Since we moved up North last fall, we've been attending a church not too far from where we're living. While we like the church we're at in some ways, it tends to be a bit legalistic on some issues and we're also hoping to move closer to my mother-in-law soon (an hour away). There are several different areas where we could live, so in order to help us decide where we should look for land or somewhere to live, we decided to try to find a church we could attend out in that area.
Over the past 2 years, I've gone through a lot of changes in how I think about different issues. One thing I struggle with is finding a church that is conservative, yet not legalistic. It's so hard to find that balance both in my own mind and in churches. It seems that so many churches that agree with things I've been convicted of, tend to be legalistic in how the preach or teach others. Though, I've been convicted of different things, I haven't become convinced that these things are "doctrine" that I can say absolutely is a truth to defend. On the other hand, I don't really want to attend a church that does many things I don't agree with.
Anyways, today I may have found that church with the right balance. It's a small church, but size isn't important to me. There is good fellowship there, the Bible is preached in a systematic chapter by chapter, verse by verse manner, and it is conservative. The pastor believes it's important to not be legalistic and desires to objectively search the Bible for all answers to different issues. I'm very excited to have a place that I believe will become our home church! Now to move close enough to attend there regularly! The house we're renting will go back on the market soon so we'll begin casually looking for a place to rent or to buy. Unless the Lord provides us with the right place for very cheap, we'll probably be renting again and buy land and build as we get money. So we'll see where the Lord leads us in the future! |
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• Mon 19 Feb 2007 - Untitled Comment
God will work out all the details.
Blessings,
Theresa
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