How can one determine whether a church is a good or bad church to join?  Whether the religion itself is a good or bad choice?  Whether the leaders are good or inept church leaders (pastors, ministers)?
213218
Simple do not goto church. Learn to think for yourself and stop letting some guy in a black outfit with a white collar and his boss a guy in a white outfit with a white hat tell you how to do things\n\nThey are all the same.
312113
Why don't you read the bible or go to a BSF (Bible Study Fellowship --official group that is non-denominational and just studies the Bible. Anyone is welcome.)\n\nWith no one yelling at you about what you should or should not do, you might find the voice of God, who has a very QUIET voice inside us, telling you where He is and how you should worship him.\n\nAsk yourself; if my church condones and hides the abuse of little boys and girls, is it the church that I can find peace in... or maybe is this church not the religion I seek?\n\nThere are other types of churches that may feed your spirit and soul. But you need to be quiet inside and find out.
671500
MV I read your other question before you took it down.\nI have to say, I sympathise with you. I haven't yet found a church that really ministers to me either. my brother wants me to go in with him and start our own church, but it's really hard, you know?\nmy advice is, just serve God the best way you can, it's your salvation, no one else's. as for starting your own church, that's a bit harder.\nyou'd have to get one or two people who think alike, get together and make a cohesive doctrine, and just start having services. I know lots of churches, big churches, that started in somebody's barn. you can do it, if God is with you.\nhope you get everything you want.
386841
I have all but quit going to church.  People have made me quit going not God.  I thank God daily for all the things he has given me and pray.  I still believe in the power of prayer.  People have just made me stop going.   Sometimes I find the most hateful mean people are the ones at church.  But, there are those people at church who are really good decent people but the mean ones are the ones who drive others away.
9201
You didn't name the activities that they would like to see in the church so how can we give you ideas on what recommendations you should suggest. You need to rephrase your question with more details. Ex: Can someone help me with recommendations for the youths in our church group? Under the details headings list all your findings or the most popular ones.
422971
I'll attempt to explain in a way that dosnt confuse you further,\n\nAll Christians can be ministers.... when they do something for example witnessing... or if they do something for others out of service to the Lord they are "ministering" to that person. Because what they are doing is to give honor to the Lord and follow his teachings. A Pastor is actually the pastor of a church... he is there to bring the message each week yes.. but that is far from all of his duties. As a Pastor he is responsible for looking after the members of the church their spiritual needs, if they have a problem of some type he is there to provide help and guidance. Many people believe the Pastor is the head of the church.... as a Pastor myself i can tell you the Pastor is a teacher yes... but he is the servant of the church. A preacher is someone who preaches the word of God .... an evangalist is a preacher but he usually is not a pastor... he travels from place to place preaching in different churches... or for example the old "Tent camp meetings"... while he is an Ordained Minister he does not Pastor a specific congregation.  Some churches may have members that are Ordained Ministers but they do not evangalize or travel... they attend a home church and may preach on occassion when the Pastor is sick or out of town .... they are preachers.\n\nI hope this helps you and does not confuse you further.\nGod bless you :)
229471
Yes, I believe pastors and leaders of the church set the tone for criticalness within a church. Leaders cannot change the hearts of people but they can set the tone for what is acceptable and what is not. Churches can go through a time of being Non-Christlike. However, it is up to Christians to invite the Spirit of Christ back into Church. If we don't, then as Friedrich Nietzsche said, our churches have become tombs for a God who is dead.
478425
Please answer all:\n1- do you attend a church? Yes\n2- which afirmation do you belong (baptist, catholic, temple,ect)? Baptist\n3- Are you faithful to attend whenever the church doors are open? Yes, I enjoy church\n4- Would anything interfere with attending church (sleep, family, anything) No usually\n5- Would it be a serious event to miss church? Not exactly serious, but I wouldn't be happy!!!\n6- Why do you attend church? Because I want to grow in my relationship with the Lord.\n7- Is your church leader (pastor) a male or female? Male. I don't think it's right for women to be preachers. They could teach, though. I have a female Sunday school teacher.\n8- What is your salvation? Blood, water, works, etc? I don't get the question.\n9- Do you take notes during the message, in any form? Yes.\n10- Do you daily read your bible? Genesis to Revelation, cover to cover? I really try to have my quiet times.\n11 - Which bible do you read from, (version)? All different kinds. I prefer the ones I can understand (cause I'm only a teen!)\n12- How do you help your church? Helping with church activities\n13- What in your words is the Gospel? \n14- Lastly: Do you have full assurance, that after death, you'll know where you'll be? Yes, I do. Can't wait to meet you in Heaven
429446
Personally, I feel that organized religion is dangerous. As well-meaning as people can be, any church organization becomes a bit cult-ish at one point or another. It's very easy to become the victim of blind faith, and even easier to lose yourself. My beliefs lie within the universe and nothing else. I pray, but I don't need any church or pastor/minister whathaveyou to direct my life in an uncomfortable way. Some people may need the structure, but it can also be very damaging. It all depends on who you are.
660997
There is a definite definition for good, it is people's pride that gives everyone to different opinions on that definition because most everyone wants to see themselves as good. Just like people tend to pick and choose their beliefs from the bible so they see themselves as righteous. The fact remains, as the bible will condemn those who interpret it to themselves, So it will be also with those who call good bad and bad good. All that is of God, that which is positive, is good. All that which is of Satan, that which is negative, is bad. If you don't know the difference, you need to be more humble.
221633
You ask a VERY good question...  While some of the religions you mention say there is no right or wrong path so long as you are a "good person", the three Semetic most widely accepted and growing doctrines say there is a right and wrong way/path.  Gomer, SOMEBODY is wrong.  I choose to follow a faith that I have been lead to by God.  I would recommend a couple of books to anyone who was interested.  These books DO NOT ask you to take faith on faith, but to examine the evidence... A Case for Faith and A Case for Christ by Lee Strobel.\n\nAs for your add on question... those who have never heard the Good News.  There is scripture that says if you have never heard the Good News of Jesus Christ and live a Godly life without knowing the Word there is a place for you with the Lord.  Though once you have heard, you are out of excuses.  You can't "la la la I can't hear you" out of that.\n\nAgain, you seem to ask a valid question... be open to the answers and you may learn something that you didn't know before.  Like I said, look at something that makes a case, evidence.  Be a jury that weighs evidence... not just someones slick words on yahoo.  Don't even believe me... if you make an honest effort to learn you should come away with something
676406
The mormon church no longer promotes or tolerates polygamy or bigamy.  The bigger question is do YOU want to join the church?  You shouldn't join because someone else wants you to.  It is a decision you should think long and hard about before making an informed decision.  I am a former member, so if you need someone to talk to or have anymore questions feel free to IM me.  (I'm Bookbaby2004 here on Yahoo)
582154
well, I was a bible thumping christian for 23 years-old. Then one day I woke up and realized that all Christian's do is judge and say how everyone is going to hell if they don't believe in GOD.  Who gives them the right to say that.  I also realized that you can't force others to believe in what you  believe in.  I was always being asked by fellow church members on why I didn't have a visitor at church or why I wasn't persistent on sharing my faith with others.  I just got tired of it and left.  No one should tell you how your relationship  with god should be like, even if it's not to their standards.   I also realized that the money I thought I was giving to god wasn't going towards his work it was going into the pastors pocket, There were single mothers in our church who could barely feed there families and the pastor has five kids and a two story house and he is able to write off food and bills when it comes to taxes, cause the Church pays for it.  Yeah the CHURCH me and my money pay him so he can live like a king.  so F***religion.  I couldn't be happier with out it.
545433
Ahhh, I had to make this choice many years ago. I was a member of the church for most of my life, went to Sunday school for years and NEVER missed a Sunday in church.\n\nMy preacher/minister also had to do basic counselling and Pyschology 1/2 at uni, so I felt pretty safe in going to him. Well, he followed the church official position, and TREATED me for homosexuality.\n\nAfter years of pain, depression etc. I eventually went to a psychologist. Though the psychologist was also a committed christian, he could tell me that I can not be CURED.\n\nB very carefull not to ask your preacher to do what he is not qualified to do.
227524
Religion attempts to formulate our relationships with one another and with God. Relationships are real. Prophets are concerned about how we treat one another and get along with one another. People come closer to God by coming closer to one another.\n\nChurches are big on preaching what to do, but churches (all of them) are human institutions and flawed. Churches are often the worst when it comes to practicing what is preached.\n\nSo a true prophet is interested in our relationships, and in people. Churches are interested in the business side, the money, the rules, the restrictions. God never intended to start any business.
13243
you aren't suppose to go to church to have a teen hang out. That's the house of God, you go there to worship. It sounds to me like all you teens need to get a sight of what really matters. I'm 17, and no, I haven't always been in church. I've only been in church for 2 years as of Dec. 05'. If you start looking for a church that has a teen hangout you're going to get one of them that has a wimp out pastor that only teaches what you want to hear. What kinda church is it? Who's the pastor? If you wanna answer you can e-mail me @ ssasrule this is yahoo, of course.
201906
I haven't gone to church for about 8 yrs.\nI stopped going and I am not planning on going back.\nBut, me and that spirit in the sky are on good terms... we have an understanding. \nlol\n:)