Originally Posted by CFrance (Post 437370)

Thank you, Ed, you have articulated what I am looking for much better than I could. Also, I might add that by "moderate/liberal couple" I meant that one of us is more liberal than the other! But that's mostly from a political standpoint. Socially and religiously, we are both liberal.

In MI, some of our liberal churches have taken down the cross and eliminated the Lord's Prayer and any mention of Christ in their services. That would be too liberal for us; thus I came up, albeit a bit confusingly, with the term of "liberal leaning church." (It was late at night--sorry for any confusion.)

We do prefer a traditional service with a sermon, organ/piano (rather than band), choir (rather than praise teams), hymns, etc. So perhaps we would look for a church that offered both types of services to its members.

And thank you, everyone, for your suggestions.

Originally Posted by CFrance (Post 437370)

Thank you, Ed, you have articulated what I am looking for much better than I could. Also, I might add that by "moderate/liberal couple" I meant that one of us is more liberal than the other! But that's mostly from a political standpoint. Socially and religiously, we are both liberal.

In MI, some of our liberal churches have taken down the cross and eliminated the Lord's Prayer and any mention of Christ in their services. That would be too liberal for us; thus I came up, albeit a bit confusingly, with the term of "liberal leaning church." (It was late at night--sorry for any confusion.)

We do prefer a traditional service with a sermon, organ/piano (rather than band), choir (rather than praise teams), hymns, etc. So perhaps we would look for a church that offered both types of services to its members.

And thank you, everyone, for your suggestions.

Originally Posted by eweissenbach (Post 437379)

I really think you would appreciate the experience at Hope Lutheran. It has beautiful music, offers both contemporary and traditional services, and is still bible based and uses traditional liturgy. I am also confident there are many other churches which would offer you a welcoming church home, a few of which have probably been mentioned. Good luck!

Originally Posted by Avista (Post 437425)

Oh yes, be sure to visit New Covenant United Methodist church also. It is golf cart accessible --- behind Crispers. Members come from a variety of church traditions. Check out their web site and .listen to a sermon. Pastor Harold's sermons Make our Sunday.

http://www.newcovenantumc-fl.org/NS/index2.htm

Originally Posted by eweissenbach (Post 437379)

I really think you would appreciate the experience at Hope Lutheran. It has beautiful music, offers both contemporary and traditional services, and is still bible based and uses traditional liturgy. I am also confident there are many other churches which would offer you a welcoming church home, a few of which have probably been mentioned. Good luck!

Originally Posted by eweissenbach (Post 437342)

For example: A liberal church has open communion
A conservative church limits communion to members

A liberal church may allow ordination of women, or women in the pulpit
A conservative church often limits the role of women in the hierarchy of the church

A liberal church may welcome people of all sexual orientations, perhaps even in the clergy and hierarchy
A conservative church may discourage homeosexuals as members, or certainly as members of the hierarchy

A liberal church may have some services that have more modern music and informal themes.
A conservative church may tend to have only traditional services

I am sure there are numerous other distinctions I have not mentioned, but you get the idea.

The Lutheran Church in America split into several factions (ELCA (liberal), Missouri Synod (cons.), Wisconsin Synod (cons.) and dozens of others) largely over differences on some of the above issues.

Originally Posted by eweissenbach (Post 437342)

For example: A liberal church has open communion
A conservative church limits communion to members

A liberal church may allow ordination of women, or women in the pulpit
A conservative church often limits the role of women in the hierarchy of the church

A liberal church may welcome people of all sexual orientations, perhaps even in the clergy and hierarchy
A conservative church may discourage homeosexuals as members, or certainly as members of the hierarchy

A liberal church may have some services that have more modern music and informal themes.
A conservative church may tend to have only traditional services

I am sure there are numerous other distinctions I have not mentioned, but you get the idea.

The Lutheran Church in America split into several factions (ELCA (liberal), Missouri Synod (cons.), Wisconsin Synod (cons.) and dozens of others) largely over differences on some of the above issues.

Originally Posted by eweissenbach (Post 437342)

For example: A liberal church has open communion
A conservative church limits communion to members

A liberal church may allow ordination of women, or women in the pulpit
A conservative church often limits the role of women in the hierarchy of the church

A liberal church may welcome people of all sexual orientations, perhaps even in the clergy and hierarchy
A conservative church may discourage homeosexuals as members, or certainly as members of the hierarchy

A liberal church may have some services that have more modern music and informal themes.
A conservative church may tend to have only traditional services

I am sure there are numerous other distinctions I have not mentioned, but you get the idea.

The Lutheran Church in America split into several factions (ELCA (liberal), Missouri Synod (cons.), Wisconsin Synod (cons.) and dozens of others) largely over differences on some of the above issues.

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 452333)

...I tried to post "You can't get to Heaven on Roller Skates'" from You Tube, but the link wouldn't come up.
You can't get to Heaven on roller skates - YouTube

Originally Posted by dillywho (Post 437381)

We belong to Fairway Christian Church (right next to Hope Lutheran on 466). It is non-denominational, offers both type of services, VERY friendly, is centered around Christ and His teachings, communion is offered every Sunday and is open to all believers, and offers dual membership. This means that you can be a member of your church back home AND Fairway; you don't have to make a choice. Come check us out. We have been there since moving here in 2004. Love it!