Originally Posted By supplex:
So I've been searching for a good church to go to for awhile now, for fellowship, teaching, and hopefully to find a suitable wife.

I've gone to a couple of different churches in the area, but no luck so far, even left one in the middle of the service being what I felt as very strongly led by the Holy Spirit to leave.

Anyway...I started researching non-denominational churches in the Ft Smith area, mainly chose that area due to the increased likelihood of meeting potential women there. Now to allay any condemnation, looking for a woman is not my sole intention, but it is one of them.

So I found one that looked promising and decided to go yesterday to the 10:30 service. I punched the address into my iphone and headed out. On the way, I was praying that God lead me to the right place, asking almost for some Divine revelation to take place if possible (I like to be spoken to very loudly.) I've been living my life following what path He has laid out, and walking through the doors that He has opened. This has taken me 1800 miles from my family and where I grew up.

The last direction from the map app on the phone was turn right and destination will be on the left, ok no prob, sure enough I see a church with a full parking lot and lots of folks heading in. So i pull in a head inside, now I didn't see any signage indicating what church this was...I don't realize that I am in fact at a Baptist church until the greeter is showing me to the sanctuary. Not that I have anything against Baptists, but I don't generally agree with their stance on alcohol...seeing that I make alcohol for a living

Ok so I figure, what the hey, I'll stick it out. well, one of the first things I notice is how many good looking younger women there are in the pews

The worship was good, contemporary (how I like it)...then comes the sermon. The sermon ends up being EXACTLY what I needed to hear. The topic was about Naomi and Ruth and how Ruth eventually "finds" herself in Boaz's field by "accident"...well the sermons point was that there are no accidents in life, and that God is orchestrating your path and will prepare and equip you for it.

So here I am in the wrong church by "accident" and the sermon is about how there are no "accidents" OK God...I'm listening now

I went back for the evening service and enjoyed as well, and have plans to go back on Wednesday, I'm actually genuinely excited because I feel very strongly that this is where He wants me. I can't wait till Wednesday!! I'm also excited that the Lord may have put me there so that I can meet my future wife...something I am very ready for (I think).

I would appreciate prayer for me as I continue attending and learning more. I'm very sensitive about church due to some very bad experiences in the past. If this is where God wants me, then I'm going to give it all I have.

Originally Posted By AASG:


What is there stance on Alcohol? I was out of church for nearly all my life, but basically believed that ALL christians were against drinking, except Catholics, wich my mother always said were all drunks. I go to church now, nondenominational, most of these people are recovering alcoholics/users, so I don't really know if they think it's acceptable to enjoy a drink. One women I've met is very active in the baptist church and told me she drinks rum so she can sleep at night........ so, um

Could anyone from any denomination please post up the official rule from your church, only if you KNOW for sure.

Also to the OP: yes I agree that NOTHING is an accident. There are a lot of things in my life right now that I am trying to figure out where I am being steared to, but I know there must be a plan. And congrats on finding a church and good luck with the women.

Originally Posted By streightfaced:
Our church in MI was baptist, but went non-denominational because of the baptist stigma. I was always taught to follow laws, but when of the legal drinking age it is okay as long as it is done in moderation and you are not drinking to get drunk. If you are with someone with a substance abuse problem, then it is a good example and friend not to tempt them just like with anything else.

Originally Posted By streightfaced:
Our church in MI was baptist, but went non-denominational because of the baptist stigma. I was always taught to follow laws, but when of the legal drinking age it is okay as long as it is done in moderation and you are not drinking to get drunk. If you are with someone with a substance abuse problem, then it is a good example and friend not to tempt them just like with anything else.

Originally Posted By G1F2-EE:


On alcohol, this is essentially my thoughts on it. The bible addresses drunkenness, and drinking of the wine. Many churches, (the Baptist one I grew up in) will say it was "unferminted" wine, grape juice, etc....(I don't know about
that explanation)....I think as long as it is in moderation, its not a big deal. However,there may be more issues with that subject than merely partaking of it. .. I don't want to seem judgmental, or to offend, just food for thought––
You mentioned you make alcohol for a living, has that caused you any issues - have you felt any convictions or questioned your involvement in that. Does that effect your witness as a christian (which I trust and pray you are),
in any way?

At a church I was at once, in the beginning of the service, after the music had stopped- the pastor was seated at a tall stool on the stage by a table(instead of the podium). As he started some generic conversation with the congregation,
a young lady walked across the stage, and placed a beer bottle and a glass in front of him. As he continued talking, he casually poured the beer in the glass- as if he had done it hundreds of times.....There was pretty much COMPLETE silence
throughout the sanctuary - its a good size church. Now he had done nothing really WRONG- but I'm sure there was a lot of judgement going on in that church at that time. One of the main points he was trying to get across to people was that
while there was nothing "really wrong" with the actions he was partaking in, (even if he was to take a drink of the beverage), if he KNOWS something is going to cause a negative impact on his witness as a christian - is it a sin if he goes through
with the action? We all sin, everyday...I believe God wants us to try to live Christlike, or like Christ, as much as we can. Obviously we cannot be like Christ- He was the only perfect one, and we are sinners, all we can do is truly try with our hearts
to please and live for him. While there may not be anything wrong with me going to the corner bar & grill for a burger & a beer - if my neighbor who I have been trying to get to go to church with me sees me sitting at the bar for 2 hrs, drinking beer the
whole time(even if it is the same one), and I know he will think I'm being a hypocrite, would it be wrong of me to do it, or should I go him Mc'D's instead? (even though the food would be of no comparison)

Please be careful with how much importance you put on female companionship there- while it is much better than many places we usually look for our mates , if God led you there and it is his will - he will provide for you. However focus on
him and his will 1st and foremost- then all else will fall into place. Many of us, (and I say clearly and loudly I) !!!!!- have almost had our lives "derailed" and totally messed up because we (I) did not seek his will - I followed what I wanted to
do. Have faith in him, follow his will,and he will take care of us more than we will ever be able to understand or comprehend.

Again - please understand - I am not trying to be judgmental or to offend, just give some thoughts.....

A good Church family can make a big difference in how we are able to deal with and handle difficulties in our lives. Is it a contemporary Baptist,or more traditional?. Many contemporary churches use a "Praise team" or band and play praise music,
there are a lot of great praise and worship bands and musicians out there that we have the availability to listen to..many times that can help during the tough times..

Hope all goes well with you and your church- praying for you and Gods will!!!

Originally Posted By beready:


I might add what Paul wrote to the church of Corinth.
1 Corinthians 8:9-13
9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.
10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?
11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.