Future of non-denominational churches

[Metanoia02]

I have been thinking about the growth in non-denominatioal churches in the course of my life time. When I grew up there was really no such thing as a non-denom church. Now it seems like they are everywhere.

One of the common characteristics of a ND church is that have no association with established denoms and they usually have no creed. They all say they just follow the Bible. When it comes down to defining what they believe it becomes a little fuzzy. They usually can define themselves better by what they are not.

Since most of us in this forum are Catholic we understand the importance of authority and hierarchy. But in these churches there is a total lack of these things. Without authority and a hierarchy, what are the chances they will thrive past this current generation? In my own town (I live in the South with about 5% Catholic population) ND churches start, split and merge constantly.

What does the future hold for these congregations? How does it effect thier faith? If anyone has any experience with these types of churches, I would really like to hear what happens to these folks.

 

[Hoonbaba]

I used to be part of a nondenominational church in my early days in Christianity. Nondenominational churches seem to constantly split and merge, but what surprises me is that these churches grow rather quickly. And a good portion of it is their evangelical zeal for God. As long as they're doing their best to reach out to others, I get the impression that they will continue to exist. And I fully agree: They have little or no sense of authority. They tend to place so much value on worshipping God that there's not enough emphasis on biblical studies (of course there are exceptions). And sometimes that becomes a problem since they tend to preach heresy...like oneness pentecostals who don't acknowledge the trinity as we do. Most nondenominational churches tend to be pentecostals and so their emphasis is entirely on the Holy Spirit (as in a focus on the gifts of the Spirit) and Christ.

Once the average layman in a nondenom chooses to study the bible more, they might come to understand hierarchy and such. I remember reading about some guys who wanted to start a church based on the New Testament. Eventually, they realized their church wasn't linked to the faith of the early fathers, and so the entire parish became Eastern Orthodox

Perhaps more will happen

-Jason

 

[Spotty]

I think a lot of the reason for ND churches are that they believe they are much like the early church...and in a way they're correct. Look at Paul's teaching/chastisment to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 1:10: they're all following certain principles of each other and are not united under a recognized and understood authority...this is bad, and hence Paul's chastisment and perhaps one reason for the development of an authoritative gathering (Acts 15).

I simply see the avergae Protestant denomination as the milk of the gospel while Catholicism focuses on the meat of the gospel.

-Spotty

 

[Rising_Suns]

The ND church's I've been to make it attractive and fun to go to church. Most people get lured in by this, because of the wonderfull fellowship and activities and such. So I say as long as they are doing what they are doing, they will thrive.

 

[Isaiah 26:8]

hey guys..
i am not catholic, i'm protestant and i am a member of one of these non-denominational churches you are asking about
this is the first ND church i've been a part of, i was raised baptist...
in response to the last post that said that many ND churches are attractive because they make it "fun" to go to church...since this is my first ND church that may stand true for others or even the majority, but it certainly is not true for mine...they have made it a point to not be about a "show" to draw people in and make things fun...the most emphasized thing in my church i would say would be to truly seek the face of God, yes there is much emphasis on the Holy Spirit but there is also much biblical teaching, and every belief (core value, whatever) is scripturally backed up.as far as having a creed, i'm not sure, i guess i'm not completely sure what you mean. you have spoken about ND churches tending to split ways often, but i haven't seen evidence of that in my church...one way we are different (not in theology or doctrine, just practice) is that we use House Churches, small groups of people in the same area (like, individual college campuses or parts of the city) that are like mini churches during the week, and then we gather together for corporate worship and teaching on sundays. i personally love this because it creates intimacy and support that many times is lost in a large church setting! i know many of you have the problem with Protestants, that we dont' have institutions of heirarchy and authority and i don't really know how to answer this pertaining to my church...we have authority as in like a pastor over his church, but not as in like belonging to say the baptist convention or having the heirarchical system you all have. i think my church will be around a long time simply because it was put in place by God, and it is very important to us to keep going with the Holy Spirit's leading. but this is just my opinion...i can't answer for other non-denominational churches, because i don't know what they are like! but this is what mine is like...
and i wanted to ask...why do you say that the catholic church is the meat and protestantism is the milk?
thank ya!
melissa

 

[jukesk9]

I think non-denom churches (sorry Met, ND means "Our Lady" to me ) exist because of what Rising Suns said. I just saw in the area paper this past weekend an ad for a 'new' kind of church--fun, energetic, casual, etc. People, for one reason or another, disagree with what their pastor's teaching or the atmosphere, etc. and decide to open a new church. That's what a lack of a magesterium does. Seams fall apart and new churches start.

 

[Metanoia02]

I think non-denom churches (sorry Met, ND means "Our Lady" to me ) exist because of what Rising Suns said. I just saw in the area paper this past weekend an ad for a 'new' kind of church--fun, energetic, casual, etc. People, for one reason or another, disagree with what their pastor's teaching or the atmosphere, etc. and decide to open a new church. That's what a lack of a magesterium does. Seams fall apart and new churches start.

I'm also wondering what this does to the people. I know of a young lady who came to know Christ through a small "home" Church. But unfortunately, for what ever reason, this "church" no longer exists. She knows nothing outside this small Christian community. It is these people who get their first exposure to Christ, but then are left twisting in the wind when the wheels come off.

 

[cindylou]

I, like Met, live in the South and we have many non-denom's here. Many of my own family members participate in these services. (I am a convert) And years ago, I attended a Pentecostal Church quite regularly but never "got" the "Holy Ghost". I can only tell you how some of these non-denom's got started. There was a large congregration of a Southern Baptist Free Will Church here who had some issues among the congregates that went on for months. The issues could not be resolved individually or as a group. From what I understand, most issues had to do with some ministry efforts..evangelization and the like. A few people got together, rent an office building down town, and started a new congregation with a "minister" and all. The "church" still attracts members and they have regular activities. We have MANY of these "churches" that follow no organized path or system of beliefs. I think we have become a culture of "feeling" people. My cousin tells me, he has to go where he "feels" the presence of God "moving" him. I believe this to be the case for most non-denom's. See, there is NO center in these type Churches other than the "preaching". For us we have the Eucharist, they have nothing except preaching and singing. Will they continue to grow? Absolutely. Americans, especially, have serious problems with authority. We don't want anyone telling us what to do, where to go and especially what to believe. If you have no creed, you can believe whatever you want even if it is heresy. For them, they follow their own individual interpretation of the Scripture (or perhaps the "minister" who may or may not be ordained) We know how dangerous this is. But unfortunately, these congregations are very attractive. But here is the question, If you have no Eucharist, what else can they do? Just something to think about.
Cindy

 

[Bruno]

Since most of us in this forum are Catholic we understand the importance of authority and hierarchy. But in these churches there is a total lack of these things. Without authority and a hierarchy, what are the chances they will thrive past this current generation?

On the contrary, we have a VERY clear order of authority and hierarchy. It comes straight from God:

"the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." (1 Corinthians 11:3)

"But you, do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ." (Matthew 23:8-9)

 

[Metanoia02]

Cindy,

What they fail to understand is that true freedom comes from obedience to authority. It took me a while to understand that, but when you finally get it you can see how empty and self rightous american churches have become.

If I live in obedience to Christ and His Church I am really free. I am free to live my life free of error.

Freedom is not being able to do what ever I feel like doing. That is simply a thinly veiled facade for bondage to a self serving will. Freedom is living in God's will, not our own.

It seems to me that the non-denoms are the antithesis of true freedom.

 

[cindylou]

Met, well said. I have had the experience of living abroad and Americans have serious issues with authority. Heck, our Country was founded on such grounds. Considering that, is it any wonder that our culture has given rise to such "empty and self righteous" churches. I don't think so. In essence, freedom has lost it's true meaning. You are absolutely correct in saying "freedom is living in God's will." Unfortunately the non-denoms really believe they are "living in God's will". I have come to the conclusion that Jesus was correct in saying "Not everyone can accept these commands" (paraphrase mine from John Chapter 6 when discoursing with the disciples about the Eucharist). Not everyone will choose to follow Christ's path which was laid down for us by the Apostle's. Perhaps non-denominationalism is the best they can do..the only was they can grasp the Mystery of Our Lord. We can only pray for unity within the Church. Not until then will we see a true change.
Cindy

 

[Miss Shelby]

Welcome, cindylou.

Michelle

 

[Bruno]

What makes you believe that because someone doesn't believe in denominations, they also don't believe in God, or authority? Simply to believe in God is to believe in authority. When did God ever say to form denominations? Don't you see, it is all these denominations that cause so much division and hatred amongst people. God gave us His Word, Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible to keep us united. He warned us not to add to these, for if you do, you ask people not only to follow God, but also men. You cannot effectively serve two masters.

"Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Corinthians 1:10)

"No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other." (Matthew 6:24)

 

[Isaiah 26:8]

not all non-denominational churches just do "whatever they want"...true freedom comes from loving, knowing, and following Christ...and as previously pointed out Christ is our authority, the Scriptures are our authority...
in my experience with the non-denominational church, the main thing is to get away from all the little theological differences that really don't matter and just return to what the Word of God says and about true worship (spirit and in truth)...
it seems like alot of you are stereotyping the whole of non-denominational churches with your experiences of a few. each one will be different so you can't judge the whole based on a part.
we have authority like Bruno has said, but our view of authority is different than yours...who is to say who is right and who is wrong?
so we're never going to agree on what is better (you will always think Catholic, i will always think the way i do things...) but i dont really think it is fair to categorize all ND churches together and say that they go against Christ's teaching and lead to bondage and shallow spiritual lives. the truth is you just don't know!

melissa

 

[Hoonbaba]

the truth is you just don't know!

melissa

And so we have all sorts of denominations believing in other things LOL

-Jason

 

[Metanoia02]

Bruno,

A Catholic could have not said it any better!

Don't you see, it is all these denominations that cause so much division and hatred amongst people.

 

[Isaiah 26:8]

?

 

[beetlequeendiva]

i am from a non-denominational church and we don't just 'do what we want' - we follow the bible, and the bible says nothing about denominations. I think that denominations are pointless because it's people trying to make the rules, alot of denominational churches use the bible out of context. they take certain verses and use them to say what they want instead of using them to say what is true.

 

[Hoonbaba]

What makes you believe that because someone doesn't believe in denominations, they also don't believe in God, or authority? Simply to believe in God is to believe in authority. When did God ever say to form denominations? Don't you see, it is all these denominations that cause so much division and hatred amongst people. God gave us His Word, Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible to keep us united.

Unfortunately, Catholics don't believe it's that simple. We believe that the leadership body of the Catholic Church is what keeps the body of Christ together, under the protection of the Holy Spirit's promise (John 16:13). While I don't think you agree, the protestant doctrine of sola scriptura is a catalyst for division in biblical interpretation. Here's what Luther himself said:

There are almost as many sects and beliefs as there are heads; this one will not admit baptism; that one rejects the Sacrament of the altar; another places another world between the present one and the day of judgment; some teach that Jesus Christ is not God. There is not an individual, however clownish he may be, who does not claim to be inspired by the Holy Ghost, and who does not put forth as prophecies his ravings and dreams.

Quoted in Leslie Rumble, Bible Quizzes to a Street Preacher, (Rockford, IL: TAN books, 1976), 22

Luther also said the following:

If the world lasts a long time, it will again be necessary, on account of the many interpretations which are now given to the Scriptures, to receive the decrees of the councils, and take refuge in them, in order to preserve the unity of the faith. (Martin Luther, Epistle Against Zwingli.)

Basically, to take refuge in the decrees of the councils is to fall back on the authority of the Church's authority. And so, as much as Catholics want to see one body in Christ (John 17:21), it won't happen as long as protestants are constantly disagreeing with basic things like Christ's 2 natures, or the trinity. I wish it was simple enough to just love God and and love one's neighbor, but apostle Paul tells Timothy to correct those men in the church who were promoting heresy (1 Tim 1:3,7). Unfortunately, in protestantism, there's a tendency to see people splintering off because of heretical teachings and so there's the possibility of a new church starting which has a really heretical teaching embedded into it.

Anyway, I'm rambling. If I've offended you, I'm sorry. I'm just trying to get the message across about denominations, not that I'm trying to tear apart any denomination.

God bless!

-Jason

 

[Metanoia02]

alot of denominational churches use the bible out of context. they take certain verses and use them to say what they want instead of using them to say what is true.

How do you know what you believe about the Bible is true?

You see this is the problem. There are thousands of non-denom churches that say the same thing you are talking about. They all say they follow the Bible, they all say that what they believe is true. But they all do not agree on what that truth is. Don't you see the huge problem that creates for a person who is seeking the truth.

This is a Catholic forum. We have taught the truth about Jesus Christ for 2000 years. The blood of the martyrs that died in the Coluseum in Rome was Catholic Blood. We taught the truth before the word denomination ever existed. So if you don't like denominations you should become a Catholic.