Why are you non-denominational?

[AbelJeffries]

I am non-denominational. I think that mostly denominations are just more divisions in the church. Not all of them are bad per se, but I just perfer churches that don't have a larger heirarchy. I think the only leadership should come from Christ, which is more likely to happen if there isn't a larger board from said denomination.

So I was wondering, why are you non-denominational?

 

[JonahGirl]

I am not familiar with all of the denominations, but the ones I do know of, I'm not very fond of. It seems like they add in some attitude or belief that I don't agree with. I just want to aspire to be like Christ...

I'm usually one of those "fall between the cracks" people anyway though.. I think it'd be impossible to find a group I fit into.

 

[incor]

.. bc God is God. Christ is Head. His Word is His Word(Truth). the church is the church. and promotion comes from Him. pslm75:6-7.

 

[1watchman]

The simple truth, I believe, is that God did not give us various sects. The Church is "one body in Christ" (Rom. 12, 1 Cor. 12, Eph. 4, etc.). We ought to express that in the world 'til He comes. Our ideas will not be applauded by God. We really can follow the Word of God, as shown, if we desire.

 

[elahmine]

I am non-denominational. I think that mostly denominations are just more divisions in the church. Not all of them are bad per se, but I just perfer churches that don't have a larger heirarchy. I think the only leadership should come from Christ, which is more likely to happen if there isn't a larger board from said denomination.

So I was wondering, why are you non-denominational?

So I am curious. My mother for example goes to non-denominational church that has five campuses. So there is some amount of hierarchy there in order for the five churches to be able to work together. What do you think of an arrangement like that?

 

[ReformedPharisee]

I am non-denominational. I think that mostly denominations are just more divisions in the church. Not all of them are bad per se, but I just perfer churches that don't have a larger heirarchy. I think the only leadership should come from Christ, which is more likely to happen if there isn't a larger board from said denomination.

So I was wondering, why are you non-denominational?

I am non-denominational because it seems like every denomination I have looked at adds things to the scriptures (don't drink or gamble), or misinterprets them (God doesn't heal today) to one degree or another. Now, I am not saying that I go out and gamble or drink, but what I am saying is that there is no prohibition in the scriptures on these subjects...and they are only examples.

Plus, most mainline denominations carry their doctrines from the Reformation period to one degree or another, and so, not examining those doctrines in light of what we know today of scripture, they promote false ideas from the Reformers.

Also, denominations are a symptom of a much larger and dangerous problem in the Church today - failure to understand the New Covenant and its principles.

 

[beggarsall]

I am non-denominational because I hate religion. I refuse to adhere to the notion that I have to jump through religion's hoops to have a relationship with God and go to Heaven.

It's ludicrous to me.

 

[hopeinGod]

I am not familiar with all of the denominations, but the ones I do know of, I'm not very fond of. It seems like they add in some attitude or belief that I don't agree with. I just want to aspire to be like Christ...

I'm usually one of those "fall between the cracks" people anyway though.. I think it'd be impossible to find a group I fit into.

Same here. I'm not content anywhere I go. I guess the best for me is to find a very small group of believers who "speak the same things" and who realistically view the church's flaws and tendency toward extremism.

After 40 years in the Lord, you would think I would be willing to try my hand at leading a small group in my home. Unfortunately, I know how the neediness of families and individuals can overwhelm pastors/teachers. For 17 years, I was a crisis counselor. I've heard it all, and believe me, the avalanche of existing problems can really bring you down.

 

[JonahGirl]

Same here. I'm not content anywhere I go. I guess the best for me is to find a very small group of believers who "speak the same things" and who realistically view the church's flaws and tendency toward extremism.

After 40 years in the Lord, you would think I would be willing to try my hand at leading a small group in my home. Unfortunately, I know how the neediness of families and individuals can overwhelm pastors/teachers. For 17 years, I was a crisis counselor. I've heard it all, and believe me, the avalanche of existing problems can really bring you down.

I am trying to find a church to go to because I want more Christians to fellowship with. But I'm trying to scope them out online and I've already checked the ones I can find out about that way. I'll have to go church hopping to find out about the rest and I'm just not prepared to do that yet...

I really wanted to go to school to be a psychologist, but I discovered at one point that I'm not sure it'd really be healthy for me. I'm not sure how I'd handle it when people came in and I couldn't help them. Or if I was tempted to do things to try to help them that weren't really professional...

 

[Boidae]

My reason may seem a bit silly, but my wife was non-denominational when I met her, and she led me to Christ even though I was raised as a Catholic.

So I kinda just stayed as a non-denominational Christian.

We are now attending a non-denominational church that adheres to the Southern Baptist Articles of Faith, but the pastor will allow for a difference in opinion on some non-essential stuff. Such as my wife and I are egalitarians and he believes that marriages should be complimentarian, but concedes that if it's God honoring and he believes that our marriage is, then who is he to question it.

 

[brittany111]

My father was raised Assemblies of God and my mother Baptist. My understanding is they chose to raise my brother and I Non-Denomenational as a sort of medium between the two. They wanted to raise us in the faith without all the"tension" between denominations.

Personally, I don't like how most denominations insist that they are the only ones going to Heaven. The Bible is clear that faith in Christ alone is the way to Heaven and many denominations add to that insisting that if you dont follow thier speific docterine you won't make it.

 

[NameAboveAllNames]

Whilst its not a commandment as such, we should all do church ( worship God in fellowship ) IMO

Because it does encourage spiritual growth, just as a plant needs 3 things to grow... Sun, Earth & Water..
So a Christian needs 3 things the Word (read the bible), Prayer (talk to God) and church ( the worship of God in fellowship with other believers). These 3 combined encourags spiritual growth.

Now wether church is done in a group of three or 3000 does not matter! What matters is that it is done.

Believe me when you start slacking in any of these key areas things can start to slip very quickly and before you know it you will be living with sin again, feeling ashamed and ultimately filled with an overwhelming doubt of all you previously knew to be true, I speak from experience!

Beware the enemy is on the lookout for anyone slacking in these areas and he will start whispering his lies to you.

Make the changes or decisions you need to make Today before its too late.

May God keep and bless you

 

[technol]

Denominational differences are usually down to differences in leadership, differences in style of worship, and sometimes to differences in belief.

Most differences, though are minor in nature compared with the belief that unites them that jesus died for all.

So there are all sorts of different denominations for all sorts or reasons.

People are different, and we don't lose those differences just because we are Christians.

Some people prefer to worship formally in awe and wonder in large cathedrals. Others prefer to worship informally in small house meetings. There are thousands of shades in between these extremes, and God accepts all their worship.

So there are lots of differences, and some feel more comfortable worshiping one way than another. Some people prefer to worship God alone, in isolation.

For most people though, they prefer to find like minded people and to worship with them.

 

[TheMightyTurtle]

I am non denominational because there is no denomination that I can agree with enough for me to be okay with it.

 

[Gnarwhal]

I only consider myself non-denominational because I'm not 100% in line with the church I've gone to my whole life and my family before me. Really I'm only going there currently because it's familiar and my wife enjoys it. Technically I guess you would say I'm of the Christian & Missionary Alliance denomination. They have doctrinal tendencies that I find myself in disagreement with, frankly at the moment they're the best of a bad situation.

Most of the churches in my town are of the more conservative nature which I think bends the idea of following Christ towards a more self-centered view, so I've yet to find another community that I wish to join.

Ultimately I find myself somewhere between Anglican and Eastern Orthodox traditions, I think they're closer than just about every other tradition (or non-tradition as the case may be here in ND). There's a select few evangelical churches like Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan (that is essentially non-denominational) that I would gladly call my church if I lived there. They take a lot of cues from the Anglican and Orthodox faith, basically they're acutely aware that the Christian faith originated in the ancient near east and it should be treated as such.

My wife has grown up with preconceived notions about denominations that have proven difficult to weed out, so for the time being it's the most harmonious to remain where we're at.

Ultimately I find non-denominationalism distasteful because from my experience there's an inherent arrogance and sanctimony amongst the clergy, they carry themselves with a smugness for rejecting any form of government, but it's also proven to be dangerous and toxic because it has the potential to turn into a breeding ground for questionable (at best) theology and practices since the pastor has little or no accountability.

 

[hopeinGod]

I am trying to find a church to go to because I want more Christians to fellowship with. But I'm trying to scope them out online and I've already checked the ones I can find out about that way. I'll have to go church hopping to find out about the rest and I'm just not prepared to do that yet...

I really wanted to go to school to be a psychologist, but I discovered at one point that I'm not sure it'd really be healthy for me. I'm not sure how I'd handle it when people came in and I couldn't help them. Or if I was tempted to do things to try to help them that weren't really professional...

Psychology is all about leading the person to make their own decision after an exploration of feelings. It makes use of a technique called active listnening that leads not to a diagnosis, but a decision by the sufferer.

A good way to find out whether or not you would be a good counselor is to join Helpline or Loveline, two Christ-centered telephone ministries, where you will be taught to active listen and to put that studied skill to use as callers reach out for help.