Visiting Louisville--Baptist Church recommendation for this Sunday 6/2? (St. Matthews, Germantown: home, school)

[seattle789]

Hello,

My friend is visiting her childhood home of Louisville this weekend (June 2) and is looking for a Baptist Church to attend this Sunday. I'm unfamiliar with Baptist church, so please forgive any ridiculous questions.

She is looking for a strong service speaking of God's love, an involved congregation and great music in the Baptist tradition. Being a liberal Christian she will be turned off by any sermon focusing on sin, sinners burning in hell, hellfire for the wicked, hate or any kind of anti-gay rhetoric.

I read about St. Matthews Baptist Church on this site but didn't find any other suggestions.

Thank you

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by seattle789

Hello,

My friend is visiting her childhood home of Louisville this weekend (June 2) and is looking for a Baptist Church to attend this Sunday. I'm unfamiliar with Baptist church, so please forgive any ridiculous questions.

She is looking for a strong service speaking of God's love, an involved congregation and great music in the Baptist tradition. Being a liberal Christian she will be turned off by any sermon focusing on sin, sinners burning in hell, hellfire for the wicked, hate or any kind of anti-gay rhetoric.

I read about St. Matthews Baptist Church on this site but didn't find any other suggestions.

Thank you

Again, it is stereotypical of you to think that because she is coming to a church in KY, there will be anti-gay rhetoric. I do not attend church, but are there really a lot of churches like this? I highly doubt it. If there are, they are just as likely to exist in Seattle as they are in Louisville.

I think the most liberal churches are in the Highlands and downtown. I went to a church one time in Germantown/Shelby Park called Sojourn and I liked it. I went more for the art and music show after, but I felt they were very hip, young and had a nice message, regardless of your religion.

I do not know much about Baptist churches, but I think in general they do talk about sin alot. She may try one of Louisville's many nondenominational or even Christian Science churches. The Christian Science church in Old Louisville loks pretty cool, at least from the outside!

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by seattle789

Hello,

My friend is visiting her childhood home of Louisville this weekend (June 2) and is looking for a Baptist Church to attend this Sunday. I'm unfamiliar with Baptist church, so please forgive any ridiculous questions.

She is looking for a strong service speaking of God's love, an involved congregation and great music in the Baptist tradition. Being a liberal Christian she will be turned off by any sermon focusing on sin, sinners burning in hell, hellfire for the wicked, hate or any kind of anti-gay rhetoric.

I read about St. Matthews Baptist Church on this site but didn't find any other suggestions.

Thank you

I'd maybe take a look at Immanuel Baptist Church in the Shelby Park area. My boss and a few coworkers are on staff there and or regularly attend. Their church tends to be younger and more liberal than most Southern Baptist churches (my mom was raised Southern Baptist so I know a little.)

I like Sojourn also and I did regularly attend. They are probably most popular church for under 30s folks in Louisville.

[seattle789]

Thank you Dissenter!

[seattle789]

Originally Posted by Peter1948

Again, it is stereotypical of you to think that because she is coming to a church in KY, there will be anti-gay rhetoric. I do not attend church, but are there really a lot of churches like this? I highly doubt it. If there are, they are just as likely to exist in Seattle as they are in Louisville.

Thanks for the suggestions. Although I'm not assuming that because it's church in KY it will be anti-gay. I'm just describing a "style" of Baptist church that she's leaning towards instead of, say, a fundamentalist church. I'm not at all sure you can find the same churches in the PNW that one would find in the south. But certainly ignorance and hate can live anywhere.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll be sure to pass them all along!

[tomocox]

I am a member of St. Matthews Baptist Church. It is one of the most honest of congregations which I have ever been a part of. We are diverse, we are international, we are blended with women in leadership roles. To attend St. Matthews for a one hour worship service is nice, but to enjoy the full St. Matthews Baptist experience, I recommend as many moments as possible.

I have no idea what Sunday's sermon will be, but I'd pretty much stake my reputation that the sermon will be about love, Christian service, and how to know Hope. Pretty low key but with a quiet passion that moves mountains.

Sunday School (I'm in the Hanna Class, and we are studying things like how every incidence in which Jesus interacted or discussed women, women were liberated from male dominating behavior) gathers at 9:30 starts at 9:45 and ends at 10:45. There are two worship services. The contemporary service with "praise" style music starts at 8:30. The traditional worship with a modern blend of many Christian genre's of music and style starts at 11:00.

I understand this is about one particular Sunday, but to those who can attend regularly, I issue a six month challenge to. Come and be a part of SMBC for six months, get involved in the outreach, a small group study, and a regular Sunday School class, and not be a positively changed person, I dare ya...

[seattle789]

Thank you!

[tomocox]

May I weigh in on the anti-gay issue? I believe gay sex is equal to non-fidelity heterosexual sex. People who are involved in gay sex are no better or no worse than the holier-than-thou heterosexual hypocrite involved in an extra-marital affair. Both are deadly wrong! If I am living in sin, I am not going to like a preacher proving my guilt, but does that make the preacher wrong for pointing out my poor choices?

I am not about to judge a person for their sinfulness, I've got enough to deal with on my own, but through congregational (community) gathering to learn, serve, and encourage, maybe we can all be a better people.

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by tomocox

May I weigh in on the anti-gay issue? I believe gay sex is equal to non-fidelity heterosexual sex. People who are involved in gay sex are no better or no worse than the holier-than-thou heterosexual hypocrite involved in an extra-marital affair. Both are deadly wrong! If I am living in sin, I am not going to like a preacher proving my guilt, but does that make the preacher wrong for pointing out my poor choices?

I am not about to judge a person for their sinfulness, I've got enough to deal with on my own, but through congregational (community) gathering to learn, serve, and encourage, maybe we can all be a better people.

I will let this stand, but in general, all religious opinions should be posted in the designated religious forum on the main board at CD.

Thanks

[kytoaz]

Originally Posted by tomocox

May I weigh in on the anti-gay issue? I believe gay sex is equal to non-fidelity heterosexual sex. People who are involved in gay sex are no better or no worse than the holier-than-thou heterosexual hypocrite involved in an extra-marital affair. Both are deadly wrong! If I am living in sin, I am not going to like a preacher proving my guilt, but does that make the preacher wrong for pointing out my poor choices?

I am not about to judge a person for their sinfulness, I've got enough to deal with on my own, but through congregational (community) gathering to learn, serve, and encourage, maybe we can all be a better people.

why am i not suprised to hear you talk of how open and accepting your church is , and then immediately descend into anti-gay discussion. so what your saying is that my gay son should come to your church and learn not to be gay? when are they having a sermon on acceptance and tolerance?