Assemblies of God church.

[fluffyduckie]

Do you have any experience of them? There is one near me and it is one of the churches I haven't tried in my church hunting.

It is apparently quite a new church here within the last year or two.

I was reading the website (which didn't contain much information) and it sounds quite friendly and a bit like a community. But there is a bit about someone saying their fingers healed after they joined the church and I don't know what to make of that.

I think they are pentecostal, which means you can expect a lot of biblical literalism, speaking in tongues, healing etc. American origins, some say they are rather cult-like.

There is one near me and I get on well with the ministers but as said by exexpat they are biblical literalists and that includes headship so no women in leadership. The music might be really good and they are probably good at community but you will have to weigh that up against their conservative theology.

Very conservative, very literal as a general rule. Though each church is run individually and so they can be very different to one another in style.

It just seemed such a weird thing to put on a church website but if they believe in sort of miraculous healing then I guess it makes sense.

I don't get speaking in tongues at all!! I don't know if that would freak me out a bit.

Running out of churches to try around here and this one sounded the most friendly - meeting for meals and prayer groups and a Bible study group in the future.

Why not go along and see what you think, you don't have to stay. Btw there is actually a bit in the bible itself saying that speaking in tongues will make new people who turn up at your church think you are crazy, so this is nothing new.

I am quite shy and the idea of walking into a church service and not knowing what was going to happen panics me a bit. Maybe I could email the church first.

I just feel like I need to be in a church and to spend time with other Christians.

Hi I was having a little read about Pentecostal churches and I must say they sound a bit full on! Do you believe any of that sort of thing? Are you quite biblically literal iykwim in your beliefs? Or do you think a lot of the bible is metaphorical guidance. I don't think you have to agree with everything they do to go to their church, but if you think speaking in tongues is just a form of mass hysteria it is not going to be for you.

Also, fluffyduckie, be aware that if you do go and try out a church like Assemblies of God (or International Church of Christ) one way they try to get new recruits is by 'lovebombing' anyone who shows an interest - you will be showered with attention, invitations, friendship etc, which can be hard to resist, particularly if you are feeling at all lonely. If healing and speaking in tongues are not something you really want in a church, probably better to stay away.

(I lost one of my best friends to a church like this - they found her at a low point in her life, and rapidly got her pulled in to the extent that she rejected all her old friends and family in favour of the all-embracing church.)

I have never been a church member so I am not entirely sure what I am looking for. Bible based, friendly, community feel, and probably a bit old fashioned.

The lovebombing would worry me as, at the moment especially, I might be a bit vulnerable to that as I really want to know other believers.

I am quite traditional in my beliefs I think. Speaking in tongues is just not something that I am familiar with and the idea of people expecting me to do that would terrify me!