Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin Area
 

Any suggestions?

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

Joplin, Missuori UPC church is pastored by my cousin, Tony Stoddart. I have to get the actual church name.

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

Yea, all the ones around here (including that one) seem to be pretty strict on standards. I'm really looking for a truth preaching church without all the "standard" mess.

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

You mean there are churches that are not "Spirit-filled"? I've never seen one of those.

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

Boy I have! Ha! You haven't been to some of the ones I've been to!

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

Interesting. I've always been of the understanding that God's Spirit fills any place where Jesus Christ is proclaimed as Lord.

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

Ooookay, let me explain this slowly with love. Some places allow more freedom in worship - by saying "spirit filled" I'm referring to a church that believes in speaking in tongues and receiving the Holyghost.

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

OOOOOOoooooohhhhhhh......I had no idea that's what you were referring to!! Now I understand! But you mean there are churches that don't allow "freedom to worship?" I can't imagine that!:D

But now....a church that doesn't speak in tongues doesn't believe in receiving the Holy Ghost? I'm asking because our church doesn't speak in tongues (as per pentecostal cultural tradition), although I don't prohibit it on a personal level, but I most certainly believe in the infilling of the Holy Spirit! :)

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

They do believe in standards, although I know Tony Stoddart can get revelatory with the Word. A person would get genuinely fed there.

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

This is a futile argument. NOW will win this argument...everytime.

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

:lol

I don't know if I win it every time but I know I can't resist!! I told my wife, "Everyone on the Forum probably rolls their eyes every time a newcomer asks about finding a Spirit-filled church, 'cause they know it won't be long 'til I show up and say.....'But every church is Spirit-filled'".

Whenever the words, "Spirit-filled church" appear on the internet, there's a magnetic force that hits my fingers. I can't help it!!!

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

LOL! well... that depends on what the meaning of "freedom" is regarding worship.

Some churches are very narrow on this, even demanding a guitar driven head banging worship session with no formal liturgy at all. :heeheehee

Guess it comes down to preferences mostly.

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

RIDICULO! POS QUE... NOW knew EXACTLY what the poster meant and he comes here with this rhetoric just to ...prove a point???

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

It absolutely does!! There isn't a church in America where there is no freedom to worship. "Worship" is a very subjective thing and my "worship" may look and sound VERY different than yours.

As for your head-banging insults.....you'd love it!! And I actually enjoy formal liturgy. There was a time when I never missed an Hour of Power broadcast.

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

Basically, yeah. :foottap

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

Well, what NOW fails to recognize is the fact I am in the TRIAL OF MY LIFE with this issue and am very, very desperately searching for a good church. I know in my heart the type of church I feel like would be a good fit for my family, but I'm having a horrible time finding one, and it's very frustrating, depressing, you name it. While in the beginning of my journey I might've had the energy to spar and joke around -- I do love a good debate -- at this point I am all out of "juice", I am just weary. I want an on fire for God church. I don't want a "concert", I want worship. I want to be fed with God's word. I don't want to be dictated by traditions of men -- but instead led by God's word. Hope that breaks it down. Please if anyone knows of any churches in my general area please let me know. Thank you...

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

Praying that you will find a church soon, and that God will give you rest and peace.

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

I hear our friend Steve Epley is now a pastor in Racine, Mo. That close to Joplin I think...

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

Sorry, I posted that last post before I read yours. Bro Epley is a fine man but, not likely the type pastor you need right now from reading your posts.

I am not a big advocate for moving around to look for a church, but perhaps you should not rule that out. I know of a few more moderate churches in south/west central mo, but really not in driving distance for you.

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

Def NOT what he is searching for!

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

Relocating unforunately really isn't an option right now. We're pretty established here. We're willing to drive. We actually found one we liked about an hour and a half away, but I'm just hoping perhaps we can find one just a little closer.

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

Totally understand that. I'll pray God's will be done in your life.

Bless you and your family.

Have you considered the "Homechurch" concept?

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

Thank you SO much for your prayers. Trust me they're very needed at this point. I haven't considered that, but I will look into that.

Thank you

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

I understand and I guess the only reason I'm bringing up the whole discussion is this.....in the middle of my search for what was real and what wasn't, I experienced the tangible, irresistible, unstoppable force of the Holy Spirit in a church where no one had probably ever spoken in tongues, ran, shouted, or any of the pentecostal staples. Instead, it was the simple Comforter, opening a world to me that I had previously only dreamed of.

I'm saying what I'm saying because I have a genuine heartfelt desire that you, or anyone, not limit your search to a church that speaks in tongues.

In all seriousness, I'm not arguing just to argue, I'm hoping that something said, however small, would open the door to you or someone else to realize there's an incredible world of the incredible Spirit of God that exists that we'll never discover if all we are looking for is tongues and/or emotion.

I sincerely will call on the Lord on your behalf that you find what you're looking for and experience God like never before.:)

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

Thank you NOW. I am doing my best to open my heart to His will and His way. I feel like the way I've walked all my life -- though was in the best intentions -- was misguided. I'm just done with the "judgemental/nobody's going to heaven but us/if you don't dress like us you're not of God", I'm just done and weary with all that. But yet on the other side of the spectrum I'm just finding a lot of trinitarianism, and I'm just at a loss of what to do.

Re: Seeking OneGod Spirit Filled Church in Joplin
 

Christian Life Center in Joplin is a UPC church. I've been several times. It's a great church.