Churches in the US
Mar 31st 2007, 4:13 pm
#16
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Re: Churches in the US
Go ask most good old British vicars they wouldnt do it either without a commitment
In any case, baptism in itself doesn't mean a great deal one way or another without a personal faith in Jesus. If grandparents think otherwise then they might want to revisit what the Bible says.
Mar 31st 2007, 4:47 pm
#17
who turned out the light?
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: WA
Posts: 7,997
Re: Churches in the US
That's not really in line with the impression given in post #6. I think the reality is that there's a lot of variation between different United Methodist churches.
As for the comments on 10% tithing, my own feeling is that if you believe you are saved through your faith as a free gift from God, it's a natural follow-on to give some of your income toward charitable works and sharing the Gospel with others. However, at the same time, it's reasonable to want to know a particular church quite well before supporting it significantly. And churches should only accept tithes as a freely given gift, not something given out of any sense of obligation.
Bottom line is that if a church accosts a new member - or potential new member - with demands for 10% of paycheck, its priorities may not be in the right order.
As for the comments on 10% tithing, my own feeling is that if you believe you are saved through your faith as a free gift from God, it's a natural follow-on to give some of your income toward charitable works and sharing the Gospel with others. However, at the same time, it's reasonable to want to know a particular church quite well before supporting it significantly. And churches should only accept tithes as a freely given gift, not something given out of any sense of obligation.
Bottom line is that if a church accosts a new member - or potential new member - with demands for 10% of paycheck, its priorities may not be in the right order.
I totally agree. The Church I go to does not have "pledging' and yet they do quite well on donations. What people give is left entirely upto them, no demands are made. Choice is always an option on whether you want to go to or not go to Church. The same applies as to whcih Church may be to your liking. At the end of the day the fundamental principle of the Trinity applies to the established Church. Pays your money, take your choice.
as there are too many of "I just want your money type of churches " 
I believe in giving cause you want to,
(and it's between you and God not you and the church)
if you don't want to give then don't!
Mar 31st 2007, 5:01 pm
#18
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 15,455
Re: Churches in the US
That is ridiculous, you want a Church to Christen your child for the grandparents but you do not know if you believe! The whole point is you are standing up and committing to bring your child up as a Christian, so why bother?
Go ask most good old British vicars they wouldnt do it either without a commitment and get tired of those who just use the Church for the events when they want to wear a new hat.
Go ask most good old British vicars they wouldnt do it either without a commitment and get tired of those who just use the Church for the events when they want to wear a new hat.
Mar 31st 2007, 5:19 pm
#20
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,179
Re: Churches in the US
I know some people who believe but cannot identify with any specific church or religious group. They want to have their marriages sanctified and their children babtised. Tricky...
Mar 31st 2007, 10:11 pm
#21
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: NW Chicago suburbs
Posts: 11,253
Re: Churches in the US
Be carfeul with the US Methodist church as its more conservative than the UK version and has a lot of variation. I went to a service in the US expecting to hear something similar to the Christian Socialism of Rev. Donald Soper and got a very right wing sermon that was a bit unexpected.
Episcopalian is the US version of C of E, but again there is a range of attitudes to social questions like homosexuality,divorce,abortion etc,so find a church where you feel comfortable.
I once went to a Unitarian Universalist service in ultra liberal Cambridge MA with a Catholic friend as we were curious. After the service she said that it was the only church service she'dever been at where God was never even mentioned.....
Episcopalian is the US version of C of E, but again there is a range of attitudes to social questions like homosexuality,divorce,abortion etc,so find a church where you feel comfortable.
I once went to a Unitarian Universalist service in ultra liberal Cambridge MA with a Catholic friend as we were curious. After the service she said that it was the only church service she'dever been at where God was never even mentioned.....
Which I think just proves the idea that different United Methodist churches might be very different.
As far as someone doing the baptism without you being members and attending... hmmm... there the unitarians might be a best bet. I was told (but don't know) to be a member all you do is sign your name, no questions asked.
Apr 2nd 2007, 1:51 pm
#22
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: NC Triangle
Posts: 324
Re: Churches in the US
What I do know is that I like the tradition I was bought up in, and want my kids to experience the associated rituals. However, I will be injecting them with a large amount of sk/cepticism about the absolutes that religions teach.
So if you regard that as ridiculous, good on you, each to their own.
Apr 8th 2007, 1:41 am
#23
Banned
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: unknown
Posts: 1,509
Re: Churches in the US
OK so my wife found a new Baptist church to go to this weekend but on closer inspection their website revealed stage one of joining the church involved a "wealth assessment" where the pastor would decide how much money we have to contribute annually ! What the hell ! How about f all !!
Apr 8th 2007, 1:45 am
#24
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,017
Re: Churches in the US
OK so my wife found a new Baptist church to go to this weekend but on closer inspection their website revealed stage one of joining the church involved a "wealth assessment" where the pastor would decide how much money we have to contribute annually ! What the hell ! How about f all !!
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Apr 8th 2007 at 1:47 am.
Apr 8th 2007, 1:47 am
#25
Banned
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: unknown
Posts: 1,509
Re: Churches in the US
I miss the Catholic church back home, Irish priest talked as fast as a horse racing commenatator, in and out in 30 minutes and if I was feeling generous I would drop a quid in the collection no questions asked.
Apr 8th 2007, 2:06 am
#28
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,542
Re: Churches in the US
I have never felt pressured to give but I know the Church costs money to run and its tax deductable.
Happy Easter
Apr 8th 2007, 2:11 am
#29
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Re: Churches in the US
It sounds just like those Chinese weddings where the guests at the wedding dinner have to give a 'hong bao' aka 'ang pao'; a red envelope with a sum of cash which must at least cover the cost of your meal (it's not unusual for guests to phone the restaurant or hotel beforehand to find out how much each 'table' costs).
The money should always be an even amount and never be say, $104, $154 as in Chinese, the number 4 'sounds like' death. On the other hand, they love multiples of 8 as the number 8 'sounds like' wealth....
At some of the Chinese weddings, someone sits at a table and opens up the hong baos as they are presented, recording who gave it and how much money was inside the envelope where all and sundry can see how generous or mean the guest was LOL!
Apr 8th 2007, 2:26 pm
#30
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,442
Re: Churches in the US
The Episcopal Church is the US branch of the CofE.
They are informally called the "bridge" as many Catholics find it easier to attend their services as it is more similar to the Catholic faith than most US Churches. They also refer to the Vicar as a Priest. I wonder if the Episcopalian church is more similar to "High C of E" in those respects?
Either way, the Episcopalian Church is easier to take than the more commonly found US Evangelical or Charismatic ones with people frequently jumping out of windows and throwing up in the corners.........