Denominational, Non, Multi??? What the....

[jesusmyhealer]

I need someone to explain what Denominational, Non-Denominational and Multi-Denominational means
I know the dictionary meaning of these but could someone explain in simple terms?
I'm searching for a Christian school for my daughter and they mention this terminology and I have no idea what it all means
So what school should I be looking for, a Non-Denom or a Multi-Denom or WHAT?????
Please excuse my ignorance, I'm new to all this in fact I dont even know if I have posted this thread in the right area

 

[jazzypooh]

it depends on what your denomination is and what you believe.

non-denominational just means that they are not affiliated with any particular denomination. they consider themselves as Christians but they don't claim any sect of Christianity like baptists, methodists, etc.

denominational means the exact opposite. they are affliliated with a particular denomination. (usually just one) if this is what they are then they ought to just tell you exactly which denomination they belong to instead of using such a broad name.

mult-denominational... i've never heard of that term before. but i would assume in regards to a school that it means that they have more than 1 sect (or section) of Christianity at their school. so they might have baptists, methodists, and pentecostals all in the same school instead of just one of those in one school.

i hope that helps you some. God bless!

 

[jesusmyhealer]

Thanks for that, thought that was what it all means.

Basically if they are multi-denom I need to check out what they are actually teaching.

I'm just a little paranoid coz I want to make sure I send my daughter to the right school for her and for the family.

You have been a great help!

 

[jazzypooh]

God bless you. i pray you find the school that the Lord wills for your daughter to attend. just remember to acknowledge the Lord in all your ways, and He will direct your paths. as long as you trust in Him to lead you, He'll never lead you the wrong way.

Be blessed!

 

[jesusmyhealer]

Thanks for your blessings and yes, I put total trust in the Lord with everything I do.
May he be with you also.

 

[Sketcher]

You should ALWAYS check out what a church or school is teaching. Unfortunately, the Christian schools around where I live are no better than the public schools. This is coming from someone who has less faith in public schooling every day.

 

[jesusmyhealer]

Well I'm from Adelaide, Australia and no joke there are about maybe 4 Christian schools here that are known and the others are Catholic, Anglican or other.

The public schools here are a definite 'no, no' well to me anyway.

The reason I asked what all these denoms are is coz most say they are non-denom which does not make sense coz I would have thought they had to have a faith of some sort/belong to some denom. I guess I just dont fully understand it all. It's hard enough following one faith than having to know a little about them all.

I will keep searching and asking questions.

Thanks for your message

You should ALWAYS check out what a church or school is teaching. Unfortunately, the Christian schools around where I live are no better than the public schools. This is coming from someone who has less faith in public schooling every day.

 

[heymikey80]

I need someone to explain what Denominational, Non-Denominational and Multi-Denominational means
I know the dictionary meaning of these but could someone explain in simple terms?
I'm searching for a Christian school for my daughter and they mention this terminology and I have no idea what it all means
So what school should I be looking for, a Non-Denom or a Multi-Denom or WHAT?????
Please excuse my ignorance, I'm new to all this in fact I dont even know if I have posted this thread in the right area

Some non-denominational organizations are less connected with a larger group of churches. That makes it harder to review and fix any problems that "reach to the top" of the organization. You'd need to check whether it's part of a larger organization. I like to say, "non-denominationalism is becoming a denomination." In other words, some non-denominational churches group together for help fixing their problems. But others don't.

With any organization that is isolated from a larger group, some steering committee of people is needed to make decisions. They can't each be controlled or handpicked by the "top man" in the organization. Nobody's free from sin. And the leader has unique temptations that need to be ministered-to by more people.

A denomination may teach a particular view of thought; but that doesn't mean at all that all denominations are in your face about their denomination's view. That often depends on how they treat other denominations, actually. You'd have to check.

Non-denominational ... often means nothing more than a lack of affiliation. It says nothing about how liberal or conservative the group is, how assimilated or isolated it is. You could well get a very specific theological view anyway -- and indeed you may get an intolerant one.

Multi-denominational ... normally means the organization tries to be more inclusive of different views. It edges toward problems assimilating with the culture. And it's often not as inclusive as it tries to make out (as a Calvinist I can pretty-much guarantee that).

 

[jesusmyhealer]

Well this seems to be getting harder than I thought

Sounds like politics if you ask me.

So then what should I be looking for as a school for my child?

Do I chose denom, non-denom or multi????

All I want is for her to learn Christian values and I would like the school to have strong Christian faith and values and to teach it as a subject.

All the schools I have checked out rant and rave about their educational system, sport and the like, not one has stressed any importance over religion or faith of any kind. Seems all they want kids to learn is academics and sport and while these are all important, so is having faith if you ask me. That's half the problem with kids today, too much outisde influence.

I would never have got away with what some of these kids do today. The most I ever did as a kid was try a cigarette and my mum nearly killed me!!!!!! If I was to dare even tell my folks to "be quiet" well God only knows what they would have done.

Some non-denominational organizations are less connected with a larger group of churches. That makes it harder to review and fix any problems that "reach to the top" of the organization. You'd need to check whether it's part of a larger organization. I like to say, "non-denominationalism is becoming a denomination." In other words, some non-denominational churches group together for help fixing their problems. But others don't.

With any organization that is isolated from a larger group, some steering committee of people is needed to make decisions. They can't each be controlled or handpicked by the "top man" in the organization. Nobody's free from sin. And the leader has unique temptations that need to be ministered-to by more people.

A denomination may teach a particular view of thought; but that doesn't mean at all that all denominations are in your face about their denomination's view. That often depends on how they treat other denominations, actually. You'd have to check.

Non-denominational ... often means nothing more than a lack of affiliation. It says nothing about how liberal or conservative the group is, how assimilated or isolated it is. You could well get a very specific theological view anyway -- and indeed you may get an intolerant one.

Multi-denominational ... normally means the organization tries to be more inclusive of different views. It edges toward problems assimilating with the culture. And it's often not as inclusive as it tries to make out (as a Calvinist I can pretty-much guarantee that).

 

[ephraimanesti]

Well I'm from Adelaide, Australia and no joke there are about maybe 4 Christian schools here that are known and the others are Catholic, Anglican or other.

Not to distract--but Catholics and Anglicans are Christian.

ephraim

 

[jesusmyhealer]

I know, I just learned that however, what I am trying to say is that I prefer (at this stage in my life, who knows I could change my mind tomorrow) I am looking for AOG Christian teaching rather than say Catholic etc.

Does that make sense? Nah probably not, I never make sense!