Is there such a thing as a non-evangelical Christian church?

[Galahad]

As a Christian, I think you are correct. It is an integral part of the Christian identity to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Christianity is an invitational religion. The difference is in how some churches emphasize things. IMO, the word "evangelical" has been pirated away from its true meaning by some Christians -and the culture in general -that associates it with heavy-handed, boiler plate, be-a-member-or-else theology. I am proud to be evangelical, but I would not describe myself as Evangelical

OP, try a mainline denomination such as United Methodist, Episcopalian. or Lutheran. While congregations vary from place to place, within each of these denominations you will find places where it is OK to be on a spiritual journey and not have evrything figured out teh moment you walk in the door.

Well said. The other thing that might help is looking for a larger congregation in one of those denominations. That way, you can be as "visible" or as "invisible" as you want on your "journey".

 

[punkin]

Well said. The other thing that might help is looking for a larger congregation in one of those denominations. That way, you can be as "visible" or as "invisible" as you want on your "journey".

Ah, but the journey is always toward becoming Christian isn't it? That's the true definition of evangelical and that is part and parcel of Christianity whether modern or archaic.

I completely undertand why he feels uncomfortable in a church and I believe that despite the desire to support his family, he will feel uncomfortable in any christan church, whether the people see themselves evangelical or not.

 

[JennyMominRI]

I don't know if this would interest you but most Reform temples have interfaith classes called Pathways to Judaism...This does not encourage Christians to convert to Judaism but it does talk about how to integrate both relions into the home while teaching some basic Jewish info..... If this mans mother was Jewish ,he is Jewish,however if he marries a Non-Jew most Jewish movements will not view the children as Jews.. Being Jewish is about more than just following Judaism.. It's a birthright. He seems to have some,minimal attachment to being Jewish if he wants a religion that won't push him too convert.
I have a feeling that by evangelical he is looking for a Christian religion that will allow him to participate without them pushing him to convert to CHristianity....I agree that Lutheran and Episcopalian are good choices

Just a little input from someone who has experience with Judaism and CHristianity

 

[Galahad]

Ah, but the journey is always toward becoming Christian isn't it?

Is it? Who said that? Our chruch wouldn't even ask the question let alone push you to convert. It's a pretty typical approach in the mainline churches listed by several posters here.

 

[FreshTressa]

Sounds Jewish to me.

Well, if someone's mom was catholic and never took them to church and had a giant crucifix in their living room, does that make the child catholic??

I don't think my husband has the slightest idea of Jewish teachings. I know more about Judeaism than he does (except maybe how to spell it )

 

[FreshTressa]

But it seemed that what the OP was concerned with was how aggressively different churches tried to convert people - the modern "common usage" of the term evangelical. As others have stated, there are a number of denomonations that don't make an effort to either convert of "damn to hellfire" or whatever. It isn't accurate to say that doing so is part and parcel of modern Christianity.

Excuse me for the misuse of the word. I did mean it as the aggressive recruiting that takes place in some congregations. My husband has never liked pushy salespeople of any sort.

ETA: It is not that he minds them trying to convert him, as much as it bugs him how they hand out pamphlets for the kids to distribute at school and spend like 10 minutes discussing how important it is to bring friends to church. I think he feels that if he does not bring new people to the faith, he is failing.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

yes I think the question here isn't how the Dictionary defines evangelical, but what exactly does FT mean when she asks for a church that is "non-evangelical."

My guess is that she is looking for a spiritual home that isn't going to be pushing her husband in directions that he'd rather NOT be pushed - so that he will feel comfortable attending with the rest of the family.

Even within some of the mainline Protestant churches, there are Churches that can be quite Evangelical. Visit a Wisconsin Synod Lutheran Church for instance. My husband maintains that they are very similar to the Pentacostal Churches where his Uncles are Pastors.

 

[punkin]

Well, if someone's mom was catholic and never took them to church and had a giant crucifix in their living room, does that make the child catholic??

I don't think my husband has the slightest idea of Jewish teachings. I know more about Judeaism than he does (except maybe how to spell it )

I don't know anything about catholisism (even how to spell it) so I can't answer your question, but If his mom was Jewish, then so is he. If he knows nothing about Jewish teachings, then he is a lost Jew, but a Jew nonne the less. I like Jenny's idea about a reform temple. I'm sure he'll feel more comfortable there than in a church.

 

[punkin]

yes I think the question here isn't how the Dictionary defines evangelical, but what exactly does FT mean when she asks for a church that is "non-evangelical."

My guess is that she is looking for a spiritual home that isn't going to be pushing her husband in directions that he'd rather NOT be pushed - so that he will feel comfortable attending with the rest of the family.

You are of course right.

 

[castleview]

I grew up Episcopalian (or Catholic Lite as I sometimes call it) and recently switched to a Congregational Church - I have no problem with Episcopalianism, just couldn't find a nearby church with a pastor I liked. The UCC is very laid back. They do mention at the end of each service "if you're looking for a church family, we would love to have you" but that's the extent of the pushiness that I have seen. Good luck on your church search.

 

[FreshTressa]

I don't know anything about catholisism (even how to spell it) so I can't answer your question, but If his mom was Jewish, then so is he. If he knows nothing about Jewish teachings, then he is a lost Jew, but a Jew nonne the less. I like Jenny's idea about a reform temple. I'm sure he'll feel more comfortable there than in a church.

So, you are defining it more as a race thing, than a religion thing.

I hate the reform temple near us. It is filled with very stuck up judgemental old people.

We had the rabbi come up to us and rip into us because we were too young to have kids and be married. No one would talk to us at any of the gatherings, and all they kept doing was pressure us to join and give our annual membership dues.

We went a few times to the Hillel thing in college, but it never really fit.



I like the rabbi at the small class we took, but the people in the class were very rude to us.

 

[garydeb]

Every church is different. I would just start going to different churches in your area until you find one that you and your husband can attend together.
I have found that the name on the church does not tell the style of their church services. For example I have been in some very Evangalism United Methodist churches and some very slow key jeans type Southern Baptist. Just shop around like you would for a car or house...That what we did when we moved.

Good Luck,
Debbie

 

[robinb]

I have never seen anybody I've been on mission trips with, or associated with any church I've ever been a member of try to convert anybody.

This is OT, but I have had people try to convert me more then once and even here on the DIS. Being an "out" atheist is like waving a reg flag for some people and they cannot resist.

 

[FreshTressa]

This is OT, but I have had people try to convert me more then once and even here on the DIS. Being an "out" atheist is like waving a reg flag for some people and they cannot resist.

That is too funny. You are just to tempting to ignore

 

[punkin]

So, you are defining it more as a race thing, than a religion thing.

No. It's a religion thing. Judaism does not believe you can convert out, so even a non-precticing Jew is still a Jew as far as the religion is concerned.

I'm very sorry the temple near you does not meet your needs. My BIL is catholic but goes to a very nice reform temple with my DS and their daughter. He seems to enjoy it very much.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

And for a twist of irony -- the Lutheran church in which the OP's husband might feel most comfortable would be the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Our Lutheran understanding of evangelism is the sharing of the Good News of Jesus Christ -- a literal understanding of the Greek origin of the word.

 

[punkin]

This is OT, but I have had people try to convert me more then once and even here on the DIS. Being an "out" atheist is like waving a reg flag for some people and they cannot resist.

Well, yes. Going back to the start of this thread, christianity is evangelical and they are nice people and you are a nice person and they want you to be saved and go to heaven just like them. See?

 

[eclectics]

And for a twist of irony -- the Lutheran church in which the OP's husband might feel most comfortable would be the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Our Lutheran understanding of evangelism is the sharing of the Good News of Jesus Christ -- a literal understanding of the Greek origin of the word.

Is that the same as the American Lutheran Church? Missouri Synod is the conservative one, right?

 

[Golf4food]

Is there such a thing as a non-evangelical Christian church?

Does such a thing exist?

That is an oxymoron. A true Christian church must be evangelical, and a non-evangelical church isn't truly practicing real Christianity. (Based on the true definition of evangelical, that is...)

 

[Scutapipig]

My husband and I were both raised Catholic. I left the Catholic church and attended a Baptist one for years, while my husband left the church and attended a Church of Christ for years.

After we were married (in a United Congregational church), we tried a Wesleyan, Reformed, Christian Reformed, Baptist, and finally a Church of God Anderson.

We have been happily committed to the Church of God, Anderson for five years and found they have a New Testament approach.

Keep in mind that churches are made up of people and each congregation will have a different feel to it. Some will greet you strongly and include you from day one, and some will ignore you and not give you that fuzzy feeling. They can all be the exact same denomination, and each congregation will differ.

My suggestion is to find a few denominations where you are both comfortable with their doctrine and then find a local church and attend services. Sometimes you need to attend for a month or so to get a feel for the church, and sometimes after your first visit you'll never want to return.

It won't happen overnight, but it will happen and the Lord will speak to you. You'll know which one is right for you. You'll sort of feel it in your heart.