If you couldn't be....

[Tim Bonney]

Have you ever thought about what church you might be a part of if for some reason you could no longer be Baptist?

Since I'm now a Methodist I'll start with what I'd do if I couldn't be in the UMC.

Odds are I my first choice would be Episcopalian followed by UCC and then ELCA.

[Haruo]

How come UCC would come before ELCA? I'd have thought their congregationalism would be an obstacle.

I think Episcopalianism might get my vote, too. Or maybe start my own denomination.

[Dave Roberts]

I might just move out and start the perfect church, but, alas, it would cease to be perfect once I joined.

I might be more drawn toward either the Presbyterians, the UMC, or Disciples of Christ, but to join any of them, there would be issues I would need to work through--baptismal theology being the first.

[KeithE]

I’d be non-denominational.

First choice among denominations would be the Evangelical Covenant Church of America (unless they have become more doctrinaire or intolerant than they used to be).

[Tim Bonney]

[Ed Pettibone]

[Tim Bonney]

Ed I also think it unlikely that I'll make a denominational change again unless the UMC were to take a big jump to the right. But that seems unlikely given the over all diversity of the denomination. More than likely I'll retire in the UMC in another 15-20 years health allowing.

[Tim Bonney]

Maybe I should have also asked what the deciding factors would be?

My own preferences would be

1. Episcopal or similar governance
2. Progressive theology.
3. A solidly sacramental theology.
4. NOT strongly Calvinist.
5. Strongly into social justice.

When I retire I can enjoy visiting around like I think William has said he does.

[Ed Pettibone]

[Tim Bonney]

Ed that is probably true. We have a different set of priorities.

I'm only comfortable with a very small amount of Calvinism. I don't believe in predestination or "once saved always saved."

And I'd not be surprised if we think differently about sacraments. I do fully agree with communion and baptism as means of grace. And I do believe that baptism is connected to God's actions rather than the individual's faith. That's why I support infant baptism.

Even as a Baptist you may recall that I was open to persons who had been baptized as infants becoming full members in a Baptist church. So I wasn't that many steps away from a sacramental theology previously looking back.

[Ed Pettibone]

Ed: As i said when you made the switch; "Baptist and Methodist have both gained."

[Tim Bonney]

[Sandy]

Never thought I would be in a place where I "couldn't be" Baptist, and actually, that's really not the case now, though with the relative scarcity of Southern Baptists in this part of the country, a second choice had to be considered. There are a few of the KJVO, fundamental variety Baptists around here, though most of the "independent" Baptist churches are actually former ABC-USA congregations of the more conservative variety, but not that conservative. There are some General Association of Regular Baptist churches in a small association, with a local camp. We could have made the 25 mile round trip over across the state line to West Virginia, to an SBC congregation of about 150 in attendance, but decided to look at some other evangelical church, and wound up in a Christian and Missionary Alliance congregation. They baptize by immersion, and share a wide variety of similar doctrinal beliefs, including the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible, a historical-literal interpretation of scripture, they don't ordain women, and generally, worship tends toward a more contemporary and spontaneous format that, on occasion, includes time for the laying on of hands for healing. I have had some difficulty with the elder leadership, not conflict, just having a hard time understanding how it is that they are making "spirit led" decisions at times when it seems the congregation isn't on board. They tend to be a bit cliquish as well, in that there's a "glass ceiling" when it comes to church leadership.

[KeithE]

[Tim Bonney]

[Shawn Koester]

If I weren't Baptist or Disciples, I would likely lean towards Church of the Brethren or Mennonite Church USA. Given my strong Anabaptist leanings and my pacifist stance.

[Tim Bonney]

[William Thornton]

Tim: "When I retire I can enjoy visiting around like I think William has said he does. "

I'm pretty much done with that...got tired of unfriendly churches and poor preaching.

[Chris]

United Church of Christ....in a heartbeat. Especially since their recent decision on Israel. http://mondoweiss.net/2015/06/companies ... occupation

[Tim Bonney]

[Ed Pettibone]

[Chris]

[Tim Bonney]

[Sandy]

[Chris]