Albion
Facilitator
Most non-denominational congregations are non-denominational because they were started by the pastor who did not want to answer to any higher authority such as a bishop, superintendent, or convention, or to risk any such denominational authority making any claims upon the local congregations property. He built the church up by himself, he thinks, and he wants to keep it self-governing.
As others have noted, this doesn't mean that the non-denominational congregation doesn't have a statement of beliefs. Having one, though, makes it a de facto denomination (however tiny) all by itself.
The beliefs found in that statement typically are similar to the beliefs of a typical Baptist church. By contrast, an independent congregation of Lutherans or Anglicans or Methodists, for example, will usually just bill itself as Lutheran, Anglican or etc.
As others have noted, this doesn't mean that the non-denominational congregation doesn't have a statement of beliefs. Having one, though, makes it a de facto denomination (however tiny) all by itself.
The beliefs found in that statement typically are similar to the beliefs of a typical Baptist church. By contrast, an independent congregation of Lutherans or Anglicans or Methodists, for example, will usually just bill itself as Lutheran, Anglican or etc.
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