| Author | Message | ||
| U2bsda Registered user Username: U2bsda Post Number: 14 Registered: 11-2004 |
Would anyone mind sharing what denominations/set of beliefs are represented here from former Adventists? I know I've seen mention that there are Lutherens, but was wondering what other churches people have joined after leaving the SDA church. Is there a directory somewhere so we can see if there are former adventists in our area? | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2647 Registered: 3-2004  |
I was baptized into Christ and joined the Central Christian Church, a non denominational church here in Henderson, NV. God led me here and when he wants me to move on He will let me know. Diana | ||
| Honestwitness Registered user Username: Honestwitness Post Number: 79 Registered: 7-2005  |
I've been attending a Presbyterian church for the past 6 months and finding it quite satisfying. It's a PCUSA church, but it's one of the conservative ones. Members are not at all happy with the recent ruling by the General Assembly that practicing homosexuals can be ordained. I wish we had a directory of former SDAs in each city or geographic region. However, just as I have chosen to keep my identity hidden for the sake of those close to me, I'm sure that is likely the case with some other former SDAs too. I do know that of the other SDAs who left my local SDA church within the past year, there is a wide diversity in what they believe. Some of them were into celebrating all the Jewish feast days, some were into the 'YAHWEH' thing, some were investigating the Seventh-day Baptist denomination. As far as I know, I'm the only one who went into mainstream Protestantism. HW | ||
| Benevento Registered user Username: Benevento Post Number: 116 Registered: 4-2005 |
I joined the Evangical Covenant Church, an offshoot (I don't know why) of the Lutheran Church in the 1890's I think, by some Swedish immigrants. I'm not Swedish, but grew up in the Northwest, where Scandivians are plentiful--, I liked their core beliefs,and otherwise there is room for differences. I had wanted to find an independent church,just because I was dis enchanted with the SDA heirarchy--but I am content here and there is room to grow. Bible based and no "other gospel". Peggy | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 4279 Registered: 12-2003  |
We joined an Evangelical Free Church. We agree with the core doctrines, but there is room for disagreement in non-central issues. We joined this church primarily because it has a pastor who is an excellent expository preacher/teacher, and it also is congregational in governance. Besides taking the Bible very seriously, this church also has very active, wide-ranging ministry outreach including a Hispanic pastor and congregation, regular feeding programs for the poor, two after-school programs for disadvantaged children, a permanent mission in Mexico, an active small-group ministry, an established and growing ministry for developmentally disabled adults and children, and various other special needs ministries including Former Adventist Fellowship. The emphasis on specific ministry outreach reflects the pastors' and the governing board's commitment to living according to Biblical principles. I know former Adventists in our area who attend Calvary Chapel and some who attend more charismatic churches. Colleen | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 1859 Registered: 3-2005 |
U2bsda, I think most former SDAs as a whole throw out the baby with the bath water, and never attend another church. But most formers on this board are evangelical in their beliefs, although, unfortunately, many have trouble finding a church to actually join and get involved with. After being burned by one denomination, it can be hard to join another denominational church. I've seen some on this board say that many other churches are too much like Adventism. However, I want to emphasize that there are still churches who are faithful to the word of God, and we are commanded to have fellowship with other Christians in the body of Christ. My own wanderings included a Seventh-day Baptist church for two years, that was excellent, and a good bridge out of Adventism. We then started attending a non-denominational church off and on for about 20 years, and trying other numerous churches during those years. But while we were blessed in many of those churches, I still was not content with a lot of the teachings. Finally, after all these years, the Lord has led my wife and I to a church that I believe is faithful to the Word of God, and does not compromise on the great truths of the Reformation, which teach that salvation is all of grace. We now attend Grace Presbyterian Church pastored by Ron Gleason www.rongleason.org and this is a conservative PCA church. There are many other good churches, but it does take time to find them. Stan | ||
| Windmotion Registered user Username: Windmotion Post Number: 301 Registered: 6-2001  |
I attend a Free Methodist church, which I have to say is a really great church for us, but I am not too sold on the denomination. I have never been denomination-bound anyway, having never stuck with a single denomination after each time we have moved. Flexibly, Hannah | ||
| Bobbylog Registered user Username: Bobbylog Post Number: 14 Registered: 6-2006 |
I was a really happy catholic christian , before I joined the Seventh Day Adventist church ..2 years ago ...Now, that I am out now,after this disastrous theogical and doctrinal experience in the SDA church which had seemed to almost detroy and stuck my life, I found nowhere suitable to go than the faith of youth, the catholic church, to retrieve my happiness, my personality, my freedom and my open-mind and to serve the lord Jesus in another way as a christian ... | ||
| U2bsda Registered user Username: U2bsda Post Number: 15 Registered: 11-2004 |
Anyone here in the Spirit-filled baptized in the Holy Ghost kind of church? | ||
| Honestwitness Registered user Username: Honestwitness Post Number: 80 Registered: 7-2005 |
I attended the Spirit-filled, baptized in the Holy Ghost kind of church for about seventeen years just prior to my sixteen years in the SDA denomination. I still believe a lot of what I was taught there. I might have considered going back to the Spirit-filled groups, if I weren't married to a man who believes that kind of religion is demonic. I felt I should go to a more mainstream Protestant church in case he does ever decide to quit Adventism, as I have. At least there is more hope of us going to the same church some day, if I am not deeply involved in a church so far removed from what makes hubby comfortable. | ||
| Goldenbear Registered user Username: Goldenbear Post Number: 152 Registered: 12-2004 |
We attend a Christian and Missionary Alliance Church and agree with most doctrines, I find the people, pastor very accepting and, as my wife has said in conversations lately, normal. | ||
| 91steps Registered user Username: 91steps Post Number: 66 Registered: 8-2005  |
I was raised an Episcopalian, stopped attending when I was 14 when my Mom died, (long story there). Never attended a church (except for weddings or funerals) for the next 18 years until I met my wife. | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 787 Registered: 4-2000  |
My wife and I are active members of an Evangelical Free Church. Dennis Fischer | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 573 Registered: 7-2004  |
The most important thing is not the specific denomination that you find, but locating a local church that teaches from the Word of God and emphasizes the Gospel above all else. It is good to have the support and understanding of other formers who have been through the process of leaving. But it is even more important to become involved in a local church of believers who can nurture, teach, and heal you. We have learned many things in our journey out of SDAism. But we still have so much to re-learn. And this is where finding a healthy, Bible-centered church is so important. The best way to combat error is to focus on learning the truth. One of the hardest temptations to overcome is the desire to find the "perfect" church. That exists only as the bride of Christ made perfect in His blood. Buildings, denominations, and groups are only imperfect people coming together as an imperfect group; hopefully, encouraging and teaching one another to understand Him more, through His Word. | ||
| U2bsda Registered user Username: U2bsda Post Number: 16 Registered: 11-2004 |
It has been interesting to read all the responses. It is neat how we have all gone different ways and yes I agree that you need to find a church that teaches from the Word of God. I left the SDA church and went right into a Charismatic/Pentacostal type church. I think that may have been more difficult for my family to deal with because of the SDA views about those beliefs. I haven't met any former SDAs in any Charismatic/Pentacostal churches and wondered if there were any. So if there is no directory is there a way to find any former SDAs in your area? | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 44 Registered: 6-2006  |
I really like how Ric B puts it. It's true, there is no "perfect" church out there, just like there are no perfect people. Only Jesus is perfect. I notice so often how eager some are to claim that they have the "Truth". Usually those churches are the ones who have that extra truth, or secret truth. A good Bible believing, Gospel preaching church is a the way to go! | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 4288 Registered: 12-2003 |
I totally agree. Rick, you said it so well. It's really important to become grounded in a solid, Bible-teaching, Christ-centered church. We really can't plumb the true meaning and depth of the Bible unless we interact with others who do not share our background and baggage. We need the support of each other, and we need the fellowship of other believers who are grounded in Christianity. Colleen | ||
| Seekr777 Registered user Username: Seekr777 Post Number: 545 Registered: 1-2003  |
U2bsda, I know of a couple former SDAs who have joined Charismatic/Pentacostal type churches. However this is not usually the route that Adventists follow as they leave the denomination. I'm in email and chat with one member who has recently been touched in a powerful way by the Holy Spirit and is in total awe of what God is doing in their life. I know I've met a number of FAF members who God has touched in a variety of ways. (some very traditional) We serve a sovereign God who in not limited in the ways He communicates or works in the lives of His children. I know He has worked in my life in ways I would never have guessed a few years ago. What part of the USA do you live in? Feel free to email me. Resting in His hands, Richard rtruitt@mac.com | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 1863 Registered: 3-2005 |
Speaking of interesting churches, I would like to share this link to an article in Christianity Today: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/127/52.0.html Here is just a portion of the article: Traditional churches have either leaned toward being fundamentalist and separated from culture, which has led to legalism and irrelevance; or they have leaned toward being liberally synchronized with culture, which leads to compromise and irrelevance. Either way, many traditional churches are irrelevant, whether they lean to the Left or the Right theologically and politically. Most contemporary churches are not very theological beyond a few evangelical basics, because they are guided more by pragmatism and programming than theology. At Mars Hill Church, we are driven by Reformed theological convictions and emerging missional methods. I like to say we are theologically conservative and culturally liberal. What are some of the major blind spots of megachurches? The major blind spot of megachurches is that they tend to be very effeminate with aesthetics, music, and preaching perfectly tailored for moms. Manly men are repelled by this, and many of the men who find it appealing are the types to sing prom songs to Jesus and learn about their feelings while sitting in a seafoam green chair drinking herbal teaóthe spiritual equivalent of Richard Simmons. A friend of mine calls them "evangellyfish" with no spiritual vertebrae. Statistically, traditional churches are in steep decline, contemporary churches will dominate in the foreseeable future, and emerging churches are just beginning to sort out what the future holds for them. Are young people becoming more sympathetic to Reformed theology? The two hot theologies today are Reformed and emerging..." Mark Driscoll's church is amazing. He has proven you can build a large church and be culturally relevant, and at the same time be theologically conservative. He has a lot of interesting insights into today's megachurch movement, as his church is a megachurch in the Seattle area called Mars Hill church. Anyone familiar with this particular church? Stan | ||
| Deadmanwalking Registered user Username: Deadmanwalking Post Number: 19 Registered: 4-2006  |
My favorite quote about the ìperfect churchî is that if you find one, donít go there and spoil it! After I left Adventism, I began attending a Four Square church. Loved the worship and emphasis on family values, but found their doctrine to be as man-centered as liberal Adventism and when I discovered their version of EGW was a lady named Aimee Semple McPherson, I had to move on. My study of Theology was moving me more and more toward a Reformed perspective and I began to look for a church that emphasised the 5 Solaís of the reformation. I am in a Congergational church now that is more baptistic than anything else. Iíd affirm what has been said here before, look for a church that holds a ìHigh Viewî of scripture above all else. As far as denominations are concerned, if I were to move and had to look for a new church, Iíd visit (In this order) PCA, SBC, then check out listings on 9Marks, Soverign Grace, and Desiring God websites. Above all else, Pray, Pray, Pray, God is faithful. I'm very familiar with Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill. I've visited there and the pastor of my current church is a good friend of Mark's. Their basic doctrine is solid reformed and Driscoll has formed a friendship with John Piper. In fact Mark will be speaking at the Desiring God fall conference alongside D. A. Carson, David Wells, Tim Keller and others. Mars Hill's bookstore is loaded with solid titles by solid theologians like the Puritans, J. I. Packer, David Wells, Francis Schaefer, R. C. Sproul, Piper, etc. That said, I am troubled by several aspects of his teaching that goes well beyond style and culture. His continued use of profanity, his view of women, marriage, sexual purity and what I would describe as an accommodation of worldliness concern me more than a little bit. The Emergent Church is the fastest growing movement right now and itís leader is Brian McLaren. His Theology is VERY problematic. Iíd recommend two books, D. A. Carson, "Becoming Conversant With The Emergent Church" and "Reclaiming the Center" by Justin Taylor, Millard J. Erickson, et al. Soli Deo Gloria, Richard |
