Form over Function?

I often time struggle with a very similar statement within Christian circles that normally goes something like "we are all worshiping the same God anyhow". I tend to be on the more skeptical and slow to agree until I have had time to discuss what God the person actually believes in.

So, what and how many different things does the statement "It's a different type of Church, but they teach the same stuff really..." mean? Pretty much infinite.

Mormons "teach the same stuff really..."; if by the same stuff you mean there is a God, Jesus lived on earth, we are Sinners, and in general we should be good people. In fact the Mormon church has invested the last couple decades, with surprising success, to try and emulate Christianity and in turn they are more approachable because they aren't viewed as a cult. Skepticism without a further understanding of the matter is definitely warranted.

In reply to the original statement, my immediate response would be "Well then, what do they 'teach'?". Followed by the question that is begging to be asked, "Where are they putting their emphasis that makes them a 'different type of Church'? ". Granted, I will be the first to admit flaws, and the extensive room for improvement, in the average Christian church. So the second question would not be a rebuttal, or implying their way is wrong and my way is right, merely out of curiosity.

Other questions I would have:

Are they glorifying God in a pure manner?
Are they sparking a deeper desire to know and understand God?
Are they more effectively conveying the true Gospel to their culture?
Are they worshiping God more genuinely?
Are they teaching their members more effectively?
Are they serving in a way that other churches have glossed over?
Are they fostering a more intimate relationship with God?

If "yes" to any of those questions, I would be very intrigued to hear more! If "no", then what are their grounds for being "different"?

Being raised in a very liturgical and traditional church, in many senses, I have bounced back further in the opposite direction. This is one of them. I feel that we should not be limited by the form in which we worship and glorify God, as long as the one true God is indeed at the center of the worship. If a body of believers is gathered and pursuing their Fathers heart with a firm foundation in the Bible, and having discussed this with them and seen their belief demonstrated by their actions, I would have a hard time criticizing them purely on the basis of being a "different type" of Church.

David Knepprath