Why are u a non-denominational christian?

I subscribe to the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds, and consider that most other matters of doctrine are open to discussion and interpretation, so I look for the church with the best quality of worship. That has a lot more to do with the attitude of the people than the specific beliefs of the denomination

I'm non-denominational mainly because I believe the focus should be on Christ, not on divisions within the Church.

For me it seems too much that being non-denominational has actually become a denomination lately

I am non-denominational simply because few churches believe what I believe. We do have a pentecostal background though, but we are not pentecostal. It's hard to define what we believe. We just believe the bible. No extra rules are needed.

I consider myself to be "just a Christian" and I guess that makes me non-denominational. I'm not a member of any specific church, I can go wherever there is prayer and worship, but I don't want anything added to my belief that is not part of what the bible tells us.

I go to a nondenominational church in part because that's where I started going before I was a Christian (although I grew up in a Presbyterian church) and partly because I think some denominations place too much emphasis on the denomination itself.

There's nothing wrong if someone wants to belong to a certain denomination, it often helps "explain" their theology and views. But knowing my own personality and my own weaknesses, I prefer to avoid denominations because I think I'd be all too likely to start saying who was "in" and who was "out" in Christianity.

I guess I have nothing to say. You guys said it all for me.

I think an equally important question would be "Why do people feel the need to belong to a certain denomination? Can anyone give me a good reason why they would think God (Jesus) would want so many denominations or divisions in His church?

billyspin said:

I guess I have nothing to say. You guys said it all for me.

I think an equally important question would be "Why do people feel the need to belong to a certain denomination? Can anyone give me a good reason why they would think God (Jesus) would want so many denominations or divisions in His church?

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According to the bible God don't want this at all. The body of Christ should not be cut into separate pieces and those pieces should not claim that they are what is called Christianity or better then the others. The problem is that many denominations, like Catholics, think they are the whole body and those that are not Catholics are not party of Christianity at all.

The difference here, is that I guess non-denominational consider them self to be part of all of Christianity, but just don't want to separate the body of Christ by making them self a denomination.

It would be great if all Christians could just be happy with being called a Christian and be one with all the brothers and sisters, but that's not the way it is, and sadly I guess this will be the fall from the faith in the end, that gives room for the Anti-Christ. There is just getting more and more churches and ministerys and all the Christians are getting further and further away from each others.

SoundCard said:

I'm non-denominational mainly because I believe the focus should be on Christ, not on divisions within the Church.

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Ditto, although I don't have need for the church I attend to be non-denom or any other denomination.

i agree with sblood and soundcard that many time people focus more on the differences between denominations than on Christ. We are all God's children and brothers and sisters in Christ. I have attended Lutheran, Baptist, church of Christ, and independant churches but my wife and I go wherever we feel comfortable.

Great topic

Bellicus said:

According to the bible God don't want this at all. The body of Christ should not be cut into separate pieces and those pieces should not claim that they are what is called Christianity or better then the others. The problem is that many denominations, like Catholics, think they are the whole body and those that are not Catholics are not party of Christianity at all.

The difference here, is that I guess non-denominational consider them self to be part of all of Christianity, but just don't want to separate the body of Christ by making them self a denomination.

It would be great if all Christians could just be happy with being called a Christian and be one with all the brothers and sisters, but that's not the way it is, and sadly I guess this will be the fall from the faith in the end, that gives room for the Anti-Christ. There is just getting more and more churches and ministerys and all the Christians are getting further and further away from each others.

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I agree with you, especially the first part, you maybe right about the
different denomination and different faith. One little thing I wanted to add
about this is that the church started in the wilderness.

Lets go to acts 7:37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.
7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us. This goes for everybody.

Check out this scripture...Galatians 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Well, my husbands family helped start the church I go to now, so thats the reason I started going to a nondenom, but now that I've been going a couple of years I like being known as a Christian only, plus I agree with Bellicus that the body of Christ should not be split.

Non-denominational Churches, eh? I've had contact with Non-Denoms. and they seem almost the same thing as Evangelical Churches only with a different name; To be polite I inquire thusly: What's the difference between Non-denom.s and Evangelicals? And by the way, not to debate, but Catholics don't worship Mary; they never have, never will; I was raised Catholic and Know,(I wonder were you got your info from, tell me, I'm all ears to hear it; but that confuses me why you'd think that?!); they honour her but worship is alone is reserved for our Blessed Lord God in Heaven alone; My Non-denom. friends that I have would happen to agree with me on this, so it's not like I'm causing a ruckus, or the only one to say this.
God bless ye,
In Christ's Holy Charity,
Matthew

[P.S. if anyone does disagree with me either please Private Message me or Come to OBOB (One Bread, ONe Body: Catholic forum to inquire about the Holy Catholic Faith. God bless ye!)]

I'm not nondenominational, but I'd like to put in my 2 cents.
I had a course on the book of acts in Bible College. At the time it really didn't mean a whole lot to me because I hadn't been saved for very long. But as my life played out, and I started exploring the different denoms. I have come to a conclusion. We are so far away from the way it started!
It is absolutely NOTHING like it was in the begining.
It's no wonder the NT is packed full of warnings about false prophets, false teachers, wolves in sheeps clothing, divisions in the church, and being led astray!
While the Bible was being written it was being divided! Nothing has changed.
"Denomination" - I wish I knew where that word came from, because I'd like to ask them what they were thinking.
The result of the word denomination is crystal clear: division, We arent like you. You are different from me. We are not like each other. Something separates us, etc...
Nondenomiational. Now that's interesting!

I have found there tends to be less legalism in my experience and less strange doctrines. For example, I was brought up catholic and never believed that Mary is to be prayed to - she isn't God. Personally, I believe this is a form of idol worship. Thus, denominations tend to over emphasize certain things sometimes that I find arn't biblical. Some christians do better in a denomination - this depends where God has called you to- it can be just a personal preference.

i dont like Catholics because they are snudy and think they are the best. baptist are ok other than the fact than the 3 baptist churches i have visited are strongly agenst modern music, and think drums are of the devil. dito for penocosts churches i have visited. the non-denom church is a perfict fit more me. modern music, great open minded people, GREAT teachings and theirs no pressure like in a catholic church if you dont get up and say their preyer you get shuned(not really seems like it tho)

Ryan897 said:

i dont like Catholics because they are snudy and think they are the best. baptist are ok other than the fact than the 3 baptist churches i have visited are strongly agenst modern music, and think drums are of the devil. dito for penocosts churches i have visited. the non-denom church is a perfict fit more me. modern music, great open minded people, GREAT teachings and theirs no pressure like in a catholic church if you dont get up and say their preyer you get shuned(not really seems like it tho)

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I cant help but say something here. I'm not a catholic, pentecostal, or baptist. I'm not a nondenominational either. I'm just a desciple of Christ. A believer. After I got saved, I didn't know what denomination I wanted to be, so I shopped around. 25 years later, I still havent found one yet, that is even close to the ones described in the New Testament. People in general tend to look for a church where they feel comfortable. "Churches", and people who fill their pews, kind of represent God. We are His mouth, hands, and feet, to carry the gospel to all mankind. So, we look for a church where we are "comfortable". That's a very dangerous word. Why are we seeking comfort? Shouldn't we be seeking the truth? Instead of what makes us comfortable? Most people hate the truth. It makes them cringe. Jesus IS the truth. And they couldn't accept Him. They crucified Jesus because He spoke the truth. Most of us have this picture of who we want God to be for us. But God dosen't work like that. We are supposed to, "be conformed to the image of his dear Son", not the other way around. Proverbs is FULL of verses that tell us to GET KNOWLEDGE, and wisdom. And the Bible says "MY PEOPLE ARE DESTOYED BECAUSE OF A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE". Where does it tell us to seek comfort? But yet thats what we want out of church. People DONT want to be told they are doing something wrong, They fill their ears with worldly music, and when someone says it is influenced by satan, they dont want to hear what might be the truth.
There are only TWO powers in the world. God's power, and satans power. Is God the author of worldly music?
I HAVE PROOF THAT MUSIC IS INFLUENCED BY SATAN You probably have already heard the proof yourself, but didn't realize it