Denominations

[Buttermilk]

Please give a brief outline of your denomination e.g. what you believe and what goes on at a typical service etc.

Please do not turn this into a slagging match about how 'my denomination is better than yours' I am not interested. I just want to know about the different denominations

 

[Rick Otto]

Sorry I can't participate.
I was raised Catholic, left church altogether for about 12yrs, then spent about 15yrs in a non-denominational church that was Pentacostal, started out charisma crazy, but after a split, became "lite" on the gifts.
I think denoms are a symptom of the problem, not the problem. I would identify the problem as "churchianity" vs christianity.

 

[Peter]

I can't help you either. I don't belong to a denomination of christianity. Sorry.

Peace.

Peter

 

[1John5:3]

Sing
Pray
Hear a sermon
Share testimonies
Study and discuss the Bible

Does any denomination NOT do these things?

(I know some others also: jump, shout, dance, fall to the ground, laugh hysterically, or speak/pray in some gibberish that they call the gift of tongues.)

 

[Buttermilk]

I can't help you either. I don't belong to a denomination of christianity. Sorry.

Peace.

Peter

Denomination, branch of the church call it what you like (it's only words afterall), but each different type of church is a denomination. Even the ones that claim to be non denominational are infact a denomination themself.

What would you call Orthodoxy then Peter?

I am still interested in your.........(fill in the missing word yourself). How can people make informed choices if they do not know anything about the different churches available?

 

[Blackhawk]

The RCC and the Orthodox churches are denominations. They might think that they are the true denomination that is from the teaching of the apostles but they still are denominations.

 

[Buttermilk]

The RCC and the Orthodox churches are denominations. They might think that they are the true denomination that is from the teaching of the apostles but they still are denominations.

I totally agree with you Blackhawk

 

[Peter]

A Pepsi is not a Coke, it is a cola, but it is not a Coke. RoyalCrown is a cola, it is not Coke. Coke came first. It is the standard bearer in the cola industry, everything else is an imitation. Every cola in the world is like Coke, but is not Coke. Coke is Coke and cannot be compared to itself. It is not an imitation of itself. It is the real thing.

Like wise, that expression of Christianity that came first is the original and cannot be an immitation of itself. Denominations are knock offs of the original. Some claim to have similar qualities, but none can match the original formula without actually being the original. There is only "one, holy, catholic and apostolic church." In order to be part of the original, a denomination needs to hold to all four parts of this part of the creed as it was defined by the writers. All others are merely copy cats and wanna be's.

I belong to the original. If YOU want to call it a denomination, go ahead. But I will say this for my "denomination," mine...

1. Wrote and defined the Nicene Creed.
2. Invented the word Trinity to describe the Godhead.
3. Defined the two natures of Christ.
4. Canonized the Bible.
5. Defended the faith against heretical teaching via the 7 great councils.
6. Developed the formula for determining the dates for Pascha (Easter).

What has your denomination done?

Peace.

Peter

 

[Buttermilk]

I belong to the original. If YOU want to call it a denomination, go ahead.

You claim to belong to the origional. someone in another thread who is a member of the Church Of Christ, claimed they belonged to the origional church, and I am sure others have made that claim as well, so who is right? I know you will say you are, obviously, but if you ask these others the same question they will give the same answer.

The church has splintered down the years, of that there is no question. At a simple level the church split from one into two, which one is the origional, well of course they both are but with slightly different teachings. These two groups split into 4........ and we get to where we are today. I would conclude therefore that all churches (branches, denominations) are part of the orgional church.

But I will say this for my "denomination," mine...

1. Wrote and defined the Nicene Creed.
2. Invented the word Trinity to describe the Godhead.
3. Defined the two natures of Christ.
4. Canonized the Bible.
5. Defended the faith against heretical teaching via the 7 great councils.
6. Developed the formula for determining the dates for Pascha (Easter).

What has your denomination done?

Is that you trying to be superior. Well for the record my church has done many things. Can I refer you to the Church of Scotland Website

 

[cleopa_of_emmaus]

I belong to the original. If YOU want to call it a denomination, go ahead.

Well, since the Evangelicals are a "knock-off" of the mainline Protestants, and the Protestants are a "knock-off" of the Roman Catholics, and the Roman Catholics are a "knock-off" of the Orthodox, and Orthodoxy is a "knock-off" of Judaism, and Judaism is a "knock-off" of Zoroastrianism, then I guess we're all either "Coke", "Pepsi", or "Royal Crown."

I for one am a "Dr. Pepper." Wouldn't you like to be a "Pepper" too???

~cleopa

 

[Reader Nilus]

What Peter says is simple history.
Jeff the Finn

 

[Peter]

The church has splintered down the years, of that there is no question. At a simple level the church split from one into two, which one is the origional, well of course they both are but with slightly different teachings. These two groups split into 4........ and we get to where we are today. I would conclude therefore that all churches (branches, denominations) are part of the orgional church.

This would be true if one looks at the church as a family tree. However, unlike a family tree, the church has as it's head, Christ. Christ never dies, therefor the church has never died. The original church continues, and it grows. If a train is moving along a track and people decide to jump from it, does mean that the train no longer exists? No.

Now, what if pieces fall from the train itself? Those pieces can certainly claim that they are part of the original, but cannot claim to be the fullness of the train. In order to do so they would have to united again with the train.

You would seem to imply that when one becomes two, in this case the church, then both sides change their beliefs. On what grounds? Why can one not hold to the truth and the other is the one that changes?

Now, to take issue as to the "knock off" reply. Christianity is not the knock off of Judaism, it is the fullness of Judaism. For who is a true Jew, but him who is circumcised in his heart. [Christ is the transliteration of the Greek word Christos. Christos means Messiah] And to take it even further, Christianity is the end of all religion, not simply another religion like Zorastirism (sp).

Christ is the head of His body. He cannot be divided. He cannot be the head of two bodies. He cannot be seperated from His body. Therefor, there can only be one church that is the fullness of the Head, Christ. This church will be presented to it's groom a whole, complete, and undefiled, uncorrupt virgin.

If what I write sounds like I'm trying to be superior, so be it. But I will contend earnestly for the faith that was once and for all delivered. I will not stand by and let others try to water it down and try to redefine it.

Lastly, I find it quite irronic that in order for the Reformed churches to exist, they must use the Orthodox standards. What has the Reformed churches defined for the faith that ALL hold as essential doctrines? My point in posting that bit was to show that my "denomination" set the standard by which all other "denominations" who want to consider themselves orthodox must follow.

No other denomination can claim to have set a single doctrine that all expressions of Christianity claim as being essential. That's not being superior, that's a fact.

Peace.

Peter

 

[Buttermilk]

:topic: Can we go back onto my topic please. I said in my first post on this thread I did not want a slagging match, but it has turned into that so far.


I would like people to tell me a little bit about their church, I am seriously interested. How can you learn to respect others if you don't know anything about them.

If you do not want to tell me about your church, please stay away from my thread.

Thank you

 

[oworm]

Cof S, But you know that already lol. Actually i think Christs church exists within all deniminations to varying degrees. Take my own denomination as an example. Within the Church of Scotland there are Evangelicals,Liberals and Nominals.There are even some who dont believe in the deity of Christ and deny his ressurection!!

Ive worshipped in Pentecostal,Charismatic,Catholic, Church of England,independant and varying other non denominational setups. Within those denominations i have met with Gods people and with those who dont know God. I believe Christ has his people "within" all Christian "denominations"

 

[Bayhawks83]

some people actually say that denominations are bad, thats like saying we all interperet the bible the same, but of course we dont.

 

[Peter]

Orthodox Christianity.

1. Assembled the Holy Scriptures. Specificly the NT books.
2. Wrote the Nicene Creed and defined, and continues to define, it's components.
3. Invented the word "Trinity" to describe the God head.
4. Defined the dual nature of Christ, fully God and fully man.
5. The Church of the 7 councils.

Was guided by 5 great elders, known as Patriarchs, through the first 1000 years of her existance. The Patriarch at Rome was the first among equals among the Patriarchs, but there was no one Patriarch that ruled over the entire church.
There was a division between the Roman Patriarch and the other four in 1054. From that date to now, we have Eastern and Western Christianity.

To this day we use the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil. We also have the liturgy of St. James, but is rarely, if ever, used. This liturgy is where we partake of the body and blood of Christ. We call it by it's Greek name, Eucharist (transliterated, of course). We believe that by the power of the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine ARE the body and blood of Christ. We do nor seek to define how this is done.

We have various other offices (services) designed to keep the faithful on track. These include Matins, Vespers, and Compline.

We believe that salvation is a process, not a singular event.

We believe in a sacremental life. And a life of repentance.

For most of us, we worship standing up. We also do not use musical instruments in worship. (But this is not a canon law)

We call our pastors priests, a mis-shappen form of presbyter. We call him "Father," as he is our spiritual guide, just like a biological father. Similar to Paul's relationship to Timothy, whom he considered a son in the faith.

We include the entire church in our worship. That is, we do not exclude those who have quit breathing oxygen. We ask those who do not need air to pray for us, just as we would as those who need air to do the same. (This, BTW, includes Jesus' mother, Mary)

We have, and kiss, pictures of the precious defenders of the faith. We keep their memory alive among us by keeping their images before us. In addition, we keep their images to remind us that we too can live holy lives.

We consider the Holy Scriptures to be the greatest of written Tradition that belongs to the church. We bind it in gold. We carry it among the peoples at our services. We kiss it. But most importantly, we read it. Close to 75% of all our services are scripture being either read or prayed.

There's so much more. But this should get you started.

Peace.

Peter

 

[pmarquette]

Word Of Faith .... broad strokes ...
.... Nicean Creed [ with mainline denominations - trinity , virgin birth , works of the cross , resurection , second coming , etc. ]
4 sacraments : baptism of water and spirit [ confirm / baptize ]
ministry / marriage
Mark 16.16 ministry of believers , authority , power of Holy Spirit
John 3.14-16 propitiation / atonement
Isaiah 53.3 ; Mat. 8.17 ; 1 Ptr 2.24 divine healing
Word of God - mouth of 2-3 witnesses = doctrine / dogma
Protestant , Evangelical , Pentecostal in back ground
Purpose : great commission - find , teach , disciple , send forth

 

[WesleyJohn]

Church of the Nazarene

As a denomination, we are 100 years old.
We came about through a holiness renewal movement around the turn of the 20th century. While our founder was a Methodist minister, it is not necessarily appropriate to refer to us as an offshoot of Methodism, but more like an association of Holiness Campmeetings that were teaching the doctrine of Entire Sanctification like Wesley taught it.

Wesley was an Anglican preach who had no (or little) desire to start a denomination (Methodist), but felt called to start a movement (Methodism) within the Anglican church. He taught that there was a second, deeper work of grace known as sanctification...at which point, the Holy Spirit baptized you with fire and began the process of filling you to overflowing.

I would hesitate to give you the details of our worship service and have you think that you might walk into a Church of the Nazarene somewhere else and see the same format...but here's what our service looks like:

1. Welcome & Announcements
2. Call to Worship (typically the Psalm lesson from the Revised Common Lectionary for the week)
3. Worship in Song (3-4 recent/contemporary worship choruses, during which time the congregation will share the Peace of Christ with one another)
4. Invocation
5. Giving of His Tithes and Our Offerings
6. Doxology
7. Scripture Lessons (from Revised Common Lectionary - typically Old & New if I will be preaching from the Gospel)
8. Prayer Chorus / Invitation to the altar (Prayer bench)
9. Pastoral Prayer / Prayers of the People / The Lord's Prayer8. Hymn
10. Proclamation of the Word
11. Holy Communion (1 out of every 3 weeks or so...every week during Lent)
12. Hymn
13. Benediction

The Church of the Nazarene affirms both the Apostle's and Nicene (Western) Creed.

We are global in scope, with missionaries working in 150+ world areas. Missions are very important, and each church is expected to support the global mission endeavors of the general church...missionaries do not have to travel to raise support.

We also value higher education, and have 8 regional colleges in the United States, as well as a variety of other colleges and seminaries around the world.

That about sums it up!

Peace,

WJ

 

[Reader Nilus]

As Orthodox we are not reinventing the wheel each generation. We have a living spiritual tradition, St Catherine's Monastery on Mt Sinai has been there since before 400 AD. The monks have been praying and fasting there for over 1600 years!!! Mt Athos, or as it is known the Holy Mountain, where living waters gush forth from, because of the monks that are praying and fasting there. From the Holy Mountain comes the second most important Christian book outside of the Bible, The Philokalia, a vast fount of Spiritual wisdom.
Jeff the Finn

 

[Polycarp1]

I'm Episcopalian. Typically an Episcopal church will celebrate the Eucharist every Sunday, with most churches using the Rite II service. (A few conservative parishes use the traditional language Rite I, and some evangelical parishes and those parishes without a priest available will use Morning Prayer.

Typically the following is the order used:

1. Opening Hymn, during which the priest(s) and the kids serving at the altar, and the choir if there is one, enter in procession
2. Short responsive exchange between priest and people
3. Collect for Purity, a brief prayer asking god to cleanse our hearts that we may properly love and worship Him
4. An act of praise, which may be a hymn of praise, the canticle Gloria in Excelsis, the Kyrie Eleison, or the Trisagion, normally done to music
5. The Collect of the Day, a short prayer that changes each Sunday in an annual cycle, asking God for a particular grace related to the Scriptures for the day.
6. Old Testament Reading, normally read by a layman
7. Psalm, usually chanted
8. Epistle Reading, also normally read by a layman
9. "Gradual" Hymn -- usually short and related to the Scriptures
10. The Gospel Lesson for the Day, read by the Priest (or a Deacon if one is present)from the midst of the congregation, with all standing and facing the reader
11. A Sermon, by the Priest, normally focused on the lessons for the day, and relating them to our Christian lives and perhaps to issues of concern to the congregation or to the public
12. The Prayers of the People, always including the elements listed at the beginning of the hyperlink, and normally adapted from one of the six forms that follow there
13. The General Confession of Sin
14. The Absolution, pronounced by the priest
15. The Passing of the Peace
16. The Offertory. This will always include the bringing forward of the bread and wine by representatives of the congregation. Usually it will include the taking of a collection and appropriate music -- a choir anthem or a hymn.
17. The Great Thanksgiving, or Eucharistic Prayer. This begins with a responsive exchange between people and priest acknowledging that they give thanks and praise to God, followed by the Sanctus (the Archangelic hymn of praise from Revelation), a brief recital to God of His acts of mercy towards us, culminating in His sending of Christ, leading into the recitation of the Words of Institution. This is followed by an acclamation by priest and people, the Oblation (offering of the bread and wine to God), the Epiclesis (petition that the Holy Spirit may make them for the people the body and blood of Christ, a petition that those who receive God's gifts of bread and wine may be sanctified and equpped to do His work and serve Him in the wrold, and a concluding acclamation of Christ.
18. The Lord's Prayer
19. The Breaking of the Bread. A short sentence by the priest and people, or a sung short Fraction Anthem accompanies this.
20. Words of Invitation. The priest formally bids all who wish to receive communion to come forward and do so.
21. Communion. Customarily quiet hymns are sung as the priest and people receive communion.
22. A short prayer thanking God for His gifts to us and requesting that he send us forth strengthened to serve Him.
23. A benediction
24. A closing hymn
25. A dismissal