Finding a denomination?

[BadHabit]

I've been very non-committal about identifying myself with any particular branch of Christianity. There are parts here and there that I like in a few different denominations, but also things I don't agree with in each of them as well.

This is not about finding a church. I won't step foot in a church, and I have my own personal reasons for this which I won't go into, but this topic is more for the discussion (not debate) about the struggle of finding a Christian identity in order to continue to grow in my faith.

 

[Job8]

this topic is more for the discussion (not debate) about the struggle of finding a Christian identity in order to continue to grow in my faith.

So why would finding a denomination help you? Christian identity is spelled out in the Bible. The steps to growth are also stated in the Bible (2 Pet 1:1-9).

1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

 

[BadHabit]

To me, personally, saying I am a "non-denominational Christian" sounds like I can't make up my mind and it has allowed me to be stagnant in my spiritual growth.

 

[Paidiske]

I don't know if you can claim a denominational affiliation without attaching yourself to a community of that denomination...

Have you spent some time hanging out in the denomination-specific forums here, and seeing if any of them fit?

 

[JerMichael]

Limiting yourself to the belief of a certain denomination is actually the opposite of growth. You need to find who you are in your faith, not let someone else decide for you. No denomination is correct 100%. Neither is a single church. You have to find your own truth. Also, I'm sorry to tell you this, but not going to church at all is also going to hold you back. Being a part of a church family is very important. And never let something that happened in a church make you not go. Nobody is perfect so yes there will be things you don't like but there are scriptures that say that joining in communion (not just the sacrament of Holy Communion) with other believers is very important.

 

[BadHabit]

The discussion is about denominations, not my feelings about hanging out in a building with strangers once a week. Can we get back on topic? I do possess a Bible, so I can read what it says about fellowship if I wish.

So far, after a lot of reading here and elsewhere, I am more confused than anything else. I like a bit here and there, but nothing so far really stands out to me as being a better fit for me than anything else.

 

[Paidiske]

Do you have a sense of what you're looking for? Maybe some of us will be able to make suggestions.

 

[St Antony]

To me, personally, saying I am a "non-denominational Christian" sounds like I can't make up my mind and it has allowed me to be stagnant in my spiritual growth.

Really, there is no such thing as a "non-denominational" church. Every church has a statement of faith or belief and the members of that congregation typically will follow that. There are many "Christian" churches or "Churches of Christ" where I live and if you ask them about a catechism or statement of faith, they will say that they believe in the Bible, of course. In many of these churches, they will have select Bible verses posted on the walls of their fellowship hall or gym. Usually, these verses boil down to salvation being through faith alone; the Bible being the inerrant word of God; and people going to a real hell or heaven after death. While these churches have no organization or ties to other churches, really they share the same creed and are therefore part of a loose denomination, even if they consider themselves "non-denominational."

Here is an example of a typical non-denominational church:

Our Mission
It’s simple. We exist to bring people to Christ and build them in His image.
That Jesus is God's Son and the only means of seeing God and Heaven.
(John 3:16, 14:6; Acts 4:12)

That the Bible is God's inspired Word.
(Psalms 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16)

That man was created by and for God, but that all have sinned and fall short of God's glorious standard.
(Romans 3:23, 6:23)

That those obeying Jesus and accepting His gift of salvation from sin and it's consequences should, turn from their sins, confess their faith in Christ, and be baptized.
(Acts 2:38, 8:35-38, 22:16)

That the church on earth is the Body of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out the will and work of Jesus.
(Ephesians 4:1-16)

That Jesus will one day return to earth to take His faithful church to Heaven.
(John 14:2,3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

 

[JerMichael]

You speak of growth and growth happens when iron sharpens iron. Therefore you need to be in a congregation. But as you wish, I will stick to topic.

Limiting yourself to believing what one denomination says is a mistake. I tried that for a long time. I would try to be a Baptist, then disagree with something. Then I would try United Methodist, and I would disagree with something. It's a never ending chain of events. Just believe what YOU believe. Not what someone who started a denomination's statement of faith says.

 

[BadHabit]

Thank you for your contributions. My question has been answered adequately and to my satisfaction.