Looking for a Protestant Church that is pro 2nd Amendment

[ba ba booey]

As the title of this post indicates, my wife and I are looking for a Protestant Church that pro 2nd Amendment. Lately we have visited a Methodist church, and after reading the United Methodist Church position on Gun Violence have decided that we will continue our search elsewhere. I encourage all of you to read the United Methodist Church position on "gun violence" posted here

http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=4951419&content_id={B388BE35-F62F-4FA8-8C6F-FDFCA10977F8}&notoc=1

With that being said we would prefer a more liturgical type of service, but after reading the positions of Methodists, Lutherans and Presbyterians (all anti gun) we are stumped. I don't feel that the 2nd amendment is a religion, but by the same token I am not looking to give financial support to a church that is in turn using my offerings to fuel gun control initiatives. It is all very frustrating because I grew up Methodist and am used to this type of service, unfortunately the Methodist Church along with many other denominations has become more anti gun in recent years. I would appreciate any insight or suggestions.

 

[ToraBoraBlues]

Most Southern Baptist churches are pretty gun-friendly. PCA churches are generally more traditional in their doctrine and social views. The PCA church I attended (affiliated with Coral Ridge) down in Orlando was also attended by several NRA members and deputies who were anything but anti-2A.

 

[vamo]

I'll try to keep this as inoffensive as I can to believers and non-believers alike

You could always just attend the church you like and donate to specific things (building fund, food pantry, etc) if you're so worried about how they might spend your money. With the bible so full of phrases like love thy enemy, and turn the other cheek I don't know if there are many churches out there with positive views of handguns and "assault weapons".

 

[22-rimfire]

Church is church. Life is life. I would expect church doctrine to be anti-violence.

 

[Robert]

Keep this focused on the 2A question and I will leave this open. Put one single toe over the line and make this a religious debate, or a my church or belief is better than yours, and I will lock this thing down tighter than Ft Leavenworth.

 

[vamo]

Also I might suggest talking to specific preachers privately if you are at odds with his church's position. I grew up Methodist myself and I know our preachers we given a lot of freedom and didn't seem to be expected to "tow the company line" on every single issue.

 

[arizona_cards_11]

I'm guessing you went to a PCUSA (particularly liberal) church. Conservative Reformed churches would be your best bet.

I can give you several conservative Reformed/Presbyterian denominations that I would attend, without getting into theological discussions:

- Protestant Reformed Churches (PRCA) *Currently attend*
- Reformed Presbyterian Church (RPCNA)
- Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC)

- United Reformed Churches (URCNA)
- Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)
- Reformed Churches in the US (RCUS)

Take a look here for a semi-accurate synopsis of Reformed denominations: http://www.tateville.com/churches.html

PM me if you have any questions. I'd be more than happy to assist you with your search.

 

[zxcvbob]

Just about any denomination with "United" is gonna be anti-gun (just my observation; there are probably exceptions.) Check out the Southern Baptists (no doctrine either way on guns, and no central governance; local churches set their own policies), Missouri Synod Lutheran, Wisconsin Synod Lutheran, Presbyterian Church of America (PCA), and maybe the Brethren churches. Some of these are guesses based on what I know of them.

The Catholic church might surprise you. I don't know what their specific policy on guns is, but they are pro-self-defense.

Are all Methodist churches UMC?

 

[Mr_Polite]

Many non-denominational churches are pro2a

 

[wgaynor]

You're in the Bible Belt. Shop around

 

[OilyPablo]

Many non-denominational churches are pro2a

Agree. And I am amazed how many folks from my church enjoy shooting sports. One day after first service I cruise out to the car and here are a couple pro 2nd guys inspecting an AR in one guy's trunk.

 

[tenmile]

Southern Baptist

Without a doubt the Southern Baptist are the most pro gun denomination one will find! We have skeet shoots between Sunday school classes. My pastor recently asked my advice about buying an AR15. In my First Sunday school class after joining he church there were 4 AR owners and 1 AK owner not including all the other Fudd gun folks.

 

[Delford]

I think Jesus was aware of evil in the world. He didn't rebuke Peter in the garden until he went too far in his defense-one that wasn't needed. In our Lutheran church (Missouri Synod) about a quarter of the men have cc permits and cc their weapon during the services. The pastor is aware of this and feels it is good security, tho he doesn't carry.

 

[golfer_ray]

LCMS here also (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod). We don't go looking for violence, but am prepared if it occurs.

 

[InkEd]

I would focus on the churches views on other topics before firearms. Just my 2 cents on the subject.

 

[asia331]

I have no idea whether my Southern Baptist Church is pro self defense or not though I feel quite comfortable in pointing out that the vast majority of folks in this area own firearms anyway and more than likely daily carriers. I prefer to believe that firearms here are much more of a lifestyle choice rather than a political statement. That said, church attendance is best kept God -focused; all else is far secondary really.

 

[ba ba booey]

InkEd and Asia331,

I hear what you have to say and concur that there are more important issues than firearms rights. With that being said I'd rather not support churches that have a goal of unarming law abiding private citizens in the United States. If you attend a Church like that then like it or not the money that you contribute is going towards those ends. I don't see why anyone should have to support gun control or other socially liberal mandates in order to attend church

 

[Impureclient]

Last time I was at the range, I noticed the person who signed in before me and who already had left was the pastor at a Baptist Church close by.
His 3 boys, who had signed in as well, came along as did my son. So another vote for Southern Baptist.

 

[allaroundhunter]

Yep, most non denominational churches are pretty gun friendly.

 

[CornCod]

The smaller conservative Lutheran groups like the LCMS and WELS dont have anti-gun positions

 

[firedawg60]

The Evangelical Methodist Church is a small denomination but a conservative one.

 

[Al Thompson]

ba ba booey, can you go to your local range and ask around? Might try that approach....

 

[BullfrogKen]

My wife was raised Methodist and walked away from the Methodist church about 4, maybe 5 years ago. They had adopted many positions that run 180 degress counter to those both of us deeply hold.

She looked into several and settled on the Evangelical Free church, although in the past few months she had looked into something a little bit closer to home.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

As an SBC Minister I can tell you we are pretty pro 2A across the board, Most UMC church's are also but they are not as vocal about.

 

[Lex Luthier]

There are a number of men at my church who are active pro 2A supporters. Just don't go into a new church ballyhooing about guns, they won't like it. Take some time to get to know people, and move on if it isn't the right fit.