Soror Ideal, this is a good question, and I'm really enjoying reading the responses - they're very interesting!
Anyway, I was raised Baptist. In my church, which had a very small population, I never took a Bible, didn't read one and just basically went to church because it was what I was supposed to do. But even though for the most part I just sat and listened, I'm glad I was made to go. I think just in the going, that gave me structure and respect for the church.
After marrying and moving to Florida, my husband and I attended a non-denominational church for about 4 years, then moved to the COGIC and have been there every since (about 11 years). I agree with REIKI and Dionysus - it can be legalistic, but my pastor is pretty cool. Many in the Church of God in Christ still believe the same thing that these 2 grew up with - if you're not COGIC, then you're not right. My pastor doesn't preach denominations; souls are more important. Yes, we are taught the doctrines of the Church, but he doesn't get bent out of shape with women wearing pants to church or makeup (he said something one day about him not having a problem with women and makeup. Said that some women need to put on 2 coats of eyeshadow!).
Now if God has something else for my family, then I wouldn't have a problem leaving this "denomination" and going to something else. The important thing for me is getting the Word. Yes, there have been things that I may not have agreed with my pastor about, but I line up what he says with the Word of God.
And I'm sorry for the long post as well. . .
