Since the LDS Church isn't True, what is?
It was suggested to me that I put some information here to help someone who
is coming out of the LDS church find a new church home. Until today, I
have had three main reasons for not recommending a particular church.
First, I don't believe salvation is found in any one church, or denomination.
It is only through believing in your heart, and accepting
God's grace through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross that we are saved. That being
said I believe that the very basics of LDS doctrine teach basic salvation,
but the deeper you get into the doctrine, the further it will take you from the
True and Living God. God alone will judge a man for what they believe, and
whether or not they are saved.
Second, different personalities will fit into different churches. Different
churches have much different flavors, for example, I would not recommend that
someone who was comfortable with a Lutheran service visit a Vineyard renewal
meeting. They would likely be scared half to death, and if someone used to
Vineyard, or a very charismatic service was to visit the Lutheran church, they
would probably be board, if not frustrated with the service not knowing what or
when to speak as the rest of the congregation reads a portion of the service.
The final reason I haven't recommend a particular church is because there is no
perfect church. As the saying goes; if you find the perfect
church, don't join because you will ruin it. Even a church with the best
intentions that strives to model itself on the Bible, and the early church will
have faults because the leaders are only human, and they like everyone else will
fall short of perfection.
Keeping all of this in mind, Here is what I
recommend avoiding when looking for a church
1. Avoid a church that says "We are the only True Church, and you cannot be
saved outside of this organization". Why?
Jesus said I am the way the Truth and the life and no man comes to the Father
but by me. There is but one mediator between yourself and God, and a church
organization is not that mediator. It is Jesus alone.
2. Avoid a church that is very legalistic. What I mean by legalistic is a
church that says "if you break these rules, your salvation is on the line".
Things like the day you worship (Only on Saturday, or Sunday), what you can and
cannot wear to church (hats shorts etc), what
you eat or drink (must be vegetarian, or no pork), your amount of good works (as
a requirement for salvation). Obviously there are things we as Christians
should not practice, 1 Cor 6:9-10, and Romans 1 are a couple of places that list
out these things. It's the gray areas that will show a churches true colors.
For example, I personally think smoking cigarettes is disgusting, I don't smoke,
and would recommend that someone quit if they smoke cigarettes. But if someone
does smoke, does that act put their salvation on the line? This is something
that is between them and God. I believe it is wise not to smoke, your the body
is the temple of God, and smoking does damage the body, but will their salvation
be revoked for it? The bible says nothing of the sort.
Why? Paul in much of the new testament comes
against the legalist. After reading through Romans for example, one should have
a pretty good idea of what to look for here. Chapter 2 for example teaches that
it is the goodness of God, not the law or a list of rules, that leads men to
repentance.
What to look for in a new church:
Find a bible believing and bible teaching church that takes a simple,
and literal interpretation of the bible where Jesus is the focus.
Why? The bible is the love letter that God has given to us his
children. It was meant to be understood by unlearned and and ignorant men
(just like me). If you need a masters degree to understand salvation, or
if you need to attain certain goals or levels before you are saved, then
that church probably doesn't take a simple and literal interpretation of the
bible. That being said, God is infinite, and if he is simple enough for my
small brain to understand, then he isn't big enough to be worshiped. We
will not fully comprehend every aspect of the Lord, or every doctrine, because
the bible has a depth that we have not yet even began to find the bottom of, but if
the bible is taken at it's word, it can be easily understood. I personally
believe the best church that you can find yourself in is one that simply teaches
through the bible verse by verse, chapter by
chapter, and always keeps Jesus as the focus. Hebrews 10:7 Jesus says "Lo,
I come in the volume of the book it is written of me". I find that churches have a tendency to teach on certain topics
in proportions not found in scripture, for example, tithing although I believe
it is important, has a tendency to be taught much more often than it is brought
up in scripture. Some churches lean to heavily on grace, and some too
heavily on judgment, going through the bible provides the perfect balance.
In my personal experience, I have found that Calvary Chapel (what I currently attend) is very good about this, but so are many community
churches. Here is a link to a community church in the Portland area that I used
to attend before moving 5 or so years ago.
Athey Creek Christian Fellowship has bible studies online that
you can download to your mp3 player for free. They start with John back in
1998, they then taught through the entire new testament, then the old testament,
and they just started as of March 2008 back in the gospel of Matthew.
If you happen to be from the Portland area, I would highly recommend giving this
church a try especially someone that is used to, or comfortable with an LDS
service. The one big difference to expect is the casual dress code, the pastor
wears shorts even when it snows. Casual in dress, not in faith.
Many churches have different personalities, so find a bible teaching church that
fits yours.
God Bless,
Jerry