Are non-Denominational Churches a denomination?

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HalupkiMonster

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Hello, all.

I attended a non-Denom. Church when I was a lot younger.

In my experience, it seems that non-denominational Churches in my town are in line with the Evangelical movement, and are often preaching from conservative religious stances. People who attend non-Denom Churches ("Mega Churches" in particular,) often seem as though they're a part of the same denomination of Christianity.

I've also noticed some more liberal non-Denom. Churches, but they are often spoken against by the others.

My question is, are you all (non. Denoms.) members of one big denomination, that call themselves non-denominational?

What about you, as an individual Christian, is so non-Denominational?

Thanks!

May Christ's blessings be with you,

AA
 

Gnarwhal

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Hello, all.

I attended a non-Denom. Church when I was a lot younger.

In my experience, it seems that non-denominational Churches in my town are in line with the Evangelical movement, and are often preaching from conservative religious stances. People who attend non-Denom Churches ("Mega Churches" in particular,) often seem as though they're a part of the same denomination of Christianity.

I've also noticed some more liberal non-Denom. Churches, but they are often spoken against by the others.

My question is, are you all (non. Denoms.) members of one big denomination, that call themselves non-denominational?

What about you, as an individual Christian, is so non-Denominational?

Thanks!

May Christ's blessings be with you,

AA

Yes, I believe non-denominational churches are more denominational than they could ever admit (because when they do, they would cease being non-denominational, haha).

There's an ethos that is consistent from one ND church to another, some tenants of theology differ to varying degrees between each church, but the overall model is the same.

While I grew up in the same church all of my life, a C&MA church—which for all intents and purposes is identical to an ND church—I did visit a couple of actual ND churches with friends from school and such. I grew to have a distaste as I got older for the sense of anarchy in the leadership. There's a palpable rebellion where the leaders often make it very conspicuous that they had to start their own church because they disagreed with everyone else to some degree. So they stand there on the pulpit unaccountable to anybody and teach their theology, however orthodox or (more likely) unorthodox it may be.
 
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disciple1938

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I am non-denominational in that No single denomination teaches or believes all the things I do. I am not a member of any church because I am too arrogant to submit myself to a movement that preaches doctrines I don't believe, or omits some I do. Yes this arrogance is a sin on my part, but it leaves me free to fellowship anywhere with any group of believers. I was once a Baptist until I received the Holy Spirit and then became a non-denom. Pentacostal was too legalistic for me and remains so. I am enjoying a lot of Roman Catholic teachings lately, but I could never be a catholic because there is a lot of issues with that for me. I love all denominations and believe Christ has a purpose in having so many. Just like when He broke the loaf of bread at the first communion and said this is my body,eat of it. He was prophesying right there that his body (the church) would be divided. When you read all the forums here it is easy to see why He allowed all the denominations. Each of us have so many different biases and backgrounds, so until we are perfected, we could never all agree in one. So i'ts not a bad thing it's a good thing. One body...many members...each serving a purpose.
 
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WisdomTree

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I am non-denominational in that No single denomination teaches or believes all the things I do. I am not a member of any church because I am too arrogant to submit myself to a movement that preaches doctrines I don't believe, or omits some I do. Yes this arrogance is a sin on my part, but it leaves me free to fellowship anywhere with any group of believers. I was once a Baptist until I received the Holy Spirit and then became a non-denom. Pentacostal was too legalistic for me and remains so. I am enjoying a lot of Roman Catholic teachings lately, but I could never be a catholic because there is a lot of issues with that for me. I love all denominations and believe Christ has a purpose in having so many. Just like when He broke the loaf of bread at the first communion and said this is my body,eat of it. He was prophesying right there that his body (the church) would be divided. When you read all the forums here it is easy to see why He allowed all the denominations. Each of us have so many different biases and backgrounds, so until we are perfected, we could never all agree in one. So i'ts not a bad thing it's a good thing. One body...many members...each serving a purpose.

You can have a garden of all roses, or you can have a garden of many different flowers giving their various scents and hues. For me; I like the variety. That's why I am non-denominational. God bless you one and all.

I used to be like that, in a way that I was "above denomination", making me a super christian. Then I learnt the error of my ways, humbled myself and asked for forgiveness for my sinful pride.
 
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disciple1938

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I used to be like that, in a way that I was "above denomination", making me a super christian. Then I learnt the error of my ways, humbled myself and asked for forgiveness for my sinful pride.

I totally appreciate your position and bless you for your stand, WisdomTree. However, while I confess to my arrogance I have no such feeling as pride in my own stand. I do not at all believe that I am "above denomination." In fact I celebrate denominationalism and believe it is of God as I've already explained. But it is also of God to be free from choosing a denomination so such a person can enjoy a position in the conplete body of christ instead of just a part of it like a single denomination. There are parts of the body that serve and are subject to the whole body--these are usually not the parts of honor and are servants to the whole. No room for pride there. but the body is just as dependant upon these parts as the parts are of the body, and all are subject to the head, Jesus Christ. It is only because He (the head) is lifterd up and exhalted that we (the body) are raised with Him. It would be difficult for a Baptist to serve a Catholic, or a non-charismatic to serve a Penecostal. But a non-denom can serve all freely. and without the sin of pride. My arrogance is a thing between God and I. I don't like it either but it gives me the boldness I need to sometimes stand alone. Remember the old hymn, "Dare to be a Daniel." It is easier to sing about than to do, but it is worth the try.
 
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Hello, all.

I attended a non-Denom. Church when I was a lot younger.

In my experience, it seems that non-denominational Churches in my town are in line with the Evangelical movement, and are often preaching from conservative religious stances. People who attend non-Denom Churches ("Mega Churches" in particular,) often seem as though they're a part of the same denomination of Christianity.

Yes it does seem that way at times, I think the mega-churches are non-denom because they at least have to seem ecumenical in order to draw in the really big crowds (and really big bucks.) And their messages often do seem similar, but that's probably because they all dole out gospel in bit-sized chunks which are soft and easy to digest and don't give you heartburn.

I've also noticed some more liberal non-Denom. Churches, but they are often spoken against by the others.

I am a 'socially liberal' non-denom myself, and I do notice when big non-denom leaders make negative statements about my ilk. What I notice mostly is that they use jingoist tactics and love to repeat silly sound bytes that cater to ignorance.

My question is, are you all (non. Denoms.) members of one big denomination, that call themselves non-denominational?

No.

What about you, as an individual Christian, is so non-Denominational?

My dog tags that say CHR, NON-DENOM.:p

Seriously though, I would probably have to defer to disciple1938's excellent self definition.

disciple1938 said:
I am non-denominational in that No single denomination teaches or believes all the things I do. I am not a member of any church because I am too arrogant to submit myself to a movement that preaches doctrines I don't believe, or omits some I do. Yes this arrogance is a sin on my part, but it leaves me free to fellowship anywhere with any group of believers.
and
disciple1938 said:
I love all denominations and believe Christ has a purpose in having so many.
and
disciple1938 said:
Each of us have so many different biases and backgrounds, so until we are perfected, we could never all agree in one. So i'ts not a bad thing it's a good thing. One body...many members...each serving a purpose.

That sums up the meat of it for me.

Thanks!

May Christ's blessings be with you,

AA

And Also with you,

bC
 
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oceansmile

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I've said it before here, but one of the problems I had finding a non-denom church in my area is that they're all actually Baptist! Outside this area though, yes, most are Evangelical, and I'm not sure why that is. I think it's just what sells these days.

I suppose non-denom is a sort of denomination, but there are still so many differences between churches that I don't think you can say that for sure. I have a friend who goes to a non-denom church that practices infant baptism, which is really rare.

As far as me, I believe there is one church and denominations tend to only service to create divisiveness. That's why I can't define myself with a denominational name.
 
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WisdomTree

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I've said it before here, but one of the problems I had finding a non-denom church in my area is that they're all actually Baptist! Outside this area though, yes, most are Evangelical, and I'm not sure why that is. I think it's just what sells these days.

I suppose non-denom is a sort of denomination, but there are still so many differences between churches that I don't think you can say that for sure. I have a friend who goes to a non-denom church that practices infant baptism, which is really rare.

As far as me, I believe there is one church and denominations tend to only service to create divisiveness. That's why I can't define myself with a denominational name.

You sure you're not confusing them for Brethren?
 
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CounselorForChrist

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I agree with disciple. I don't have pride about it either. Yes every non-denom church can lean a certain way but for the most part I find them to be places that don't like labels. And often the church goers sometimes have mixed views. But we all get along. Theres no worry about "What will others think of my denom!" because non-denom isn't any specific one.

He makes a good point above. A baptist would have a hard time serving at a catholic church and so on. All the labels we've created for churches have only caused more harm then good. Correct me if I am wrong but doesn't the bible even say something about the church splitting like this will only do more harm then good in the end? I truly feel denominations messed up things.

When I hear of a church with issues its never really a non-denom. Not that they aren't trouble free. But their label doesn't seem to cause conflict with a labeled church. For lack of better words I think of a non-denom church as a REALLY long bible study group. We are there as believes to quench are thirst for God. We are there to learn. We are there to serve. Where as most labeled churchs you go because that what you feel your denom is.

For example at my non-denom church there are people that came from other denom churches. One friend was a baptist, another pentecostal, and yet another evangelical. I love this type of church and never really want to go to a labeled one.
 
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HalupkiMonster

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My dog tags that say CHR, NON-DENOM.:p

How interesting, my grandfather told me that when he was in the military (early 1940s,) dog tags just had "PROTESTANT," "CATHOLIC," or "ORTHODOX" when it came to Christian soldiers.

Another question for you all. My town is next to Colo. Springs, which is like a sort of Makkah for Evangelicals and non-Denom. Christians. They have the huge mega Churches (and their fair share of scandals with their more conservative Pastors, I might add.) This is also represented in my town. About 1/2 of my town is Roman Catholic, and the other 1/2 belongs to a non-Denom. Church. We have my little Orthodox Churches, several mainline Protestant Churches, but they seem not to be experiencing growth at the rate of the previous two Churches.

People will often ask me "Are you Catholic or Christian." They mean to ask if we're Roman Catholic or Protestant, but I find that many Christians in my town are really ignorant as Church history and the diversity of our religion goes. The Catholic ones don't understand that they're part of Christianity, too, and the Protestant ones don't understand the concept of "Protestantism."

I could rant about this all day, but I wonder, do you non-Denom. Christians at least see yourself as Protestants? I mean, technically, you are Protestant, right?

Thanks!
 
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How interesting, my grandfather told me that when he was in the military (early 1940s,) dog tags just had "PROTESTANT," "CATHOLIC," or "ORTHODOX" when it came to Christian soldiers.

Oh yeah, they've even got Wicca, now. But that's the Army, they have always been ahead of the rest of American society when it comes to integration.
 
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I could rant about this all day, but I wonder, do you non-Denom. Christians at least see yourself as Protestants? I mean, technically, you are Protestant, right?

Not exactly.

To call oneself Protestant is to define one's faith by how non-Catholic it is; but truthfully most non-denoms are no more non-Catholic than we are non-Lutheran. Though the reasons for protestation in the first place could arguably be compared to the reasons many of us reject the idea of denominations, the real reason we may be seen as more non-Catholic is because of our rejection of church traditions.

This isn't anything like an appropriate answer, and I am not speaking for all non-denoms. Each has their own reason for being non-denom and part of being so is respecting that we all have differing ideas but are still all related as Christians.
 
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abysmul

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I could rant about this all day, but I wonder, do you non-Denom. Christians at least see yourself as Protestants? I mean, technically, you are Protestant, right?

Thanks!

Most people that I know who consider themselves non denominational simply think of themselves as Christians.
 
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abysmul

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Then how would they fit into the Catholic/Protestant/Orthodox classification?

Honestly, I don't think that way. I'm a humble follower of Christ, a sinner. I don't call myself any of those.

In the past I could have answered Protestant for a time, and even Catholic, but my journey to Christ lead me away from that.

I can't speak for other non denominational Christians, but I'd guess most would say none of the above.
 
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Honestly, I don't think that way. I'm a humble follower of Christ, a sinner. I don't call myself any of those.

In the past I could have answered Protestant for a time, and even Catholic, but my journey to Christ lead me away from that.

I can't speak for other non denominational Christians, but I'd guess most would say none of the above.

Yes, exactly. Outside of this forum I don't generally refer to myself as non-denom. I'm a big C.S. Lewis fan and am quite fond of calling myself a 'mere Christian'.
 
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oceansmile

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Most people that I know who consider themselves non denominational simply think of themselves as Christians.

Yeah, that.

"Protestant" seems to be a slur that RC's use - or maybe it's just the RC's I know. Not always, but a great deal of the time. I'm juts a follower of Christ - why all the labels? :confused: Heck, I don't even have a non-denom icon here on CF.
 
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