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Went to a Pentecostal Church

granolaturtle

Well-Known Member
It's been a long time since I've been to church and now that I have a license I really wanted to drive myself. I was raised Methodist but didn't really connect with the local popular Methodist church we attended at first (before we stopped going to church altogether). It felt at times like it was trying too hard to be "trendy" - the Easter service we went to had music that barely sounded religious or appropriate to the subject matter.

I didn't hate it at all and I appreciate their efforts to try to reach out to younger people but it felt a bit empty.

So I decided that since I was taking myself I could choose where I wanted to go. I looked over lots of different churches and did research on the backgrounds of the denominations and such. Being a queer person who looks pretty visibly gay, I have to be careful about where I go. I don't think they'll bite me or anything, I just don't want to be guilt tripped or pressured.

Anyways, this is all leading up to me deciding to check out a local Pentecostal church. I read about it and liked the expressive worship, people calling out, crying, etc... I think all of that is pretty cool, not scary. Sometimes in the more reserved churches I've been to in the past I'll feel a a strong emotion but feel like I have to suppress any expression of it because you have to be quiet in church. Crying in a Methodist church, to me, would attract a lot of attention and seem out of place.

The arm waving, shouting and overall spontaneity - at least, the idea of it - spoke to my soul. Unfortunately, the church I attended was fire and brimstone. And I'm not the kind of person who thinks that all sermonizing has to make people feel good. Far from it - I believe material that challenges people and urges them to change is important. Discomfort, guilt and even anger is sometimes a catalyst for growth. It can be misapplied or used for destructive means, but so can any other emotion.

However, as far as I can tell this church wasn't trying to challenge their congregation or encourage them to change in some way. They were assuring themselves, talking about how half of the world's Christians would go to Hell for not believing how they do. Talking about how wonderful it would be to see the Lord Jesus but also how terrible it would be for everyone else. Apparently in the end times the world's Jews are going to convert to Christianity and face off with Israel's enemies???? Yeah, I did not like the sermon and it struck me as unethical.

My sister is an atheist and attended with me, she was very uncomfortable and afterward talked about how weird it was that they cried and laid on the floor and called out during church. She said she felt like she was going to get struck down with lightening during the sermon and I hate that they made her feel that way the first time she's gone to church in several years. My concern isn't with the style of worship, it's with the material they were so motivated to cry and praise the Lord to.

I'll probably attend another Pentecostal church to see if this was a one-off thing. I also try to remind myself that I'm not going to church to criticize. I'm trying to seek a connection with God with humility and fellowship. I felt bad that all I did after the service that Sunday was laugh about it with my sister. I do think my concerns are legitimate, though - the sermon was so condemning of not only other religions but of other Christians (probably Catholics in particular they didn't like, if I were to guess).

Next Sunday, I don't think I'm going to go back. I'll see what the local Lutheran church is like. It'll probably take a while before I find a church that's a good fit.
 
I haven't looked for any specific churches. But in my case, I've kinda let God take me where ever He believes I should be placed. So long story short I ended up at a Pentecostal. The jumping and crying is sooo moving and spiritual.. I don't want to believe that they bash other religons or other Christians, but they are heavy with knowledge. I'm not too organized or good with words for that matter but what I am trying to say is that I've enjoyed my experience at that church, but it took a couple visits. And I believe they are traditional. As in no same sex anything.. Only thing I don't particularly enjoyed is their "modesty code". As in women must always wear skirts and cover their shoulders. I'm all for modesty but I'm clumsy, messy, unbalanced. I hate most of womens clothing because sensory issues and sometimes stuff just doesnt fit right. So being kinda judged for not wearing skirts while I sleep is a little upsetting... But Like I said. Traditional. And I am probably just ranting. *newbie.*
 
Last edited by a moderator:
There are varieties of "Pentecostal" churches.
Some are Trinitarian.
The Apostolics are not.
Generally the one-ness churches are very accepting.

Methodists used to be called "Holy Rollers" for their
habit of leaping and running across the pews, etc.
They started off as an alternative to stiff regimented
service.
 
I haven't looked for any specific churches. But in my case, I've kinda let God take me where ever He believes I should be placed. So long story short I ended up at a Pentecostal. The jumping and crying is sooo moving and spiritual.. I don't want to believe that they bash other religons or other Christians, but they are heavy with knowledge. I'm not too organized or good with words for that matter but what I am trying to say is that I've enjoyed my experience at that church, but it took a couple visits. And I believe they are traditional. As in no same sex anything.. Only thing I don't particularly enjoyed is their "modesty code". As in women must always wear skirts and cover their shoulders. I'm all for modesty but I'm clumsy, messy, unbalanced. I hate most of womens clothing because sensory issues and sometimes **** just doesnt fit right. So being kinda judged for not wearing skirts while I sleep is a little upsetting... But Like I said. Traditional. And I am probably just ranting. *newbie.*

It's the way they phrased it that made me concerned about them bashing other Christians. "Saved, born again, Bible believing" Christians are the only ones who get into heaven, according to the preacher/pastor (??). Which implies a few things. They think some Christians don't believe in the Bible like they do and thus go to Hell for it (particularly, Catholics don't interpret scriptures literally and also use supplementary material along with the Bible). The idea of being "born again" is also very specific to Evangelical protestant groups.
 
There are varieties of "Pentecostal" churches.
Some are Trinitarian.
The Apostolics are not.
Generally the one-ness churches are very accepting.

Methodists used to be called "Holy Rollers" for their
habit of leaping and running across the pews, etc.
They started off as an alternative to stiff regimented
service.

Wow, that's really interesting. I wonder why the Methodist churches I've been to felt more reserved than other churches? I don't have lots of church experience though. Just the Methodist churches I've attended with my family and a few other denominations I've attended a service at (Presbyterian, Baptist and now Pentecostal).

What's confusing is that there are some churches in my city that aren't non-denominational but don't say what denomination they are? They just have a name.

On the other end of the spectrum, Methodism, I think, more spontaneous than say, Catholicism. I've wanted to go to a Catholic mass at least once - but I'm doing my research on how to do that respectfully, as they follow specific rituals - some people of other denominations can take part in, others that are only for Catholics.
 
The King James Version is the most accurate, is what I've discovered. I read the bible but I don't attened church often. It's been quite some time actually. I have a prayer journal and I single out verses that I enjoy. I believe the Pentecostal preachers might be warning "us" that there could be a wrong way to interpret the Lord's word.
 
The King James Version is the most accurate, is what I've discovered. I read the bible but I don't attened church often. It's been quite some time actually. I have a prayer journal and I single out verses that I enjoy. I believe the Pentecostal preachers might be warning "us" that there could be a wrong way to interpret the Lord's word.

What do you find about the King James Version that's more accurate than other versions?
 
Well, the information I have gathered, and information from others as well is, the way the scripture is written. It's the less watered down version. No extra words or other human interpretations. It's the closest we have to His Word.
We can read the same paragraph and think it says something totally different. Ya kno?

I never took the time to read NIV or even any Catholic Bibles. Growing up my step mother was Catholic and I never seemed to get into it. I just started my journey as well, getting into my spirituality but I am adamant about what bible I choose to read now. Can I correctly state the reasons why and quote scripture? Absolutely not. this thread is very interesting to me. Hopefully I am not just shootin words out that dont have depth
 
It's been a long time since I've been to church and now that I have a license I really wanted to drive myself. I was raised Methodist but didn't really connect with the local popular Methodist church we attended at first (before we stopped going to church altogether). It felt at times like it was trying too hard to be "trendy" - the Easter service we went to had music that barely sounded religious or appropriate to the subject matter.

I didn't hate it at all and I appreciate their efforts to try to reach out to younger people but it felt a bit empty.

So I decided that since I was taking myself I could choose where I wanted to go. I looked over lots of different churches and did research on the backgrounds of the denominations and such. Being a queer person who looks pretty visibly gay, I have to be careful about where I go. I don't think they'll bite me or anything, I just don't want to be guilt tripped or pressured.

Anyways, this is all leading up to me deciding to check out a local Pentecostal church. I read about it and liked the expressive worship, people calling out, crying, etc... I think all of that is pretty cool, not scary. Sometimes in the more reserved churches I've been to in the past I'll feel a a strong emotion but feel like I have to suppress any expression of it because you have to be quiet in church. Crying in a Methodist church, to me, would attract a lot of attention and seem out of place.

The arm waving, shouting and overall spontaneity - at least, the idea of it - spoke to my soul. Unfortunately, the church I attended was fire and brimstone. And I'm not the kind of person who thinks that all sermonizing has to make people feel good. Far from it - I believe material that challenges people and urges them to change is important. Discomfort, guilt and even anger is sometimes a catalyst for growth. It can be misapplied or used for destructive means, but so can any other emotion.

However, as far as I can tell this church wasn't trying to challenge their congregation or encourage them to change in some way. They were assuring themselves, talking about how half of the world's Christians would go to Hell for not believing how they do. Talking about how wonderful it would be to see the Lord Jesus but also how terrible it would be for everyone else. Apparently in the end times the world's Jews are going to convert to Christianity and face off with Israel's enemies???? Yeah, I did not like the sermon and it struck me as unethical.

My sister is an atheist and attended with me, she was very uncomfortable and afterward talked about how weird it was that they cried and laid on the floor and called out during church. She said she felt like she was going to get struck down with lightening during the sermon and I hate that they made her feel that way the first time she's gone to church in several years. My concern isn't with the style of worship, it's with the material they were so motivated to cry and praise the Lord to.

I'll probably attend another Pentecostal church to see if this was a one-off thing. I also try to remind myself that I'm not going to church to criticize. I'm trying to seek a connection with God with humility and fellowship. I felt bad that all I did after the service that Sunday was laugh about it with my sister. I do think my concerns are legitimate, though - the sermon was so condemning of not only other religions but of other Christians (probably Catholics in particular they didn't like, if I were to guess).

Next Sunday, I don't think I'm going to go back. I'll see what the local Lutheran church is like. It'll probably take a while before I find a church that's a good fit.


I am terrified of Pentecostal church and it’s members. I even worked with one member. That is one of the last places on earth a gay person should be caught in! You might also enjoy the experience of a Black traditional Baptist church, as they also shout, dance, and clap. It’s crazy wild. But they also are extremely homophobic.

The most fun I ever had was in a Hindu Temple where, every Sunday, they dance for 3 hours straight, and then have a fantastic free buffet meal. Can you attend one of those?

I do not think there are many churches that accept homosexuality. You really should try and find a place where you can be you, and not have to hide a key part of yourself. You should check out Unitarian churches because they are extremely accepting of the LBTQ community and are completely non denominational. They ROCK in my opinion.
 

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