Why I'm non-denominational

[PBA]

I'm non-denominational because I don't agree 100% with any denomination. I can't say this is where I am and ever shall be at any given time. I have to be free to follow Christ where ever He leads me. There are, however, some denominations that I'm in closer agreement with than others. Where I am today isn't where I may be tomorrow, the Holy Spirit continues to lead onward. I don't post for the love of debate, philosophy, or to express vain imaginations. I'd post in an area of this site more for that purpose, if that was my motive. I post to share and receive, "in order to grow in Christ" with any that are also posting with that at heart. That is what being non-denominational means to me and why I post here. If what someone shares rings true to Christ in me is what matters, not if it agrees with my current philosophy. The Bareians were noble in searching the scriptures when hearing Paul's message, etc. What we hear should ring true with His Spirit within, along with prayerful scriptural truth. Lets search our motives.

 

[LBP]

Same here, at least as to why I'm non-denominational. I have found that an awful lot of people join a denomination (or are indoctrinated by parents into a denomination) before they understand what the denomination really believes or, even more sadly, what they really believe. Allegiance to the denomination often becomes more important than allegiance to Christ or to their own true selves. Like you, I find that my beliefs are close to those of a particular denomination but that I unfortunately cannot accept points 4, 7 and 10.3 of its particular creed (and often my views on points 4, 7 and 10.3 will be close to those of some other denomination that the first one absolutely despises!). The alternative of sitting there and biting my tongue for the sake of "fellowship" is one I abandoned long ago. I decided that my single guiding principle would be, "I am not going to pretend to believe, or force myself to try to believe, any doctrine that I am constitutionally incapable of believing and that I intuitively feel in my mind and heart to be wrong -- and I don't care if it's taught by Billy Graham, the Pope, Everybody's Favorite Televangelist, or the 50 million members of Denomination X."

 

[abysmul]

I think we will find that many of us share this same foundation of reasons for following no man made denomination.

If we work to put Christ first in our lives, guided by the Holy Spirit and the texts in our Bible, and practice the love that Christ taught, I find it impossible to believe that we will be cast into the abyss because we were not members of such and such denomination.

 

[Tigger45]

I attend a Lutheran church which I love but I consider myself Christian first no matter where I attend. I consider myself inter-denom and attend congregations that I think have good theology. I haven't found one that has perfect theology yet including my own. And I attend where the Lord speaks to me through the preaching of the word and the love the congregation shows to one another.

 

[PBA]

I'm glad for you Tigger45. Inter-denominational is a term I haven't heard before. All believers who hold the basic truths of Christ should be able to have fellowship. I believe that's what we're doing here also. Thanks for posting.

 

[Yahu]

Same here, at least as to why I'm non-denominational. I have found that an awful lot of people join a denomination (or are indoctrinated by parents into a denomination) before they understand what the denomination really believes or, even more sadly, what they really believe. Allegiance to the denomination often becomes more important than allegiance to Christ or to their own true selves. Like you, I find that my beliefs are close to those of a particular denomination but that I unfortunately cannot accept points 4, 7 and 10.3 of its particular creed (and often my views on points 4, 7 and 10.3 will be close to those of some other denomination that the first one absolutely despises!). The alternative of sitting there and biting my tongue for the sake of "fellowship" is one I abandoned long ago. I decided that my single guiding principle would be, "I am not going to pretend to believe, or force myself to try to believe, any doctrine that I am constitutionally incapable of believing and that I intuitively feel in my mind and heart to be wrong -- and I don't care if it's taught by Billy Graham, the Pope, Everybody's Favorite Televangelist, or the 50 million members of Denomination X."

Same here and many of the things I have been taught by the Holy Spirit are at direct odds with many main stream conceptions within Christianity.

Granted I grew up in a non-denominational church from about the 8th grade. Before that my family was in a very hard core bible studying denomination but they rejected the gifts of the Spirit as valid today. We left for one that did not hold to that belief.

An example of my non-standard beliefs tend to stem from study and personal experience. For example, during a conflict against witchcraft I learned much about the enemy realm that would shock most Christians and go against their brainwashing into following doctrines based on Augustinian theology.

As a result of my teaching, at least two churches have split off from their parent denomination as a result. They excepted what I presented as truth which stood in opposition to denominational stands and were expelled as a result. One left the Church of God and the other one of the Presbyterian denominations. The funny thing is, I never even set foot into the churches but had both times had dealings with the pastor's daughters at a local college. For example, I did rape counseling for one pastor's daughter and it helped her so much her father had to re-evaluate his doctrinal stand on certain things. The other pastor's daughter was given the prophetic word in my sig that brought about repentance of doctrines she had been raised in. She confronted her parents on those doctrines which brought about major change in their church.

Being non-denominational allows the freedom to follow truth without it being dictated to you by some outside man-made source.

 

[rgleason]

I'm glad for you Tigger45. Inter-denominational is a term I haven't heard before. All believers who hold the basic truths of Christ should be able to have fellowship. I believe that's what we're doing here also. Thanks for posting.

I had a legal battle on my hands in the State of Massachusetts when I named my first church "Charismatic Ministries Interdenominational" in 1971 and because I knew the Word and the law, I won. I believe I had a lot of "behind the scenes" help.

 

[heavenlessstar]

I'm non-denominational because I don't agree 100% with any denomination. I can't say this is where I am and ever shall be at any given time. I have to be free to follow Christ where ever He leads me. There are, however, some denominations that I'm in closer agreement with than others. Where I am today isn't where I may be tomorrow, the Holy Spirit continues to lead onward. I don't post for the love of debate, philosophy, or to express vain imaginations. I'd post in an area of this site more for that purpose, if that was my motive. I post to share and receive, "in order to grow in Christ" with any that are also posting with that at heart. That is what being non-denominational means to me and why I post here. If what someone shares rings true to Christ in me is what matters, not if it agrees with my current philosophy. The Bareians were noble in searching the scriptures when hearing Paul's message, etc. What we hear should ring true with His Spirit within, along with prayerful scriptural truth. Lets search our motives.

Yep, this is pretty much where I'm at. I currently attend a Lutheran Church though I don't agree with everything the church focuses on. I go there to praise and worship God with other Christians and I try to not let minor disagreement with tradition get in the way of fellowship.

 

[Tigger45]

I had a legal battle on my hands in the State of Massachusetts when I named my first church "Charismatic Ministries Interdenominational" in 1971 and because I knew the Word and the law, I won. I believe I had a lot of "behind the scenes" help.

Wow a female pastor back in '71 plus these other battles?! I bet you're one grandma with a lot of stories to tell

 

[Clickster]

Being non-denominational allows the freedom to follow truth without it being dictated to you by some outside man-made source.

I could not have said it better.

 

[ErikYear1]

I grew up a mix of Southern Baptist, then Presbyterian, then Anglican. Now I attend a ND church and feel comfortable with it simply being focused on Christ. I suspect the church has folks with a variety of views on some issues (including a large sum of liberals and conservatives). We focus on Christ and living the WORD in our own lives, and demonstrating the Christian life. I didn't think I would ever be into a ND church, but I really enjoy that it doesn't have a whole 2, 3, 4, or 500 year "backstory" of issues (like the Anglican/Episcopal/RC church, etc).

 

[Breezee]

I'm non-denominational because Christ is my guide. I have no personal, political or ideological loyalties that are not subject to him. I think we should be able to accept people from all walks of life (not just people who look or believe like us). The Kingdom of Heaven does not come in such a way as to be seen. Churches and independent thinkers from all over the world may have parts of the Kingdom in them, but it's only as much as we sincerely follow Christ that we have his Kingdom within.

 

[ErikYear1]

I would tend to agree, but I am always a bit leery of what accepting people from all walks of life means to some people. For some, that means accepting all people walking in all ways in this life, including sinful, harmful ways. If one is repentant, of course, but I believe we absolutely should be "separate" and distinct not only in action but in place, from those who actively sin at least in ways that are transparent and actively affect us and our spiritual safety.

1 COR 5:11-13- But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

2 THESS 3:14: And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

 

[child630]

I'm non-denominational because I don't agree 100% with any denomination. I can't say this is where I am and ever shall be at any given time. I have to be free to follow Christ where ever He leads me. There are, however, some denominations that I'm in closer agreement with than others. Where I am today isn't where I may be tomorrow, the Holy Spirit continues to lead onward. I don't post for the love of debate, philosophy, or to express vain imaginations. I'd post in an area of this site more for that purpose, if that was my motive. I post to share and receive, "in order to grow in Christ" with any that are also posting with that at heart. That is what being non-denominational means to me and why I post here. If what someone shares rings true to Christ in me is what matters, not if it agrees with my current philosophy. The Bareians were noble in searching the scriptures when hearing Paul's message, etc. What we hear should ring true with His Spirit within, along with prayerful scriptural truth. Lets search our motives.

I enjoy the Assembly of God churches, but I like to learn from churches from all denominational or non-denominational background. There are some really good threads on here.

 

[Annee]

This pretty much sums up how I believe. As Paul said he was a "free man" in Christ when it came to winning souls for the Lord. He became all things to all men.

While I respect my denominational brethren, I find that the Lord has led me right where He wants me to be and doing what He's called me to do.

I'm led by the spirit of the Lord that moves harmoniously and spontaneously throughout the body of Christ and try to be ready when He leads me.

The Gospel of Christ is my spiritual church and the Holy Spirit my pastor/teacher and the only perfect doctrine IMO. Why would I settle for anything less than that?

Live your own convictions and preach Christ always.

 

[brinny]

That's a bit why i'm non denominational too. Thank you for sharing Annee.

 

[Annee]

That's a bit why i'm non denominational too. Thank you for sharing Annee.

You're welcome and thanks for the props on my very first post too. I just managed to load my avatar here. I'm making progress!

 

[brinny]

Yay!!!!!!

 

[PBA]

Welcome Annee and hi Briny - I appreciate both of your stands in Christ and look forward to our sharing via posts. I am quite new to this site as well.

 

[brinny]

Hi PBA. Nice meeting you