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View Poll Results: How long did you wait | |
less than 3 months
|    | 20 | 39.22% | |
3 to 6 months
|    | 15 | 29.41% | |
6 months to 1 year
|    | 11 | 21.57% | |
over 1 year
|    | 5 | 9.80% |  | 
10-12-2009, 01:35 PM
|  | Puritanboard Senior | | Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Browns Mills NJ
Posts: 2,316
Thanks: 617
Thanked 702 Times in 404 Posts
| | | How long until you joined?
If you moved or changed congregations by choice, how long did you wait until initiating the membership process and why?
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Rich Koster
1689'er
Browns Mills NJ USA Often Goofy Reformed Eccentric
Romans 7:14-25
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10-12-2009, 01:42 PM
|  | Puritanboard Freshman | | Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Vernon Hills, IL
Posts: 262
Thanks: 73
Thanked 83 Times in 57 Posts
| | Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich Koster If you moved or changed congregations by choice, how long did you wait until initiating the membership process and why? | This is an interesting question given my recent situation. I am currently investigating reformed churches in my area. I attended a local PCA church for about 6-8 services and I'm now in the process of looking into a local OPC church. Normally I would attend a church, get a feel for the worship and preaching, and then make a choice. This is different because I want to make sure I find a good theological fit in a church, so to answer your question... - Visit the church at least 4-6 times. Making sure to hit a communion service and any other ancilary services other than the main Sunday service including Sunday School/Bible Study
- Meet with the pastor and elders to find out more about the denomination, their worship philosophy, their preaching philosophy, etc.
- Pray, pray, pray!
 - Make a decision!
As of this moment, I have yet to make a final decision, but I am definitely leaning...
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Carl Gobelman
Long Grove Community Church (Evangelical)
Vernon Hills, IL
Blog: http://newcreationperson.wordpress.com
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
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10-12-2009, 01:44 PM
|  | Puritanboard Doctor | | Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Clarksburg, WV
Posts: 11,973
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We waited 9 months because I had to finish my Field Education placement at PC(USA) church before becoming members at Fairmount ARP.
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10-12-2009, 01:46 PM
|  | Puritanboard Doctor | | Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: wi
Posts: 6,242
Thanks: 1,471
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I waited about a year. I had never been a member of a church before the church I am currently in, bc I never liked any of them and didn't feel that I could live up to my vows that I would need to take in order to join those churches. I wanted to make sure that this church was one that I could do that with.
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10-12-2009, 01:51 PM
|  | Puritanboard Sophomore | | Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Janesville, WI
Posts: 773
Thanks: 511
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Took me about two years. The first time I attended my church I was only 15. I absolutely fell in love with it immediately and wanted to become a member right away but I couldn't drive so it was hard to get really involved; I didn't have any connections yet because since I was so young I assume that everyone just thought I was someone's kid and didn't realize I had zero Christian leaders in my life; and I was such an immature Christian that I wasn't disciplined in making it to church every Sunday or in forming relationships with Christians, and I hadn't yet made an effort to make Christians my true, best friends instead of non-Christians.
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Megan Meisberger River Hills Community Church - EFCA (yes... same as charliejunfan)
Janesville, WI
Wife of matt.meisberger  <---- Naming my first son after him. My husband was saved while reading Religious Affections.
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10-12-2009, 02:07 PM
|  | Puritanboard Sophomore | | Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Marcos, Texas
Posts: 868
Thanks: 379
Thanked 207 Times in 133 Posts
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I started attending in April and I'm joining on Nov. 1 (both of this year). I would have joined sooner, but they just had the first membership class since I started attending because COTC is a relatively small church (not particularized yet).
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Austin
EE student at Texas State University
Member of Church of the Cross (PCA) in San Marcos, TX
Ps. 8:3-4 "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"
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10-12-2009, 02:08 PM
|  | Puritanboard Freshman | | Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Richardson, Texas
Posts: 441
Thanks: 136
Thanked 92 Times in 76 Posts
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We waited about 4 months and then joined. We love the people at our Church and want to be a part of it.
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David
PCA
Richardson, Texas
Saving faith is an immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, resting upon Him alone, for justification, sanctification, and eternal life by virtue of God's grace.
--C.H. Spurgeon
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10-12-2009, 02:11 PM
|  | Puritanboard Graduate | | Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Montana
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Almost a year. I take church membership pretty seriously and wanted to be certain that I could fulfill the commitment I was making. I also wanted to get a good feel for the church - sometimes there's a lot hidden under the surface and I wanted to make sure I knew about all of those things before I joined.
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Kathleen M
nondenominational
Montana
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10-12-2009, 02:17 PM
|  | Puritanboard Sophomore | | Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Parkville, MD
Posts: 627
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Our first PCA church, we joined because it was the closest to our house and we didn't have a car. We showed up and attended, from day one knowing that we were going to join (keep in mind, I was 20 and my new wife was 23 so we didn't know any better). The second one we fled to because of the effects of the hasty decision we made in joining the first one - but I knew that group well and joining them was like joining with a family whom I was already well acquainted with. The one I am at now we attended for six Sundays before discovering that the misfits had finally found their home (the fact that we could walk there was merely a big bonus). For the record, the only reason we left PCA church #2 was because it was a long drive and we were "invited" to attend #3.
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Rich Brown
Deacon/Webmaster Aisquith PCA
Parkville, MD
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10-12-2009, 02:20 PM
|  | Puritanboard Doctor | | Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: va
Posts: 6,231
Thanks: 3,502
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We waited a little over a year after finding the church, going regularly, and attending the other fellowship opportunities.
We moved and still considered our old church our home church, and even our old home, home. When a second school year started and we knew we'd be here for at least another nine months, and when we were about to have a baby whom we'd want to baptize, we became members.
__________________ Shalom, jessi PCA
Steelers fan exiled to Virginia “Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.” Martin Luther | 
10-12-2009, 02:49 PM
|  | Uncommon Denominator | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Gambrills, MD
Posts: 11,930
Thanks: 2,000
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I saw no reason to unduly wait. I knew what the church believed. I spoke with the pastor (church plant, no elders yet in place). I joined at about the three month mark.
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10-12-2009, 03:42 PM
|  | Puritanboard Freshman | | Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mascoutah, IL
Posts: 111
Thanks: 14
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We joined almost immediately because there was no where else close for us to go.
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Evon Taylor
Community Bible Church
Swansea, Il
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10-12-2009, 06:34 PM
|  | Puritanboard Graduate | | Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pickens, SC
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With the exception of the church where we are currently members (we couldn't join fast enough), we waited awhile to make sure we were doing the right thing.
__________________ J Baldwin
Keowee Presbyterian Church, PCA
Pickens, SC “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27 Check Out My Blog: http://reflectjoy.blogspot.com/ | 
10-12-2009, 07:02 PM
|  | Puritanboard Doctor | | Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Washington
Posts: 6,892
Thanks: 2,578
Thanked 995 Times in 628 Posts
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We joined really quickly too. Less than 3 months, maybe even only 2. We were so thrilled with our new church. We had come out of a Pentecostal church. That was five years ago in Sept.
__________________ Traci
Lynnwood OPC "I have taken all my good deeds, and all my bad deeds, and cast them through each other in a heap before the Lord, and fled from both, and betaken myself to the Lord Jesus Christ, and in him I have sweet peace."--David Dickson | 
10-12-2009, 10:30 PM
| | Puritanboard Freshman | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hammondsville, Ohio
Posts: 337
Thanks: 38
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Dh was ready to join three weeks after we began attending - I was a little more hesitant, but not much. Our pastor recommended that we not jump in too fast (we had just left the train wreck of our previous church and I believe his advice was very good, given our circumstances). We ended up joining four months almost to the day of our first Sunday visit. We've been members for almost three years and it's been great! BTW - this is the first church where either of us have been formal members.
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Sue Scott
First Evangelical Presbyterian Church - PCA
East Liverpool Ohio
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10-13-2009, 12:58 AM
|  | Puritanboard Graduate | | Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lakewood, CA
Posts: 3,237
Thanks: 5
Thanked 579 Times in 328 Posts
| | Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich Koster If you moved or changed congregations by choice, how long did you wait until initiating the membership process and why? | I must say - I think it's amusing that you're using a photo of that true California wacko, Gene Scott (1929-2005) as you're avatar photo. He was truly "out there" - theologically, and in all sorts of other ways - but, I must admit, he was entertaining to watch. I also had an opportunity, some years ago, to wean a guy I knew away from Scott.
(  - I know...)
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10-13-2009, 05:15 PM
|  | Puritanboard Senior | | Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Browns Mills NJ
Posts: 2,316
Thanks: 617
Thanked 702 Times in 404 Posts
| | Quote:
Originally Posted by bookslover Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich Koster If you moved or changed congregations by choice, how long did you wait until initiating the membership process and why? | I must say - I think it's amusing that you're using a photo of that true California wacko, Gene Scott (1929-2005) as you're avatar photo. He was truly "out there" - theologically, and in all sorts of other ways - but, I must admit, he was entertaining to watch. I also had an opportunity, some years ago, to wean a guy I knew away from Scott.
(  - I know...) | GET ON THE PHONE !!!
I know he was out in left field.....I just did it for amusement purposes. You'll like my next choice too
Ok, back to the polls.
Last edited by Rich Koster; 10-13-2009 at 08:27 PM.
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10-13-2009, 11:58 PM
|  | Puritanboard Freshman | | Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Durango, CO
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We narrowed it down quickly, and even tested out services at two different churches on a single Sunday when we could, making a decision in about two months. We visited our top two choices about four times each, and also showed up at some mid-week activites. Had lunch with the pastors, dinner with an elder, etc. Went at it pretty hard.
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Jack K.
PCA, worshiping with some fine Baptists in Colorado
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10-14-2009, 03:13 AM
|  | Puritanboard Graduate | | Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lakewood, CA
Posts: 3,237
Thanks: 5
Thanked 579 Times in 328 Posts
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Originally Posted by Rich Koster You'll like my next choice too  | You're right! | 
10-14-2009, 07:19 PM
|  | Puritanboard Senior | | Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Browns Mills NJ
Posts: 2,316
Thanks: 617
Thanked 702 Times in 404 Posts
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Originally Posted by bookslover Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich Koster You'll like my next choice too  | You're right!  | Ahhh, you remember Rev. Jim | 
10-14-2009, 07:43 PM
|  | Puritanboard Doctor | | Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Monticello, IA
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__________________
Norm
IA PCA In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. Ephesians 1:4-5 | 
10-14-2009, 08:44 PM
|  | Puritanboard Graduate | | Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lakewood, CA
Posts: 3,237
Thanks: 5
Thanked 579 Times in 328 Posts
| | Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich Koster Quote:
Originally Posted by bookslover Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich Koster You'll like my next choice too  | You're right!  | Ahhh, you remember Rev. Jim  | Shore due. He's the guy who fired his own son from being the successor/pastor of his "church" because he was using too much Bible in his sermons. The horror!
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10-15-2009, 04:39 PM
|  | Puritanboard Senior | | Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Browns Mills NJ
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Originally Posted by Berean | Is anyone seeing a pattern.....
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