Non-denomination

[Beloved of God]

So true. I think as long as you go to a real bible believing church you're doing okay.

 

[Albion]

I am non-denominational because I do not believe that ANY church has it right. Every denomination has it's pros and cons. None of them are perfect. So I do not swear by any denomination. I do attend a Anderson Church of God though and it is sort of a denomination though they hold to non-denominational views. Anyone can come, anyone can eat of the eucharist (communion, whatever).

I have a question.

Every "non-denominational" church or congregation that I have ever encountered has a set of beliefs, just like the denominations, although the list of beliefs is usually shorter.

Not one of them really has been equally open to any kind of teaching that might be found somewhere or other among the Christian denominations. In fact, such a thing would be almost impossible as, for instance, you couldn't have a church saying that only Believers' Baptism is a real baptism but conduct baptisms of infants if the parents request it. And you couldn't really have a congregation that taught that there will be a thousand year reign of Christ after his Second Coming, but also that there will be a thousand year reign before his Second Coming, and that there won't be a thousand year reign on a new Earth at all!

That being the case, what makes a non-denominational congregation "non-denominational" other than that it's not formally affiliated with one denomination or another?

 

[Beloved of God]

I have a question.

Every "non-denominational" church or congregation that I have ever encountered has a set of beliefs, just like the denominations, although the list of beliefs is usually shorter.

Not one of them really has been equally open to any kind of teaching that might be found somewhere or other among the Christian denominations. In fact, such a thing would be almost impossible as, for instance, you couldn't have a church saying that only Believers' Baptism is a real baptism but conduct baptisms of infants if the parents request it. And you couldn't really have a congregation that taught that there will be a thousand year reign of Christ after his Second Coming, but also that there will be a thousand year reign before his Second Coming, and that there won't be a thousand year reign on a new Earth at all!

That being the case, what makes a non-denominational congregation "non-denominational" other than that it's not formally affiliated with one denomination or another?

Yes non-denom have set beliefs, but you don't have to swear by them to be a member. I was once going to become an AOG member but I didn't believe you must speak in tongues to be filled with the Holy Spirit and I would not sign off that I believe that, so I left. I also don't believe in "church government" like the UMC churches have where there is a leader and where they have to hold conferences and stuff. But Non-Denom is more freedom based and less "you must believe this".

 

[Albion]

Yes non-denom have set beliefs, but you don't have to swear by them to be a member. I was once going to become an AOG member but I didn't believe you must speak in tongues to be filled with the Holy Spirit and I would not sign off that I believe that, so I left. I also don't believe in "church government" like the UMC churches have where there is a leader and where they have to hold conferences and stuff. But Non-Denom is more freedom based and less "you must believe this".

Thanks for that information. I would guess that most people aren't aware of that "have beliefs but you don't have to swear by them to be a member" aspect.

 

[abysmul]

That being the case, what makes a non-denominational congregation "non-denominational" other than that it's not formally affiliated with one denomination or another?

That is what makes a non denominational congregation, non denominational: being independent and not answering to any higher organization or governing body. The elders and congregation make all the decisions and are not dictated to by some larger organization. Locally, you can go to one non denom church and then walk across the street to another and have very different experiences. They are independent.

 

[talitha]

Wow, my posts were deleted and so now people are saying the same things I said, because they needed to be said..... #lifeontheforums

 

[Anonymous5372]

Grew up in the Church of Christ, now attend a Baptist church, very loving and welcoming people.

 

[ToBeLoved]

Somewhere, what Talitha said disappeared, so I am going to paste it below.

talitha said: ↑

I don't know. There are many, many congregations across the US and in different parts of the world that self-identify as "non-denominational". Perhaps a suggestion for CF to add "non-affiliated" as an option? but I think that might be in conflict with the Creed...''

This is my understanding also, that non-denominational is not meant to so much be a catch-all for people who do not have a church, but for the church to make the declaration that they do not follow a denomination in their beliefs.

As a previous poster said, many times these are Bible churches who strictly follow the Bible and not any denomination. More meant as a statement that they are not saying they follow what any denomination says are the rules for what they need to do and that the church governs on it's own. Makes their own decisions about their beliefs and what they do and do not follow a denomination.

 

[ToBeLoved]

Wow, my posts were deleted and so now people are saying the same things I said, because they needed to be said..... #lifeontheforums

I copied and pasted yours to my post. maybe a mod deleted it or it got lost yesterday when they did that update.

On another note:

Who is noticeing that all posts have been in bold for a lot of the day today? In all the sub-forums.

 

[Albion]

Somewhere, what Talitha said disappeared, so I am going to paste it below.

talitha said: ↑

I don't know. There are many, many congregations across the US and in different parts of the world that self-identify as "non-denominational". Perhaps a suggestion for CF to add "non-affiliated" as an option? but I think that might be in conflict with the Creed...''

This is my understanding also, that non-denominational is not meant to so much be a catch-all for people who do not have a church, but for the church to make the declaration that they do not follow a denomination in their beliefs.

As a previous poster said, many times these are Bible churches who strictly follow the Bible and not any denomination. More meant as a statement that they are not saying they follow what any denomination says are the rules for what they need to do and that the church governs on it's own. Makes their own decisions about their beliefs and what they do and do not follow a denomination.

Thanks. I agree that that is the better use of the word--and it's certainly the meaning that's intended by independent congregations that are not affiliated with any denomination. But there are individuals who do not belong to any congregation and, furthermore, may refuse to belong to any. They use the term for themselves because there isn't another one that seems better or sounds better.

 

[JCFantasy23]

I copied and pasted yours to my post. maybe a mod deleted it or it got lost yesterday when they did that update.

On another note:

Who is noticeing that all posts have been in bold for a lot of the day today? In all the sub-forums.

As mod input/reply - There has been two mod hats and a large clean-up done. Only non-denominational members may respond here in debate or questions in response to the OP, which a lot of people were violating.

I am not sure on the bold issue, it looks okay to me. You may need to post a thread in the tech area at Questions about CF (+Tech Support)