The Search for a Church

[Lady_Bug]

I was doing a Google search for universalist churches in my state but unfortunately I was dismayed to see only Unitarian universalist churches. Even though I do not doubt the incarnation of Christ, I am teeter-tottery on the Trinity doctrine itself. I know, that may not make sense, but oh well.

I did find what I thought to be a decent universalist church near my town but I was disenchanted with what appears to be a pluralist approach to beliefs, and to be honest, it did not look Christ-centered enough. The Church states it draws inspiration from other religions, even atheists, and pagans, etc. I may have my issues with EH but I still believe in one objective spiritual truth, even if other paths contain elements of it. It doesn’t mean that everyone else is consigned to an eternal hell here, but I think that the church I found is too liberal. I mean I still believe that Jesus is the Savior of mankind and that He is the narrow gate, and this church seemed a bit too lenient on this.

It feels lonely trying to figure out what to do about this.

[Kate]

I did find what I thought to be a decent universalist church near my town but I was disenchanted with what appears to be a pluralist approach to beliefs, and to be honest, it did not look Christ-centered enough. The Church states it draws inspiration from other religions, even atheists, and pagans, etc. I may have my issues with EH but I still believe in one objective spiritual truth, even if other paths contain elements of it. It doesn’t mean that everyone else is consigned to an eternal hell here, but I think that the church I found is too liberal.

My thoughts exactly, Lady Bug! (And, welcome, by the way–I don’t believe I’ve spoken to you yet.) I’d like to find someplace where I could sense solid community around love for Christ, without having to hide my belief in universal reconciliation. Like you said, I believe everyone will go to heaven… they just will find that they will go through Jesus first.

And I agree with you, Cindy: Community is very important in our lives as followers of Christ. I just wish I could find a fitting community. On the contrary, I get so frustrated with finding a spiritual home, I just want to throw up my hands sometimes and continue enjoying my time in “The Church of Miss Tea.”

[Matt_Wiley]

Yeah, like I said, finding a fairly conservative church that teaches or is at least okay with UR is far easier said than done.

I’m kind of more liberal myself, and I believe God is bigger than Christianity, and I believe Christ is too, so a liberal outlook doesn’t bother me too much (though the group I’m a part of is more moderate, which is cool… helps balance me out a bit ), but I know it can be kind of bothersome for people who are a little more conservative, and I can understand that.

Well, like I said, it’s easier said than done to find a community who are pretty much in line with ‘orthodox’ Christianity while also being universalist, or at least being okay with it, but they do exist out there.

I think that Grace Communion International denomination that Alex Smith mentioned is along those lines, fairly conservative but open to universal reconciliation. And there are probably a few churches scattered here and there that either teach something along those lines or who are open to it. Maybe they might not call themselves universalist though. They might call it ‘radical grace’ or something like that.

I was gonna say, you guys could try to go the same route I did, by looking around for universalists in your area on Facebook or elsewhere online, and seeing if making those connections might lead you somewhere.

I noticed, for instance, in that list of people on Facebook that I shared with you Miss Tea, that there was a pastor or two… who knows, they might pastor a church nearby you, where you’d fit right in.

I’d be willing to come up with a list of universalists in your state on Facebook if you’d like me too, Lady Bug, just let me know whereabouts you live and I can get to work on that for you.

I hope you both find what you’re looking for, and may you be blessed.

Matt

[Sobornost]

Matt - you are doin’ great work there ma boy

Finding the right Church is always a difficult business - unless it falls into your lap (so I think God is often a bit more challenging than some New Age/Health and Wealth style Churches would have us believe ). Yes we should keep trying but there is a time for being open to adventure and being on pilgrimage, and a time for whole heated commitment to a specific community of sisters and brothers in Christ. This site is sometimes acts as a place of refreshment for those on pilgrimage I guess. TI’s doing God’s work if it only achieves this much.

[Matt_Wiley]

Matt - you are doin’ great work there ma boy

Finding the right Church is always a difficult business - unless it falls into your lap (so I think God is often a bit more challenging than some New Age/Health and Wealth style Churches would have us believe ). Yes we should keep trying but there is a time for being open to adventure and being on pilgrimage, and a time for whole heated commitment to a specific community of sisters and brothers in Christ. This site is sometimes acts as a place of refreshment for those on pilgrimage I guess. TI’s doing God’s work if it only achieves this much.

I think of this forum as my ‘virtual’ church

[Kate]

Well, like I said, it’s easier said than done to find a community who are pretty much in line with ‘orthodox’ Christianity while also being universalist, or at least being okay with it, but they do exist out there.

Amen, Matt! Amen! Where did you finally end up settling after your search for a church?

I think that Grace Communion International denomination that Alex Smith mentioned is along those lines, fairly conservative but open to universal reconciliation. And there are probably a few churches scattered here and there that either teach something along those lines or who are open to it. Maybe they might not call themselves universalist though. They might call it ‘radical grace’ or something like that.

I read up a bit on Grace Communion International, and it sounds great! Too bad that the nearest one is still quite a drive from my home. I might stop by there someday, but I wish I could find a home church much closer to me.

I was gonna say, you guys could try to go the same route I did, by looking around for universalists in your area on Facebook or elsewhere online, and seeing if making those connections might lead you somewhere.

The odd thing is… there are a ton of universalists in my area, they just happen to be silent. Many of my conservative Christian friends, with whom I often talk about spirituality, have expressed hope in universalism. I’d say the opinions are split about half-and-half among my friend circle between profession of ECT and hope in universalism–or at least something in between.

May you be blessed, too, Matt!