Why You define your self as Non-denominational?

I grew up in the Lutheran Church. My mother (thanks be to God) made sure I participated in services until I was on my own. After that, I seldom had a desire to attend Church for about 15 years. Later on, in my military career, I became friends with a non-denominational Christian. On deployments to other countries, we attended services of various denominations, which was fun. Later on, I married my wife who is a Roman Catholic. For a while we attended Baptist services, but my wife was adamant about her Catholicism so, not wanting to confuse or discourage our kids, we attended Catholic services. I grew up in an Italian neighborhood, so I was quite comfortable with Catholics. Today, I still attend Mass with my wife, but technically I'm anathema. I don't believe in Papal Infallibility, especially with the current Pope who is of the Jesuit Order, with a history of socialist leanings. I don't say the rosary, which is supposedly a meditation, but commonly expressed as, "to pray the rosary". The Bible forbids prayer in "useless repitition". I don't believe in purgatory or indulgences. As the Eucharist goes, I see it as a remembrance, a memorial to Christ's work on the cross, but not as a literal presence. Christ's one-time sacrifice long ago was sufficient and we don't need to re-crucify Christ every Sunday. What I do like about the Catholic Church is the liturgical structure, emphasis on family and pro-life stance.
I like the basic concept of Non-Denominationalism and regard my relationship with Christ as personal. Services in Non-Denominational Churches can vary widely, though. Some have great services based on Scripture, missions and outreach programs. Conversely, one I went to had a pastor sitting on a stool just rambling on in circles, followed by a rock band.

I'm not necessarily against denominations, and think it's actually probably a good idea. All of them need reform in one way or another, based on what the faith actually was in the 1st century. So far I haven't found a particular Church I want to join, but I'm still looking, visiting and looking for a sign - that's why I'm non-denominational as of yet.

Because denominations are man made.
We each serve different functions within the body, but there is ONE Body.
Denominations are divisive.
One man becomes convinced his church..be they Baptists etc are doing it right, so to another man. And we squabble over the different functions we've been given...
We're given according to our faith as a child of God believes the Lord will use them as he did his first disciples be assured he absolutely will.

I've been studying a lot of what I actually believe, and don't want to put myself into a box.

I was a Southern Baptist, but I thought the denomination was too dogmatic about things like "once saved always saved," penal substitutionary atonement (to the exclusion of other atonement theories) and they lean creationist while I am an evolutionist. Basically, I want to keep an open mind.

Most of my main views are based on Soren Kierkegaard's philosophy. However, idk if I can say I am a Lutheran, since I still lean towards a Baptist understanding of the ordinances.

I think my views are closest to the Seventh Day Baptists, but I am undecided between Saturday vs Sunday being the day of worship.

One thing we all agree on, though, is that Jesus is Lord and we are very much into Him. I love Him with all my heart, and I hope you all do, too.

I dont believe in denominations or teachers, I believe in the word. The word is the teacher i follow.

weary2025 said:

I dont believe in denominations or teachers, I believe in the word. The word is the teacher i follow.

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How then do you reason together to find the truth of the word? Most who teach do so in obedience to the Great Commission and do so with humility, grace, and fear knowing those who teach are subject to a higher code and to scrutiny by Christ concerning what they teach, how they interact with those they teach and their fidelity to the Word. Christian community is the tool God uses, primarily, to cause sanctification.

9Rock9 said:

I've been studying a lot of what I actually believe, and don't want to put myself into a box.

I was a Southern Baptist, but I thought the denomination was too dogmatic about things like "once saved always saved," penal substitutionary atonement (to the exclusion of other atonement theories) and they lean creationist while I am an evolutionist. Basically, I want to keep an open mind.

Most of my main views are based on Soren Kierkegaard's philosophy. However, idk if I can say I am a Lutheran, since I still lean towards a Baptist understanding of the ordinances.

I think my views are closest to the Seventh Day Baptists, but I am undecided between Saturday vs Sunday being the day of worship.

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When we decide which scriptures we accept and reject we believe in ourselves, not in God. As Christians we do not believe someone, we do not believe something, we believe in someone, who is Christ. There are doctrines all who follow Christ call non negotiables. They basically include all of what is known generally as The Apostles Creed, not to be confused with other Creeds.

Pawel P said:

I wander why you define your self as Non-denominational Christians. Pleas share your thoughts

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Primarily because the church they attend is independent, yet many independent churches belong to a larger group they just don't call it a denomination because the local church has a higher level of autonomy, sometimes to its detriment.

Lost Witness said:

Because denominations are man made.
We each serve different functions within the body, but there is ONE Body.
Denominations are divisive.
One man becomes convinced his church..be they Baptists etc are doing it right, so to another man. And we squabble over the different functions we've been given...
We're given according to our faith as a child of God believes the Lord will use them as he did his first disciples be assured he absolutely will.

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I somewhat agree but would say denominations can be divisive and can be exclusive.

I don't use any term other than Christian.

CaspianSails said:

How then do you reason together to find the truth of the word? Most who teach do so in obedience to the Great Commission and do so with humility, grace, and fear knowing those who teach are subject to a higher code and to scrutiny by Christ concerning what they teach, how they interact with those they teach and their fidelity to the Word. Christian community is the tool God uses, primarily, to cause sanctification.

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I pray.

Well, I am non-denominational now, but I wasn't always that way, you see: I was brought up Independent Baptist. My denomination was a conservative denomination who preached abstinence from alcohol and all vices and also taught KJV-Onlyism and sang traditional hymns during worship services. (I still don't know why they do these things to be honest).

But one day I just woke up and realized that the Bible itself was not bound to any one denomination. Its a Book that transcends everyone and everything. So that got me thinking that maybe being a Baptist was too narrow-minded of a denomination and that I needed to be more open-minded and broaden my horizons and actually become non-denominational instead.

So here I am.

On my status I don't know how to change it from saying "Baptist" to "Non-denominational." Does anyone know how to do this?

JacquelineDeane55 said:

On my status I don't know how to change it from saying "Baptist" to "Non-denominational." Does anyone know how to do this?

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I think you can message of the moderators. I think there might be a forum for it somewhere on the site, iirc.

JacquelineDeane55 said:

Well, I am non-denominational now, but I wasn't always that way, you see: I was brought up Independent Baptist. My denomination was a conservative denomination who preached abstinence from alcohol and all vices and also taught KJV-Onlyism and sang traditional hymns during worship services. (I still don't know why they do these things to be honest).

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Your post left me wondering which vice(s) you think should not be preached against. Drinking alcoholic beverages isn't in itself a vice; it only becomes wrong when one over-indulges. The bible does speak against that, but not against alcohol completely. For example:

Psa 104:14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the service of man, That he may bring forth food from the earth,
Psa 104:15 And wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face shine, And bread which strengthens man's heart.

Nor is it a vice to use translations of the bible other than the KJV. People who don't speak English do so regularly, as do many who do.

So as I say, what are the vices that you think are OK, and shouldn't be preached against?