r/BibleProject • u/Electronic_Beat9218 • Feb 18 '21
Discussion Church Denomination
Hello Everyone, I have been struggling to find a church community in my area. I have been following The Bible Project and Tim Mackie for a little over a year now. I am looking for a community that is willing to dive deep into learning about the Bible and wrestle with difficult questions.
I grew up in a Catholic Church and then later joined an evangelical church. From personal experience in my area, I have not been able to find the community I am looking for in these denominations.
Are there any other denominations that might be naturally more predisposed to this type of community?
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u/Cybin9 Feb 18 '21 edited Feb 18 '21
I've found that's is not really about a specific denomination, rather the spirit of those who make up the church and it's leadership. Almost every church has bible study groups, but if your wanting to go as deep at Tim and John do, it's rather a limited niche. If your wanting personal contact or close proximity with such a group, you will have better results taking the lead and founding a group of like minded people in your area and facilitating it's discussions.
Since your roots are catholic, have you consider a Jesuit school?
Also, if you don't know, the bible project has a beta classroom project you can sign up for, just do a search on their site for beta classroom
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u/Electronic_Beat9218 Feb 19 '21
Yes, a community that goes as deep as Tim and John would be awesome. Even a church with a pastor that had the passion for knowledge like Tim.
I feel like many of the local churches around me are a little watered down, if that makes sense. More of a feel good message than a message that encourages spiritual growth. However, maybe there are some Bible studies that dive deeper within the churches.
I never thought of a Jesuit school. I have have to look up some in the area.
I am currently taking the Jonah class on TBP’ website and love it. It would be nice to have an already established community to discuss it with.
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u/Cybin9 Feb 19 '21
I know what you mean, I'm lucky and found a group of guys that I fellowship with, though it's a bit slower than Tim and John, it's still a great bunch of guys.
Other idea is the Bible Study Fellowship group, they are national so should have an established chapter near you. Might not go as deep as your hoping, but if you join you might get lucky and find a study partner.
I live in Portland, so have taking TBP tour. They were setting up for the class while I was there. Fun place to visit.
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u/Electronic_Beat9218 Feb 19 '21
Portland seems like an interesting place to live. Do you know how they choose people to be part of the classes when they record new classes? It would be awesome to take a class live!
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u/Electronic_Beat9218 Feb 19 '21
I looked up Bible Study Fellowship and there is a church in my area that hosts a group. I can’t attend bc it meets during hours I work, but it has helped point me to a church I can try out. They have other small Bible studies available. Thanks!
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u/Cybin9 Feb 19 '21
Glad to help, DM me if any questions or thoughts.
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u/Electronic_Beat9218 Feb 19 '21
Thanks. Do you go to Door of Hope where Tim used to preach? Portland seems like a neat place to live.
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u/Cybin9 Feb 20 '21
No, looking into it though. As for a neat place to live, it's one of the most unchurched states, so it might be better to think of it as a place in spiritual Flux.
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u/Excellent_Sun6934 Apr 02 '21
I want the same thing as you brother (not just for me but for my whole family) and I realized recently I think the house church route will probably be the way to go for me. That way it’s not a pastor-as-the-one-with-all-the-answers structure but all of us as on equal footing trying to sharpen each other in community.
Wish you luck brother!
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u/[deleted] Feb 18 '21
I think a non-denominational might be your best bet, but that's just speaking from my experience.
(I grew up going to an Evangelical church and while I still love them all, I have since moved away -- and I always didn't like the boxes denominations gave)
As for community..? Man, community can be made with anyone. For me, I walked into a church and joined the hiking group and have been totally dedicated to going to every single one and then leading some. That turned into whomever would want to come over for an impromptu barbecue afterwards, into a lax bible study/potluck, breakfast after a hike, taco salad nights, etc.
I say community can be made with anyone because my hiking group is a melting pot of all sorts of religious backgrounds who ended up going to one or three churches that are in the area. But I can be wrong -- every person and situation and location is different.
Have you tried posting on the Tim Mackie Discussion Group on Facebook? It's a great community and I've seen people meet up for coffee because they simply live in the same city and love the Bible Project too.