Baptists/Non-denominational

[I'mHis]

I had a question about Baptist beliefs vs. non-denomitional beliefs. I attend a non-demonitional church, and attend a Baptist university. I don't really see a lot of differences in the beliefs. Maybe they just haven't come up, but does anyone know? I would appreciate any answers!

 

[OracleX]

From personal experince I have found that non-denominational churchs can be very close to Baptist churchs. For me the church I attended basically did not agree with a few things that the Baptists do but they were big things (i.e. women pastors).

Since there is such a broad range of Baptist and non-denominational church beliefs they can either be identical or almost polar opposites. Not a cookie cutter world out there when it comes to churchs part of any specific denomination.

Personally, I have had bad experiences with a couple non-denominational churches. The basic impression they gave me was a church that wanted to make up thier own views and beliefs (almost to the point of choosing what they wanted to believe or not believe - they don't like something the Bible says so they write it off in some way). Unfortunately for me, some of those views were way out there. But then again there are some churches that are labeled Baptist that also do the same thing.

That being said I know of a few people who attend non-denominational churchs and they are wonderful churches from what I have heard.

 

[Gold Dragon]

Non-denominationalism is not really a defined set of beliefs but a movement that started in the US primarily with Restorationism in the 1820s. Non-denominational churches really took off in the 1950s and we currently have some pretty large non-denominational "denominations" like Calvary Chapel, the Willowcreek Association and the Saddleback family of churches.

They generally subscribe to the evangelical theology that started with the First Great Awakening in the 1730s through the preaching of Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield. Baptist theology was also highly influenced by the First Great Awakening and evangelicalism.

One thing to note about both Baptist and non-denominational churches. While most churches in these groups tend to be evangelical, they are both usually governed by a congregational style of government where all members of each church democratically decide the policies and doctrine of their autonomous church. This often results in one baptist or non-denominational church being very different from another one.

 

[Crazy Liz]

Non-denominational churches really took off in the 1950s and we currently have some pretty large non-denominational "denominations" like Calvary Chapel, the Willowcreek Association and the Saddleback family of churches.

Saddleback is a Southern Baptist church.

Which raises another issue - many denominational churches have taken the denomination out of their name. Sometimes a whole denomination will have a trend toward using one type of name that sounds non-denominational. For example, "________ Christian Center" is probably Assembly of God, "________ Neighborhood Church" is probably, but not always, Christian and Missionary Alliance, "________ Bible Church" can be one of many denominations, but often is from a denomination associated with a particular ethnic group that wants to change this aspect of its identity.

Lots of denominational churches, for various reasons, seem to want to distance themselves from their denominational identity.

You also raise a good point about "associations." Baptist churches tend to be very independent. Some, but not all, nondenominational churches are independent, too. Nearly all nondenominational churches I'm familiar with are very, very similar to some form of Baptist church.

 

[Gold Dragon]

Saddleback is a Southern Baptist church.

Which raises another issue - many denominational churches have taken the denomination out of their name. Sometimes a whole denomination will have a trend toward using one type of name that sounds non-denominational. For example, "________ Christian Center" is probably Assembly of God, "________ Neighborhood Church" is probably, but not always, Christian and Missionary Alliance, "________ Bible Church" can be one of many denominations, but often is from a denomination associated with a particular ethnic group that wants to change this aspect of its identity.

Lots of denominational churches, for various reasons, seem to want to distance themselves from their denominational identity.

Thanks Liz. Which ethnic group is that? I belong to a Chinese Baptist church and we were seriously considering replacing the Chinese in our name to become a Community Baptist Church and de-emphasize our ethnic heritage. However, with the huge influx of mainland chinese to Toronto in the last few years and the growth of our Mandarin ministry, it made sense to keep the word Chinese. There are also rumblings about the Baptist part of our name but no serious push for change there. Baptist does have a mild negative stigma because of things people hear in the news, but it is generally not an issue.

You also raise a good point about "associations." Baptist churches tend to be very independent. Some, but not all, nondenominational churches are independent, too. Nearly all nondenominational churches I'm familiar with are very, very similar to some form of Baptist church.

 

[Crazy Liz]

BTW, in searching Saddleback's website, the word "Baptist" doesn't appear there at all. It is in their church membership materials, in a very odd way that almost apologizes for being associated with a denomination.

Yahoo lists them as nondenominational.

I also found this Southern Baptist news release about SB churches honored at Saddleback. Notice the list of names. It seems like a trend to name churches so as to disguise their denominational affiliation.

I would be willing to bet that a lot of people who think they go to nondenominational churches are actually associated with a denomination.

 

[Crazy Liz]

Thanks Liz. Which ethnic group is that? I belong to a Chinese Baptist church and we were seriously considering replacing the Chinese in our name to become a Community Baptist Church and de-emphasize our ethnic heritage. However, with the huge influx of mainland chinese to Toronto in the last few years and the growth of our Mandarin ministry, it made sense to keep the word Chinese. There are also rumblings about the Baptist part of our name but no serious push for change there. Baptist does have a mild negative stigma because of things people hear in the news, but it is generally not an issue.

Not any particular ethnicity. I know quite a number of Mennonite Brethren churches call themselves "______ Bible Church" (or Community" or "Neighborhood") because Mennonite Brethren in the US has traditionally been an ethnic church. If they want to play down the Germans-from-Russia cultural aspects and attract people who do not have a long (usually hundreds of years) family history as Mennonites, they probably won't use "Mennonite" in their name. I've seen trends in other denominations to do the same. Would you go to a Romanian Baptist church if you weren't Romanian?

 

[Gold Dragon]

I also found this Southern Baptist news release about SB churches honored at Saddleback. Notice the list of names. It seems like a trend to name churches so as to disguise their denominational affiliation.

There are no denominational requirements to be part of the Saddleback family of churches and participate in the Purpose Driven church ministries. So many of those churches are probably not SBC in origin although some of them may be.

As for distancing from a traditional denomination, I believe this is a product of churches trying to avoid negative stereotypes that have developed over time regarding specific denominations. It is bound to happen to any name that has been around long enough.

 

[daveleau]

I had a question about Baptist beliefs vs. non-denomitional beliefs. I attend a non-demonitional church, and attend a Baptist university. I don't really see a lot of differences in the beliefs. Maybe they just haven't come up, but does anyone know? I would appreciate any answers!

The only big differences I've seen in my Baptist experiences and my non-denom experiences has been the dress code and the fact that my Baptist churches are teetotalers.

 

[I'mHis]

Thanks for your replies guys (and girls)!

 

[OracleX]

The only big differences I've seen in my Baptist experiences and my non-denom experiences has been the dress code and the fact that my Baptist churches are teetotalers.

LOL

If I can not take my Tim's coffee in there is a problem.