inter-denominational

[searchingforpeace]

Would an inter-denominational church be the same as a non-denominational?

[Zecryphon]

I don''t think so, because in a non-denom church you have people who don't want to be part of a denomination and deal with all the hassles that can come along with being a member of a denomination. With an inter-denominational church you have people who are members of other denominations and hold to the beliefs and practices of those denominations. Salvation Army I believe is an inter-denominational church.

[jive4005]

Non-denominational means NO SPECIFIC denomination.
Inter-denominational means "between or among" more than one specific denominational.

It would be hard being both!

Hope that helps.

His,
Rev J

[searchingforpeace]

Thank you both very much :)

[JTLauder]

A non-denominational church denounces any and all denomination affiliations. Though they may not admit to it, but the nature of such exclusiveness makes itself a "denomination". It's like for example how the Catholic church denounces all non-catholic doctrine except it own, a non-denominational church denounces all denominational doctrine except its own.

An interdenominational church welcomes all--regardless if you affiliate yourself with a specific denomination or if you say you are non-denominational. By it inclusiveness, it's more open to all Christians who just want to follow Jesus.

[searchingforpeace]

A non-denominational church denounces any and all denomination affiliations. Though they may not admit to it, but the nature of such exclusiveness makes itself a "denomination". It's like for example how the Catholic church denounces all non-catholic doctrine except it own, a non-denominational church denounces all denominational doctrine except its own.

An interdenominational church welcomes all--regardless if you affiliate yourself with a specific denomination or if you say you are non-denominational. By it inclusiveness, it's more open to all Christians who just want to follow Jesus.

That sounds like it could be a very postive thing :)

[Starcrystal]

A non-denominational church denounces any and all denomination affiliations. Though they may not admit to it, but the nature of such exclusiveness makes itself a "denomination". It's like for example how the Catholic church denounces all non-catholic doctrine except it own, a non-denominational church denounces all denominational doctrine except its own.

An interdenominational church welcomes all--regardless if you affiliate yourself with a specific denomination or if you say you are non-denominational. By it inclusiveness, it's more open to all Christians who just want to follow Jesus.

I see the difference in the words but in reality many interD and NonD churches are pretty much the same. I've been in both types and find that people who attend are from different denominations and even attend services at Assembly of God (Pentecostal) or Baptist churches. Most NonD churches I've known do NOT discourage people from attending denominational churches so long as Jesus is preached. I know some NonD churches can become exclusive and even cult like, but if they follow Jesus they do OK.

[JTLauder]

I see the difference in the words but in reality many interD and NonD churches are pretty much the same. I've been in both types and find that people who attend are from different denominations and even attend services at Assembly of God (Pentecostal) or Baptist churches. Most NonD churches I've known do NOT discourage people from attending denominational churches so long as Jesus is preached. I know some NonD churches can become exclusive and even cult like, but if they follow Jesus they do OK.

I used to think the 2 terms as the same thing.
But after spending some time in this forum, to my surprise I found many who claim themselves to be "non-denominational" actually adamantly reject all other denominations and preach a "non-denominational" doctrine. By claiming a specific doctrine, they've essentially created themselves a denomination no matter what label you give it.