I Attended a Church of Christ today.

Chuck7 · 07-17-2005, 09:32 AM

I have been looking for a church for a while. I went to a Church of Christ 30 years ago and did not like it. However; my friend Strut goes to one and so does Chad. Chad has been encouraging me on the side to try one out again. So I did.

My only regret is that I never raised my children that way. I love the church. I plan to continue there. The people were very serious Christians and the main focus was on the word of God.I felt like I was surrounded by the truth. It felt a little like I was in a military service. All the men had short hair. The singing was excellent. The preaching was 5 star. I had been missing out because of one bad experience 30 years ago. Again, I was mostly impressed by the seriousness I seen in the young people.
Brother Chuck

Moose75 · 07-17-2005, 11:02 AM

Chuck Can I ask what church it was? My Aunt and her familylive down your way. They also are members of the Church of Christ. Your review is abasic view of what you would see in any trueChurch of Christ. We stick to the word, follow the steps laid out in the Bible, and keep it in order.

Chuck7 · 07-17-2005, 11:11 AM

Sure Moose,
Church of Christ
2510 Lakeland Hills Blvd.
Lakeland Florida.
The service was actually very good. The preacher spoke on the conscience and did an excellent job. Singing was done without instruments. It honestly was so simple it was like stepping back into the 60s. The entire service was Bible centered literally. People were flipping through their Bibles and really tuned to the meaty message. If I had one word to discribe them it would be serious. People were there to hear the word of the Lord. When it was over they talked about which visitation team was going out this week.
Chuck

Clint. · 07-17-2005, 01:41 PM

Chuck, I have gotten the idea from some of your posts that you are in agreement with some teachings that are somewhat charismatic/pentecostal in nature. That is fine if that is the case. I did not mean that as a criticism even though I myself am not of that persuasion.

However, I am wondering if that is "in sync" with the teachings of the Church of Christ. What does the Cof C teach about the gifts of tongues, prophecy, healing, etc. Does the Church of Christ see them as temporary gifts that ended in the first century or do they teach that they are applicable today?

Will you find yourself stymied or uncomfortable at some point in the future as a result of such perceived differences?

I have attended 3 different churches since I was born again. In one I was made to feel uncomfortable. In another, I just didn't fit in. In the third, I feel at home. It is so important to feel comfortable (and not scrutinized) in one's own church.

May God bless you and your bass fishing too!

strut · 07-17-2005, 01:57 PM

Chuck, thats great, search for the truth and the truth shall set you free.

Chuck7 · 07-17-2005, 02:27 PM

Clint,
I am so happy that you ask that question. I ask myself that last night as I was driving down the road. This was what my heart was saying. Does hitting the bull's eye once or twice make you a professional archer ? Does having a charasmatic experience make you pentecostal? The answer is no. Shucks Clint...the Pentecostals don't even believe me.LOL After pondering your thought yesterday, I have come to realize those things were meant for me. Paul says I become all things to all men that I might win some. While in the Church of Christ I plan to keep my mouth shut concerning things that cause divisions. I did like alot of things. Here they are.
1. No harping on money. The giving was done very reverently with zero pressure.
2. No exhaulting man. No special speakers. The service started with a reverent offering. Then came 3 beautiful song hymns without instruments. Every one seemed very attentive from the child to the elderly. There were about 120 in the church with about 30 blacks. Every one acted friendly and tactful.
3. The message was rich . Stepped on my toes continually but I found no fault with any of the preaching. The preacher was studied up and uncompromising and seemed very sincere.
4. I seemed to be saturated in the truth. They opened the Word and stayed in the Word the whole time.
Clint.....The things that God has blessed me with were for me. I will just keep them tucked in my heart and keep my mouth shut and love these folks. I plan to stay here. It is a safe church. A church to invite people to if you want them to hear 100% truth. Another thing Clint. Something I have learned is look at the youth of a church if you want to see what a church teaches. Or look at the pastors wife. Is she happy. The real test is the behavior of the people. "Wisdom is justified of her children." The basic doctrine is pretty much the same among the churches. I am sold on the enthusiasm of the congregation. The simple budget and the desire for 100% truth. I was expecting a boring unspiritual church....not at all.
Great question.
Chuck
Editing for spelling.

Clint. · 07-17-2005, 02:46 PM

Thanks for the straight answer Chuck.
I wish you every happiness.

Chuck7 · 07-17-2005, 02:48 PM

You got it brother. If your ever in the area please stop by. I'm serious.
God bless,
Chuck

Leafrivermac · 07-17-2005, 03:27 PM

In my walk, when seeking a place of worship, the main thing I am looking for is a group of believers that I could be in one accord with. I was raised up around so many different religions and denominations that I learned to take a belief with a grain of salt. I've been to several different denominational churches and I thank God for all of them. It seems that at each one I learned something that the Lord wanted me to learn at the time. However as I grew in the word, I sometimes grew in a different direction from the church I was in. I'm happy with the church I attend now, I love my brothers and sisters, for the most part in the big picture, I am in agreement with them. Right now and for some time now I just feel in my bones that this is where God wants me to be. I can't picture going anywhere else but I know that if I were not in agreement with these folk I would eventually move on, Lord willing.

Chuck7 · 07-17-2005, 05:09 PM

Hi Leaf,
I love that Mississippi sign on your post. I use to look for the one accord things brother. I guess I've given up on that. It would take lot's of pages to write down my church adventures. As you said, lots of lessons. And some very good experiences. I will share the good and not the bad.
1.Methodist 5 years.... taught a Bible study and sunday school class. I was given a free trip to Israel in appreciation.
2.Nazerine.......Learned how to witness door to door, led worship and youth group. 2 years
3.Attended a woman led Pentecostal Bible study 2 years. was transferred or I would have stayed there forever. Learned how faith and love work hand and hand. Never found another like it.
That equals 9 years. I've been saved for about 30. 21 years of learning. I believe this new church is a good place to get drenched in the word. I don't plan on having any theological conversations. I will save them for here.LOL I'm just going to drink the word. aqnd see what God has in store. Many thought I was out of God's will when I went to the Methodist for 5 years. WOW !!That pastor plugged us in and man it was great. Trouble was the switch of pastors and the bottom came out.
love ya Leaf,,
Chuck
PS I remembered the others

Episcopal 2 years .....was involved in social work Assembly of God ..... about 7 years ..taught children's church.
Home Church in our home 3 years....jail ministry and street ministry.