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What is a "Non-Denominational" Church?

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What in the world is a "Non-Denominational" church? I have often wondered about this because I have never set foot inside one.

The words "Non-Denominational" sound so utterly elusive to me. Since this is the "Non-Denominational" section, I thought I would ask here.

What would a Non-Denominational Christian profess to believe? What kind of doctrine would they hold to? What is their tenets of faith all about? Is this even a legitimate branch of protestant christianity? Is there even such a thing as "not having a denomination"?
 

GraceLikeRainFallsDown

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I think the best definition of non-denomination is just that the church only answers to God. (I know all Christian churches answer to God. But, other denominations look to others outside their own congregation for guidance and many pay fees to those organizations in order to be a part of it.) They are not part of a larger man made organization. They are part of the body of Christ and look to Him for guidance.

My church has a Board of Elders (voted on by membership) to help advise. The church membership votes annually (at a minimum) on the church budget as well as any major issues.

Here is the Statement of Faith from my church. I hope this helps end the mystery of non-denominational for you. ;)

1.We believe that “Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” By this we understand that the whole Bible is inspired in the sense that holy men of God “were moved by the Holy Spirit to write the very words of Scripture. We believe that this divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of the writings (historical, poetical, doctrinal, and prophetical) as appeared in the inerrant, original manuscripts.

2.We believe the Godhead eternally exists in three persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

3.We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and received a human body and sinless human nature; yet, He retained His absolute deity, being at the same time truly God and truly man.

4.We believe in the Deity and Personality of the Holy Spirit, Who indwells every true believer.

5.We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature.

6.We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe in Him are justified on the basis of His shed blood.

7.We believe in the bodily resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ and His present intercession in heaven for His saints.

8.We believe that the Church, the Body of Christ, is composed of all those who personally receive Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.

9.We believe in the reality and personality of Satan.

10.We believe in “That Blessed Hope,” the personal, premillenial and imminent return of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

11.We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and of the unjust; the everlasting blessedness of the saved; and the everlasting, conscious punishment of the lost.

12.We believe that upon salvation, we are divinely reckoned to be related to this world as strangers and pilgrims, ambassadors and witnesses, and that our purpose in life should be to make Christ known to the whole world.

 
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talitha

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What in the world is a "Non-Denominational" church?
"Non-Denominational" just indicates that the church is not affiliated with any major denomination, such as Presbyterian, Baptist, or United Pentecostal. Generally ND churches are "governed" locally rather than by some centralized governing body. There is no central doctrine that unites Non-Denominational churches. Some are very basic/fundamental Bible churches, others are very liberal, and others are spirit-filled/charismatic, like mine. We do not consider ourselves to be "protestant", but I suppose we are generally closer to being protestant than being of any liturgical tradition, since I've yet to see a ND church that uses any kind of formal liturgy in their worship.
 
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discernomatic

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Non-Denominational churches can service people of different denominations that come together to worship. I sometimes go to one south of Milan that services Americans from different denominations, most there are evangelical, no charismatics as far as I can tell. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, yet studious. The music is lively, most times the lyrics go beyond the "I praise you" stage, and teach about God while praising him. The pastor is Baptist, but really does his best to make everyone feel at home, he concentrates on biblical, expository teaching. He is a rare one in my opinion, in that he really lives what he preaches. He promotes Christian literature that he finds to be biblical (and I usually agree with his opinions).

An interdenominational church at Milan that I have been to had a very charismatic flavor as far as worship style. I visited to hear a guest speaker that was Reformed, but do not think that was the usual flavor of preaching there. They emphasized the "inter"-denominationalism, saying that there was no particular doctrine that they emphasized above the others, all would be represented. They had books out on the table from charismatic/Pentecostal to Reformed, the whole spectrum.

I consider myself to be non-denominational because I cannot find a church where I feel entirely comfortable with the doctrine, but the one south of Milan comes the closest to what I believe in a long time.
 
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jehovahjira

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EXPLANATION OF A NON-DENOMINATION IS QUITE SIMPLE 1.NO MORE TRADITIONS 2.NO MORE LETS FALLOW MAN NOT GOD theory 3.NO MORE OF PUTTING A NAME ON A CHURCH TO SHOW WE HAVE POWER. THIS IS THE WAY ALL CHURCHES SHOULD BE SETUP Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];
REMEMBER THIS CHURCH OF GOD!!
 
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The Princess Bride

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1.We believe that “Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” By this we understand that the whole Bible is inspired in the sense that holy men of God “were moved by the Holy Spirit to write the very words of Scripture. We believe that this divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of the writings (historical, poetical, doctrinal, and prophetical) as appeared in the inerrant, original manuscripts.

2.We believe the Godhead eternally exists in three persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

3.We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and received a human body and sinless human nature; yet, He retained His absolute deity, being at the same time truly God and truly man.

4.We believe in the Deity and Personality of the Holy Spirit, Who indwells every true believer.

5.We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature.

6.We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe in Him are justified on the basis of His shed blood.

7.We believe in the bodily resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ and His present intercession in heaven for His saints.

8.We believe that the Church, the Body of Christ, is composed of all those who personally receive Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.

9.We believe in the reality and personality of Satan.

10.We believe in “That Blessed Hope,” the personal, premillenial and imminent return of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

11.We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and of the unjust; the everlasting blessedness of the saved; and the everlasting, conscious punishment of the lost.

12.We believe that upon salvation, we are divinely reckoned to be related to this world as strangers and pilgrims, ambassadors and witnesses, and that our purpose in life should be to make Christ known to the whole world.
Very good. I agree, that is how my church is as well. :)

To add to that:

My church believes in Anointing of the Holy Spirit, Speaking in Tongues, Prophecy, Laying on of Hands for Healing.
 
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The Princess Bride

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For everyone or just certain folks?
Ok, I'll clarify on this one:

ALL Gifts of the Spirit, we believe, God gives to ALL Christians.

HOWEVER, we know obviously, according to scripture, that not ALL are called into the same amount of anointing per gift as everyone else is.

Some are called to be apostles, some pastors, some intercessors, prophets, etc....

For example...say a friend of mine is extremely anointed in healing...and mine is prophecy (true example here...lol)....Just because her main gift is healing, doesnt mean I cant lay hands on someone expecting to see them healed, and vice versa.

Does that answer your question? :)
 
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Zecryphon

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My former church was a non-denominational mini-mega church. We had 10,000+ members. It was cool in the beginning. Great music, a pastor who told funny stories during his sermons. I liked it so much that I took the membership class and became a member, and I went on to mentor others who wanted to become members as well. Everything was great.

But when I looked beyond the statement of faith, I found out that they didn't even draw it up by themselves but rather borrowed it from the church they split from 50 years ago. So I started asking questions that occurred to me as I learned more about Christianity and I found they weren't as cohesive a unit as I had initially thought.

They had over 20 pastors on staff, each department had one. There was a pastor of music, a pastor of drama, a men's pastor, a teen's pastor, a junior high pastor, etc. I asked a question about the Apostle's Creed, I asked if my church taught the creeds and the answer I got was "well sort of". Sort of? What am I supposed to do with a "sort of"? It turns out my church's main goal was to get as many people in there as possible. They didn't take a stance on alot of issues because they didn't want to offend anyone or drive anyone away.

I found after a little digging that not all of the pastors agreed theologically. Some were Arminian in their stance, some were staunch Calvinist. The whole church came off looking wishy-washy. So I left. The non-denominational church is not for me and I'm not exactly sure who it is for.

I need a denomination with a set of beliefs and where I can get an answer to a question that will ring true for the entire staff of the church. I think the pastors at a church should be in agreement with each other. At my last church I could go from pastor to pastor with the same question 'til I got an answer I liked. Is that right? Now it's totally possible that I just ended up at a bad church, and it's partly my fault too. I mean look at what convinced me it was a good church to begin with, not sound doctrine or a solid set of beliefs. But rather good music and funny stories during the sermons. But I'm happy now at the Lutheran church I've found. I'm not saying all non-denoms are this way, but I've heard stories from others who say the same things. It seems the non-denom churches really push that consumer-Christianity product that is all the rage these days.
 
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talitha

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It seems the non-denom churches really push that consumer-Christianity product that is all the rage these days.
Not my church. :)
We are pretty anti-seeker-sensitive......
We believe in following Jesus' direction to lift HIM up and trust that HE will draw people to Himself in our midst. We are not a large church, and we do not aspire to be, as our focus is equip-and-send, and we do whatever we can to support other [mostly Charismatic] churches in our area in the vision God's given them.....

blessings
tal
 
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tturt

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(Zecryphon, I'm sorry your experience was bad but to apply one experience to all ND churches seems unfair.)

Our church doesn't care how many people come to our church and it's been that way for years. If and when the Lord brings them in, He brings them in. Not that we don't invite people to our church. The Word is preached at our church and a lot of people don't want to hear The Word. We don't have programs, etc. We come together to praise and worship the Lord and to be lead by the Holy Spirit. So sometimes just praising the Lord may last an hour and some people want the sermon to be almost finished by that time.

Plus when we look at humans, we're going to be disappointed every time. We just have to keep our focus on the Lord.

Also, I believe we should pray and ask the Lord where He wants us to go to church and if we're to leave. Also, once at the church where He wants you, we need to pray about what we're to do. Most people seem to go by how they feel but as you know feelings often can get us into trouble.
 
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Nadiine

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(Zecryphon, I'm sorry your experience was bad but to apply one experience to all ND churches seems unfair.)

Our church doesn't care how many people come to our church and it's been that way for years. If and when the Lord brings them in, He brings them in. Not that we don't invite people to our church. The Word is preached at our church and a lot of people don't want to hear The Word. We don't have programs, etc. We come together to praise and worship the Lord and to be lead by the Holy Spirit. So sometimes just praising the Lord may last an hour and some people want the sermon to be almost finished by that time.

Plus when we look at humans, we're going to be disappointed every time. We just have to keep our focus on the Lord.

Also, I believe we should pray and ask the Lord where He wants us to go to church and if we're to leave. Also, once at the church where He wants you, we need to pray about what we're to do. Most people seem to go by how they feel but as you know feelings often can get us into trouble.

really good post :thumbsup:

Our ND church statement simply said that we don't ascribe to any particular 'known' denomination, but that we are not AGAINST or divided from known denominations either.

So it's just not ascribing to any current denominations but you aren't particularly AGAINST denominations.
Denoms. to me are basically different ways of worship than they are different gospels.

There will always be bad churches out there - and there will always be great churches - pray & seek one out. :)

& People will ALWAYS let you down, and I'm pretty sure you've let others down yourself at some point in time too?
We've all dissappointed other people, gossiped about them & hurt their feelings.
I've always loved the quote: "if you find a perfect church, please don't go because you'll end up ruining it". LOL ;) :p
peace
 
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Zecryphon

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(Zecryphon, I'm sorry your experience was bad but to apply one experience to all ND churches seems unfair.)

Our church doesn't care how many people come to our church and it's been that way for years. If and when the Lord brings them in, He brings them in. Not that we don't invite people to our church. The Word is preached at our church and a lot of people don't want to hear The Word. We don't have programs, etc. We come together to praise and worship the Lord and to be lead by the Holy Spirit. So sometimes just praising the Lord may last an hour and some people want the sermon to be almost finished by that time.

Plus when we look at humans, we're going to be disappointed every time. We just have to keep our focus on the Lord.

Also, I believe we should pray and ask the Lord where He wants us to go to church and if we're to leave. Also, once at the church where He wants you, we need to pray about what we're to do. Most people seem to go by how they feel but as you know feelings often can get us into trouble.
"(Zecryphon, I'm sorry your experience was bad but to apply one experience to all ND churches seems unfair.)"

It would be unfair if it were confined to that one church. Since I am still in the process of selecting a new church home, I am visiting other churches. In my search I have visited other non-denominational churches and I've had the same experience. It's to the point now where I won't go into one. The last one I was in had do-it-yourself Communion stations. No prayer, no confession of sin, no explanation of what Communion is or why it's important. Just go up and help yourself. It looked too much like the church at Corinth for me.

"Our church doesn't care how many people come to our church and it's been that way for years."

That's a good sign. Church growth is important, but it shouldn't be your sole purpose, which in alot of churches not just the ND's, it has become the sole purpose or soul purpose if you will.

"If and when the Lord brings them in, He brings them in."

True.

"Not that we don't invite people to our church. The Word is preached at our church and a lot of people don't want to hear The Word."

Oh that is so true. The gospel offends them because they are laid bare as sinners when exposed to the law and to the gospel.

"We don't have programs, etc. We come together to praise and worship the Lord and to be lead by the Holy Spirit. So sometimes just praising the Lord may last an hour and some people want the sermon to be almost finished by that time."

Yeah, alot of churches shy away from preaching the gospel because they think people don't want to hear it. But we're Christians! This is the message about the one who saved us from hell. What's better and more refreshing than listening to that preached? That's food for our souls!

"Plus when we look at humans, we're going to be disappointed every time. We just have to keep our focus on the Lord."

Amen! We must decrease so that He may increase.

"Also, I believe we should pray and ask the Lord where He wants us to go to church and if we're to leave."

With me it was funny. I didn't pray about it or ask the Lord. I was filled with this feeling of "this isn't right". I felt I should walk out all together, but it's church, I couldn't bring myself to do it. Instead of a sermon I was listening to some young guest pastor tell me about how he saved his father and brough him into the fold and praise Jesus for giving him the right words to say, etc. etc. etc. Same old conversion story I've heard a hundred times before. I know church isn't supposed to be about us, it's supposed to be about God. But all I was hearing was how great this guy was, how HE saved his father, how HE said the right words. It seemed to be all about Him. I didn't hear him say how God used him as a tool to bring his father into the fold. When I told others how I felt and what was happening, I was told by a couple of people that I had received a promotion from the Holy Spirit and that it may be time for me to go deeper into my walk with Christ. It unfortunately came to me leaving that church in the end. There were other reasons too.

"Also, once at the church where He wants you, we need to pray about what we're to do. Most people seem to go by how they feel but as you know feelings often can get us into trouble."

Ah, don't I know it. I don't know what new role I will take at the church I'm feeling out right now, an LCMS church, but right now I'm taking a break from all the work I've done in the past few years. I was a small table leader for the membership class, a few years ago, I was a volunteer in the youth program and I was also at the same time a co-moderator over at www.about.com in Christianity General. I'm taking a break from all that and just resting and recuperating. The mod job was the roughest one of all. Because I HAD to read all the atttacks, objections and criticisms to Christianity from agnostics and atheists, it was my job. I had to make sure they weren't breaking the rules while slamming Christ and Christianity on a daily basis. They put some doubts and lies into my head I know that. So now, I need to heal and I am. Slowly, but surely the wounds are healing and doubts are fading. Like a good martini I had my faith shaken, but not destroyed.
 
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artUP

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i currently attend a non-denominational church and so far, here are the characteristics that i see..

it openly accepts people from all walks of life. it is a church that doesn't condemn imperfections in the sense that we are all sinners/we are all on the same footing that needs grace, mercy and love from God. Though we can't avoid some church members to judge others based on their externals, generally, most try to shove away their own self-interests in other to meet the needs of other people, especially for the newcomers.

It encourages everyone not just to be a passive believer who'll forever go to church as an audience, rather to be someone that will actively involve himself/herself in a ministry that will make him/her grow as a better Christian. We produce leaders by honing every servants. Ministries is the key word.

Yes, worship is more radical, revolutionary and more free (especially on our youth group). During worship services, we are free to cry, shout or dance for Jesus. We are encouraged to be ourselves and worship God in a style that lovingly fits and describes the intents of our heart. It is more contemporary in approach and we don't appear to stick to traditions.

We have cell groups especially that our church is quite huge. Adults and youths have their own separate groups of course. This is great since not all needs can be met and questions be answered during the main service so cell groups ensure that every lessons are well-understood and applied. This also encourages deeper fellowship among its members.

And of course, the missions thing. Delegates are regularly being sent to every local place here in my country or usually, to international countries that need more of God's love. This is great since we not only get to fulfill the Great commission, we are also being given the opportunities to readily apply and exercise our faith.

Overall, this non-denom church that i attend encourages a Christ-centered lifestyle that everyone will surely enjoy. Freedom. Respect. Compassion. Nothing's forced and everyone's beliefs are welcomed. Unity amidst diversity. And it is a relationship with a Savior whom we all love that will continually flourish, now and forever.
 
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notreligus

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IMHO, there is really no such thing as a true non-denominational church. Why? Because a denomination is a division. When a group comes together, it is always because they accept certain doctrine and reject other doctrine. The ones that claim to be the "restored" first century church are denominations, too. They are just non-denominational in their minds.

In God's eyes, there are no denominations, but one group - the Body of Christ. You are a member of the Body of Christ or you are not.
 
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