Which Is Better...Non-Denominational Or Denominational??......

Albion · Mar 11, 2013

I don't follow most of that, but my basic point is that a "non-denominational" church is a misnomer. All of them amount to denominations, just little ones. And that's not a criticism. It's rare that any "non-denominational church is not baptistic and/or pentecostal in its theology and practices, but that's just an observation; it doesn't change anything else we've been talking about.

ChristOurCaptain · Mar 12, 2013

now faith said:
You are completely wrong.

Except I'm not.

now faith said:
Why can't you just compare what is being done in a Church with The real authority,the Bible.

I am. And it has a pretty dim view of hypocrisy.

now faith said:
When you think more of your Church club,than the Body of Christ it is idolatrous.

Strawman, much?
No one here's done that. All that was pointed out, is that the "We don't have a denomination, we just follow the bible"-statement is bovine manure.

now faith · Mar 14, 2013

ChristOurCaptain said:
Except I'm not.

I am. And it has a pretty dim view of hypocrisy.

Strawman, much?
No one here's done that. All that was pointed out, is that the "We don't have a denomination, we just follow the bible"-statement is bovine manure.

Well bovine manure is a statement that is past your pay grade.
But you are free to stand up for your beliefs.

I do not know what you have experienced in your life,but I would believe you compare non denominations, to be similar to Southern Baptist.

Its not worth the bantering anyway,God bless.

now faith · Mar 14, 2013

Albion said:
I don't follow most of that, but my basic point is that a "non-denominational" church is a misnomer. All of them amount to denominations, just little ones. And that's not a criticism. It's rare that any "non-denominational church is not baptistic and/or pentecostal in its theology and practices, but that's just an observation; it doesn't change anything else we've been talking about.

I disagree with misnomer.

I think people seek out no denominations, due to something occurring that caused them to move on from their denomination.

Yet they cannot be micro groups that hold the same beliefs,from what they moved from.
If so they would be denomination,and that is what your saying.

So they are people seeking change,and are open minded.
And most do compare the teaching with the Bible.
That is why they left their denomination in the first place,the teaching was not Bible based.

I Am not saying it is the denominations,at fault,could be as simple as one local Pastor.

shturt678 · Mar 15, 2013

All denominations and non-denominations are Bible based. I have right before my eyes the 1921, 22 and the 1960 government Book of Church's "Year Book of the Churches", all based upon the Bible. Each have diverse Professions of Faith, but still based on the non-inspired Bible translations (the original Autographs were inspired). . This is why I encourage all to grab their Interlinars, Lexicons, comparative Bibles, and comparative older Commentaries, with this site to narrow down the scope of all these diverse "Statements of Faith," to at least a hand full that can work with, not neglecting "Lutherans."

Find an open Christian, in today's time, and I'll probably have a coronary.

Sorry that appear to be a little hard on you folks, I do appreciate and enjoy your sharing. Thank you again from an ol' old Lutheran.

Albion · Mar 15, 2013

now faith said:
I disagree with misnomer.

I think people seek out no denominations, due to something occurring that caused them to move on from their denomination.

Oh, I'd agree that people come to "non-denominational" churches in the hopes that they are different from denominational churches. But the truth is that they are not.

So they are people seeking change,and are open minded.
And most do compare the teaching with the Bible.
That is why they left their denomination in the first place,the teaching was not Bible based.

But all they wind up with is a different "take" on the Bible, no less than in the churches they left.

The only way a "non-denominational" church could genuinely be what the name suggests would be if it took no stand on any doctrinal matters and had no particular worship style. Do you know of any such?

peebly63 · Mar 22, 2013

I would have to say non denominational is best as denominations often force add ons to your belief or simply blow a certain part of the bible up out of all proportions, the bible should be taken in context and in it's entirety or you ae on very shaky ground in my opinion.

Albion · Mar 22, 2013

peebly63 said:
I would have to say non denominational is best as denominations often force add ons to your belief or simply blow a certain part of the bible up out of all proportions, the bible should be taken in context and in it's entirety or you ae on very shaky ground in my opinion.

Where does the notion come from that "non-denominational" churches are somehow free of all the problems associated with denominations--just the name? Non-denominational churches are just one-congregation denominations with their own doctrinal statements, worship practices, etc....in short, everything that any denomination has.

Of course, we make choices between denominations so that we don't go for one that blows a certain part of the Bible out of proportion or adds odd twists to standard Christian beliefs, but simply choosing an unfamiliar or unidentified denomination (that's what a non-denominational congregation amounts to) doesn't solve a thing.

peebly63 · Mar 22, 2013

Albion said:
Where does the notion come from that "non-denominational" churches are somehow free of all the problems associated with denominations--just the name? Non-denominational churches are just one-congregation denominations with their own doctrinal statements, worship practices, etc....in short, everything that any denomination has.

Of course, we make choices between denominations so that we don't go for one that blows a certain part of the Bible out of proportion or adds odd twists to standard Christian beliefs, but simply choosing an unfamiliar or unidentified denomination (that's what a non-denominational congregation amounts to) doesn't solve a thing.

I didn't say non denominational churches are free of problems, some are very lawful, some have strange doctrine as well but in my opinion when denominational churches write their statement of faith they can include non scriptural ideas as gospel or over emphasise certain things taking them out of proportion to the word of God or on occasion ignoring some parts of the bible all together...

Albion · Mar 22, 2013

peebly63 said:
I didn't say non denominational churches are free of problems, some are very lawful, some have strange doctrine as well but in my opinion when denominational churches write their statement of faith they can include non scriptural ideas as gospel or over emphasise certain things taking them out of proportion to the word of God or on occasion ignoring some parts of the bible all together...

Of course they can. But non-denoms are just as likely to do all of that...or, if not, to preach a certain line even though the church hasn't published any particular statement of beliefs.

How is that any improvement over the typical denominational congregation where at least you have some way of ascertaining its doctrinal and worship profile before walking in? Another way of putting it is to say that non-denoms are denominations without full disclosure.

peebly63 · Mar 22, 2013

Albion said:
Of course they can. But non-denoms are just as likely to do all of that...or, if not, to preach a certain line even though the church hasn't published any particular statement of beliefs.

How is that any improvement over the typical denominational congregation where at least you have some way of ascertaining its doctrinal and worship profile before walking in? Another way of putting it is to say that non-denoms are denominations without full disclosure.

In my mind non denominational can easily be in error but it could be accidental so too speak, some denominations force you to believe what they say to join and they know what the new rules are in error yet still persist teaching and pushing them just to ensure they are different really..

every non denominational church i have visited have always had a statement of faith, so i don't think disclosure is a factor, besides unless they force you to believe what they do you have the option to leave..

shturt678 · Mar 22, 2013

peebly63 said:
In my mind non denominational can easily be in error but it could be accidental so too speak, some denominations force you to believe what they say to join and they know what the new rules are in error yet still persist teaching and pushing them just to ensure they are different really..

every non denominational church i have visited have always had a statement of faith, so i don't think disclosure is a factor, besides unless they force you to believe what they do you have the option to leave..

I was just wondering what happened to 'dialectical skills' when each denomination and/or non-denomination documented different to an extremely different "Statements of Faith, e.g., "Year Book of the Churches," 1921-2 and a more recent copy Published by the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, etc. Was just curious?

The former is just the humorous side. The appalling part is each think they have the one genuine "Statement of Faith."

Albion · Mar 22, 2013

peebly63 said:
In my mind non denominational can easily be in error but it could be accidental so too speak, some denominations force you to believe what they say to join and they know what the new rules are in error yet still persist teaching and pushing them just to ensure they are different really..

I don't think that means much. No one is forced to be a Lutheran or a Presbyterian, etc., nor are they tricked into it. If they want to be, if they accept the doctrinal positions of those denominations, then that's fine for them. If they join a non-denominational church, they don't have any more or less ability to reject the doctrinal profile of that congregation.

every non denominational church i have visited have always had a statement of faith

Then that verifies everything I've been saying about there being no actual difference.

so i don't think disclosure is a factor, besides unless they force you to believe what they do you have the option to leave..

...just as one would have the option to do if it were a denominational congregation. But more than that, there IS a disclosure factor just because the place calls itself non-denominational, which suggests that it is somehow not like denominational churches with their statements of belief...when in reality they are. So these churches require inquirers to be even more sharp-eyed than they would be if they were thinking of joining a denomination.

peebly63 · Mar 23, 2013

Albion said:
I don't think that means much. No one is forced to be a Lutheran or a Presbyterian, etc., nor are they tricked into it. If they want to be, if they accept the doctrinal positions of those denominations, then that's fine for them. If they join a non-denominational church, they don't have any more or less ability to reject the doctrinal profile of that congregation.

Then that verifies everything I've been saying about there being no actual difference.

...just as one would have the option to do if it were a denominational congregation. But more than that, there IS a disclosure factor just because the place calls itself non-denominational, which suggests that it is somehow not like denominational churches with their statements of belief...when in reality they are. So these churches require inquirers to be even more sharp-eyed than they would be if they were thinking of joining a denomination.

no one is forcing them to go to a denominational church of course not but if that is where they find themselves then all the doctrinal rules whether scriptural or not become your rules that is the difference...

If we stick to the bible in it's entirety, allowing the Holy spirit to teach us and guide us as the bible tells us we are in a better place than in some, not all denominational churches that will force rules upon you or blow up certain parts of the bible out of proportion or demean parts of the bible..

I personally think non denominational is a level playing field..

bbbbbbb · Mar 23, 2013

peebly63 said:
no one is forcing them to go to a denominational church of course not but if that is where they find themselves then all the doctrinal rules whether scriptural or not become your rules that is the difference...

If we stick to the bible in it's entirety, allowing the Holy spirit to teach us and guide us as the bible tells us we are in a better place than in some, not all denominational churches that will force rules upon you or blow up certain parts of the bible out of proportion or demean parts of the bible..

I personally think non denominational is a level playing field..

Having been on both sides of the divide, I can say that the playing field is about equal. Personally, I prefer any church or denomination that communicates its doctrines in a biblical, concise, clear, and correct manner.

peebly63 · Mar 23, 2013

bbbbbbb said:
Having been on both sides of the divide, I can say that the playing field is about equal. Personally, I prefer any church or denomination that communicates its doctrines in a biblical, concise, clear, and correct manner.

that is very true but when some denominations would say deny the gifts of the spirit when they are quite clearly included in the bible i think they are dangerous..

bbbbbbb · Mar 23, 2013

peebly63 said:
that is very true but when some denominations would say deny the gifts of the spirit when they are quite clearly included in the bible i think they are dangerous..

Because churches are composed of fallible humans none are perfect. All have problems ranging from the very minor to major heresies. I know I am not perfect, but I trust God and His Word to show me my errors. Part of the process in that is the church where God has provided spiritually-gifted teachers.

Albion · Mar 23, 2013

peebly63 said:
that is very true but when some denominations would say deny the gifts of the spirit when they are quite clearly included in the bible i think they are dangerous..

I can name you a number of denominations that do not "deny the gifts of the spirit," if that's what the inquirer is interested in, but it's not at all clear what the position of the typical "non-denominational" congregation might be.

peebly63 · Mar 24, 2013

Albion said:
I can name you a number of denominations that do not "deny the gifts of the spirit," if that's what the inquirer is interested in, but it's not at all clear what the position of the typical "non-denominational" congregation might be.

I didn't say all deny the Holy Spirit, though many do, as i have already stated many over emphasise some parts of the bible over other parts...

I think that is dangerous...

Albion · Mar 24, 2013

peebly63 said:
I didn't say all deny the Holy Spirit, though many do, as i have already stated many over emphasise some parts of the bible over other parts...

I think that is dangerous...

Like over-emphasizing the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

Which Is Better...Non-Denominational Or Denominational??......

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