Topics related to belief, faith, religion, and spirituality in Hastings, Michigan are the focal points of this guide.
Frequently, these words are used interchangeably and, in most contexts, that's fine. Belief, faith, religion, and spirituality do have individual definitions, however.
Faith and belief are the two that are most often viewed as synonymous. Someone might say that they have faith in God when what they actually mean is that they believe in God. While I can't speak for everyone, I think it's fair to say that most people have an innate sense that there is a purpose to life beyond merely living it, and a drive to discover just what that might be.
Spirituality is a reference to the things that we focus our faith on, whether it be God, the church, nature, or something else, but it also refers to the things that we do in order to make a connection with those things, such as prayer, rituals, or climbing a mountain. Spirituality is what gives our faith meaning, purpose, or significance.
The things that we accept as true are beliefs. Whatever the subject, when we decide that one thing is true and another is untrue, these are our beliefs.
Religion is what results when a group of people who share similar beliefs decides to work together to provide support for one another as they delve deeper into these beliefs, holding one another accountable for living up to these beliefs. Religion is a codification of our beliefs.
For most purposes, of course, we can use whatever terms we want when we are discussing matters of faith, belief, religion, and spirituality, but it is helpful to realize that a person can be one without the other. Many people believe in God, but are not part of a religion, and may lack faith and spirituality. Others may be spiritual, but not religious.
For the purpose of categorization in this guide, it doesn't make much of a difference. Online resources for topics relating to faith, belief, religion, or spirituality in Hastings, Michigan are appropriate for this category. For the most part, these will consist of websites representing ministries or places of worship in Hastings, regardless of the particular religion, denomination, or sect.
Recommended Resources
Community Baptist Church Hastings
Affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, the congregation meets at its facilities on East Grand Street in Hastings, Michigan. Its location is shown on a map, and a phone number, email, and social media contacts are included, along with its regular weekly schedules, a calendar of programs and events, a statement of beliefs, staff contacts, and its position on salvation, and a video archive of past sermons, which may be sorted by date, speaker, subject, or popularity.
https://www.cbchastings.org/
Founded in 1863, Emmanuel Episcopal Church is a member of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan, within the Episcopal Church in the United States, and the worldwide Anglican Communion. A brief history of the church is included, with an overview of its ministries, its worship and music programs, and community outreach activities. Announcements, a church newsletter, lay ministries schedules, weekly service schedules, a calendar of events, and contacts are included.
http://www.hastingsemmanuel.org/
The congregation meets at its facilities on North M-37 in Hastings, Michigan. Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), a profile of the church is provided, including an introduction for those who may be attending for the first time. Service schedules are posted, and may also be viewed on local television or through its online video archive. The church's ministries to families and students, its preschool ministries, and mission support are noted, and a calendar of events is included.
https://www.firstchurchhastings.org/
The regular Sunday and Wednesday service schedules of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregation in Hastings, Michigan is posted, along with an upcoming events calendar, a map showing its location, contacts for the pastor and parish administrator, and a contact form. Church bulletins, server schedules, and bell choir rehearsals are presented, and its youth ministries, community outreach, faith-building, and men's ministries are discussed.
https://grace-hastings.org/
Hastings Church of the Nazarene
Located on North Broadway Street in Hastings, Michigan, the congregation's office hours and contacts are published on the site, the church board, its pastors, and staff are acknowledged, and a contact form is available. Weekly schedules, a calendar of events, and its fellowship groups are highlighted, and its beliefs and practices are outlined, along with the text of the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed. Sermons may also be heard via iTunes, Google Play, or Spotify.
https://www.hastingsnaz.org/
The Hastings, Michigan congregation is part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a mainstream Protestant denomination with a worldwide membership. An introduction to the denomination and the local church is presented, including a map showing its location, its Saturday service times, and leadership contacts. Videos are available covering a variety of topics, including the church's position on the Second Coming, as well as several informational articles in PDF format.
https://www.hastingssda.org/
