Which Church should I choose?
By Steve Helmer
@srhelmer (7029)
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
December 12, 2006 9:17am CST
My wife and I are thinking about joining a church. Mostly because we need to get our daughter baptized but we also want to make sure she has religion in her life.
My wife hasn't been to church in over a decade. I've never attended church, except for the occassional wedding or special event.
We've discussed it and both feel we need a denomination that would teach our daughter traditional values but still be somewhat liberal.
Any suggestions?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@jillybeans (536)
• United States
12 Dec 06
I think you just have to go to a few and see where you feel most comfortable.
1 person likes this
@Acts238girl (2087)
• United States
12 Dec 06
T he only answer I can give you is to pray and ask God where to go .Trust me he will show you.
@wmg2006 (5381)
• United States
19 Dec 06
I faced a similar dilemma years ago. I was raised Southern Baptist, very strict religion. I did not agree with all their hypocritical ways, so I stopped going when I got old enough to decide. As I stumbled through adult hood I visited friends churches, but never got much out of them. I went to every denomination around and none of them did anything for me.
Then my son was born and as he got older I knew it was only right to give him a choice in life, so I really wanted to get him into church so he would have something to choose from. I did not want to go back to the Baptist Church and I really couldn't think of one I wanted to raise him in at that time.
Well believe it or not one night a co-worker and I were staying after to work to play some video games and have a few drinks. We got pretty blitzed that night and I really didn't know her very well, but in our drunken stupor we started talking about our kids and church and all kinds of stuff. Before the night was over she invited me to her church the next day. I accepted and with a terrible hang-over I got up the next day, dressed my son for the first time in a suit and went to Church. I fell in LOVE with this church, it was everything I wanted in a church. It was not the kind that looked down on anyone, they welcomed me with open arms, they had just enough formality to know you were in church. I attended that church for years until I moved away and started the search again in another town and another state.
I would not settle for anything other than this type church. The town I live in now only has 1 church like this but I found it and have been attending for over 10 years.
It is First Christian Church. Now there are several Christian churches, the other one I attended was Westwood Christian Diciples of Christ. I like the Diciples of Christ by laws the best it is more open minded and even has women dioceses.
So there you go I recommend a Christian Church Deciples of Christ.
@srhelmer (7029)
• Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
19 Dec 06
Right now, my wife and I are leaning toward episcopal because they seem to be very liberal.
@amandareyn (2)
• United States
20 Dec 06
do you not know that most christians are taught where 2 or more are gathered in his name he is with them? haven't you heard about the families coming together in their homes on sunday to worship together because they do not like the churches available in their area? why should you feel you need to baptise your child when god supposedly takes a child to him if they die and adults should be able to know their mind enough to decide for themselves if they want to show their faith by public baptism.
@srhelmer (7029)
• Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
20 Dec 06
Baptism is important in my family which is why I want that for my daughter.
My interest in a church has more to do with her than me. I've never been a church person and, because of that, I think I've had too many times in my life when I felt lost.
I don't want my daughter to experience that.
@MrNiceGuy (4141)
• United States
20 Dec 06
Whatever church you choose, I would get an unaffiliated church so they aren't tied down to ideology that the rest of the church organization believes. Find a church that agrees with your ideas and expectations and that fits you personally.
A generic unaffiliated "Bible" church might be good for you.
@srhelmer (7029)
• Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
20 Dec 06
This was actually our first choice. However, the only unaffiliated church in this area is about 30 minutes outside of town. This is Wisconsin, you don't want to drive that far in the winter.
@MRE0609 (34)
• United States
20 Dec 06
Why do you 'need' a denomination? Denominations are not important, what is important is that you are saved and you live by the Bible. Church is very important, but you should find one that doesn't have a denomination except CHRISTIAN. What do you mean by somewhat liberal??? The Bible is the word of God, something that you need to follow and I'll tell you that the Bible doesn't have room for being liberal...
@awood11 (16)
• United States
20 Dec 06
I'm not sure what you consider liberal, but most churches have a letter or pamphlet stating their beliefs. Just call the office and ask. I do go to a Southern Baptist church, and I very much enjoy it, but society does make it hard to have such strict beliefs. I have gone to a "First Christian Church" also though and agree that it is a church where many people comfortable with the views.