Why are you a Non-Denominational Christian ?

[alexsonofmatthew]

Why are you a Non-Denominational Christian ? What are your reasons behind it?

God bless

 

[kristina411]

Non denominational because I have yet to find another denomination that has the same ideas so far. I would likely be at a Lutheran type church but my husband and daughter feel more at ease in a non denominational church right now. I also like the child care in the non denominational church.

 

[phydaux]

Because I prefer modern music to century-old hymns.

 

[Celticflower]

I am still basically a Methodist, but attend a non-denom because that is what my husband wants.

 

[abysmul]

I was raised a Methodist (with many Baptist family members, with whom I attended their services too), took some religion and philosophy classes in college, took RCIA classes as an adult, and have searched for a long time for the right "denomination"... only to finally to come to the realization that this isn't what it's all about.

It bothers me that so often when someone is asked about their religion, the first thing Christians say is their denomination... not Christian. I did it too, for most of my life. When prompted the first thing I thought about was my denomination, not my Lord and Savior.

 

[phydaux]

Because I prefer modern music to century-old hymns.

Oh, and I don't like wearing a tie.

 

[Bobinator]

I don’t need a man-made organization telling me how to interpret the Bible or to adhere to its doctrine, especially when it’s run by men who seek their own glory and value million dollar facilities over funding missionary work.

 

[MassiCo]

It's not necessary? Being part of a denomination is not required of us (Christians) so I really don't see the point.

 

[BryanW92]

It bothers me that so often when someone is asked about their religion, the first thing Christians say is their denomination... not Christian. I did it too, for most of my life. When prompted the first thing I thought about was my denomination, not my Lord and Savior.

Do you think that Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, etc do not consider themselves to be Christian? Does Jesus consider them to not be Christian?

 

[abysmul]

Do you think that Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, etc do not consider themselves to be Christian? Does Jesus consider them to not be Christian?

I think they do; what I find sad is the go-to identifier being the man made organization. I view it as being about the priority they put on the denomination, and the basic divisiveness of it (within the Christian community). I've even seen it in "interdenominational events"... where these things are actually advertised as a gathering of denominations, not simply a gather of Christians in the community.

 

[BryanW92]

I think they do; what I find sad is the go-to identifier being the man made organization. I view it as being about the priority they put on the denomination, and the basic divisiveness of it (within the Christian community). I've even seen it in "interdenominational events"... where these things are actually advertised as a gathering of denominations, not simply a gather of Christians in the community.

So the fact that people from different denominations gather is a problem and the fact that they don't gather is a problem? Does your non-denominational church have a name other than simply "church"? And before you say, "my church has Jesus Christ in its name", remember that the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints does too. Anyone can add Jesus to a name.

Rejoice in the fact that Jesus is big enough to save everyone who gathers to him, regardless of polity, doctrine, or the name on the sign.

Or do you actually have rumbles in your area where one denomination moves into another's turf and they fight? Do they burn each other's churches down? You see, in some places, all Christians live under that threat, regardless of denomination. You should worry more about the 99% of things that you agree with the denominations about than the 1% where you disagree. That is the Christian thing to do.

 

[Celticflower]

If asked my religion I say Christian - denominational tags are just like flavors of ice cream. And in this area non-denominational is almost a denomination of its own, and many seem to take even more pride in not having a denominational tag than those who are members of a denomination do.

 

[abysmul]

So the fact that people from different denominations gather is a problem and the fact that they don't gather is a problem? Does your non-denominational church have a name other than simply "church"? And before you say, "my church has Jesus Christ in its name", remember that the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints does too. Anyone can add Jesus to a name.

Rejoice in the fact that Jesus is big enough to save everyone who gathers to him, regardless of polity, doctrine, or the name on the sign.

Or do you actually have rumbles in your area where one denomination moves into another's turf and they fight? Do they burn each other's churches down? You see, in some places, all Christians live under that threat, regardless of denomination. You should worry more about the 99% of things that you agree with the denominations about than the 1% where you disagree. That is the Christian thing to do.

Thanks for the implication.

You have a great day.

 

[BryanW92]

Thanks for the implication.

You have a great day.

Sorry about the implication. Don't take it personally. This is a public forum, so the "you" was an implied "you all" (or y'all or youse guys, depending on regional preference). I would have said "we" but denominations don't bother me since I attend a Presbyterian church some Sunday's, a Nazarene on others, and a non-denom on others and on Wednesday. They are all Christ-followers.

 

[Job8]

It's not necessary? Being part of a denomination is not required of us (Christians) so I really don't see the point.

Not only is it not required of Christians, but denominations are fundamentally unscriptural. See 1 Cor 1:11-17. And today, the majority of denominations are gradually abandoning the truths of the Bible. The World Council of Churches is basically apostate.

 

[Andy S. Wright]

Can't speak for anyone else, but for me and my house, we're not 'non-denominational'. We're anti-denominational.

 

[BryanW92]

Not only is it not required of Christians, but denominations are fundamentally unscriptural. See 1 Cor 1:11-17. And today, the majority of denominations are gradually abandoning the truths of the Bible. The World Council of Churches is basically apostate.

Can't speak for anyone else, but for me and my house, we're not 'non-denominational'. We're anti-denominational.

Roman Catholics say that all Protestants are denominational and unscriptural. Also, note that in 1Cor 1:12, he includes those who say, "I follow Christ" with those who say they follow others. This is because those who claim that they have the One True Faith are probably just as wrong as anyone else who claims that.

Yes, the WCC is apostate, but many denominations are not part of the WCC (the PCA and LCMS, to name two that share a denomination name with their Progressive versions, the PCUSA and ELCA, but share little else) and it does include the International Council of Community Churches, which is a grouping of Non-Denominational churches. Any bible-believing Christian should run away from any church that calls itself a part of the WCC!

And didn't Paul and the apostles form a heirarchy over churches as they travelled around? The fact that Paul wrote letters back to churches to correct them is proof that an organization outside the congregation is not unscriptural. There's nothing that says that a church must be part of a larger organization, but there is nothing that says that they can't. The "I follow Paul", etc in 1Cor 1:11-17 is about putting the teachings of the leader above those of Christ and many demoninationals and non-denominationals have that problem today. There's nothing more dangerous than an ambitious and charismatic preacher.

 

[Andy S. Wright]

Acts 2 tells us about a group of about 120 God-called, Spirit-filled disciples operating in 'one accord' who turned the entire city of Jerusalem upside down for the Kingdom of God.

2,000 years later there are hundreds, if not thousands, of denominations and sub-denominations represented by tens of thousands of churches all over the globe.

I wonder how many of those churches would have to close before the impact of their closures were felt in the communities they are sitting in, to say nothing of the impact on the world.

Denominations are about division. There is nothing unifying about separating over doctrinal differences or 'denominational distinctives'. Nothing holy about separating over differences of opinion about what the Bible says. No amount of pomp and circumstance and collection of 'time-honored traditions' and haughty sounding titles will change the fact that denominations are 100% about embracing and celebrating what divides God's people.

If Heaven will not be divided by denominations, why on Earth do we collectively swallow the lie that his church should be?

"Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven."

The proof of the church's divine origins lies in its continued existence after two millennia under man's stewardship...

 

[Norah63]

Jesus Christ is not divided, people divide.
So non dom is just a conglomararion of all of us togeather.
Neat aint it?

 

[BryanW92]

I wonder how many of those churches would have to close before the impact of their closures were felt in the communities they are sitting in, to say nothing of the impact on the world.

If a church closes in a village in Haiti or Africa, the effect is felt immediately because was the only church in the village. Many of those churches are denominational. If 50 churches closed in my town that has a church on almost every street corner, it would have no effect except that the remaining 50 would become more successful.

I got a flyer in the mail today from a new church. I guess we needed one more. Its a non-denom, with a hip-sounding name and mission statement and a vision statement--just like every other church in town, both denom and non-denom.

Don't get hung up on the organization. Any church can be a part of the kingdom....and any church can be apostate. I agree that the seven mainline American denominations are largely apostate these days in the USA. You can go to a UM church in Africa and it would knock your socks off.