kind of silly. What was His plan for the Church? What would He have us look like at this point in time?
I really think we are at a pivotal point in history right now…I think it will be interesting to see and be a part of what God is doing/will do over the next quarter century, worldwide.
Many of the mission agencies I am familiar with are becoming aware that the way things have been done simply aren’t working anymore and are restructuring. They are keeping core beliefs the same, but simply saying…”What should we be doing differently.” That is very exciting to me, too. I think we could be on the cusp of some big changes.
October 1, 2006 at 9:50 pm. Permalink.
coxclan5 replied:
Holly,
Won’t that be great—no denominations, no doctrine, no politics in church.
Just pure worship of the Holy One in Heaven. Seated at the throne….
I can’t even grasp that.
Lindsey
October 2, 2006 at 1:34 am. Permalink.
Andrea replied:
We attend a small Calvary Chapel. Calvary Chapel is a church started by Chuck Smith, where he started evagenlizing to the “hippies” in California in the 60s-70s. It is not a denomination, but I would describe it as a basic “Community Bible Church”. The marked feature about the sermons in a Calvary Chapel is that it is a verse by verse, chapter by chapter, book by book teaching of the Bible for Sunday preaching. On the whole, Calvary teaches the Bible, word for word every Sunday. For example, our pastor went through verse by verse, chapter by chapter and book by book of Revelation the past months. What is so great about this way of teaching is that it is almost like a bible study on Sunday mornings, you do not get topical sermons in Calvary Chapel.
The worship is contemporary for the most part.
MAny of the CAlvary Chapels in the WEst are considered “Mega Churches”, which I am not a fan of, but our church is more like a home church, family style. I really like that about our church.
On the whole, I like Calvary Chapels, but I disagree with their policy on not allowing children in worship services. (Our church does not have that policy, and so there are many families in worship with their children)
I do love the old style hymns for I grew up Southern baptist, and I wish CAlvary did more of them. My husband was saved through Calvary CHapel ministry and he is more comfortable there.
So, that is that!
October 2, 2006 at 1:56 am. Permalink.
thereverendswife replied:
Thanks, Andrea! I LOVE kids in the worship service! It seems so….sterile without them!
October 2, 2006 at 2:06 am. Permalink.
Rachel replied:
We go to an Independent Fundamental Baptist church. We have a very traditional style service. The people are very down to earth. The church is pretty small, and it’s like a family. I grew up in this church, left with my family when I was a teenager, and then went back with my husband last year. To be honest, it’s not the perfect fit for me. It’s a good fit, but not perfect. We agree doctrinally with everything, but my husband and I are starting to feel a little differently about a few things us independent Baptists like to preach on. I don’t know that there is any other denomination out there that I would feel any better in, so, for now, we are here. My husband is a preacher, and is currently in seminary. I don’t know what lays ahead in our future, but I do hope that someday I find myself in a church that is a perfect fit. For now, I’m in the church that I feel the most comfortable in, with people whom I love and respect, and we serve and worship God. I have a wonderful, involved pastor, and I feel good about having our kids in this church.
October 2, 2006 at 3:24 pm. Permalink.
Shannon Miller replied:
Finally I get to come back and talk church:) We attend a small (about 50 on a good Sunday) Nazarene church and I love it. I love the people – it’s really like a family. And I love the Nazarene church in general because I agree with so much of the doctrine and because I was raised in it. I don’t want to BE a Nazarene, I want to BE a Christian, kwim? We’re actually having a little difference of opinion (again, sigh) about church. Hubby is very anti-denominations and would prefer to find a church that is more conservative in general (we’re by far the most conservative about things like family roles, homeschooling, family planning, etc). But I feel like this is our family and God has us here for a reason. We actually are both feeling really led to take over leading one of the SUnday School classes…
I really enjoy worship here. We have a pretty wide variety of people. The music is a pretty good mix of praise choruses and hymns. We have a “praise band” that is mostly made up of our youth. We really sound like a family praising Him together. And we spend a pretty good amount of time with one another outside of “church.” We have some kind of church-wide get-together every month in addition to ladies’meetings, youth meetings, getting together at one another’s homes, meeting to grab a cup of coffee, and stuff like that:) I love it. But I can concede that it isn’t perfect. I would prefer that everyone believed all the same things we do:) But I guess that isn’t a neccessity for me to love them like brothers and sisters, you know?
October 2, 2006 at 6:08 pm. Permalink.
thereverendswife replied:
Rachel, I am wondering if we will ever, any of us, find a church that is a perfect fit? What do the rest of you think?
Shannon, I love to hear that you love your church.
Like I mentioned – I can easily get discouraged…particularly when I focus on what is wrong. But when I lay it all out on the table and examine it…I see that I really can on a broad level say that there are many wonderful things going on in our church/denomination and I can see God moving. Sometimes it depends what I focus on.
October 2, 2006 at 7:21 pm. Permalink.
Heidi replied:
I attend an Anabaptist church that is not officially part of any conference but has an accountability team. Many visiting Anabaptists have said that our church is refreshingly different. My husband and I don’t really have much to compare to within Anabaptist circles since we joined the church only 4 years ago or so. Yes, we have goals of faith and practice, but it is very much “heart-focused”, rather than a set of external rules. The leadership is extrememly sensitive to that, and we are very thankful. There is an emphasis on personal holiness and accountability within the body that is refreshing and challenging…and one that my husband and I have never experienced to this extent before. There is a genuine desire to serve each other. For instance, when we built our home a couple years ago, we had nearly every family come to help with a “house raising” on one day. This is a church of about 100 members.
Last night we had communion. We spent over 1 1/2 hours going around and having each one say what God has been doing in their lives over the past 6 months and whether they are at peace with God and men. We then read passages on Christ’s crucifixion before corporately partaking in communion. We then split the men and women to do a footwashing. It is very much a bonding time, singing impromptu hymns and choruses. I was reminded of the persecution that Christians face in “closed” countries of the world and the preciousness of a body of believers that will go to great lengths and potential death for gathering together.
On the other hand, we are very mission-minded as well. A good majority of the offerings gathered go to missions/benevolence to those in need. We desire to help those overseas as well as in the community, whether they know anything of our church or not.
There is a growing urge to help each person find their niche regarding telling the unsaved in our community of Christ. We are always looking for opportunities to witness/serve others. I hope you don’t view this as boasting, because that is not my heart at all, but just to give you a idea of the things we are doing…one family is reaching out to international students at the local college, my husband and I have started a Bible study with my husband’s co-worker and wife who just accepted the Lord (my husband has been witnessing/praying for them for 4 years), another has a ministry for intercessory prayer, another family has taken in 5 children indefinately due to a unique/sad circumstance, another works as a carpenter in the community and is constantly planting seeds of the Gospel to the unsaved around him, one family is moving to Asia to start a Bible school, another is moving to Haiti soon to serve in missions there, another has a prision ministry…
Despite all of this, our church is like all others in the fact that it is far from perfect. Yet it is through iron sharpening iron that we are drawn closer to Christ, yearning to know what it means to be like Him in word and deed.
Anyway, I hope that this gives a flavor of what our church is like.
October 2, 2006 at 8:40 pm. Permalink.
Heidi replied:
Oh, I suppose I should add, for those that may be wondering, our services are quite conservative. We sing a cappella during the Sunday morning services, although at evening services and campfire services there are guitars at times and many utilize musical instruments in their homes. It’s not that instruments are considered “bad”, it’s just that many feel that instruments *can* distract and become predominant, when our heart is to focus on the theology and musical simplicity of the hymns and choruses that we sing. Many times, people testify to the way the Lord ministered to their heart through the deep, thought-provoking words of a hymn we sand that morning.
I realize that this can be a “hot” topic and I can relate to praise and worship bands as I was previously part of some before attending this church. I see how God used more contemporary worship in some instances and how it was not helpful in others. I’m not out to say one way is better than another, just to describe what our church does.
October 2, 2006 at 9:03 pm. Permalink.
Violet replied:
I was raised in an independent Baptist church, went to the mission field under a Baptist mission, and attended Baptist churches the first 15 years of our marriage. I came to realize that much of what I believed was more from acceptance of a belief system from others I highly respected, rather than something I had come to an understanding of through my own personal study. I guess what really bothered me the most was the discrepancy I saw between what people said they believed (including myself) and what they lived out in day-to-day life. I saw a lot of masks worn and misplaced emphasis on externals rather than heart issues.
After several big disappointments in three different churches, the Lord finally had us where He wanted us – depending on Him alone for our nurturing. THEN…five years ago, He brought us to the body we worship with today. My first response was “Why did we have to wait so long?” but then I realized we were not ready for this. The Lord had major work to do in our lives to appreciate this church and family. No, it isn’t a perfect church (we’re a part of it, remember?!) but the people love the Lord and are pursuing Him. Our pastor (86 yo) is one of the most humble, wise, gracious men I have ever met. The elders represent a broad range of lives, all with the common focus of proclaiming Christ and Him crucified. The congregation (about 150) is made up of people from all walks of life. We meet in an industrial building, and follow a very simple worship style – hymns, piano and organ accompaniment, and expository preaching. There is no fluff or fanfare, but lots of food for the soul and an almost overwhelming sense of family and peace. I am so thankful for the Lord’s leading us to this church at this time in our lives. After looking for so long, I know it is a rare blessing, and I treasure it greatly.
October 2, 2006 at 9:29 pm. Permalink.
thereverendswife replied:
Heidi and Violet – thank you so much for sharing with me. It helps me, tremendously, to get a picture of how things are for others. I DON’T get out much, and so while I have my suppositions about what the Church is for other people, it is GOOD to hear straight from you.
You know, there are as many stories as there are Christians. I would imagine, as I sit here typing tonight, that some of the most powerful stories of unity and Provision come from the persecuted church…those who have no building, no anything. I just read The Heavenly Man a short while ago – AMAZING stories Pastor Wu shared!
October 2, 2006 at 11:53 pm. Permalink.
Listening replied:
Hey Holly!
We are reading the Heavenly Man right now. Good soul fodder.
Blessings,
Ann
October 3, 2006 at 12:24 am. Permalink.
Susan replied:
I’d like to answer this question and I will try to be careful of what I say. My husband and I have attended a Baptist Church (CBA) for 11 years, basically our entire marriage. Its grown and we have grown and we are not growing on a parallel path. We have decided to leave this church after about a year of deliberating. We are now homeless. We have attended a couple of churches the last 6 weeks. We like to go to one church several times before deciding whether to pursue it more or try something else. I realize there are many people who disagree with this approach, but really is there a better way? We don’t want to go just anywhere. These are the things that soured us.
No family unity
age segregated programs
Programs
Programs
the emphasis of minstering to those said programs.
Mega size
Huge building fund (millions)
Staff run
Money-attracts those with a lot of it. (upper middle class)
Leaves those less fortunate feeling lost and unable to fit in.
Lack of support for homeschoolers (antagonistic)
trying to fit in with the world-being cool- especially with the youth groups.
Seeker friendly
I wish I had something positive to say. Well, I guess I can say this. There are many people there who love the Lord. They have good intentions- we just don’t believe in the approach.
We are more reform in doctrine. We want a family integrated church with good worship, solid teaching, truly equipping the body and especially men to be leaders of the home.
Susan
October 3, 2006 at 6:42 am. Permalink.
thereverendswife replied:
Susan, I understand what you are saying. I value many (in fact, all, I would say) of these things that you are looking for.
I know many, many on-line families who are disgruntled and troubled and “homeless” when it comes to a church family. I don’t really have a good answer, unfortunately. I don’t think there is anything wrong with visiting several churches to see how things are. How else could you know?
Just keep putting it before the Lord – see where He leads you. I know many families who are able to minister FOR God, with whom God is working…who do not have a church home. God IS faithful, and will lead you.
October 3, 2006 at 8:02 pm. Permalink.
Junelle replied:
I found Holly!
When we left the mormon church, we were actually afraid of attending any other church. We had be indoctrinated to believe that “any other church is an abomination of God”. We mainly stayed home with our 4 sons for 3 years. I read a half a million books
and was captivated by the early christians and their unfailing and uncompromising love of Jesus. That was church.
After those years alone, we decided to actually try a church. My husband and I attended by ourselves for an entire month before we let our boys attend (fear of Christians??? Isn’t that crazy???). I shoke all over the first week. Then I cried and cried for several weeks with the worship. I had never experienced that before in my life. (Mormons don’t worship) The little church (tiny!) is a non-denominational bible church. It didn’t even have a worship leader or singer or anything. One week we just listened to a CD. I just gotta tell you…it didn’t matter…I was undone by the idea of singing praises to God. Wow! My husband felt a call on him within a month of attending and has been the worship leader ever since. Greatly blessing our home with music all week!
We still attend that tiny church. There is no other church for 50 miles or so. Our little church family is really diverse with good people. Interesting fellowship. I don’t really know my place and it doesn’t feel like family yet, but I am hoping it will.
Our youth group is so in need. We live in a community that is very hostile to Christians. My high school age son came home yesterday after being told that he could shove his ideas (meaning that he didn’t believe what the book of mormon said) up his Catholic ____. (He wears a cross around his neck, everyone thinks that means he is catholic). He was told that to have the word Jesus on his sweatshirt was swearing!
Anyway…didn’t mean to get off subject…I just love that there is diversity in the body and that Jesus knows where we are. I need prayer for our little body. Thank you Holly and all for sharing. I really wanted to read about worship and the different churches. Keep going….Love, Junelle
October 4, 2006 at 2:54 pm. Permalink.
Holly replied:
Junelle, you have touched my heart many times. Thank you so much for telling me about your church. You and your family are a miracle. Did you know that?
October 4, 2006 at 11:41 pm. Permalink.
Michelle replied:
Above all, I am a Christian!
I have trusted Jesus Christ as my Savior, and as one pastor of days long ago put, God has so forgiven me that I know I could swing over Hell on a rotten corn stalk, armed with a squirt gun, and I’d be just fine! 
I attend a conservative, fundamenal, independant Baptist church in North Carolina, and have the strong hopes of becoming a pastor’s wife one day (we’ll see how it goes with a certain young man currently in seminary!). I trusted Christ when I was 15, and now teach the 2 and 3 year old Sunday school class, play violin in our small orchestra, sing, and work in the bus ministry.
God has greatly blessed my heart in the church that I am now at. I have been there for five years, and can honestly say that each and every service we can feel the Lord in the place! The members are all like family.
We have faced much rebuke of recent days in our community and even nation, as we have found ourselves in the media for taking stands for Godly principles- our community has been in a downward spiral, and we have stood up against unGodly and unamerican legislation. To the praise of God, we have seen many victories!
Our services are traditional, yet in a way laid back because of the comfort we all feel worshipping together. We are of the sect where ladies wear modest skirts, and the gentleman still wear ties on Sunday!
And our ladies fix a mean banana pudding for dinners!!
January 23, 2007 at 2:39 am. Permalink.