We have been visiting many different churches over the past year and I feel God has taught me so much about worship styles.  We were saved in a small country Nazerene church.  We were there about 13 years and moved on to a non-denominational church,where we were for 4 years.  Then about a year ago we went on a serious "church hunt."  We felt the one we came from was very legalistic and the music was a little less then joyful worship.  So I  went through the yellow pages to find the "perfect" church for us.  We visited many over the next several months, but to my teens dismay, I always found something wrong with them.  We finally "seattled" on a large (700+members) Nazerene church. We knew several other homeschool families that went there.  We had been going for several weeks,and although the music was perfect, the message seemed to be very watered down.  The Children's Church (which I personally don't agree with in general)  was a big wild party every week.  My children's friends all went to it.  So that became a thorn in my flesh because of course, my boys wanted to do what all their friends were doing.  I was totally against it because there was no learning,just alot of entertaining. So against my better judgement,I agreed that they could go to children's church every other week.  The off weeks they would stay in "big people church" with the rest of the family.  This still bothered me,but then I became aware of  an even bigger problem.  I had heard of the Emerging Church Movement, and had done hours of research on it.  I learned that thats what was being taught in the youth room of this particular church.  I don't know how many people know of  this "movement" or "conversation" as they like to refer to it, but it is a dangerous movement to say the least.  This grou[p of people,some of them include Rob Bell, Brian McLaren,John Franke,just to name a few, are trying to hit christian's with a "new christianity."  Some of the beliefs of the movement are that there are many ways to heaven, not just through Jesus Christ, there is not a leteral hell,  they are very tolerant to the extent of saying not much of anything is a sin. They have all kinds of religious practices including liturgy, prayer beads,icons,spiritual direction, the labyrinth, and lectio divina.  I could go on,but I would hope by hearing this, you might do a little searching of your own behind this movement if you feel it is creeping its way into your church.  Its like a wolf in sheeps clothing because some of the movement sounds and is really good.  For instance, they are very big into helping the poor and hurting world around them.They really reach out to help those in need.  The problem is, they are nly meetingthier physical needs not thespiritual needs,because they don't share the message of salvation throughJesus Christ alone.  So needless to say,we left that church and are now attending something really different.  This grou[p of believers don't call themselves a church.  They refer to Sunday morning church as "meeting."  They have "communion" every Sunday, but they call it "breaking of bread."  The women are not allowed to speak during this part of the Sunday meeting,but can during sunday school and "meeting."  Most (but not all) women wear head coverings.  Other then that it is VERY casual.  They do not have a paid pastor, instead there are about 4 or 5 men in the group that speak or give the message on Sunday.  The music ranges from old hymes to songs that this group have made up by singing the Psalms.  Most importantly, they use ONLY the bible!  THis part I love!  No bible study books or new 40 day programs to a stronger christian, just the bible!  I find myself really enjoying this type of church or "meeting" as they like to call it.  It's refreshing in many ways, but what I  like most is, the diverse people that go there.  Nobody looks down on the women that wear jeans with no headcovering, and those that wear them don't act like they are any closer to God then anyone else.  We all have wonderful fellowship. 

On the flip side, I am and have always been drawn to the charismatic church.  I love the excitment and enthusiasm in thier music.  I have attended one a few times and the preaching is right on.  My husband on the other hand,is not comfortable with this style of worship. He works nights, so on Wednesday nights, my children and I have been attending a church like this.  THis does not bother my husband, but he jokes that they probably put the snakes away before we get there!  Sometimes I really feel like I have split personalities when it comes to these church styles.There seems to be a side of me that likes the traditional,mellow "normal" music and preaching.  Then there's this side of me that craves that emotional high I get from the more praise and worship styles in music.  What I'v learned in going to many churches in our area is, most denominational churches have the really moving praise and worship music to draw in the unchurched and then give them a watered down sermon to not offend anyone so they will all come back!  Then you have the churches where they stick to the hymes because they don't want to be or sound to much like the world, they have good messages,but sometimes you leave feeling drained and tired.  The pentecostle or charismatic churches don't play their style of music to draw in the unchurched, that's just the way they have always been!  They really know how to praise God and Shout for joy!  They get excited about their God and I think it's very refreshing!

I have also learned that each of these churches have their own interpertation of certain scripture.Such as the headcovering, weather or not women should or shouldn't speak or teach in church, speaking in tonges and the list goes on.  What I believe I am slowing learning is, God has created us all with different styles and different ways in understanding.  Although there are certain things that we cannot dissagree on,like the fact that Jesus Christ died for my sins on the cross and He is the ONLY way to heaven,there is a heaven and a hell and we will spend eternity in one of the two places.  I believe Jesus Christ can be praised and glorified in a host of different ways.  I'v even learned how to deal with my split personalities and still be submissive to my hubby!  God is good!

When we all get to heaven, I'm so glad there won't be different denominations and styles of worship there.  We will all be praising and worshiping God hand in hand!  But until then, my quest for the "perfect" church is over, because I'v finally learned there is not such a thing!  There can't be a perfect church here on earth because we are not a perfect people.  The perfect church  will only exsist in heaven when we will all be made perfect and spend enternity worshiping HIM!!