What exactly is a non denominational?

[Cis.jd]

First, as a Roman Catholic I have to admit that out of all the denominations I do have a lot of respect for Non Denominational Churches.. while the doctrines and biblical apologetics is something i can't agree on, I do think that this denomination (or at least the churches i've tried, since there were a few that were very different) is doing a lot of things right.

I've been to churches such as Hillsong and EveryNation and these two churches just focused on what I believe is the most important thing (especially in this generation) which focusing the Bible for life applicable situations. In other words, NonDenoms focused on relationships over the religion stuff, which is so correct and what i think is the main problem with the majority of different churches, including Catholicism.

The Nondenoms didn't give strong dogmatic/theological messages such as Catholics, Baptists, Orthodox, etc that normally put people to sleep or something they will forget after they walk out of church.. but the the whole experience (from the songs until the message) was all spritual-life advice type of messages. It's like I really do feel good after a non denominational service.

Nevertheless, I am still confused as to what is a non denominational church? Like i said, i've been to Hillsong and Everynation.. i frequently go to these churches after Mass.. but there were churches that were very different and almost like it was a different doctrine compared to those two churches i mentioned.

 

[rockytopva]

Non-denominational - Stand alone - They do not belong to any organized group.

 

[rockytopva]

Joel Osteen's Lakewood church is a stand alone church. Most churches like this doctrinal statements are very short....

What We Believe

 

[Anto9us]

Hillsong and EveryNation

know nuthin about em, Cis

Non-denom just means they aint part of a big conference/nation-wide/world-wide conferences and such

 

[ToBeLoved]

Most of the non denominational churches I have ever attended are very Bible based.

Non denominational does not follow or fall under any denomination.

 

[JackRT]

I think that every non-denominational I have ever met can easily be identified with an evangelical denomination.

 

[HereIStand]

From what I know, non-denominational Christians are similar to Baptist in doctrine.

 

[Sketcher]

It means the church isn't part of a larger hierarchy of churches, though we are part of the universal church under Christ. If the Spirit is leading people towards a particular ministry, it has to go to the governing body of the church itself, and they will pray on it but they don't have to get approval from a bishop or deal with other churches in their denomination complaining because of some gossip that was heard by someone.

 

[Sketcher]

From what I know, non-denominational Christians are similar to Baptist in doctrine.

There are quite a few non-denominational churches that were started by recovering Baptists, and there are also quite a few non-denominational churches that were started by recovering AoG/Pentecostals. Probably other denominations too. We have recovering members of quite a few different denominations at my church, and we are a bit more open on some issues than many Baptists are. Since every non-denominational church can be expected to be different, people who are curious about a given church are best served by reading their statement of faith.

 

[Cis.jd]

know nuthin about em, Cis

Hillsong, the band? They have churches around the USA.

Non-denom just means they aint part of a big conference/nation-wide/world-wide conferences and such

Sorry, i don't understand "big conference".. are methodists and such part of big conferences?

Non denominational does not follow or fall under any denomination.

Isn't it still a protestant denomination though?

 

[Sketcher]

Sorry, i don't understand "big conference".. are methodists and such part of big conferences?

Yes. The United Methodist Church General Conference for instance. Southern Baptists are part of the Southern Baptist Convention. Etc.

Isn't it still a protestant denomination though?

Non-denominationals are Protestants, but non-denominational itself isn't organized enough to be a denomination.

 

[Radagast]

I've been to churches such as Hillsong

Hillsong are not non-denominational. They're essentially a denomination (an international one) within the broad Pentecostal family. Their home church is in Sydney, Australia. It is affiliated with the Assemblies of God denomination, so you can consider Hillsong a branch of AoG.

Non-denominational churches are stand-alone churches, not part of a larger structure. Different non-denominational churches differ enormously.

 

[Anto9us]

Yes, Cis, United Methodists are part of huge conferences -- worldwide -- lotta hoopla, things coming down to VOTES and stuff, well - I could be non-denom in the future

 

[ChristIsSovereign]

Non-denominational means that they're an independent church. I attend a non-denom church just down the street.

 

[ChristIsSovereign]

Yes, Cis, United Methodists are part of huge conferences -- worldwide -- lotta hoopla, things coming down to VOTES and stuff, well - I could be non-denom in the future

Jesus does not call us to be part of a federal body but to be a part of His spiritual Body of believers.

 

[Cis.jd]

Is world evangelical alliance non denominational or is this a different protestant denomination?

 

[ChristIsSovereign]

Is world evangelical alliance non denominational or is this a different protestant denomination?

Not precisely, but a loose organization of Protestant churches worldwide. It's not a denomination in of itself.

 

[TuxAme]

Jesus does not call us to be part of a federal body but to be a part of His spiritual Body of believers.

Jesus calls us to be in nothing but perfect communion with Him- that includes being in the Church that He founded (and it's just a little bit more than a "Body of believers").

 

[Cis.jd]

Hillsong are not non-denominational. They're essentially a denomination (an international one) within the broad Pentecostal family. Their home church is in Sydney, Australia. It is affiliated with the Assemblies of God denomination, so you can consider Hillsong a branch of AoG.

Non-denominational churches are stand-alone churches, not part of a larger structure. Different non-denominational churches differ enormously.

Sorry for my huge ignorance. I remember going into a Pentecostal church and it was one of the scariest experiences i've had. I remember being brought in the center of a circle of church members and they were making sounds and faces as if they were going to puke on me.. they called it holy laughter. They also had a female pastor speaking in tongues and the whole area was just yelling. I did not see that in Hillsong church.

I also remember doing some research on the denominations of the churches i've visted such as Everynation, but they did not have any denominations named on their statement of faith. I remember reading in an article about them that they are "neo-pentecostal". It turns out that even Catholics can be considered neo-pentecostal or something like that.. I assumed that neo-pentecostal was a worshiping style not a doctrine which is why Every Nation is non denomination.... unless neo-pentecostal is an actual doctrine.

 

[TuxAme]

Sorry for my huge ignorance. I remember going into a Pentecostal church and it was one of the scariest experiences i've had. I remember being brought in the center of a circle of church members and they were making sounds and faces as if they were going to puke on me.. they called it holy laughter. They also had a female pastor speaking in tongues and the whole area was just yelling.

They must have been working overtime to determine the best way to keep people from returning.