Christianity Stack Exchange
Christianity Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [church-local]

an organized group of believers that gather together or congregations

should be used for questions about 'church', where church means an organized group of believers that gather together or congregations.

Use for questions about denominations, sects, or groupings of congregations

Use for questions about all believers, the "Universal Church".

Use for questions about buildings used for worship.

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Absent apostolic succession, what is the argument for the authority of the church?

I realize that Catholics believe in apostolic succession, and that they were explicitly given authority by Jesus himself. In other denominations, what, if anything, other than the choice made by its members gives the church authority over them? I…
HedgeMage
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Should I condemn a church that might be teaching wrong doctrine?

I used to attend one church which felt quite weird for me. Here are a few things that I don't agree with: Everybody can speak in tongues. The steps are, first you need somebody to pray with you so you are being baptized by spirit, after that, you…
Sufendy
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What are some of the benefits of going to church?

This question struck me last Sunday at church. People usually talk about the abstract benefits of prayer and proving things etc, but I'm asking this question because over the many years I've been attending the same church I have realized a few…
David d C e Freitas
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Can I go to church on the internet?

Is it enough for me to watch a sermon online every Sunday? I have some Christian friends that I spend time with and we pray together sometimes. I study the Bible on my own and listen to my favorite preacher online every week. What need would I have…
Caleb
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What is the "homogenous unit principle" of church growth?

Fred Clark wrote in his blog entry Suburban is not the same as theologically conservative (17 July 2012): The suburbanization of American Christianity has altered our theology in other fundamental ways. Consider, for example, the church-growth…
James T
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What is the difference between a church and a social club?

There is a popular line that exists in sermons (heck, I've even preached it myself!) that says something to the effect of "a church is not a social club." A church is not the local Kiwanis, it is not the local Boy Scouts, and it sure as heck isn't…
Affable Geek
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Why do most churches meet on Sunday?

Most protestant churches (and possibly Roman Catholic churches?) have their main public meetings on Sundays. Why Sunday? Note: I'm not asking why do Christians celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday, but why do they meet for their main church services on…
Greg
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Does Calvary Chapel assume everything is wrong in this world?

(I ask this question because my only exposure to Jesus has been through Calvary Chapels for many years.) If you attend Calvary Chapel (or ever listened to the radio station K-WVE broadcasted nationally or I guess world-wide now) there seems to be an…
Greg McNulty
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