What does "Non-denominational" mean??

[Duvduv]

Could folks describe for me the significance of "non-denominational" of some colleges and churches? I find it confusing. There are so many differences among the Christian denominations on essential points of religious belief and doctrine, how is a church or school that is non-denominational able to accommodate all the differences? In examining the principles of some of these colleges and churches, they appear to be Baptist. In the case of one college I checked, they describe ideas that do appear to reflect Protestantism and the Baptist denomination, except they leave out a description of the importance of baptism itself.

 

[HereIStand]

My sense is that non-denominational churches are close to Baptist. The term doesn't accommodate all denominations. Probably only a select number of evangelical denominations.

 

[tampasteve]

In general, they will be non-liturgical, low church, with beliefs ranging from Baptist to Pentecostal in nature - or somewhere in between. Usually they are led by a charismatic (personality, not theology) preacher and the particular church is built around that person and their preaching style. Rarely will you find a "non-denominational" church that is also classically liturgical (think Anglican, high church Lutheran, etc.), although they are out there.

 

[Duvduv]

But how do they accommodate the serious theological and doctrinal differences among denominations? Or do they not take these things seriously?

 

[HereIStand]

But how do they accommodate the serious theological and doctrinal differences among denominations? Or do they not take these things seriously?

They are probably taken seriously. They don't want to embrace a theological label though. Here is a look at the beliefs of one Bible church. I don't know now typical they are.

 

[tampasteve]

But how do they accommodate the serious theological and doctrinal differences among denominations? Or do they not take these things seriously?

They are generally taken seriously, but they are mostly under the influence of the pastor and how he/she interpret the scripture, in light of their learning as well of course. But they avoid a label of a denomination, oversight, etc. They like to think they do not have a liturgy, but they have one of sorts. Almost all "non-denominational" churches follow the same pattern of worship, a non-denom liturgy if you will.

 

[dreadnought]

Could folks describe for me the significance of "non-denominational" of some colleges and churches? I find it confusing. There are so many differences among the Christian denominations on essential points of religious belief and doctrine, how is a church or school that is non-denominational able to accommodate all the differences? In examining the principles of some of these colleges and churches, they appear to be Baptist. In the case of one college I checked, they describe ideas that do appear to reflect Protestantism and the Baptist denomination, except they leave out a description of the importance of baptism itself.

I just tend to think of non-denominational churches as churches not satisfied with surrounding denominations.

 

[PloverWing]

The nondenominational churches and schools that I've been involved with had Evangelical statements of faith that were remarkably similar to each other, with a non-liturgical, preaching-oriented worship style that was, again, very similar from one congregation to the next. The main distinctive, I think, is that they are completely congregational in their structure -- completely separate from any larger denominational body. They don't report to any bishops, or presbyteries, or annual conventions, or any other larger structure.

In general, nondenominational churches are not an attempt to reconcile the differences among Christians. They are not an attempt to gather Catholics and Quakers and Presbyterians and Pentecostals all peacefully under one roof. Rather, they step away from all the existing denominations in order to follow an independent path of their own choosing. The theology is often derived from Reformed and/or Baptist roots, but they do not feel compelled to follow existing Reformed or Baptist statements of faith.

 

[PloverWing]

I'll add a note about colleges: A number of the nondenominational colleges, like Wheaton and Gordon, are trying to do something different from the nondenominational churches. The nondenominational Evangelical colleges do embrace faculty and students from a variety of denominations, finding unity around an Evangelical statement of faith. That statement isn't going to be broad enough to include all Christians, but it will be broad enough to include conservative Evangelical Christians from a number of different denominations. The statement of faith typically includes items that conservative Presbyterians, conservative Episcopalians, conservative Lutherans, etc., would agree on, and omits items that these denominations would disagree about (like the nature of the sacraments or forms of church government). So the nondenominational Evangelical colleges are trying to be ecumenical, in a limited way. I think they're mostly successful in this limited ecumenism.

 

[Duvduv]

They are probably taken seriously. They don't want to embrace a theological label though. Here is a look at the beliefs of one Bible church. I don't know now typical they are.

It definitely sounds like a Baptist congregation to me, and their file article on Baptism seems to suggest that as well. Can one therefore suggest that non-denominational "Bible churches" are Baptist in disguise? But what would be the purpose of then being non-denominational if they are essentially Baptist??

 

[HereIStand]

It definitely sounds like a Baptist congregation to me, and their file article on Baptism seems to suggest that as well. Can one therefore suggest that non-denominational "Bible churches" are Baptist in disguise? But what would be the purpose of then being non-denominational if they are essentially Baptist??

Some people might find the label of Baptist to be off putting. Or a church may find they no longer fit in with a Baptist convention. Being independent makes it harder to fund missionary efforts though.

 

[Duvduv]

That's an interesting observation. To belong to a "denomination" without being part of the "denomination" even perhaps if there is one single issue of disagreement with the establishment denomination.....

 

[tampasteve]

It definitely sounds like a Baptist congregation to me, and their file article on Baptism seems to suggest that as well. Can one therefore suggest that non-denominational "Bible churches" are Baptist in disguise? But what would be the purpose of then being non-denominational if they are essentially Baptist??

Some churches that seem to be non denominational have in fact gone under cover, more or less. It is common for denominational churches to drop the denomination from their name and information. For example, a Baptist church near me changed from Tampa Baptist Church to Christ Fellowship, a Methodist church changed their name from Van Dyke UMC to Bayhope, a Pentecostal church took up the name Citylife. They all had their reasons, but among them was to seem more non denominational.

 

[Radagast]

There are so many differences among the Christian denominations on essential points of religious belief and doctrine, how is a church or school that is non-denominational able to accommodate all the differences?

It won't "accommodate all the differences."

"Non-denominational" sometimes means "we have beliefs but they are different from all the standard denominations." Sometimes it means "our beliefs are in line with broad denominational groupings, but we are not formally affiliated with anybody."

In the case of one college I checked, they describe ideas that do appear to reflect Protestantism and the Baptist denomination, except they leave out a description of the importance of baptism itself.

Probably a college aiming to attract Evangelical Protestants generally (Baptist, Presbyterian, etc.).

 

[PloverWing]

Some churches that seem to be non denominational have in fact gone under cover, more or less. It is common for denominational churches to drop the denomination from their name and information. For example, a Baptist church near me changed from Tampa Baptist Church to Christ Fellowship, a Methodist church changed their name from Van Dyke UMC to Bayhope, a Pentecostal church took up the name Citylife. They all had their reasons, but among them was to seem more non denominational.

I've seen that happen with a couple of churches in my area. It baffles me. Why be ashamed of being Baptist? I guess it's for marketing purposes, but I don't see why a church should want to hide its beliefs from visitors; won't the visitors find out what the church believes eventually?

 

[Duvduv]

It sort of sounds like the agenda for making oneself non-denominational is to maximize funding, since in given areas perhaps a church could not fund itself from its denominational identification. Perhaps the same could be said by colleges competing for funding. But it seems to give the impression of insincerity etc.

 

[tampasteve]

It sort of sounds like the agenda for making oneself non-denominational is to maximize funding, since in given areas perhaps a church could not fund itself from its denominational identification. Perhaps the same could be said by colleges competing for funding. But it seems to give the impression of insincerity etc.

I'm sure there are some that have that goal, but for most it's more to present themselves as a more open congregation and attract more people, not necessarily money.

 

[HypnoToad]

A church being "Non-Denominational" does NOT mean they cater to all Christians. It does not mean they are open to any and all the differing beliefs found in other denominations. It basically means they are an independent church, not part of a collective of churches that have some higher governing body. (For example, Lutherans, Baptists, Roman Catholics and others have governing bodies that determine what doctrines will be taught by all the churches of those groups.) Non-Denominational churches choose their own doctrines that they will teach in their own church.

 

[Southernscotty]

I use the term non denominational simply because I don't like division. I love all faith groups and believe we are all trying to get to heaven but have differing ideas of how to get there.

I also wish to be non denominational in order to get into prisons and jails and nursing homes. Otherwise Wearing a name tag closes doors to so many that we can witness too, because they can immediately respond, Oh I don't believe that way, so therefore I don't want to hear him. But when it is non denomination they really can't use that excuse as easily.
As far as theology. Mine is bible and the fact that we are saved by grace through faith. I try to do a simple salvation message that is easy to understand wherever I do preach outside of our personal church Because to me, If they will just accept the Lord, then the Holy Spirit can take over their lives and this is my first priority, "always" is to get them saved, Then they can grow into the meat of the Word and God can then convince them what denomination they should join, If any? :]
For our small church body, it is the same statement of faith as most mainstream baptist and we believe the Nicene creed.

 

[apogee]

Oops misread the op. my bad