The Town Hall Archives

PazArizona · Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2003 10:52 pm Post subject: Odyssey First Community Church

I'll take it..if anyone doesn't mind;)

David O · Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2003 12:05 am Post subject:

Ooh, good acquiration. Can I be head elder, or deacon, or something like that?

I also want to be the piany player.

hawkeye · Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2003 9:52 am Post subject:

I have heard of piano players, but what is a piany player? And what is a piany?

And is anyone concerned that David might be an elder? Confused

David O · Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2003 2:00 pm Post subject:

Not me!

Jared · Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2003 9:04 pm Post subject:

"...elder, or deacon, or something..."

Someone better figure out what denomination this is so we don't have synods, panels, elders, deacons, trustees and anything else I may have missed.

hawkeye · Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2003 12:04 am Post subject:

Why choose a denomination? Denominations only encourage separating us, and there is nothing wrong with nondenominational churches.

Jared · Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2003 7:04 am Post subject:

If a person wishes to join a nondenominational church, that is fine, but what's wrong with the "division" of denominations? I'm not Independent Baptist because I think Lutheran churches paint the walls the wrong color, Hawkeye!

There are reasons we go to different denominations and there's absolutely nothing wrong with separating us. It's better that we go to the place we deem right, isn't it? And besides, while there's nothing at all wrong with the concept of nondenominational churches, no real church can be without doctrinal beliefs, so even though a church may not have a denominational label, it's got to be similar to some denomination!

There are two nondenominational churches in my area. One basically lines up with Reformed theology (Reformed Presbyterian, Presby America) and the other generally lines up with Baptist beliefs. They aren't technically Presbyterian and Baptist denominations, but it would be very easy to apply the label. It would fit perfectly.

So really, while I would agree that there's nothing wrong with nondenominational churches, I would strongly argue that there's nothing wrong with denominational churches, either. Doctrinal issues separate me from Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist and Episcopalian churches. Can I fellowship with people from those churches? Of course... we are brothers and sisters in Christ! But when I get teaching, doctrine and edification, I want it to come from a church that I agree with.

There's nothing wrong with that!

Coralfish · Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2003 6:16 pm Post subject:

That is certainly true, but for these purposes, would it not be better to simply leave the church as named: Oddyssey Community Church?
While it would be possible to pick a denomination, I think that it would also be a source of unending debates.

hawkeye · Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2003 11:45 pm Post subject:

I agree with Coralfish on this. We Christians sometimes get too caught up debating mindless issues like "should the pastor wear a robe?" and forget the important issues. Sure, there are important issues like predestination vs free will and eternal salvation vs by choice salvation, but this is not worth dividing a church over.

David O · Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2003 11:50 pm Post subject:

Yes, hawkeye. Regardless, I would like to be the piano player, and maybe head elder, or deacon.

Sounds like a good strategy if I ever heard one.