[CFrance]

We are moving to Tamarind Grove in February. We are a moderate to liberal couple who enjoy a liberal-leaning church with outreach missions in which we can participate. In Muskegon, MI, and Pittsburgh, PA, we are affiliated with Presbyterian churches, although any protestant church with a moderate/liberal bent would suit us. We do not wish to make any religious judgements; we merely wish to find a church that would suit our views. Can anyone suggest one? Thank you for any help.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by CFrance

We are moving to Tamarind Grove in February. We are a moderate to liberal couple who enjoy a liberal-leaning church with outreach missions in which we can participate. In Muskegon, MI, and Pittsburgh, PA, we are affiliated with Presbyterian churches, although any protestant church with a moderate/liberal bent would suit us. We do not wish to make any religious judgements; we merely wish to find a church that would suit our views. Can anyone suggest one? Thank you for any help.

Hope Lutheran is an ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) congregation, which tends to be quite liberal and progressive. It is one of the largest churches in TV. http://hopelutheraninthevillages.org/

[graciegirl]

What is a moderate liberal church?

[jblum315]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

What is a moderate liberal church?

wondering the same thing?

[The Villager II]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

What is a moderate liberal church?

anything other than Baptist or Muslim.

[DaleMN]

There's a Unitarian/Universalist church near the Villages.

[lightworker888]

You might try Unity of the Villages. Here is their link.

http://www.unityofthevillages.org/tp....asp?ID=235509

LW888

[Trish Crocker]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

What is a moderate liberal church?

umm..let's see....you're either moderately liberal or liberally moderate?? Sounds like a few of the politicians I've listened to lately.

[bkcunningham1]

Originally Posted by jblum315

wondering the same thing?

That makes three of us.

[Avista]

You might try United Church of Christ of The Villages. They are on County Rd 101 down the road from Crispers. They have a web site.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

What is a moderate liberal church?

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.

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by CFrance

We are moving to Tamarind Grove in February. We are a moderate to liberal couple who enjoy a liberal-leaning church with outreach missions in which we can participate. In Muskegon, MI, and Pittsburgh, PA, we are affiliated with Presbyterian churches, although any protestant church with a moderate/liberal bent would suit us. We do not wish to make any religious judgements; we merely wish to find a church that would suit our views. Can anyone suggest one? Thank you for any help.

Do you mean "liberal" as in interpreting God's Word--The Bible--so it conforms with liberal political views?

Or do you mean "liberal" as in forming political views that obey and submit to God's Word and His authority?

Filtering Scripture through today's American "liberal" politics and politicians (or to ANY of them) would be extremely demeaning to God.

I'm putting this here only as food for thought, because many people today want to change what Scripture says, to make God fit their politics, i.e. saying God is gender-free or is a woman to elevate militant feminism; or i.e. saying Jesus didn't get married and he lived with men because he was homosexual, to promote gay lifestyle and changing civil law to fit that.

[uujudy]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

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.

Excellent answer, Ed!

[RItaly]

I am the posters spouse and Ed has well articulated the nature of the church we are seeking

[eweissenbach]

Just thought of another;
A liberal church would generally accept anyone as a member upon profession of faith.

A conservative church may require a vote of the church board or other requirements for membership.

I don't assume to be an expert on this subject and am not making judgements about either. I have been a member of what I would consider both liberal and conservative congregations and have found them both to be good church homes.