Expert: Carl Fuglein - 2/9/2006

Question
hi:-)

I'm a 22 yr old female, and I was baptized three yrs ago, finding a good church is stressful for me , Can you offer some advice?


thanks,

Answer
Patrice-

Thanks for writing.  I'd be glad to offer some advice, but let me ask you a couple questions which will greatly help.

Do you live in the town where you were baptized?
If so, what's wrong with that church.

If not, I'm presuming you moved away due to college or job or whatever.  What was the reason?

What denomination church were you baptized in?

Would you consider yourself theologically conservative or liberal?  In order to help with this, let me ask these questions:

What is your stance on divorce?  Is it permissible to take communion if you're divorced?

Should gays and lesbians be allowed to come to church?

Should gays and lesbians allowed to be in leadership in a church?

Do you believe that women can hold leadership positions in a church?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What does a church community mean to you?  Fellowship?  A place to meet guys?  A place that has lots of activities? A place that offers differing styles of worship?

~~~~~~~~~~~~

All these things go into how to find a church.  I agree that it can be stressful finding the right church, but God will ultimately help you find one.  Please answer the questions I've asked, and maybe I can offer some more specific advice.  In general, just let me offer that you should be going to SOME church as a Christian, as it is hard to remain Christian by yourself - you need the accountability and encouragement of fellow believers.  With that in mind, sometimes being in a BAD church is better than being in NO church.


hope to hear from you soon.

blessings,
carl