When there isn't an IFB Church near you...

[SweetCharity]

What do you do when there isn't an IFB close to you? I'm used to being surrounded by tons of close churches to choose from, so this is new to me. My husband and I are moving in a couple of weeks and the closest IFB church is 2 hours away (sadly, I thought we were going to be closer to it). With the price of gas being 4.50+ in that area, we would have a hard time going to that church and even then with the distance we'd only be able to go to it on Sunday mornings. We'll probably only be able to go once or twice a month. It seems all of the churches close to where we will be living are either 1. Catholic/Episcopal that sort or 2. Charismatic/Pentecostal. There's one American Baptist Church, but it seems really really liberal and they have Christian rock music during their services.

What would you do in this situation?

[HappyChristian]

My hubby would really have to be the one to make this decision, but I think I know what he would say. We would most likely drive on Sunday a.m., and plan on staying all afternoon, until the evening service. We would bring dinner, have a picnic, and then go to the library or something (or even go back to the auditorium...maybe even stretch out for a little shut-eye in the nursery). As for mid-week, we would probably have our own service, just the two of us...but if more people from the area wanted to come...

[Guest Guest]

I dunno, yet. I am thinking on this. I will also pray for the answer. :smile

candlelight

P.S. ~ If it were me, I would encourage my hubby to start an IFB church in our home. That is just me. :smile

[SweetCharity]

Oh it's most definitely my husband's choice, but we are just looking for ideas and other opinions since this is the first time either of us have to face this. I'm others keeping my prayers on this that the Lord shows us what we should do, but it's always nice to know what others think. My husband isn't shy, but he hates public speaking with a passion so starting our own IFB church is a no go; he would hate that role and be stressed to the max from it. Unfortunately, with the price of gas the way it is I don't think we could go to this church every Sunday. We could probably swing every other Sunday, but that's probably it. :sad

[Guest Guest]

I know of MANY families in Australia who travel two hours to church one way, where the gas costs WAY more than it does here (about double), and they don't complain about it, either. It seems that people here think that even 20 minutes is too far to drive to attend church (I've met many of them here). My opinion in saying all this is get in the car and drive the two hours regardless. I have a friend back in Australia who could never afford the gas to church and sometimes they were almost on empty or whatever, and they would pray with their six kids before leaving for church that God would get them there, and God always honoured them in this way for being faithful to church...to EVERY service.

[Kayla]

Watch services over live stream??

[Alimantado]

As someone who's still searching, the inumerable different denominations to choose from make attending any particular church extremely difficult, yet I'm sure any Christian would argue that it's important even for an unbeliever like me to seek out a church that teaches the true Gospel. For someone who doesn't even understand most of the doctrinal differences that seperate one church from another, I find myself wondering how I can even identify the 'correct' church or whether indeed there is a single church in the UK that members of this board would consider true.

I've been to two very conservative AV-only churches--the only ones I have ever found--but they are both calvinist. I've been to many reformed churches that are not calvinist, but they all teach from the NIV and have females in clergy/ministerial roles (though only once as a pastor). And that is to consider only two distinctives. Certainly, I have never ever found a church that many on here wouldn't object to in some way.

[Samer]

I know of MANY families in Australia who travel two hours to church one way' date=' where the gas costs WAY more than it does here (about double), and they don't complain about it, either. It seems that people here think that even 20 minutes is too far to drive to attend church (I've met many of them here). My opinion in saying all this is get in the car and drive the two hours regardless. I have a friend back in Australia who could never afford the gas to church and sometimes they were almost on empty or whatever, and they would pray with their six kids before leaving for church that God would get them there, and God always honoured them in this way for being faithful to church...to EVERY service.[/quote']


I know a LOT of people here in America who go farther than any 20 minutes for church and never complain either.

This Rachel, by the way, I didn't realize I was logged into Samer's account.

My family attended church that was 1 1/2 hours away faithfully for 8 years (unfortunately the church had some problems and we ended up having to leave). It's really difficult when you can't find a church nearby,b ut do your best to honor the Lord in attending church. A lot of times we went Sunday morning and came home then, went back Sunday night, then again on Wednesday night. Then we bagan packing lunch or staying at the home of our pastor on Sunday afternoons. Sometimes we would stay home on Wednesday nights, but always listened to preaching online or on tapes/cds that we had. The Lord knows your situation, and He will help you. I DO recommend trying to go to this church as much as you can because when you stay out of church and just do home church you lack the fellowship that you really do need as a Christian. Anyways just pray and let the Lord lead you in what to do, and He will! :)

[Jerry]

yet I'm sure any Christian would argue that it's important even for an unbeliever like me to seek out a church that teaches the true Gospel.

That is certainly the best starting place. If you are sincerely searching for truth, God will bless you for taking and applying what you already understand from the Word of God. He may allow you to go to one church for a time to teach you some things, to meet you where you are spiritually - so that you will get saved, grow, learn some things without being overwhelmed. Then as you grow, He might very possibly show you that you need to move on and find a stronger church.

Of course, we all want you to attend the best church that is closest to the Bible in your area - but God can use something not as good as a starting place. I know various people that got saved, and were just not ready yet to get the meat from a solid IFB church. It is one thing if you seek something out that fits in with what you understand of truth so far, even if it is not as good in light of the Bible - and quite another to reject a stronger church because someone is rebellious or prefers to compromise. I truly believe you are searching and want to understand various issues, differences in churches, etc.

I love the truth - and when I learned it, I sought churches that taught what I had learned or was learning. However, I did not start in an IFB church. I was saved 5 1/2 years before I ever attended a Baptist church. I took and applied what I was learning, and God showed me where each church lined up or didn't line up with the Word of God, which ones were "seeker sensitive" (though I had no clue what that phrase meant back then), and which ones cared about the truth and which ones were going through the motions. Basically, what I am stating is: God will guide you where you are at, if you are sincerely seeking to apply what you are learning. He will not steer a parked car - take and apply the Bible, take steps according to His Word - and He will show you more steps. Start off with the church nearest you that you think would probably be a good start, claim James 1:5 and pray for wisdom about it, then compare what is being taught and practiced with God's Word. When/if He reveals to you that it does not line up with truth, then move on to another one.

If I can remember it, I will pray that He shows you a solid church, and that He opens up His Word to you - especially to give you a clear(er) understanding of salvation. His promises to lead and guide are specifically for His children - but if you are sincerely searching the Scriptures, and applying what you learn, He will answer you - primarily to bring you to Him so you can trust Jesus Christ for salvation and become His child. Read John 7:17 and 8:31-32. Those are God's promises to lead you into truth, if you are sincere about wanting to learn and to do His will. God bless.

[Guest Guest]

As someone who's still searching, the inumerable different denominations to choose from make attending any particular church extremely difficult, yet I'm sure any Christian would argue that it's important even for an unbeliever like me to seek out a church that teaches the true Gospel. For someone who doesn't even understand most of the doctrinal differences that seperate one church from another, I find myself wondering how I can even identify the 'correct' church or whether indeed there is a single church in the UK that members of this board would consider true.

I've been to two very conservative AV-only churches--the only ones I have ever found--but they are both calvinist. I've been to many reformed churches that are not calvinist, but they all teach from the NIV and have females in clergy/ministerial roles (though only once as a pastor). And that is to consider only two distinctives. Certainly, I have never ever found a church that many on here wouldn't object to in some way.

Good morning, Alimantado. I noticed that you mentioned Calvanist churches. The Calvanists believe that ONLY so many people will go to Heaven - predistination. This is in direct violation with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Please pick up a KJV 1611 Bible and read and study Mark 4:1-41 God is sovereign...He knows what the outcome will be for us...yet, we don't know. My whole problem with the Calvanist teaching is this exactly..."We are NOT to be fruit inspectors." (v12) Only Jesus knows who will go to a Heaven, and who will go to Hell. Jesus if the only one that can see the condition of my heart...then, I need to examine my heart according the the word of God. This goes for everyone...saved and unsaved. The IFB's carry out the "Great Commission". It is not our job to pass judgement on others...only concern. God knows the outcome, and we are to trust in that. IFB's are to be witnesses to a lost and dying world...we aren't the judges. I hope this makes sense when talking about Calvanists...b/c it is "A whosoever will gospel".

candlelight :smile

[Jerry]

We are not to be fruit inspectors?

Matthew 7:15-20 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

No, I cannot judge someone's salvation - but I can judge the fruit of their life and their profession of salvation to see if it lines up with the Word of God or not.

[Guest Guest]

I am having another tired day. We are NOT to judge a person's salvation, but "Ye shall know them by their fruits". I hope this clarifies my last statement. We are NOT to judge.

candlelight

[John81]

We ran into a similar situation. After we searched for a good IFB church to no avail we then checked out other Baptist churches and found none we could accept. After that I began looking into the various non-denominational churches. After much searching I found a non-denominational, conservative, independent church and we went for a visit one Sunday morning and have been attending ever since.

This church has been around since the 1800s, has always been independent and non-denominational, is conservative, has a pastor who has been there for over 25 years and attended Baptist seminary, and is very much a "by the Book" church.

There are a lot of wishy-washing and off-the-wall non-demoninational churches out there one may have to search through, but perhaps you could find one of the good ones in the area you are moving too.

[Guest Guest]

Good morning, John...I know Believers that have been in your situation. They did find a church of like faith...just like your church. There are churches whose doctrine line up with the "real" truth...KJV...and aren't IFB churches. Your post is very true.

To the poster...pray, and the Lord Jesus will guide your steps. The people at OB have very wise advice, and of course the KJV will be your best help. Blessings to you in Christ Jesus' holy name.

candlelight

P.S. ~ I am keeping you and yours in prayer.

[Jerry]

I am having another tired day. We are NOT to judge a person's salvation' date=' but "Ye shall know them by their fruits". I hope this clarifies my last statement. We are NOT to judge.[/quote']

That doesn't line up with God's Word. I do not know someone's heart - but if there was no way generally-speaking to judge someone's salvation, how would I know who and how to witness? The Bible is pretty clear that we are not to judge hypocritically or without mercy, BUT we are quite clearly to judge all things, to judge according to Scripture, to judge righteously, etc.

1 Corinthians 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.