What makes a church non-denominational?

[BjBarnett]

Hello! :wave:

In an effort to better understand other Christian faiths/traditions I have come to your forum :)

Ive got a question that Ive always wondered about and that is what makes a church non-denominational? there was a church near my house that was once pentecostal and now they are non-denominational. Ive only been once since they have changed but It seems that there services and stuff didnt change any. Same way for a local Baptist church. So I was just wondering what makes a church non-denom :) Thanks in advanced

[megg]

I think, but could be wrong, that it means that they are not affliated with any denomination. They don't follow set doctrines or have finacial support, ect from a particular denomination.
Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

[Templedweller]

They may have become disenchanted with their leadership as far as at a district level so therefore split from the denomination or fellowship they once were part of....that does occur sometimes....they will possibly still be penecostal in their beliefs BUT possibly not part of that respective body, fellowship or denomination they once were part of before.

Sincerely,
Templedweller:)

[BjBarnett]

oohh i see. so its more of just breaking off affiliation with the particular denomination than a doctrinal thing?

[pineapplelesson]

oohh i see. so its more of just breaking off affiliation with the particular denomination than a doctrinal thing?

In the two cases you mentioned, yes.

For the most part, a nondenominational church is an independant church whose funding/etc is handled all within the church. They have no higher bishops or powers etc that have any power over decisions within the church. In that respect, members of Non-denominational churches have a lot more to do with what happens with the church than others that are denominational. At least, this is true for the non-denom churches I have attended.

..Pineapple..

[BjBarnett]

i think i understand. i see the same setup with missionary baptist churches they have no affiliation with any other missionary baptist churches and so no one else outside of the church can control what goes on in the church.

[tapero]

Yes, you've got it. The evangelical free church is non denominational. They are self governed, by the church itself, the people.

[aggie03]

Groups that are "autonomous" may still be part of a denomination. If there is a group that believes that all the collective members of its group will be saved, or are in a right relationship with God, by being good, standing members of their organization, then they are a denomination. Perhaps another way to define this is "sectarianism". However, I would not call that the sole qualifier of what makes a particular group a denomination. There are groups that are not "sectarian" but are still denominational (i.e. "I'm okay, you're okay").

It's pretty late, and this all made sense to me when I started posting, but that's no garuntee that it will make sense to any of you. If it doesn't, please direct a question or comment my way, and I'll address later when I am more awake :)

[JVD]

non-denominational means simply that they don't belong to a denomination. I would say the evangelical free church is a denomination. My father is an ordained minister in that church and my brother in law is also. They are more of a loose federation but they do have a set of beliefs that they all agree upon.

I would say that in order to be considered truly non-denominational a church needs to be completely independent.

Non-denominational churches usually have a set of doctrines that the church agrees upon. But this doctrinal statement is different for each church. If you ask the church they will usually provide their doctrinal statement for you.

So the only thing you can count on when a church is non-denominational is that you can't count on anything. Each is different. I attend a non-denom church.

[atlasshrugged]

I'm so glad some one posted this. I have been wondering the same thing for quite some time but was too chicken to ask. Thank you for asking this BJBarnett. And thanks to all the folks who answered as well.

[whateveristrue]

And don't forget... Non-denominational Churches usually believe in the universal body of believers, meaning all Christians are welcome. Some denominations think they'll be the only ones in heaven.

[BjBarnett]

I thank you all for your replies! they have been really helpful. Thank you again :)

[christandisrael]

It depends on their headquarters.