What do you mean by non-denominational?

[Filia Mariae]

I have heard Protestants on this forum, and others, complain that Catholics do not understand what non-denominationalism really is.

In order to better understand it, I'd like to know how those who go to a non-denominational church define it. Anybody willing to share?:)

[InquisitorKind]

I have heard Protestants on this forum, and others, complain that Catholics do not understand what non-denominationalism really is.

In order to better understand it, I'd like to know how those who go to a non-denominational church define it. Anybody willing to share?:)
I used to attend a large non-denominational church in Massachusetts. I suppose you could define non-denominational, based off of my experience, as churches that usually have non-liturgical style service, a simple/symbolic view of baptism and the Eucharist, heavy emphasis on evangelism, and a generally ahistorical approach to church matters.

I hope other people chime in, because I'm sure the definition of non-denominational isn't singular or contrained to set parameters.

Good luck with the answers,
~Matt

[Lanakila]

Non-denominational churches are independent of each other, and primarily charismatic. The Calvary Chapel folks are non-denominational.

[JEREMY O'ROURKE]

Most non denominational churches hold to Pentecostal/Charismatic theology. While some do not most do. Most believe in the gifts of the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues and devine healings miracles etc.

[Blackhawk]

Non-denominational churches are independent of each other, and primarily charismatic. The Calvary Chapel folks are non-denominational.
yes. I think a big deal also is that nondenominational churches see that denominations are wrong or they see them as not part of the NT view of the church so they do not endorse them. Many see them as a man made invention and stress as they stress the unity of the universal church over the differences of the denominations.

here is something from the calvary chapel webpage. It is how one church (or group of churches) defines why they are nondenominational.

"We are not a denominational church, nor are we opposed to denominations as such, only their over-emphasis of doctrinal differences that have led to the division of the body of Christ."

http://calvarychapel.com/costamesa/Info.htm

[Lotar]

I have heard Protestants on this forum, and others, complain that Catholics do not understand what non-denominationalism really is.

In order to better understand it, I'd like to know how those who go to a non-denominational church define it. Anybody willing to share?:)
Maybe I'm a little slow, but is there something specific you want to know about non-denominational churches?

Some non-denominational churches are just independant churches who are not associated with any denomination. Others are part of an organization, such as Calvary Chapel, and could be argued that they aren't really non-denominational.

[Stanfi]

The church I attend is considered non-demonational. We used to belong to a an organization, but broke away from it, so we are just now and independent church, and not part of a large organization.

[Ken]

probably the central commonality is that they are self governing bodies, all decisions concerning the church are made by internally, either by members (elders) of the church, or, in some cases, by a particularly dominant pastor.. when you get a strong individualistic pastor and a strong group of elders or board members, interesting things happen..... :(

[Bayhawks83]

i think non-denominatioal is a denomination.

[Filia Mariae]

Maybe I'm a little slow, but is there something specific you want to know about non-denominational churches?


Not really...I was just wondering how non-denominationals see themselves. One time (can't remember if it was this forum or another) I said something along the lines of thinking that no creed is a creed in and of itself. Someone said that if I thought non-denoms have no creed I didn't have a clue. So I was just curious what people would say...

In Christ,
Carly

[Lotar]

Okay.
Non-denominational churches have creeds, or statement of faith as they sometimes call them.

Most Non-Denominational churches are Evangelical, usually pretty close to Baptists. The churches are usually independant, though many times belong to an organization like Calvary Chapel. Even then they have a much greater degree of freedom then denominational churches.

Non-denominational churches also (for the most part) try to look beyond doctrinal differences and cooperate with other Christian denominations.

[Gamecock]

Ya'll correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me, that even non-denominationals are tiny denominations in themselves.

They each have a creed, their own doctrine, etc....

[Serapha]

Hi there!

:wave:

Okay, so everyone has an opinion of what a "nondenominational" church is.


A nondenominational protestant church declares no affiliation with another mainstream Christianity denomination. A nondenominational church can range from calvinistic to armenianistic, and probably the only common denominator is their belief in Jesus Christ as Savior.

Some nondenominational churches are trinitarian, some are not; some believe in baptismal regeneration, others do not. Most nondenominational churches are independent. That is part of the definition of nondenominational.

In theology, denominational means "a part of the whole". Just as the denomination of a one-dollar bill is a part of a ten-dollar bill, denominational churches are considered a part of a larger, universal church. Baptists, methodists, congregationalists, presbyterians, etc. all consider themselves to be a part of the whole. While "non" means not, and should be interpreted to be "not a part of the whole", the more accurate understanding of nondenominational would be equivalent to "interdenominational", meaning a combination of denominations or a combination of denominational teachings, yet being a part of the whole of denominations.

Confusing, huh?

~malaka~

[Knight]

Non-denominational churches are independent of each other, and primarily charismatic. The Calvary Chapel folks are non-denominational.
With respect, I believe you to be mistaken here.

A non-denominational church is just that. A church (body of believers united in Christ) that is not officially tied to a denomination. A denomination here defined as an organization that oversees many churches under their authority. (ie: Baptist, Penecostal, Presypeterian, Methodist, Episcopal, etc...) There are, of course, divisions within these groups. (Southern and First Baptist for example)

I am a member of a non-denominational church that was at one time a Baptist church. We teach from the Bible alone as our final source of authority. We are not considered to be charismatic.

[Lanakila]

I did say primarily. I have lived all over the country and my experience is that they are primarily charismatic. Of course there are exceptions to this, your church being one.

[Knight]

Understood.
I know of others as well. One on Louisville, KY in particular.

[Lotar]

About 2/3 of Non-denominational churches are charismatic. Ofcourse it also depends on what you call charismatic. Some classify Calvary Chapel as Charismatic, some don't.

[Knight]

About 2/3 of Non-denominational churches are charismatic. Ofcourse it also depends on what you call charismatic. Some classify Calvary Chapel as Charismatic, some don't.
A good point.

Lana,
Could you clarify what you mean my "charismatic?"

[Lanakila]

What I mean by charismatic, is the belief that the manifestation sign gifts are for today, and should be operating in your church. Baptists for example do not believe this. Of course this is so out of foundational doctrine.

[Knight]

Assuming you mean tongues and the like then I would have to say that our church is not charismatic.

We do believe in Spiritual gifts (Teaching, Discernment, Wisdom, Evangelism, etc) However, we do not accept that the practice of the "manefestation signs" as a common thing in our church.

[1John5:3]

If non-denominational churches have:
organization
doctrines
pastors
seminaries
how are they different from denominations?

[ps139]

If non-denominational churches have:
organization
doctrines
pastors
seminaries
how are they different from denominations?
They do not have official ties to a church body. They are their own authority.
Think of a "denomination" (ex: Anglican, Baptist etc.) as a country, and each church (ex: the one at 123 Main Street) within it is a "state." Non-denominational churches are like their own country.

[Filia Mariae]

They do not have official ties to a church body. They are their own authority.
Think of a "denomination" (ex: Anglican, Baptist etc.) as a country, and each church (ex: the one at 123 Main Street) within it is a "state." Non-denominational churches are like their own country.


So essentially they are just a very small denomination?

[The Freak For Christ]

Non-Denominational Christians are usually very free in their churches, and usually have the beliefs of a charismatic church. We believe in speaking in tongues, gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the healing power of Christ. (Among other things.) Most Non-Denominal churches are independant, unlike Methodist churches, for example, becuase they are all closely connected with eachother. However, my church is connected with three other independent churches, so I guess they aren't so independent!
Our church is very free in the way it is run... Sometimes we completely deviate from the original plan for a service. We do not 'dress-up' for church, jeans and a t-shirt are welcome.
I hope this helps a little bit!
God Bless You!
Leah

[Lotar]

So essentially they are just a very small denomination?
A true non-denominational church is completely independant from any denomination, so yes would be basically a one church denomination.

Many others that are "non-denominational" are basically denominations with more authority given to the individual churches.

[OpenMinded-Protestant]

A non denominational church is a church you attend when you cant agree w/ any of the current denominations and just want to study the BIBLE w/ no influence by people and their rules.

(the ones that are extremely charasmatic and speak in tongues and so on) are more like a denomination..they would be better classified as "spirit filled" churches...

Its really hard to find a good one...but, if you walk in and are greeted warmly and can just feel Gods Presence there...you probably found a good one... hope this helps...

this definition is simply my personal experiences w/ Non-denominationalism... (is that a word?!) :D :scratch: :rolleyes: :)

[Knight]

A non denominational church is a church you attend when you cant agree w/ any of the current denominations and just want to study the BIBLE w/ no influence by people and their rules.

(the ones that are extremely charasmatic and speak in tongues and so on) are more like a denomination..they would be better classified as "spirit filled" churches...

Its really hard to find a good one...but, if you walk in and are greeted warmly and can just feel Gods Presence there...you probably found a good one... hope this helps...

this definition is simply my personal experiences w/ Non-denominationalism... (is that a word?!) :D :scratch: :rolleyes: :)
I think this adequately explains it....

Though, as I said earlier, the charismatic thing is new to me.

[Filia Mariae]

A non denominational church is a church you attend when you cant agree w/ any of the current denominations and just want to study the BIBLE w/ no influence by people and their rules.


But...how can you not be influenced by anyone? You don't exist in a vacuum- you are surrounded by a culture and a personal history. So, aren't you essentially saying you want to just have your personal interpretation?

I also don't understand, if you want nothing to with people and rules, why bother joining a church at all?

[Dandey]

I suppose I go back a bit further than some but in 1950's and earlier non-denominational would apply to Plymouth Brethren assemblies where there is no central authority but all members contribute to the eldership. The idea of charistmatic groups being non-denominational seems a bit weird to me, particularly as they have "apostles"

[OpenMinded-Protestant]

the Non denom church i attend is all about the book of Acts.... We try to put all the past mistakes of "christians" (the Crusades...the Inquisition, witch trials, the Holocaust, ect..) and all the "church rules" that go along w/ those attrocitites behind us, and simply do our best to be a New Testemant Church, alot like the Early churches... just w/ some microphones and modern music and computers and so on... To sum this all up, we get alot of our vision from Acts 2. We do our very best to "Follow Jesus's Teachings" He told us to love one another, and that we would have to serve to save....so we are a service in the community type of church...

[Filia Mariae]

Okay, so your church is essentially a very small denomination with a focus on the second chapter of the book of Acts? I'm still not getting how a non-denominational church is any different than a small, Protestant denomination, other than the fact that it has no name besides non-denominational.

[Lotar]

Not really, non-denominational churches make efforts to participate with churches of different denominations. We share resourches, and have eachothers pastors speak at eachother's churches.

We had a crusade in Australia a month or two back. We had support from nearly every church in New Castle. The Anglican church there flew a banner from the top of their cathedral, even though their denomination is very much different than ours.

We give money to missionaries of other denominations, and give money to startup churches of other denominations.

One of the big points of non-denominational churches is to not let our small differences divide us. We are not all ever going to agree on everything, but we don't see that as a reason to not be united.

Non-denominational isn't really very much different than a denomination though.

[Filia Mariae]

Not really, non-denominational churches make efforts to participate with churches of different denominations.


So do many denominational churches. When I was Protestant, my church did a lot of work with the Methodist and Lutheran churches down the street.

As a Catholic (which is not a denomination), we work with a couple of Evangelical churches on pro-life stuff.

[Lotar]

So do many denominational churches. When I was Protestant, my church did a lot of work with the Methodist and Lutheran churches down the street.
I don't deny that. Non-denominational churches tend to make more of a goal though.



As a Catholic (which is not a denomination), we work with a couple of Evangelical churches on pro-life stuff.

Well this is probably the easiest way to explain non-denominational churches. They are non-denominational because they say the are non-denominational, just like Catholics say they are not a denomination. But by the definition of the word they both are.

[ej]

Then we should join in forces for more than merely small ventures :)

What a lovely dream... :)