Differences between denominations in regards to: rules, benefits, downsides?

[Ruseq asapiens]

If your Christian, I'd like to ask you, what's your denomination? Why do you think it's better than another one / all other? Do you think it has downsides? How do you see it's influence, how it helps? If other religion, could you tell me, how do you see the influence of religion on people?

 

[crossnote]

If your Christian, I'd like to ask you, what's your denomination? Why do you think it's better than another one / all other? Do you think it has downsides? How do you see it's influence, how it helps? If other religion, could you tell me, how do you see the influence of religion on people?

Denominations are of little consequence when we are facing God in Judgment.
Are our sins covered by the shed blood of Jesus and are we covered in His robe of righteousness is the better question.

 

[lambofgod43985889]

i am evangelical, and i believe it's the healthy doctrine according to what the holy spirit shows me, the others can be saved too if the get out on time

but if they don't want i won't go and spit in their faces, ought to remember Love One Another

 

[usexpat97]

If you are church-seeking, seeking knowledge about denominations makes plenty of sense. A lot of it has to do with beliefs that are non-essential to salvation and/or being unified in Christ, but also a lot of it just has to do with church government. Assembly of God, for example, has "dictators", in that the pastor and his wife run the church; whereas others have boards, and the pastor gets just one seat/vote on it. In Presbyterian/Episcopalian church government model, the churches don't even entirely choose their own pastors; the parish does that. Those beliefs and government models trickle down into church cultures, which are different for every church. The culture can matter as much as the different beliefs do.

 

[Ruseq asapiens]

Denominations are of little consequence when we are facing God in Judgment.
Are our sins covered by the shed blood of Jesus and are we covered in His robe of righteousness is the better question.

Thank you for your opinion. Could you share some other thoughts explaining what is the most important, also what do you exactly mean, by the second part of your reply? Also excuse my bad english I'm not native, and also sorry if I am using bad wording.

 

[Ruseq asapiens]

If you are church-seeking, seeking knowledge about denominations makes plenty of sense. A lot of it has to do with beliefs that are non-essential to salvation and/or being unified in Christ, but also a lot of it just has to do with church government. Assembly of God, for example, has "dictators", in that the pastor and his wife run the church; whereas others have boards, and the pastor gets just one seat/vote on it. In Presbyterian/Episcopalian church government model, the churches don't even entirely choose their own pastors; the parish does that. Those beliefs and government models trickle down into church cultures, which are different for every church. The culture can matter as much as the different beliefs do.

Well, I'm interested in the culture also. I'm curious if there is some greater correlation between beliefs and behavior, than I thought, thatst why I try to ask different people about their religion to see if some beliefs facilitate positive actions. I'm personally an atheist, I'd like to widen my knowledge about influence of religion.

 

[crossnote]

Thank you for your opinion. Could you share some other thoughts explaining what is the most important, also what do you exactly mean, by the second part of your reply? Also excuse my bad english I'm not native, and also sorry if I am using bad wording.

Denominations are not of essential importance to the Christian faith.
All have sinned and stand guilty before God and will be sentenced to eternal damnation unless they look to Jesus for forgiveness of their sin. We receive that forgiveness because of the shed blood of Jesus at Calvary. When we receive Jesus as the only sacrifice acceptable to God for our atonement He robes us with the perfect righteousness of Christ. Luther called it an alien righteousness..one that wasn't ours but is now counted as ours.

 

[Ruseq asapiens]

Denominations are not of essential importance to the Christian faith.
All have sinned and stand guilty before God and will be sentenced to eternal damnation unless they look to Jesus for forgiveness of their sin. We receive that forgiveness because of the shed blood of Jesus at Calvary. When we receive Jesus as the only sacrifice acceptable to God for our atonement He robes us with the perfect righteousness of Christ. Luther called it an alien righteousness..one that wasn't ours but is now counted as ours.

I hope it won't sound disrespectful:
Firstly, could you tell me what a sin is for you? Is sin = to do bad things? Sin = disobeying rules written in Bible? And can I ask of what positive things do you think it brings to people? Those between birth and death(not in regards to afterlife)- those people? E.g. I've found that on line, the most respectful and polite conversations I've had were with Muslims, although it may be just a coincident. None the less I'm now curious, if and how, does different beliefs make us prone to different good deeds, or maybe otherwise, maybe, sometimes, blocking us from doing something good?

 

[crossnote]

I hope it won't sound disrespectful:
Firstly, could you tell me what a sin is for you? Is sin = to do bad things? Sin = disobeying rules written in Bible? And can I ask of what positive things do you think it brings to people? Those between birth and death(not in regards to afterlife)- those people? E.g. I've found that on line, the most respectful and polite conversations I've had were with Muslims, although it may be just a coincident. None the less I'm now curious, if and how, does different beliefs make us prone to different good deeds, or maybe otherwise, maybe, sometimes, blocking us from doing something good?

It's not what sin is 'to me', it's what God says. Sin is transgression of His Law and is the reason of death in the world and nothing ever good comes from it. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can wash us clean from sin, not the blood of Mohammed, Buddha, Krishna or any other. Only those who have been forgiven by Jesus and are born again by His Spirit are capable of good deeds acceptable by God...all of the other of our good works are as filthy rags.

 

[seeking.IAM]

If your Christian, I'd like to ask you, what's your denomination? Why do you think it's better than another one / all other? Do you think it has downsides? How do you see it's influence, how it helps? If other religion, could you tell me, how do you see the influence of religion on people?

I don't understand the poll so I am abstaining from that but I'll take a stab at OP's questions.

What's your denomination?
I worship in The Episcopal Church

Why do you think it's better than another one/all other?
I don't think it is better than others. Nor do I think it is worse. I do think it is the best fit for me at this point in time according to what I believe and what I want out of a church experience.

Do you think it has downsides?
Of course. I don't agree with everything. I haven't always been Episcopalian. I didn't believe everything about all those other churches either. And then there is the bigger problem that the church is made of people. They're human and fallible, you know. They're not always at their best and they don't always say and do the right things. I like what Lutheran pastor Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber said about her church, "Welcome to All Sinners and All Saints. We are the church and we will disappoint you."

How do you see its influence?
I see a church's primary purpose to be a venue for the corporate worship and adoration of The Father, The Son, & The Holy Spirit. I believe it has influence upon me through participation there that nurtures my faith and helps me keep focus on walking in the way of Jesus. I see it's influence on the world through its acts of charity and care for others as a manifestation of Jesus commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves.

 

[FreeinChrist]

ADVISOR HAT

This thread was moved from The Kitchen Sink to Exploring Christianity, which is a more appropriate forum for it. ​

 

[Sketcher]

If your Christian, I'd like to ask you, what's your denomination?

I'm non-denominational. Non-denominational churches do not have a convention or denominational body to answer to. They can be very different from one another. For these reasons, it's not right to say that non-denominational is a denomination itself.

Why do you think it's better than another one / all other?

No denominational politics to deal with. This affords churches greater flexibility.

Do you think it has downsides?

Lack of a denomination means a lack of branding and a lack of resources beyond what the church can provide - though some non-denominational churches very loosely affiliate and share resources, mitigating the resources issue a bit.

How do you see it's influence, how it helps?

The greater flexibility benefits our staff, and also if a member has a ministry idea, it only has to be approved by the elders of the church. If someone from another church doesn't like the idea, they can't have it squashed by appealing to a denominational authority to have it squashed. I believe this helps members be more active in church life - the elders can concentrate more on what the people in the church are saying and doing, rather than what a regional or national office has to say, and are therefore freer to encourage people to come forward with ideas in the proper forum for doing so.

Also, we don't have as much historical baggage. While we do connect ourselves with the greater body of Christ, we don't have to defend mistakes that were made hundreds of years ago. Crusades? Theocracy? Promotion of slavery? Allowing the rich to buy their own pew spaces? None of that was us.

 

[cuplet]

If you are church-seeking, seeking knowledge about denominations makes plenty of sense. A lot of it has to do with beliefs that are non-essential to salvation and/or being unified in Christ, but also a lot of it just has to do with church government. Assembly of God, for example, has "dictators", in that the pastor and his wife run the church; whereas others have boards, and the pastor gets just one seat/vote on it. In Presbyterian/Episcopalian church government model, the churches don't even entirely choose their own pastors; the parish does that. Those beliefs and government models trickle down into church cultures, which are different for every church. The culture can matter as much as the different beliefs do.

Maybe it works a little different in Canada. I'm Pentecostal; that's Assemblies of God in the States. There is very much so ,a Board of Directors, elected by the members of the Church. It's not a "dictatorship.". The Pastor is hired by the Board and the members also have input. ImI not in the board, but ImI a member. Also, most Pentecostal Churches in Ontario are members of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Ontario.( PAOC.).
That means that the Pastors of each Church are accountable to the overall PAOC.
Very often, the pastor's wife is certainly a part of everything. But there's a Full Pastoral Staff, with several Ministries and a Worship Pastor, who is also ordained. Just to reply. It's not a "dictatorship". .. It's organized properly, with Accountability in place.
That's us, anyway! Pentecostal Church is like Assemblies of God in their teaching.

 

[cuplet]

Sorry, that's Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. (PAOC).. This is the national organization of Pentecostal Assemblies. Usually, the Pastor is highly educated, certainly ordained. There's a Board of Directors,and they have the final decision in hiring staff, and other important business. I am a member,but not on the Board!
The pastoral staff includes Children's Ministry, Youth Ministry, Adults, and Worship (Music) ALL are ordained. The wife of the senior pastor has very much presence. She's a very good support to everyone. I write this, because it's similar to Assemblies of God in the States.