NO Church help!

I live in Tucson AZ, I can't find a Church.
Does anyone know of one?
Every Sunday we go to a new one, and are sad every time.

I really don't feel like going today, may God's grace help me find a Church

In His Love
charlene

PLease pray I will find a Church
thanks
in HIs love
charlene

what exatly are you looking for?

Charlene,

I know that you are a prayer warrior. If you cannot find a church to suit you, you may want to start a home church or bible study, finding a few Godly men and women that will teach, discuss, pray and worship. Who knows, it might grow into something larger.

I know you want the comfort of an established church, with a strong Pastor on whom to lean a little, and whom to learn from. But it's getting hard to find such churches, and that is why the home churches are exploding in number.

The idea is some shared responibility for the teaching, no real expense to run a church, since it is a gathering at home, a lot of study, discussion, prayer, praise, and intimacy. But it does take dedication, and that young man you are praying for that's coming down the pike in a few years might be willing to start a tiny church.

And so far as I know, most churches are started in someone's living room, then move to the garage until it explodes into a small building.

It takes months in a larger setting, even in a church where the Pastor is a good teacher and Pastor, to feel at home, particularly when most people take church as if it were an hour of medicine, to be taken once or twice weekly.

Just remember, you can have church with two or more people, anytime, anywhere. It's the gathering together that is necessary.

And yes, I will pray.

Blessings,

Forrest

I know that you are a prayer warrior. If you cannot find a church to suit you, you may want to start a home church or bible study, finding a few Godly men and women that will teach, discuss, pray and worship. Who knows, it might grow into something larger.

I feel unworthy to be called a prayer warrior. Although my heart pounds wildly to pray and I hunger a great deal to pray with others. I find myself not praying as I should. This saddens my heart. I allow things of the world to take my prayer time away. I think God is makeing me to be a prayer warrior, but I still have alot of growing to do.

Whom will I have over? Is the question. You are right I could have a bible study, but it dosn't settle while in my heart. I can't lead men, men need to lead. maybe if there was a guy who lead. I think you can have a Church in your home, but there still things that make a Church and not one. I am still in much prayer over that. I do think that if there isn't a good Church then Men! You be to start one. But question is where are the Men? who will preach the Gosple? I am broken to pray for the Men to be raised up in America, here in tuson.

"The idea is some shared responibility for the teaching, no real expense to run a church, since it is a gathering at home, a lot of study, discussion, prayer, praise, and intimacy. But it does take dedication, and that young man you are praying for that's coming down the pike in a few years might be willing to start a tiny church.

Like this idea, I will kep praying about it

Thanks for your thoughts
In hi s love
charlene

I'll ask again, and there's a reason for asking, what exactly are you looking for in a gathering of the Lord's saints which we call the church?

I am looking for a place that preaches the truth from the bible. One who doesn't leave things out, because he fear man , but God. Preaches the Gosple. A pastor that Loves God, and is a doer of he says.
1 under strong biblical teaching- water out,
and leaderdship, for guidness and wisdom.
theology would be the same-
with the scriptures- inspiration of God, it's all true, who God is- Holy, mighty, ruler of all- that we are to be in awe of Him. That He gets all the glory and praise, We are made for Him.
The trinity, Providence- how He guids upholds directs and govern all things
the fall od man - how we disobey our wicked state
the mediator- jesus Christ the only way. No works
Repentance- not just when saved, but a way of life. hateing sins. Longing to be holy as he is holy
Faith- saving faith justification, sancticfcation, persevernce of the sanits,
The Church - Jesus Christ is the Head, we are body.
2 fellowship- Honest, open, real, willing give up yeild rights, willing serve, true biblical love- I know this a life time thing, but working towards it.
3 studying and sharing together in God's word.
4 Confessing Sin to each other.
5God csenteredess, " Man's cheif and highest end is to glorify God and fully enjoy Him foever.
Although I am set on this, but I like it alot
exository bible preaching
6 Bibllical worship- worship in Spirit and truth, leading the family of God to glorify God and edify one another.
7shepherding
8 Congresgational gov
Elder led
deacon serbed
Discipline
Evangelism
Discipleship- equipping young men and young women
one -one
small groups
parent led Childern ministry- teaching partent to train their Childern
Biblical courtship- not dating
and world mission
and a house of prayer
people who come and pray
" I dreeam of worship serivces in which everyone is radically deeply joyfully authentically engagaed with God in prayer" John Piper
A church that wants to seek God, and willing obey
A Church that want to pray and wants to be holy
A Church that wants to love, and willing to give up everything for Christ
I know there is no perfect Church, nor has made it, but one that is seeking these things.
In his love
charlene

I sympathize with you, Charlene. I got very discouraged looking for a church in Tucson.

I went to all the Vineyards and Grace Chapel's and so on and so forth. And I was just more worn out than when I started ! Calvary Chapel on the Southside was where I ended up going, because it was close to my camp out in the desert. I took a friend there and all he said was "He's a good preacher but he thinks he's a comedian" hehehe.. anyways, I was pleasantly suprised by Calvary Chapel.

There is a church affiliated with Sovereign Grace Ministries (formerly PDI ) in Tucson. That is a Reformed-Charismatic denomination.

Their website is:

http://www.tucsonsovgrace.org/

I hope this helps, I haven't attended this church personally, but I've only heard good about Sovereign Grace Ministries.

God bless you

Blessed are those who strength is in you; in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs, the early rain also covers it with pools.
(Psalms 84)

I was going to go to this Church this last Sunday, but I tride another one. Thank you.
In His LOve
charlene

thank you for your reply, I'll pray for your request that the Lord will give you the proper discernment and patience to find that in which you seek.

If you can't find one, you might consider moving... i know a big thing, but hey, this is the glory of God we're talking about, and an eternal soul, and eternity...

May God give you wisdom...

Praying,
-nathan

I was going to Grace Christian Fellowship in Spokane, Washington..they were considering joining Sovereign Grace Ministries

tada ! [url=http://www.sovereigngraceministries.com/]Sovereign Grace Ministries[/url]

John Piper and D.A. Carson are also Reformed and believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit for today.

C.J. Maheney, Joshua Harris (I kissed dating goodbye), Bob Kauflin are all with SGM. Over the years, they have put some awesome praise and worship, too.

"Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.

My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!

adios,
Karsten

If you can't find one, you might consider moving... i know a big thing, but hey, this is the glory of God we're talking about, and an eternal soul, and eternity...

May God give you wisdom...

Praying,
-nathan

I thought about moving, but I live with my brother right now I don't to leave him. I have really thought about. Since I have been here I am always saying I want to live. But when it comes down to it. it seems really hard. I need wisdom to know what God wants me to and faith to do it.

Thanks everyone for praying this seems so hard.
In His LOve
charlene

I went to the Church Sovereign Grace Church today
It was good. The funny thing was there was a family there I hadn't seen for over a year. after I talked with them and a couple. I think I will go back nexts week. Maybe I can meet with the pastor, and ask him questions.

Please pray when I meet with the pastor
Please pray I will be willing to obey my God
Please pray I will Know His will

In his love
charlene

Brother Cory_H

"I'm so sorry to hear you can't find a church.

I'm in the same boat."

I am sorry you are haveing trouble finding a Church. I will pray for you. How long have you been looking? May God give you wisdom were to go.
AFter going to differnt Church every week, I saw how much I miss just going to the same place.
Please keep me updated if you find one. Until then I will pray.
In his love
charlene

Well sis.Charlene, The good news is that if you are a born again Christian then you belong to the best Church there is;The church of God, which is composed of all the people that Know Christ as their savior.The bad news are that I have never been to Arizona so I cant tell you where to congregate. But be of good cheer, I am sure that The Lord will gide you to where he wants you to be. :-)

Often times I feel like a missionary when I go to different churches. The Lord reminded me, however, that those churches are not like grocery stores

I have been over seas many times. and have gone to many Churchs. I have no promble with differnt worship, just when they are not speaking or living truth. I have stoped looking for Churchs.
I am just praying that God can show me the right one. I don't want to go shoping for a Church, I just want God to show me.

In his love
charlene

Well sis.Charlene, The good news is that if you are a born again Christian then you belong to the best Church there is;The church of God, which is composed of all the people that Know Christ as their savior.The bad news are that I have never been to Arizona so I cant tell you where to congregate. But be of good cheer, I am sure that The Lord will gide you to where he wants you to be.

you are right I am part of the best Church the body. But a Church is nice to go to. I am praying God will lead me. There is one, but I am not sure. I guess I didn't want to get hurt. But God showed me, I need to be willing to love them. And willing to love, means willing to be hurt. So I guess I need faith to know this where God wants me to go.

That's reminding God will act and help me

In His love
charlene

awakenwithin wrote:

Well sis.Charlene, The good news is that if you are a born again Christian then you belong to the best Church there is;The church of God, which is composed of all the people that Know Christ as their savior.The bad news are that I have never been to Arizona so I cant tell you where to congregate. But be of good cheer, I am sure that The Lord will gide you to where he wants you to be.

you are right I am part of the best Church the body. But a Church is nice to go to. I am praying God will lead me. There is one, but I am not sure. I guess I didn't want to get hurt. But God showed me, I need to be willing to love them. And willing to love, means willing to be hurt. So I guess I need faith to know this where God wants me to go.

That's reminding God will act and help me

In His love
charlene

Yes, my sister, for 'His' perfect will in this and all matters, for then we know it cannot be wrong.

Forrest

I think the problem is that people who are looking for a "perfect church" get caught in a treadmill, spinning their wheels, never fully coming to the realization that there are none. There's only degrees of whatever they are looking for - bad or good. And even if they happen to find a suitable church...well, just give it time. Eventually, something will come up that will ruffle their feathers the wrong way and they'll want to jump ship. Keep in mind that God uses such circumstances in life to grow and refine character.

I would strongly dissuade you from trying to form your own "house church". I think it's poor advice. Understand, I know God can bless such fellowships and enlarge them...but it would be wise to ardently seek Jesus on this. Most "house church" people I know are made up of disenfranchised Christians who got their pride stepped on by a pastor or deacon sometime in the past. Very rare is it where I find someone leaving a traditional church fellowship because the church is outright heretical. It's usually because they couldn't submit to authority and stay planted till God advanced them.

I'm probably going to suffer a backlash of rebukes from the "house church" Christians on SI, but the truth must be told. Many "house churches" you see today, were, in fact, born in a spirit of wounded pride, a split of factions initiated by Satan to divide and estrange the brethren. Again, I realize this isn't the same for [i]all[/i] situations, but I am convinced that almost every decent-sized city in America already has an established fellowship (though none of them are perfect) whereby God can and will (and desires to) use the very contentions you have for the purposes of personal growth and maturity.

The Holy Spirit can often show you more about yourself and grow you in godly wisdom in more ways through an imperfect church than He can anywhere else on earth. I humbly propose that a person can not healthily grow in God as they ought if they are constantly bent on finding the perfect, utopian church fellowship of George Muellers and Wigglesworths and Pastor Spurgeons. How can a tree grow to a mighty oak if it keeps getting uprooted? Find a place for the Lord to plant you...and then die to grow. And stay where you're planted. Weather the storms in whatever fellowship He has placed you in - no matter how frustrated you get - and learn to pray through the growth pains. It really hurts...but this sort pain is good for you! Just make sure that the place you are in is the place God has put you. God does not usually uproot a person over and over again. You'll have the witness to your Spirit when you're in the right place...and the witness to [i]stay there[/i] will be the strongest when your flesh and pride are screaming the loudest to leave.

Then it's just a matter of obedience. And I don't have to tell you how God blesses the obedient.

Brother Paul

Hi Charlene,

If it's any consolation to you at all, I went through the same thing that you are going through right now. I was just about ready to give up when I found the church I am now attending. Truth be told, I think the Lord used my search to humble me. Since I had to look so hard to find it, I have a greater appreciation for my church.

I do not know of any churches in Tucson to suggest, but if you lived further north, I would invite you to my church in Mesa. If you ever do make it up here please let me know, I would be happy to invite you to my church for a visit if you would like.

Hang in there!

Sandra

If you don't have any of these issues, a home church is still more attractive to go to than going to these denominations where there are "Big Me's and Little You's" type mentality.

True, but I'm not quite sure what you're getting at. When you say "Big Me's and Little You's" who, exactly, are you referring to? The gap between a pastor and layperson? Who is "big" and who is "little"?

I think there [i]should[/i] be differences in certain aspects. Novices, for instance, should not be ushered straightway into elevated teaching positions, and Paul was careful to warn Timothy of it. Why? The danger of inflated pride! Which brings us back full circle to why many "house churches" have come into existence. A "Little You" was said something by a "Big You" that they didn't like. But a person can be a "Big You" without flaunting it, or bringing attention to it, or gloating over the position. I would consider Zac Poonen a "Big You" in his church in Bangalore, India, wouldn't you? But from all the accounts I have heard, Brother Poonen is a very humble man. God makes and elevates men to these positions of "double honor" and we should not despise those in spiritual authority over us. If you were to join Zac's church, there would be elders that supercede you. This is how it is, and such is rightly ordained in God's eyes. Scripture teaches and supports it.

Brother Paul

I think the problem is that people who are looking for a "perfect church" get caught in a treadmill, spinning their wheels, never fully coming to the realization that there are none

Brother, I agree with you. I have prayed lots over this. I know that the Church is made of people, who will sin. No there is no perfect Church. But there are those that preach truth and others that don't. I am not looking for a perfect Church , I don't Have been. I have praying seeking God to go were he has called me.
You are right, if I pick a apart everything I will never find what I am looking for.

Now as for the Church I was going to, I didn't just jump ship because it got bad. Far from that. for a year I disagred, But I stayed and loved them. I didn't feel right to leave because I disagree with the pastor on some thing. I thought I would pray and pray. and I did, I gave hours and hours pouring my heart into that Church.

Keep in mind that God uses such circumstances in life to grow and refine character.

Now as house Church I agree in some areas. But I do think there are those who truly are seeking God, But 85% I agree with you. I think this is still something I am praying about. Although I do someone both sides.

a place for the Lord to plant you...and then die to grow. And stay where you're planted. Weather the storms in whatever fellowship He has placed you in - no matter how frustrated you get - and learn to pray through the growth pains.

This why I stoped loooking and started praying.
I can't agree with more on the importance of Church body. I understand how I to die to the Church, and be willing to hurt. To yeild to leaders. Truthfuly I am afraid, But this were I am to trust in God.

Then it's just a matter of obedience

THen please pray I will obey God's voice and go were he tells me to go.
Please I will trust and give myself again the body the Church.
Thank you brother
In His love
charlene

greater appreciation for my church.

I do pray that God will keep enlarging my heart to have a great appercation, for whatever Church he sends me too.

in his love
charlene