Was wondering if anyone knew anything about New Life Church? The significant other's mom is highly
religious and wants to go there and make us go too....but you hear so many things about these church
scandals in the news, want to make sure it's the right one. Anyone have any feedback either positive
or negative to help with the decision? Thanks.
COMMENT 317788
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2012-09-08 07:56 PM |
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Are you asking for an uncomfortable debate? This is an inappropriate question for Edhat.
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COMMENT 317797
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2012-09-08 08:13 PM |
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Your words "make us go there too" says it all. Let other people do what serves their souls. Make your own decisions, and don't allow yourself to be forced into anything. You'll know what is right for you when you experience it.
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COMMENT 317798
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2012-09-08 08:13 PM |
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788, there are no inappropriate questions for Edhat. Sheesh. Why can't this be a place we can all learn from each other? This is why I LOVE EDHAT. It's the offtopic negative commentators that I can't stand. That said OP, I don't know anything about New Life, but if you're looking for a church that is legit and totally awesome, I would recommend Santa Barbara Community Church.
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COMMENT 317802
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2012-09-08 08:19 PM |
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Couldn't be any worse than the old dead church.
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ROGER DODGER
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2012-09-08 08:44 PM |
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I agree with@798.
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COMMENT 317819
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2012-09-08 08:52 PM |
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Not a bad question for Edhat :) I had a friend who went there with her family, and she was very happy there. She's never shared anything scandalous, but I would be cautious anywhere with my kids these days. It might be helpful to know how they screen volunteers, what precautions they take, if volunteers are left alone with kids, etc. They're part of the Foursquare denomination, which you might want to look into a little more. Foursquare is a little more free-spirited than some churches, like Lutheran or Presbyterian. It probably boils down to personal preference.
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COMMENT 317847
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2012-09-09 06:26 AM |
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Get a better s/o. Problem solved.
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SEEDLADY
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2012-09-09 07:04 AM |
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You may be in more need of couples counseling to deal with the manipulative pre-MIL before you consider going to a church just to appease her. She wants to MAKE you go, too?? You will be facing more manipulations just to please her, (she'll want you to match her fervor, contributions, activities--as in prayers-- child care methods, etc. ) I say the 'Caution, Caution, Caution" light is flashing! Don't ignore it!
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COMMENT 317863P
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2012-09-09 07:28 AM |
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I agree with seedlady, don't go to any church just because your mom-in-law wants you too IF you'd really rather not. This is your decision, not anyone elses. Finding a religious path is as personal thing to find as anyone will ever have to do. it took me decades of searching to find mine and no I will not say which one I choose.
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COMMENT 317867
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2012-09-09 07:33 AM |
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If you are looking for a wonderful church that cares about people, I would highly recommend The Free Methodist Church of SB on the Mesa. Most amazing team I have ever seen and I have been to some of the other churches listed here.
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COMMENT 317868
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2012-09-09 07:33 AM |
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I agree with 788- you don't publicly discuss religion, politics, or how much money you make. Basic manners. There are other places for that.
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COMMENT 317872
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2012-09-09 07:47 AM |
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It's a cult church that has nothing to do with Christianity. If she is "highly religious" she will want to hear about Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Bible and she should have no trouble finding a church in SB that worships Jesus. She will be welcome at any church. Before judging a church or person in that church as 'scandalous' look to your ownselves for purity and do not judge others.
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MTNDRIVER
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2012-09-09 08:12 AM |
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All the suggestions here are for churches with a definite evangelical flavor. If that is the kind of church you are looking for, all the ones mentioned fit the bill. If your future MIL is pushing you to go to a particular church, I wonder what she will be pushing for next?
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JUKINJAY
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2012-09-09 08:25 AM |
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Agree with the red flag warnings about the manipulative potential mother-in-law. If your significant other can't or won't get her to butt out NOW, you're in for a very rough road ahead.
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COMMENT 317888
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2012-09-09 08:32 AM |
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Here's some negative feedback: religion rots your brain because it requires you to believe patently absurd claptrap. Christianity is particularly bad because it is based on fear of eternal torment, dishonestly presented as "love". The New Life Church specifically is a cult that is dangerous to you, your family, and others.
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JOHNSANROQUE
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2012-09-09 08:33 AM |
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I am not a believer in any religion, but I'm always fascinated by discussions of religion. From the question here and most of the answers, it seems like a lot of people shop for a church that meets their social needs. And then they may "convert" to the religious doctrine of that particular church. If they find the church is welcoming and has a group of kind or sympathetic or understanding members, that church is a good choice for them. I dont know enough about comparative religion to understand the differences between denominations or churches, but those differences seem secondary to many people today. I was raised as a Catholic; to even walk into a non-Catholic church or non-Christian place was unthinkable because their beliefs were wrong. Do churches today cater more to social needs that strict religious ones? Or--were and are the differences between Christian denominations so insignificant that it doesn't matter?
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COMMENT 317896
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2012-09-09 08:40 AM |
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OY!
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COMMENT 317898
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2012-09-09 08:44 AM |
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Check it out for yourself and make up your own mind. Tell your family's matriarch you're willing to explore her church but if it doesn't suit your expectations you'll consider others before you make up your mind. You may love it and even enjoy the family closeness from sharing this aspect of your lives together. If not, you left the door open to go your own way without offending anyone. BTW, churches are like any gathering of people and are only as "odd" as the people who participate in them and that quality, like beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder. Good luck.
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COMMENT 317899
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2012-09-09 08:46 AM |
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www.SouthCoastChurch.org is a wonderful, caring church. On Cathedral Oaks between Patterson an Fairview Aves. (next to the Tennis Club)
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COMMENT 317924
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2012-09-09 11:12 AM |
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898 hit it on the head. Going there at least once gives you the opportunity to see what it's like and make up your own mind. It also shows your potential MIL that you are willing to be open-minded. At worst, you've wasted a few hours, at best, you decide it's for you.
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COMMENT 317929P
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2012-09-09 11:25 AM |
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had missionaries arrive at my door yesterday morning trying to pass out some pamphlets called "the truth 2" or something. they didn't make it past the barking dog test and i declined to open the door for them. the annoying this is i live at the end of an unmarked driveway off a cul de sac on a private road, that is clearly marked for residents and guests only. it requires some effort and premeditation to get to my place, you can't really find it without looking for it. how does one deal with missionaries that are trespassing on private property and who is passing out flyers called "the truth?"
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COMMENT 317936
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2012-09-09 12:22 PM |
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NLC is a Mega Church founded in Colorado Springs, CO.
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COMMENT 317937
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2012-09-09 12:25 PM |
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I had a visit from some Missionaries yesterday, too. I really enjoyed talking with them. They were very kind to listen to my challenges and we had ourselves a nice exchange. As they left, I felt lucky to live in a country where I am not persecuted for being an atheist and these gents are not persecuted for their (totally strange to me) beliefs about how they will soon live forever in a paradise with all of their relatives around them. We are all lucky to live here as worshipers or non-worshipers. Don
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COMMENT 317945
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2012-09-09 01:03 PM |
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You are married, I assume this is a decision you can make on your own. I can't sit through 5 minutes of any church, and if my girlfriend's family made me go, we would have a problem. I ask that they respect my life choices as I respect theirs. That being said, I don't think anyone on here can positively tell you whether or not you will enjoy this particular church's service.
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COMMENT 317956P
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2012-09-09 01:40 PM |
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Too many wars have been started in the name of one god or another; I prefer to observe my own religion, preferably in the garden with the birds and flowers. Good luck, but as others have warned: Watch out for that pushy mother-in-law.
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COMMENT 317968
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2012-09-09 02:14 PM |
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Nice post, Don/937
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COMMENT 317975
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2012-09-09 02:58 PM |
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Spend Sunday mornings in bed, reading a good book. Nobody knows what happens to us after we're dead and gone; so I'll be darned if I'm going to waste my precious time on earth listening to someone preach about something they have no idea what they're talking about. Someday, we'll each find out what happens after we've shuffled off this mortal coil, but until then I won't let anyone tell me how to vote, what to believe in or how to spend my Sundays. I have free choice, free will and am capable of free thought.
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CORKY
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2012-09-09 04:29 PM |
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I think it's a pretty popular church
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COMMENT 318015
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2012-09-09 05:00 PM |
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The Church of Scientology downtown on State St. is free and welcomes everyone. You can be a member of any other church and still attend theirs. Try it you might like it!
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COMMENT 318023
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2012-09-09 05:18 PM |
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Thank you for all the feedback...Yeah I'm not a huge religious person, but the so and her mom are. I just thought I would ask some opinions, good and bad if there are some. Just from reading about foursquare they don't seem "free spirited" they seem more fundamentalist. An then you hear all these stories in the news about churches so just want to see what people might think or have a first hand experience. I did research they are part of that big church in Colorado that had problems, and somebody said they're a cult? Yeah when I hear stuff like that I don't want to go there. A cult is a pretty strong word to use though....
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COMMENT 318033
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2012-09-09 05:54 PM |
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Founded by Ted Haggard, the hypocritical minister and meth user, caught with a male prostitute, New LIfe Church is described as a "charismatic Evangelical Christian megachurch." Need any more info? And why was it founded in Colorado Springs? Because it has one of the highest per capita populations of right wing-nut survivalists in America.
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COMMENT 318061
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2012-09-09 07:48 PM |
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Yeah just hoping this church isn't like the Haggard church or one of the catholic churches with all their abuses...nothing like that here, I hope.
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YIN YANG
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2012-09-09 08:37 PM |
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OP, This sounds like an interesting match. I sincerely wish you two the best. You may want some premarital counseling, if you consider marriage, and I am not being snarky.
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COMMENT 318096
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2012-09-09 08:41 PM |
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There is only one true Church.
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PJG
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2012-09-10 07:14 AM |
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First United Methodist Church is a warm and friendly place with no high pressure tactics.
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YIN YANG
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2012-09-10 07:48 AM |
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All these years later, all my listenings and many live performances later, this song STILL gives me chills and tears... I believe (I'm sure) the author/performer(s) is/are very spiritual. If you have heard this song, live or recorded, you know what I mean. I've gone to many CSN, or some combo thereof, concerts, often alone, and consider it a "religious" or spiritual experience, just as I and many here consider sun or moon rise a spiritual or religious experience. Winchester Cathedral, Graham Nash
Lyrics: Six o' clock
In the morning, I feel pretty good
So I dropped into the luxury of the Lords
Fighting dragons and crossing swords
With the people against the hordes
Who came to conquer. Seven o'clock
In the morning, here it comes
I taste the warning and I am so amazed
I'm here today, seeing things so clear this way
In the car and on my way
To Stonehenge. I'm flying in Winchester cathedral
Sunlight pouring through the break of day.
Stumbled through the door and into the chamber;
There's a lady setting flowers
on a table covered lace
And a cleaner in the distance
finds a cobweb on a face
And a feeling deep inside of me tells me
This can't be the place I'm flying in Winchester cathedral.
All religion has to have its day
Expressions on the face of the Saviour
Made me say
I can't stay. Open up the gates of the church
and let me out of here!
Too many people have lied in the name of Christ
For anyone to heed the call.
So many people have died in the name of Christ
That I can't believe it all. And now I'm standing on the grave of a
soldier that died in 1799
And the day he died it was a birthday
And I noticed it was mine.
And my head didn't know just who I was
And I went spinning back in time.
And I am high upon the altar
High upon the altar, high. I'm flying in Winchester cathedral,
It's har... [ more ]
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YIN YANG
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2012-09-10 07:52 AM |
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I'll probably get deleted for quoting the lyrics, so if you want to read them:
http://www.mp3lyrics.org/c/crosby-stills-nash-and-young/cathedral/
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COMMENT 318194
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2012-09-10 07:58 AM |
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@033. Please keep in mind that businesses, like churches, may have the same or similar name and be un-related. I had the "privilege" of going to New Life Church in Colo. Springs many years ago. They are a non-denominational church. The New Life out here is a Foursquare church, luckily they are un-related to the church in Colorado though they share the same name. @096 Not to be rude but the according to the Bible the "church" are those that believe in Christ, not those that keep a certain hierarchy of say... about 70 males or so.
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COMMENT 318258
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2012-09-10 09:39 AM |
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I recommend the Church of the Sportsman Lounge on Figueroa. Open 7 days a week. Confess your sins. Or not. Or make new ones. They don't care. And there's plenty of holy water to go around.
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COMMENT 318259
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2012-09-10 09:39 AM |
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My understanding is all four square churches are related so Colorado springs and sb are related? That doesn't mean bad things happen at this one, but who knows?
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COMMENT 318267
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2012-09-10 09:51 AM |
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I have been a member at New Life Church for 17 years and an Edhat Subscriber for 4 (sorry, I recently let my subscription lapse). NLC is a Foursquare denomination and is not affiliated with the Colorado New Life Church. Although its first priority is personal connection and relationship with Jesus Christ, its next priority is to provide plenty of opportunity to encourage deeper relationship with Him by helping others. NLC puts a high priority on transparency and has meetings of the congregation where every cent received is accounted for. All volunteers that work with children attend risk management and are fingerprinted and background checked.The mission and values of the church are on the website at newlifechurchsb.org.To the original OP, I hope you stick around long enough to experience the genuine love and acceptance you will receive at New Life Church and that, like me, you will be won over by the true love of Christ reflected through His people!
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COMMENT 318280
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2012-09-10 10:12 AM |
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To the OP.... There ain't no God, so don't waste your time. Plenty of other places to socialize without blowing your time and money on a bunch of fairy tales and charlatans' expensive tastes.
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COMMENT 318475
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2012-09-10 08:37 PM |
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Thanks for all the responses...now I am more confused. They are part of the mega new life church? They used to be called Santa Barbara Foursquare? They are still a foursquare...more questions than answers...
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