Conference yukon::christian_v7

    Hi Janet!
    
    Long time no hear! :-)  I don't have a clue what Congregational
    Churches are, so I'll be watching my ears on too!
    
    Nancy

    There are Free Congregational Churches which I believe are "Bible
    Believing churches.  Many Congregational Churches are now part of the
    United Church of Christ and  contain members who are both liberal and
    conservative.
    
                                 Patricia

Hi Janet,

Good to hear!  Congregational churches in the UK originated as a
denomination which held that the ultimate decision-making authority of the
local church lay in the church meeting membership vote, from (eg) 1
Corinthians 5:4.  Hence the name.  Other denominations place the decisions
with the eldership or presbytery (presbyterian) from 1 Timothy 5:17, or
with the pastor (possibly Romans 12:8). 

Since their start, most Congregational churches here (UK) have become part
of the United Reformed Churches (not 'reformed' in the doctrinal sense!),
which is generally very liberal.  A few Congregational churches remain, but
this is so doctrinally variable that I can't really generalise. 

I stress that this is the position in the UK - I believe that it might well
be different in the U.S.  Also that you're likely to get informative
replies closer to hand!

While this might not seem desperately helpful so far, I'll be praying with 
you that the LORD would lead you to His place of blessing - where you will 
know the joy of both giving and receiving.

					In Jesus' love
								Andrew

    
    hi janet,
    
    congregational churches vote on the decisions affecting the church. 
    with such a title they obviously take this very seriously.  in my 
    estimation, congregational churches' liberality is a direct result of 
    their form of congregational church governance.  
    
    anyway, i don't imagine it is a place where you would be able to
    worship and their doctrines may be non-existent by this point or
    severely altered from biblical doctrine.
    
    i'm not sure that you asked but i'll volunteer anyway; i attend the
    orthodox presbyterian church.  our denomination holds fast to the
    westminster standards of faith and the teaching and traditions of the
    protestant reformers.  we have a presbyterian (biblical) form of church
    governance, taken very seriously.  we take a holistic view of the
    Scriptures in that both the old and new testament are equally valid as
    holy Scripture, breathed by God and therefore useful and necessary for
    the Christian.  the church is very committed to biblical doctrine.
    the churches are traditionally small.  
    
    if you are interested, feel free to contact me off-line, i can find a
    list of our churches in the new england area and post those for you.
    
    jeff

While you can tell something about a church from it's title or affiliation,
you really can't tell all that much.  Congregational churches are governed by
the congregation, as the name suggests, and that does have its own set of
minuses, along with some plusses.  But the only real way to find out about
any particular church is to go and see.  Many congregational churches are
very liberal, particularly those associated with the United Church of Christ.
But there are some solid, Bible-based congregational churches out there.

The church I go to is part of the Presbyterian Church - USA, which on the
denominational level is very liberal.  But our church itself is vastly
different, and we are doing what we can within the denomination to bring
reform.  If I just looked at the affiliation of our church, I might not even
stop in for a visit.

Where exactly are you?

Paul

>    orthodox presbyterian church.
>    list of our churches in the new england area and post those for you.

Are there any?  None listed in the Yellow Pages, but that doesn't mean
there aren't.

/john

I second those who said you must go to the church to find out.  Congregational
churches are only a denomination in the loosest sense of the word since control
rests with the local congregation.  I went to an excellant Congregational 
church in Byfield, Massachusetts for years, the pastor is a phenomenal (sp?) 
teacher and digs deep into the Bible.  I tried another Congregational church
in Andover, Ma when I was living there and wasn't so impressed.

Leslie

    Leslie,
    
    There are two Congregational(?) style churches in Andover.  There is
    South Church(UCC) which is the big white church on Central Street and
    there is the Free Congregational Church on Elm Street.
    
    Which one are you refering too.
    
    The points made by Andrew in .3 accurately reflect the Congregational
    Church here.  The UCC is recognized as a liberal church while the Free
    congregational Churches are more conservative.  
    
    The Congregation style is a business management style.  It is
    Democratic.  There are also many theological controls particularly the
    doctrine of Ministerial Freedom of the Pulpit.  The Minister really
    does set the theological style, but then the Minister is called by the
    Congregation at large.  Standards for becoming a minister in all
    denominations are controlled by the Hierarchical Association whether
    that be a voluntary association such as the UUA or a more Authoritarian
    organization.

    Re: the last few
    
    Hi Nancy & Andrew & all,
    
    1.  I am in central Mass.
    
    2.  Yes, I thought I would have to go to each church and see for
    myself.  What I was looking for was some standard they all go by or
    some continuity (or lack of it) from church to church.  You see, the
    church I have just come from has lots of continuity from church to
    church around the world.  If I am in Russia today and I attend Sabbath
    School (like Sunday school) I can be assured of learning the same thing
    that the folks in New York or Peoria are learning today.  So, if you
    attend one, you are basically attending them all, and yet they all have
    their own peculiar differences (carpeting/no carpeting, organ/no
    organ, nice people/regular people, etc.). But the all have the same
    doctrine.
    
    3.  Here is what I am looking for in a nutshell (and yes, I realize
    that none of you can speak authoritatively):  "All Congregational
    churches sacrifice a live sheep once a month" or "you must be left
    handed or you cannot attend" or "they speak in tongues in some of them
    but certainly not in all of them" or "they have communion every week"
    or "they never have communion", etc.   I really only asked to save
    myself a little time and shoe leather.  All advice or hints will be
    gratefully accepted.  This way I will have some idea whether or not I
    want to look into this particular denomination any further.  
    
    4.  I am interested to hear about ALL of the denominations that you
    worship in and are happy with.  I just happened to ask about the
    Congreagtional church because it seems like I can't swing a cat here
    without hitting one.
    
    God Bless,
    Janet

    And just *what* are you doin' swingin' cats?! ;-) :-)
    
    Unfortunately, I don't think there's a way to save on the shoe leather.
    My uncle was a minister at a Congregational Church in Michigan - his
    teaching was very biblical and it was a wonderful church - but I
    imagine what someone said earlier is true - the congregation calls the
    minister, so...it's most likely to vary considerably. 
    
    My husband and I have found this to be true in our searches. He grew up
    in the Catholic church and I grew up in the Presbyterian church; my
    grandmother suggested we resolve the which-church-do-we-attend quandary
    by leaving our respective denominations and joining one together. In
    visiting various denominations and churches we've found they seem to be
    extremely individualized. It's really a matter of finding a church home
    true to the Bible and to Jesus as Lord - and in this day and age, that
    can take *alot* of shoe leather.
    
    Rebecca

    
    Janet,
    
    I think it it generally true that a congregational form of church
    governance will limit denomination consistency since the local
    bodies will generally be free to do as they wish (within some very broad
    limits, i'm sure).
    
    I think it is generally true that a presbyterian form of church
    governance will most likely have more continuity across the local
    churches.  
    
    And if I might be so bold, I believe a person like yourself, coming out
    of what many Christian denominations will call a "cult" or at best a
    sect with very unbiblical doctrine may find that a church which
    strongly emphasizes traditional christian doctrine an important 
    requirement and help in your spiritual journey.
    
    Godspeed,
    
    jeff
    

    Re: 11
    
    Thanks Jeff.  I agree with you.  I attended a Baptist church this past
    Sunday and at my request, the pastor was able to produce, at a moments
    notice, a detailed "Declaration of Faith".  This went over very well
    with me although others may not see the importance of this.  Just
    because a church says they are bible-based doesn't necessarily make it
    so.  I can prove that.  :-)
    
    I will also be looking at some non-denominational churches in the near
    future.  (Oh dear, I sound as if I were setting out to buy a church)
    
    God Bless,
    Janet

    .12
    
    It is so refreshing to hear and see someone "actively" looking for a
    church.  :-)  I know you've most likely already done this...but Pray,
    be Patient, and KNOCK on many doors! :-)   Also be sure to listen for
    someone knocking on your door.  You'd be surprised at how many people
    end up at my church who were just like you, "looking".
    
    Nancy
    
    P.S.  I belong to a Fundamental Independent Baptist Church, which is
    not part of any "mother" denomination.  The church is governed by the
    people with an elected Presbyuteros [sp] or Pastor/President of the
    assembly.  We are self-supporting via tithes and offerings.
    
    
    

   Yes, I attend a congregational church in Bolton, and if anything, we
   tend to err on the conservative side, imo.  Not that I consider that a
   problem, mind you...  
   
   If you're close enough and interested, contact me offline, and I can
   give you directions so you can check it out yourself.
   
   Regards,
   
   - Tom

    Re: 13
    
    Thanks Nancy!  I shall have to go back and re-read the Baptist note
    (#617 I think) where I requested info on the Baptist church.  I'm sure
    things will look different now.
    
    Janet
    :-)

Hi Janet,

I don't know where you live, but The First Congregational Church of Hopkinton
is a wonderful, bible believing church. The pastor has a real heart for 
God and missions. His name is Dick Germaine, please call him and ask him
what the Congregation Church is and sit back and listen. You'll enjoy
his wisdom and insight and loving spirit. By the way, this church is part of the
biblical witness fellowship. They believe that the bible is the "Living Word of
God".

Hope this helps,

Steve

>    Thanks Jeff.  I agree with you.  I attended a Baptist church this past
>    Sunday and at my request, the pastor was able to produce, at a moments
>    notice, a detailed "Declaration of Faith".  This went over very well
>    with me although others may not see the importance of this.

I can see the importance of this.  A person visiting an Episcopal church can
pick up the Book of Common Prayer and look at the Outline of the Faith on pages
845-862 as well as the historical documents, creeds, prayers, and directions
for worship and have a good idea what is at least supposed to be believed and
practiced.

Similarly, a person considering the Roman Catholic faith can pick up a copy
of the excellent new "Catechism of the Catholic Church" in almost any bookstore
in the country and see exactly what is supposed to be taught, with copious
bible references in thousands of footnotes.

/john