nondenominational definition

[spampy]

Could anybody give me a definition for nondenominational. It seems to me if there is a foundation and support system for a church that sets basic beliefs and service styles, that that would be considered a denomination. I'm particularly interested in the calvary chapel churches.

 

[ZiSunka]

Don't know anything about Calvary Chapel Churches...but

I would define "non-denominational" as "not affliated with any particular established denomination, or not part of a hierarchy or leadership outside the local, individual church, or not ascribing to the concept that one body of Christ is made up of many bodies of Christ."

 

[ZiSunka]

Don't know anything about Calvary Chapel Churches...but

I would define "non-denominational" as "not affliated with any particular established denomination, or not part of a hierarchy or leadership outside the local, individual church, or not subscribing to the concept that one body of Christ is made up of many bodies of Christ."

 

[EJO]

Originally posted by spampy
Could anybody give me a definition for nondenominational. It seems to me if there is a foundation and support system for a church that sets basic beliefs and service styles, that that would be considered a denomination. I'm particularly interested in the calvary chapel churches.

I am a member of a calvary chapel church in Seattle.
Usually a denomination is a Biblical believing congragation. Usually they have a different stance on secondary issues, one that are not "doctrinal" issues, such as the virgin birth or the resurrection of Jesus. From one another

American Heritage Dictionary: A large group of religious congregations united under a common faith and name and organized under a single administrative and legal hierarchy
The key there is a single administrative and legal hierarchy-
a non denominational(at least Calvary) the Bible is the model and the bottom line the church government.
I would talk to the pastor of the Calvary that you are going to, or go to www.calvarychapel.org and check out the info to the church.

God Bless Bro- EJO

 

[Greeter]

I attend Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale.

www.calvaryftl.org

To get an idea of where Calvary stands on different issues here is a link to our Statement of Faith.

http://www.calvaryftl.org/statement/index.cfm

To see a live broadcast over the internet:

http://www.calvaryftl.org/live/index.cfm

You can get a feel for what a basic Calvary Chapel is like here and all the rest are quite similar.  I would have posted the related links from www.calvarychapel.org but I was having trouble accessing their site earlier.  The Calvary Chapel dot org address will show you where all the Calvary Chapel's are located to help you find one near you.

 

[Caedmon]

I don't believe there is such a thing as "nondenominational". Every "nondenominational" church teaches the interpretations and beliefs of its pastor(s). It doesn't matter if there isn't a larger group to which the church belongs. It is its own group nevertheless, a denomination.

 

[spampy]

thank you humble joe.

 

[Athlon4all]

I go to a Calvary Chapel.

What are your questions about their beliefs? I would be very willing to talk over IM or PM if you would like I would say that they do really put a huge emphasis on the Word of God and that it needs to be teached and I personally would not hesitate to look at a CC church if the Lord was leading me to.

 

[spampy]

I'm currently semi attending a Calvary Chapel. I left my homechurch about three years ago and have "hopped" quite a bit. It seems I'm settling here, but I want to make sure that not are only are the teachings true to the word, but that they will stay that way. My question about it being nondemoninational or not is that many ndnm. churches in my area have been started by an individual without any accountabilty and have gone off the deep end into what most certainly would be considered a cult. Having had experience with both the JW's and the Mormons, I want to make sure I'm not getting myself into something not right. I actually believe that calvary is a denomination and that that is not a bad thing. There seems to be a heirarchy that keeps things in line.

 

[EJO]

The CC has accountability- through Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa (the "boss" church), the elders in your church, and assistant pastors of your church.
At least that is what all the CC churches that I know of!
Same goes for me that Athlon4all said, ask us anything. The CC movement is one of the more biblical church movements in a while, so you are in good hands!

 

[Extirpated Wildlife]

Originally posted by humblejoe
I don't believe there is such a thing as "nondenominational". Every "nondenominational" church teaches the interpretations and beliefs of its pastor(s). It doesn't matter if there isn't a larger group to which the church belongs. It is its own group nevertheless, a denomination.

I find that basically true.

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Originally posted by humblejoe
I don't believe there is such a thing as "nondenominational". Every "nondenominational" church teaches the interpretations and beliefs of its pastor(s). It doesn't matter if there isn't a larger group to which the church belongs. It is its own group nevertheless, a denomination.

I would pretty much agree with that.

The main difference that I have seen, going from a denom to a non-denom is the "politics". 

The denom I grew up in, got their Pastors by the vote of the people.  I have experienced this process twice, in 2 different churchs, same denomination.  It was a horrific experience (I am not exagerating ).  The bickering, fighting, etc, etc. was disgraceful.

When the Lord led me to a non-denom, soon after, the Pastor resigned because the Lord was leading him to another congregation.   I thought, "Oh no, here we go again".   But to my delight, he merely handed the ministry of Pastor to the Asst. Pastor.  A smooth transition, without all the "yada, yada, yada", was wonderful.

The non-denom I'm in now, would be handled the same way if the main Pastor resigned.  Not necessarily to the Asst. Pastor, but it would be handed down to whomever the Lord told the Sr Pastor to give it to.

The denoms I believe (?) base every decision on the vote of the people.  The non-denoms do not.  At least that's my experience.  I'm sure there might be a non-denom somewhere that does not do it that way. And vice-versa.