What do you mean by non-denominational?

[Filia Mariae]

I have heard Protestants on this forum, and others, complain that Catholics do not understand what non-denominationalism really is.

In order to better understand it, I'd like to know how those who go to a non-denominational church define it. Anybody willing to share?

 

[InquisitorKind]

I have heard Protestants on this forum, and others, complain that Catholics do not understand what non-denominationalism really is.

In order to better understand it, I'd like to know how those who go to a non-denominational church define it. Anybody willing to share?

I used to attend a large non-denominational church in Massachusetts. I suppose you could define non-denominational, based off of my experience, as churches that usually have non-liturgical style service, a simple/symbolic view of baptism and the Eucharist, heavy emphasis on evangelism, and a generally ahistorical approach to church matters.

I hope other people chime in, because I'm sure the definition of non-denominational isn't singular or contrained to set parameters.

Good luck with the answers,
~Matt

 

[Lanakila]

Non-denominational churches are independent of each other, and primarily charismatic. The Calvary Chapel folks are non-denominational.

 

[JEREMY O'ROURKE]

Most non denominational churches hold to Pentecostal/Charismatic theology. While some do not most do. Most believe in the gifts of the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues and devine healings miracles etc.

 

[Blackhawk]

Non-denominational churches are independent of each other, and primarily charismatic. The Calvary Chapel folks are non-denominational.

yes. I think a big deal also is that nondenominational churches see that denominations are wrong or they see them as not part of the NT view of the church so they do not endorse them. Many see them as a man made invention and stress as they stress the unity of the universal church over the differences of the denominations.

here is something from the calvary chapel webpage. It is how one church (or group of churches) defines why they are nondenominational.

"We are not a denominational church, nor are we opposed to denominations as such, only their over-emphasis of doctrinal differences that have led to the division of the body of Christ."

http://calvarychapel.com/costamesa/Info.htm

 

[Lotar]

I have heard Protestants on this forum, and others, complain that Catholics do not understand what non-denominationalism really is.

In order to better understand it, I'd like to know how those who go to a non-denominational church define it. Anybody willing to share?

Maybe I'm a little slow, but is there something specific you want to know about non-denominational churches?

Some non-denominational churches are just independant churches who are not associated with any denomination. Others are part of an organization, such as Calvary Chapel, and could be argued that they aren't really non-denominational.

 

[Stanfi]

The church I attend is considered non-demonational. We used to belong to a an organization, but broke away from it, so we are just now and independent church, and not part of a large organization.

 

[Ken]

probably the central commonality is that they are self governing bodies, all decisions concerning the church are made by internally, either by members (elders) of the church, or, in some cases, by a particularly dominant pastor.. when you get a strong individualistic pastor and a strong group of elders or board members, interesting things happen.....

 

[Bayhawks83]

i think non-denominatioal is a denomination.

 

[Filia Mariae]

Maybe I'm a little slow, but is there something specific you want to know about non-denominational churches?

Not really...I was just wondering how non-denominationals see themselves. One time (can't remember if it was this forum or another) I said something along the lines of thinking that no creed is a creed in and of itself. Someone said that if I thought non-denoms have no creed I didn't have a clue. So I was just curious what people would say...

In Christ,
Carly

 

[Lotar]

Okay.
Non-denominational churches have creeds, or statement of faith as they sometimes call them.

Most Non-Denominational churches are Evangelical, usually pretty close to Baptists. The churches are usually independant, though many times belong to an organization like Calvary Chapel. Even then they have a much greater degree of freedom then denominational churches.

Non-denominational churches also (for the most part) try to look beyond doctrinal differences and cooperate with other Christian denominations.

 

[Gamecock]

Ya'll correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me, that even non-denominationals are tiny denominations in themselves.

They each have a creed, their own doctrine, etc....

 

[Serapha]

Hi there!



Okay, so everyone has an opinion of what a "nondenominational" church is.


A nondenominational protestant church declares no affiliation with another mainstream Christianity denomination. A nondenominational church can range from calvinistic to armenianistic, and probably the only common denominator is their belief in Jesus Christ as Savior.

Some nondenominational churches are trinitarian, some are not; some believe in baptismal regeneration, others do not. Most nondenominational churches are independent. That is part of the definition of nondenominational.

In theology, denominational means "a part of the whole". Just as the denomination of a one-dollar bill is a part of a ten-dollar bill, denominational churches are considered a part of a larger, universal church. Baptists, methodists, congregationalists, presbyterians, etc. all consider themselves to be a part of the whole. While "non" means not, and should be interpreted to be "not a part of the whole", the more accurate understanding of nondenominational would be equivalent to "interdenominational", meaning a combination of denominations or a combination of denominational teachings, yet being a part of the whole of denominations.

Confusing, huh?

~malaka~

 

[Knight]

Non-denominational churches are independent of each other, and primarily charismatic. The Calvary Chapel folks are non-denominational.

With respect, I believe you to be mistaken here.

A non-denominational church is just that. A church (body of believers united in Christ) that is not officially tied to a denomination. A denomination here defined as an organization that oversees many churches under their authority. (ie: Baptist, Penecostal, Presypeterian, Methodist, Episcopal, etc...) There are, of course, divisions within these groups. (Southern and First Baptist for example)

I am a member of a non-denominational church that was at one time a Baptist church. We teach from the Bible alone as our final source of authority. We are not considered to be charismatic.

 

[Lanakila]

I did say primarily. I have lived all over the country and my experience is that they are primarily charismatic. Of course there are exceptions to this, your church being one.

 

[Knight]

Understood.
I know of others as well. One on Louisville, KY in particular.

 

[Lotar]

About 2/3 of Non-denominational churches are charismatic. Ofcourse it also depends on what you call charismatic. Some classify Calvary Chapel as Charismatic, some don't.

 

[Knight]

About 2/3 of Non-denominational churches are charismatic. Ofcourse it also depends on what you call charismatic. Some classify Calvary Chapel as Charismatic, some don't.

A good point.

Lana,
Could you clarify what you mean my "charismatic?"

 

[Lanakila]

What I mean by charismatic, is the belief that the manifestation sign gifts are for today, and should be operating in your church. Baptists for example do not believe this. Of course this is so out of foundational doctrine.

 

[Knight]

Assuming you mean tongues and the like then I would have to say that our church is not charismatic.

We do believe in Spiritual gifts (Teaching, Discernment, Wisdom, Evangelism, etc) However, we do not accept that the practice of the "manefestation signs" as a common thing in our church.