Glad to be part of the non-denominational Church and not the Traditional

[ServusDei87]

Recently left the traditional church for a non-denominational church. It is so refreshing to see the emphasis placed on the preaching of God's word and evangelizing to the unsaved in the community. I found the traditional church to get so caught up in their legalistic traditions and ways they completely neglected the true preaching of God's word.
Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[tiglathpileser]

Difficult to leave anything if you enjoy it. One can enjoy traditional church because it is traditional and doesn't require much effort on your part. Turn up, follow the leader, say amen and throw a few dollars in the plate.

Somehow I do not see any church like that changing the world, that is if you believe your calling is to change the world for the better. I remember Jesus saying that we should make disciples of all nations. As I have watched the church, they seem to have difficulty making disciples of next door.

Probably due to the fact that the church is more concerned with the church, which often means the building and the ritual, than the world. Our local cathedral wants us to help raise $10 million to mend the roof. It doesn't want $10 million to go into all the world and spread the gospel.

We don't seem to grasp that two or three gathered together in the name of Jesus is the church. Don't need no buildings; no vicar; no preacher; no rule of service; no offering; no degrees; no routines; no nothing. Just two or three submitted to Jesus and full of the Holy Spirit.

 

[1watchman]

Well, the issue is not about religion, or even "changing the world" as the primary mission, but obeying and following "all the counsel of God" as shown for the Church. Reasoning will lead one astray, so we need to bow to God's Word and His pathway. I want to hold to the pure Word of God ---Redemption way (the Gospel and hope for mankind), Church truth (God's pathway, walk, obedience, submission, etc.); and Spiritual life (which is the essence of NT Christianity as devotion to the Lord and His care). The Church universal needs to be preaching Christ to "whomsoever will come"; and also living, holding, and practicing what God has given for His testimony in the world. That is why I value the ministry at biblecounsel.net which seeks to set forth what God intends for His purposes. That means for me to be Bible-only as my guide in communion with my Savior.

I don't mean to sound like I speak against what you said, Tiglath, for I agree with that.

 

[tturt]

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Heb 10:25
-"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:" Eph 4:11-12
Agree that it doesn't have to look like it does today.

 

[food4thought]

Recently left the traditional church for a non-denominational church. It is so refreshing to see the emphasis placed on the preaching of God's word and evangelizing to the unsaved in the community. I found the traditional church to get so caught up in their legalistic traditions and ways they completely neglected the true preaching of God's word.
Has anyone else experienced this?

Hi ServusDei87;

I went from a Nondenominational church that was big on the word but lacking in Christian service to a UMC that is big on service but lacking in preaching the word... ~sigh~ I guess it depends on what you need to grow in, and for me right now I need to grow in service more than the word (I am teaching a weekly Bible study at the UMC, though ).

If you find a church that teaches the word powerfully and serves the weak and/or hungry, let me know and I'll seriously consider moving to that city.

 

[Isiaih]

The Church is the body of all people who believe in Christ and follow his example in this world. Everything else is man made and therefore faulty.

 

[alex2165]

To Servus and to Food4thought

I also was looking for a long time for a non-denominational church and so far do not found one. It seems to me they are all denominational in one way or another.

And they are all have agendas, traditions (not necessary Biblical) and collect money like everybody else.

But if some day I will find a church that makes emphasis on the Word GOD and not on the money collection and entertainment, I am surely would like to be a part of it.

My point is, that I rather grow spiritually on the Word of GOD and learn about GOD and His Word from the knowledgeable and dedicated Christians, than depend on the hypocrites and their doctrines and numerous rituals.

 

[food4thought]

To Servus and to Food4thought

I also was looking for a long time for a non-denominational church and so far do not found one. It seems to me they are all denominational in one way or another.

And they are all have agendas, traditions (not necessary Biblical) and collect money like everybody else.

But if some day I will find a church that makes emphasis on the Word GOD and not on the money collection and entertainment, I am surely would like to be a part of it.

My point is, that I rather grow spiritually on the Word of GOD and learn about GOD and His Word from the knowledgeable and dedicated Christians, than depend on the hypocrites and their doctrines and numerous rituals.

I would recommend looking for a Calvary Chapel in your area... they teach the Bible verse by verse, book by book on Sundays, and only talk about giving when the Bible text being studied does. They do have contemporary worship, but it is definitely a learning and worshipful atmosphere, not entertainment. Hope this helps...

 

[Gunny]

Amen, being a disciple of Jesus Christ is all about relationship vs. the dead works of religion.

You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me", yet you refuse to come to me to have life".

John 5:39-40
NIV

 

[tiglathpileser]

I am intrigued by what the New Testament Church (NTC) did. In Acts 2:42 we are told that they were continuing steadfastly in the doctrine of the apostles, and in fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. The term 'breaking of bread' in middle eastern parlance means eating a meal. It has nothing at all to do with communion or the eucharist. Note it does not say anything about singing songs. As there were no public church buildings, it is clear they met in homes.

This is further emphasised in verse 46 where it says 'And continuing steadfastly with one mind day by day in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they shared food in gladness and simplicity of heart.....'

The meeting in the temple was to be expected because the early believers were Jewish and did not stop being Jews as a result of their conversion to christianity.

Verse 46 would suggest that they met daily in the temple and in homes. One to give expression to their Jewish faith and the other to give expression to their faith in the Messiah.

This gives us an overview of the life of the NTC but it does not give details of how they went about it.

In 1 Corinthians 12 - 14 the church is told by Paul in more detail about what they were to do when they came together. In verse one, the word spiritual in Greek is 'pneumatikos' which means supernatural. That means the supernatural should be part of the everyday meeting together of the church.

At the same time this passage shows the church functions as a whole, not as a platform for one or two professional members.

Looking at things as a whole did the NTC do the same thing every day as we do every week, or did they express themselves according to how the Spirit led them to through the gifts of the Spirit. To do that some would say would be to not do things decently and in order but Corinthians would suggest otherwise.

On a personal note, I was in a church for 10 years where we did things the Corinthian way. As a result there were never two meetings the same and we never knew who was going to do what as the Spirit determined the order of service. Every meeting the church was packed out.

Denominational or non denominational? Does it really matter? Should not the question be "According to scripture or according to man?"

 

[alex2165]

Thank you food4thought, I think I have a couple of Calvary churches around my area, I will definitely try them out.

I also want respond to Tiglathpelezer. The reason why some people looking for non-denominational church is exactly the same reason revealed according to your statement:

“Denominational or non denominational? Does it really matter? Should not the question be "According to scripture or according to man?"

We want to get away from denominational dogmas, doctrines, traditions, and rituals, of the denominational church, all of which according to man, and join non-denominational church which will worship the Lord and teach the Bible according to the Scripture, as you yourself mentioned.