Why do people have problems with denominations?

com7fy8

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2013
13,649
6,108
Massachusetts
✟583,430.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
I have heard people say that they have problems with denominations. Why?
You might find out why, by asking each person why. Not all people are alike. They can have different reasons.

I suspect some people are criticizing denominations because they do not want to learn how to love in a local church; so they just criticize any and all churches which are in denominations, and use this as their excuse to isolate themselves.

Others are concerned more about certain groups who have a lot of things they hold to and do, but they do not obviously give attention to the Bible.

It appears that people with political agendas have been taking over certain denominations, more than others; by getting to the top, they have a chance of controlling a bloc of people and voters for their causes. So, this can be an issue for certain people criticizing denominations.

But independent democratic local groups can get inbred and isolated with themselves, praising themselves for being independent and democratic.

I want to go to an Assembly of God church. Is that a bad thing since it is a denomination?
Each church can be different. One might have a really qualified pastor who is a good example. Another in the same denomination might not. So, we need to find out with each person.

And there can be members of a local church, who do not agree with everything of their denomination. Where there are Christian people in a local church and they are in charge, there can be less trying to clone puppets and parrots of their denomination. They share as family, and they concentrate on God's word and do not push their denomination stuff.

But some can pretend they are by God's word, but secretly they are expecting you to discover that their denomination's unique items are right.

So, you need to pray and make sure with God.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

Sabertooth

Repartee Animal: Quipping the Saints!
Supporter
Jul 25, 2005
10,491
7,061
62
Wisconsin
Visit site
✟952,659.00
Country
United States
Faith
Charismatic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Some people are control freaks. They want everybody to be on the same page as them, even if that page might be wrong.

They are not comfortable with a sanctification process that relies on the Holy Spirit cultivating our collective consciences.

Others are pretenders who don't want you living for Jesus at all.

(And it isn't always easy to tell who's who, right away.)
 
Upvote 0

Introverted1293

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Jul 22, 2017
2,978
3,071
Washington
✟684,188.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Single
Thank you for those who replied. But I won't be online, well I won't be on Christian forums for about a week. So if I don't respond it's because I haven't been online.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

SkyWriting

The Librarian
Supporter
Jan 10, 2010
37,279
8,499
Milwaukee
✟410,918.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
I have heard people say that they have problems with denominations. Why? I want to go to an Assembly of God church. Is that a bad thing since it is a denomination?
Every group of 3 or more worshipers are different. Even inside one church building.
People who complain, haven't figured that out.
 
Upvote 0

Redwingfan9

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2019
2,629
1,532
Midwest
✟70,636.00
Country
United States
Faith
Reformed
Marital Status
Married
I have heard people say that they have problems with denominations. Why? I want to go to an Assembly of God church. Is that a bad thing since it is a denomination?
I've never had a problem with denominations, in fact they're very helpful. When I see that a church is AOG or Reformed Presbyterian, I at least have an idea what that church actually believes. I don't have the slightest idea what any particular non-denominational church believes or how they conduct their worship. With denominations, I know what I'm getting into before I enter the building.
 
Upvote 0

NothingIsImpossible

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2015
5,615
3,254
✟274,922.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Every denomination is different. Some don't like that others exist. I mean I don't like certain denominations views. But I will still get along with them fine. For example my family is all catholic. I don't agree with alot about catholicism. However when a family member dies I still go to the thing they have at their church. I can talk just fine with the priest or whomever.

Oddly enough though my own family are the ones that I can't talk too because they hate that I am not catholic and believe I am not saved.
 
Upvote 0

thecolorsblend

If God is your Father, who is your Mother?
Supporter
Jul 1, 2013
9,199
8,425
Gotham City, New Jersey
✟308,231.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
I have heard people say that they have problems with denominations. Why? I want to go to an Assembly of God church. Is that a bad thing since it is a denomination?
Realistically, Our Lord founded one Church and He prayed that it remain one Church.

And yet, a lot of people who oppose denominations don’t do so over a concern for unity. Rather, I think it’s an aggravating hipster thing where they want to criticize everyone else without ever exposing their own beliefs to criticism.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

Redwingfan9

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2019
2,629
1,532
Midwest
✟70,636.00
Country
United States
Faith
Reformed
Marital Status
Married
Realistically, Our Lord founded one Church and He prayed that it remain one Church.

And yet, a lot of people who oppose denominations don’t do so over a concern for unity. Rather, I think it’s an aggravating hipster thing where they want to criticize everyone else without ever exposing their own beliefs to criticism.

I have not, do not and will not respect non-denominationalism.
To be fair, I've heard attacks on the concept of denominations since I became a Christian 25 years ago. There has always been a group out there who argue that denominations split Christians or divide over minutia. I do agree that it seems to be worse today with younger Christians, particularly those who don't really want to share what they actually believe with anyone.
 
Upvote 0

Reborn1977

Devoted to Jesus - Less of me MORE of HIM
Supporter
Aug 20, 2012
549
300
Visit site
✟59,283.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I have heard people say that they have problems with denominations. Why? I want to go to an Assembly of God church. Is that a bad thing since it is a denomination?

I have been in full-time Ministry for 25 years and I have served in multiple denominations. I have nothing against the vast majority of denominations. However, the surge that we have seen in recent years of the anti-denominational mindset, the massive decrease of denominational membership, the mass closings that are going on of denominational congregations, and the huge rise in non-denominational congregations is actually a work of Christ's that actually started close to twenty years ago now, a move by Jesus to bring the church, the one church, back to what it originally was and what He founded it to be before man got his hands on it and brought such destruction to it. Many denominational groups have attempted for years to fight against this, much to their detriment and without success, but they desire to hold on to their petty differences instead of embracing the Truth of the fact that Jesus established One Christian Church.

Several denominations in an attempt to survive in a religious atmosphere that is now becoming intolerant of denominations has attempted to do so by hiding who they truly are, through what one would call rebranding. I am not trying to pick on any particular denomination but the one that is most prominent for doing this is the Baptist denomination. If you will note in the last 5 years an untold number of Baptist Churches, most of which that are not known as First Baptist Church of... , have removed the word Baptist from their name and given themselves very generic names as to appear to be, at least on the surface, non denominational. Your average church member is not aware that this is the reason for this action only ministers and pastors who are actually involved in the workings of denominations at an associational level are fully aware of what is going on. This is being done for obvious reasons, they want to survive, they want to draw new members, and they cannot do that any longer by branding themselves as a denomination.

Jesus is involved in a work through The Holy Spirit to bring the Church back to what it was originally meant to be. Before Christ returns the Christian church will come full circle, back to what it was like in the beginning.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Silverback

Well-Known Member
Feb 13, 2019
1,306
853
61
South East
✟66,756.00
Country
United States
Faith
Lutheran
Marital Status
Married
I have heard people say that they have problems with denominations. Why? I want to go to an Assembly of God church. Is that a bad thing since it is a denomination?

For a church to say they are nondenominational means they are a denomination unto themselves. Besides, most of these churches belong to some association, or, group. There are very few churches with pastors that started a church after studying at bible college. Most municipalities want to see real ordination documents, transcripts from a real school, a master of divinity from an accredited seminary, and endorsement from a known church body. The days of storefront churches are coming to an end.
 
Upvote 0

NothingIsImpossible

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2015
5,615
3,254
✟274,922.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I've been to a few non-denom churches. One was essentially baptist, the other was essentially charasmatic. So it kind of made the ND pointless. However our current church, which is one we used to go to about two decades ago, isn't truly non-denom. They go by the bible only. No leanings towards anything. They teach the bible and don't put words that aren't in it. Such as "What this is REALLY saying is <insert denom leaning view>."

And because of this there are many types of people in the church with varying view. Many from other churches that had strong denom ties. We pretty much all get along despite where we came from/how we were taught. The pastor is open to anyone asking him questions or making any corrections they think he needs to hear. Though it doesn't mean he just changes his views. He will study and see if what they said is biblical.

Of course he still has to be safe with some things. For example one of the church members was "found dead". And it does appear to be suicide. However the pastor and elders will not comment on it and say no matter how he died, we shouldn't be focused on that but instead on praying for the family. He knows some members have views that will start conflict about if suicide is a sin and if it a hell bound thing or a heaven bound thing.

But as many stated, many of these non-denom churches come from a certain dom to begin with. Which makes me think they should just be called what they were to begin with.

The church we went to before this one we really enjoyed. It was a non-denom to. But about one year into it the pastor made an announcement one day that they would be joining some baptist chain of churches. He claimed it would not change the teachings of the church. But many left after that day. And more left week after week as they did start making changes. Currently the church only has about maybe 35% of its congregation left.
 
Upvote 0

Sabertooth

Repartee Animal: Quipping the Saints!
Supporter
Jul 25, 2005
10,491
7,061
62
Wisconsin
Visit site
✟952,659.00
Country
United States
Faith
Charismatic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
However our current church, which is one we used to go to about two decades ago, isn't truly non-denom. They go by the bible only. No leanings towards anything. They teach the bible and don't put words that aren't in it. Such as "What this is REALLY saying is <insert denom leaning view>."
If it takes a position on
  • Original sin,
  • Infant baptism,
  • OSAS,
  • Contemporary charismata,
  • Free-will/Pre-destination,
  • and many more;
it has the traits of a denomination.
 
Upvote 0

Jonaitis

Soli Deo Gloria
Jan 4, 2019
5,191
4,204
Wyoming
✟122,609.00
Country
United States
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Libertarian
I have heard people say that they have problems with denominations. Why? I want to go to an Assembly of God church. Is that a bad thing since it is a denomination?

I think people don't like the term 'denomination,' because they assume that they are churches with man's own theology, and that a church outside of them are real biblical churches. Ironically, many of those same churches have their own theology problems.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Sketcher

Born Imperishable
Feb 23, 2004
38,978
9,399
✟378,031.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Republican
There are pluses and minuses to denominational churches in general, but I wouldn't call a denomination inherently bad just because it's a denomination. Whether any church is worthwhile to go to, denominational or not, depends on its teaching and its people.
 
Upvote 0

Introverted1293

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Jul 22, 2017
2,978
3,071
Washington
✟684,188.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Single
Every group of 3 or more worshipers are different. Even inside one church building.
People who complain, haven't figured that out.

Yeah, I haven't all figured it out yet myself.
 
Upvote 0

Introverted1293

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Jul 22, 2017
2,978
3,071
Washington
✟684,188.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Single
I've never had a problem with denominations, in fact they're very helpful. When I see that a church is AOG or Reformed Presbyterian, I at least have an idea what that church actually believes. I don't have the slightest idea what any particular non-denominational church believes or how they conduct their worship. With denominations, I know what I'm getting into before I enter the building.

Good point.

Thank you
 
Upvote 0

Introverted1293

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Jul 22, 2017
2,978
3,071
Washington
✟684,188.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Single
Every denomination is different. Some don't like that others exist. I mean I don't like certain denominations views. But I will still get along with them fine. For example my family is all catholic. I don't agree with alot about catholicism. However when a family member dies I still go to the thing they have at their church. I can talk just fine with the priest or whomever.

Oddly enough though my own family are the ones that I can't talk too because they hate that I am not catholic and believe I am not saved.

Thank you for you reply.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Introverted1293

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Jul 22, 2017
2,978
3,071
Washington
✟684,188.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Single
Realistically, Our Lord founded one Church and He prayed that it remain one Church.

And yet, a lot of people who oppose denominations don’t do so over a concern for unity. Rather, I think it’s an aggravating hipster thing where they want to criticize everyone else without ever exposing their own beliefs to criticism.

This is probably true.
 
Upvote 0