Which denomination do I belong to?

[tonychanyt]

See Which denomination do I belong to?

 

[Chris V++]

Hey Tony. I haven't been able to find a church that is ok with just attendance. Wondering if the churches in Toronto are more laid back, or maybe a better word is diplomatic Once you are on the radar here, so to speak, they tend to want you to make denomination specific commitments, usually involving membership classes, small group attendance, and public and sometimes broadcasted baptism events. Sometimes they use high pressure tactics too. I understand why they do this, but it's hard for some because it can come off as manipulative and sectarian. Covid made me feel better about not attending in person, but that excuse is no longer valid. Funny i studied in England for a year and attended a few churches and never felt like I had to take some Christianity litmus test or officially join with new member classes. Maybe it was because I was just a foreign student, or maybe it's a cultural thing. And with our political climate churches are even more polarized than ever before, and not all pastors encourage diplomacy.

 

[tonychanyt]

Hey Tony. I haven't been able to find a church that is ok with just attendance. Wondering if the churches in Toronto are more laid back, or maybe a better word is diplomatic Once you are on the radar here, so to speak, they tend to want you to make denomination specific commitments, usually involving membership classes, small group attendance, and public and sometimes broadcasted baptism events.
Sometimes they use high pressure tactics too.

We've got those kinds of churches too in Toronto. We have everything

Keep trying. Find a church that you like and can learn from.

 

[AV1611VET]

Fundamental Independent Baptist here.

As we're fond of saying:

I'm a Christian by election; and a Baptist by conviction.

 

[GDL]

I don't have a denomination and I don't belong to the category of non-denomination either.

Please explain what you mean by not belonging to the category of non-denomination. I think I can see what your intended meaning is in your 3rd paragraph but I'd like to be certain.

Denominations disagree with one another on doctrinal issues. Each denomination has its strengths and weaknesses. I had set myself a program to visit all religious places accessible by Toronto's TTC. For this reason, I routinely visit denominational and non-denominational churches. I attended Catholic mass, Jewish synagogue, Muslim mosque, Mormon temple, Jehovah Witness kingdom hall, Buddhist temple, and even some New Age meeting. I don't recommend this practice to everyone. It's good to have a home church and stay put

I propose A Denomination-Free, Disciplined, Logical, and Probabilistic Approach to Biblical Hermeneutics. Instead of forming an association by a fixed set of doctrines as denominational and non-denominational churches do, I attempt to form an informal association by a methodology by which any doctrine can be checked against. It is a dynamic way of forming an association.

How would this work? Does there not end up having to be some fixed doctrines? For example, is Jesus Christ the Head of the Body of Christ?

I'm a Christian. The word "Christian" is in the Bible. I am a member of the Body of Christ.

This has pretty much been my position for quite some time. Thanks for the company.

The word "Christian" is indeed in the Bible and it was first used for a group of disciples who assembled and were taught by Paul for a "whole year." In context, unless inspired information is of no point, it seems "Christians" assemble and become taught/learned ones. Reminds me of Jesus reference to Is54:13 per John6:45 - and they all shall be taught/learned ones of God. In John6 this is how one becomes a Christian, In Acts11:26 this has to do with being called a Christian.

BTW, you don't have to stay in a non-denominational church to be a non-denominational. For 10 years, I attended a Baptist church and never called myself a Baptist. I was a Christian in a Baptist church.

In your first statement above, you said you don't belong to the category of non-denomination. A little confusing. I'd like to better understand your meanings and intentions.

 

[tonychanyt]

Please explain what you mean by not belonging to the category of non-denomination.

Right. I wouldn't insist that I don't belong to the category of non-denomination all the time. Basically, I prefer not to be labeled when such usages are loaded.

How would this work? Does there not end up having to be some fixed doctrines? For example, is Jesus Christ the Head of the Body of Christ?

Right again I want to stay away from formal membership organizations. Loose association is fine.

In your first statement above, you said you don't belong to the category of non-denomination. A little confusing. I'd like to better understand your meanings and intentions.

I was never formally a member of any church/denomination.

Feel free to follow up for clarifications

 

[ozso]

I'm a Christian. The word "Christian" is in the Bible. I am a member of the Body of Christ.

Same here. I'm just a plain old ordinary Christian.

 

[GDL]

Right. I wouldn't insist that I don't belong to the category of non-denomination all the time. Basically, I prefer not to be labeled when such usages are loaded.

Understood, I think. Since a denomination is really a designation or classification, not identifying with a denomination is pretty clear and non-denomination has really become a classification in its own these days. They're all "loaded" as you say.

I think, "I'm a Christian" makes the most sense at this point. Although that label can mean many things to many people now, and not all of them would I want to be identified with. I guess we just need to take a stand on some terminology and guard it from being perverted like most all language. I agree with your comment that the language should be Biblical (in the Bible).

Right again I want to stay away from formal membership organizations. Loose association is fine.

Agreed.

I was never formally a member of any church/denomination.

I was pretty heavily affiliated and ordained in a theological camp that I now disagree with. So, it's back to the first point above and has been for many years.

Feel free to follow up for clarifications

Thanks for your follow up.

 

[GDL]

Same here. I'm just a plain old ordinary Christian.

A Christian - being in Christ - is nothing ordinary, but I think I get your gist.

 

[AV1611VET]

I'm a Christian. The word "Christian" is in the Bible.

So is "Baptist."

John was one.

Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

 

[tonychanyt]

So is "Baptist."

John was one.

Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

See John the Baptist or Baptizer

 

[AV1611VET]

See John the Baptist or Baptizer

Okay.

Now what?

 

[tonychanyt]

Okay.

Now what?

I am not against anyone who calls himself a Baptist, a Catholic, etc. I prefer the generic and biblical label "Christian".

 

[AV1611VET]

I am not against anyone who calls himself a Baptist, a Catholic, etc. I prefer the generic and biblical label "Christian".

Sounds good, Tony.

Let's just call each other "Christians" and consider ourselves "brothers in Christ," how's that?

 

[GDL]

I don't have a denomination and I don't belong to the category of non-denomination either.

Denominations disagree with one another on doctrinal issues. Each denomination has its strengths and weaknesses. I had set myself a program to visit all religious places accessible by Toronto's TTC. For this reason, I routinely visit denominational and non-denominational churches. I attended Catholic mass, Jewish synagogue, Muslim mosque, Mormon temple, Jehovah Witness kingdom hall, Buddhist temple, and even some New Age meeting. I don't recommend this practice to everyone. It's good to have a home church and stay put

I propose A Denomination-Free, Disciplined, Logical, and Probabilistic Approach to Biblical Hermeneutics. Instead of forming an association by a fixed set of doctrines as denominational and non-denominational churches do, I attempt to form an informal association by a methodology by which any doctrine can be checked against. It is a dynamic way of forming an association.

I'm a Christian. The word "Christian" is in the Bible. I am a member of the Body of Christ.

BTW, you don't have to stay in a non-denominational church to be a non-denominational. For 10 years, I attended a Baptist church and never called myself a Baptist. I was a Christian in a Baptist church. I have never formally joined any church/denomination.

At the end of the analysis aren't you simply proposing an approach of letting the Word say and mean what it/He says and remaining open enough to interacting with and considering the exegetical insights of [some] others no matter their theological camp?

 

[tonychanyt]

At the end of the analysis aren't you simply proposing an approach of letting the Word say and mean what it/He says and remaining open enough to interacting with and considering the exegetical insights of [some] others no matter their theological camp?

Something like that, yes

 

[GDL]

Something like that, yes

Pretty much my conclusion also - some time ago. John12:48 (through 50) for instance.