New guy with a question.

[alwayselearning]

Okay Now this is weird because I attend a Non denominational church, but what theolgy rules do you follow? I mean stuff like how do you determine if there should be women Pastors. Where do stand on divorce and stuff like that?

Like for instance, Baptist wouldn't approve of women Pastors, and they wouldn't approve of Divorce unless it was adultrey ( Biblical grounds for divorce), they are against, abortion and so on.

Who sets the rules?

I know its easy to come back with a response like, "We just follow the Bible"

But there are churches and denominations that interpret a verse or "look" at a verse differently than other denominations. Do you get what I mean?

How Do you guys determine what's permissible and what's not permissable?

[LynneClomina]

just because a church isnt under a denomination doesnt mean they are not accountable to somebody. for example, our church has oversight from New Covanent Ministries International, that has (i've heard) approx. 20,000 affiliated churches. but its ACCOUNTABILITY, not doctrine setting. if we sincerely interpret a scripture from a certain angle, and we are seeking the will of God in the NT era, seriously trying to follow the bible appropriately as we understand Jesus' leading, then we are fine. the accountablility makes sure we are doing it for the glory of God and not for our own gain, yknow?

and sometimes, it depends on the church. some non-denoms are "out there" doctrinally, and other are corporately more biblically grounded then some denominational churches. each individual body varies.

[Wisdom's Child]

Okay Now this is weird because I attend a Non denominational church, but what theolgy rules do you follow?

just because a church isnt under a denomination doesnt mean they are not accountable to somebody. for example, our church has oversight from New Covanent Ministries International, that has (i've heard) approx. 20,000 affiliated churches.

I serve as a Non-Denominational Minister accountable to The United Christian Faith Ministries, much like New Covenant Ministries International we provide oversight to those under our "Unbrella" though we are much smaller with aprox 4,500 affiliates but we are also much newer (Chartered in 2000). There are some Doctrinal Guidelines that the Organization sets, but those are considered "Essential Doctrines" and are those that are embraced and accepted by a vast majority of Protestant and Catholic/Orthodox Faiths. The rest are deemed "Non-Essential" in that they hold little to no impact upon the Salvation Message, thus we Teach Unity in the Essential and Liberty in the Non-Essentials.


Like for instance, Baptist wouldn't approve of women Pastors, and they wouldn't approve of Divorce unless it was adultrey ( Biblical grounds for divorce), they are against, abortion and so on.

How we determine if there should be Women Pastors, is based upon the form of Ministry(Ordained Minister is a rather broad term, and Pastorship is just one of the many forms of Ministry), and the Need at hand. Even Though Paul teaches that Women should not be in Ministry, we also recognise that a Calling from God is a Calling from God. The Old and New Testament has numerous instances of Women in Ministry, including one well known "Judge".
When there are no Men willing and available to step forward, God has often elevated Women to meet the immediate need.

On the Subject of Divorce, we see it as a Sin, like any other, and ask the Minister involved if the Divorce occurred Before or After they gave their Life to Christ. If they became a Christian AFTER they became Divorced, and feel called to the Ministry. We see that particular Sin as "Forgiven" and covered under the Blood of Christ and do not penalize the Minister for such things.
But getting Divorced WHILE serving as a Minister is totally different.


Who sets the rules??
I know its easy to come back with a response like, "We just follow the Bible"
But there are churches and denominations that interpret a verse or "look" at a verse differently than other denominations. Do you get what I mean?
How Do you guys determine what's permissible and what's not permissable?

We follow The Bible (sorry...I couldn't resist)

Well, God sets the Rules. They are "Interpreted" through dilligent study of Scripture, Wise Council (we have an Elders Council to Advise the Membership), and much Prayer.

Much of what you see in the vast landscape of Denominationalism is due to the Diversity of the Parishoners as much as it is the way Scripture is Interpreted. The Key is in acknowledging "Christ and Him Crucified" (as Paul so elequently stated), and Worshiping God wherever you may find yourself.
The Sign over the Doorpost is not going to get you into Heaven, Having a Personal Relationship with God will.

You don't see everyone driving the same make/model/color of automobile, they don't wear the same styles and listen to the same music.

Just find a Solid Bible Believing, God Fearing Church where you feel comfortable in Spirit, Worship and Fellowship and go there.

Find those that seek "Unity in the Body of Christ(the Eclesia)" and avoid those that criticize others because they simply don't conform, or act more like a Social Club (clickish).

I hope that answers your question somewhat...

[BrBob]

But getting Divorced WHILE serving as a Minister is totally different. Yes, it is different. I agree with you about that, but to take it one step farther the way the divorce came about and the ministers response to it are what really matters. We are associated with a man whose wife decided she just did not want to be married to him anymore. He did everything right to the best of his ability in the situation, tried reconciling but she would have nothing to do with it, tried counseling but she wasn't interested, asked for forgiveness for his part in the breaking of covenant but she wasn't interested. So, he is now divorced, forgiven by God for the divorce and remarried to a woman who now works with him in the ministry in a powerful way.

He did everything right to the best of his ability but still ended up divorced. The key was the forgiveness part. He honestly looked for where his fault was in the divorce, repented and received forgiveness. Through the whole thing he submitted himself to his spiritual leaders and gave them permission to speak into his life about the negative as well as the positive.

He stands honorable before the eyes of God and is a rightous minister.

Just another perspective

Bob
Spearfish, SD

[alwayselearning]

just because a church isnt under a denomination doesnt mean they are not accountable to somebody. for example, our church has oversight from New Covanent Ministries International, that has (i've heard) approx. 20,000 affiliated churches. but its ACCOUNTABILITY, not doctrine setting. if we sincerely interpret a scripture from a certain angle, and we are seeking the will of God in the NT era, seriously trying to follow the bible appropriately as we understand Jesus' leading, then we are fine. the accountablility makes sure we are doing it for the glory of God and not for our own gain, yknow?

and sometimes, it depends on the church. some non-denoms are "out there" doctrinally, and other are corporately more biblically grounded then some denominational churches. each individual body varies.

Thankyou for that.

[alwayselearning]

I serve as a Non-Denominational Minister accountable to The United Christian Faith Ministries, much like New Covenant Ministries International we provide oversight to those under our "Unbrella" though we are much smaller with aprox 4,500 affiliates but we are also much newer (Chartered in 2000). There are some Doctrinal Guidelines that the Organization sets, but those are considered "Essential Doctrines" and are those that are embraced and accepted by a vast majority of Protestant and Catholic/Orthodox Faiths. The rest are deemed "Non-Essential" in that they hold little to no impact upon the Salvation Message, thus we Teach Unity in the Essential and Liberty in the Non-Essentials.



How we determine if there should be Women Pastors, is based upon the form of Ministry(Ordained Minister is a rather broad term, and Pastorship is just one of the many forms of Ministry), and the Need at hand. Even Though Paul teaches that Women should not be in Ministry, we also recognise that a Calling from God is a Calling from God. The Old and New Testament has numerous instances of Women in Ministry, including one well known "Judge".
When there are no Men willing and available to step forward, God has often elevated Women to meet the immediate need.

On the Subject of Divorce, we see it as a Sin, like any other, and ask the Minister involved if the Divorce occurred Before or After they gave their Life to Christ. If they became a Christian AFTER they became Divorced, and feel called to the Ministry. We see that particular Sin as "Forgiven" and covered under the Blood of Christ and do not penalize the Minister for such things.
But getting Divorced WHILE serving as a Minister is totally different.



We follow The Bible (sorry...I couldn't resist)

Well, God sets the Rules. They are "Interpreted" through dilligent study of Scripture, Wise Council (we have an Elders Council to Advise the Membership), and much Prayer.

Much of what you see in the vast landscape of Denominationalism is due to the Diversity of the Parishoners as much as it is the way Scripture is Interpreted. The Key is in acknowledging "Christ and Him Crucified" (as Paul so elequently stated), and Worshiping God wherever you may find yourself.
The Sign over the Doorpost is not going to get you into Heaven, Having a Personal Relationship with God will.

You don't see everyone driving the same make/model/color of automobile, they don't wear the same styles and listen to the same music.

Just find a Solid Bible Believing, God Fearing Church where you feel comfortable in Spirit, Worship and Fellowship and go there.

Find those that seek "Unity in the Body of Christ(the Eclesia)" and avoid those that criticize others because they simply don't conform, or act more like a Social Club (clickish).

I hope that answers your question somewhat...



God Bless you wisom's child. :clap:

I am a person who is re-dedicating his life to Christ. I really look foward to asking you more questions in the future.


God bless

Jason

[Svt4Him]

Okay Now this is weird because I attend a Non denominational church, but what theolgy rules do you follow? I mean stuff like how do you determine if there should be women Pastors. Where do stand on divorce and stuff like that?
Women pastors and women in leadership are acceptable in our church, but a woman can't be the head pastor. Divorce I have no idea on, although it's known God hates it. But there are many different situations, and to make it a yes or no isn't apropos.

Who sets the rules?
Usually the head pastor or denomination. But we as followers are also accountable. If our church said it was ok to murder, I'd be accountable to God before I'm accountable to the church.

I know its easy to come back with a response like, "We just follow the Bible"

But there are churches and denominations that interpret a verse or "look" at a verse differently than other denominations. Do you get what I mean?

How Do you guys determine what's permissible and what's not permissable?
Well, there are some that read a lot into a verse, but also others that are called to different areas of the Body of Christ. A hand may look at something different than a foot will, doesn't make one more right or more wrong, just different.

[ChrisB]

I think if a Church is accountable to an external body it cannot by definition be non-denominational. Our Pastor is accountable to the members through the leadership (elders and deacons). Deacons have to be re-elected every two years while elders are elected for life (apart from ex-officio elders such as the pastor and assistant pastor). Elders can however be removed from the eldership if they bring the Church into disrepute by a vote of the members at a special gfeneral meeting (I've never heard of it happening though).

Theologically there is a statement of faith which everyone ascribes to before becoming a member. Our Church tends to regard some areas (eg infant baptism) as non-essential doctrine and respects the fact there may be genuine differences of belief on these issues. Other areas (eg belief in the Bible as the supreme authority in matters of faith and conduct) are regarded as essential doctrine and are covered in the statement of faith.

[Wisdom's Child]

I think if a Church is accountable to an external body it cannot by definition be non-denominational. Our Pastor is accountable to the members through the leadership (elders and deacons).

Non-Denominational does not mean Isolationalist. It simply means that they don't conform to any single Denominational Standard. Most Non-Denom's see Denominationalism as Divisive, and we as Christians should be about the business of Unifying the Body of Christ, not further Divide It.

Being a Minister of God Biblically requires nothing more than Faith, Knowledge of Sound Doctrine, and the Talent to Minister.

As we point out in our training program, being "Ordained" simply satisfies Government Requirements to make it Legal to Perform and Solomize Marriages.
NOTHING ELSE...

It is a tendency of the Masses to desire some form of "Credentials" to verify your qualified to be a Minister, when Biblically it is God that makes Ministers not Men!

The Oversight is mainly there to maintain Sound Doctrine, if a Minister should decide to teach something "UnOrthodox, or Heretical" they can expect that their "Credentials" will be either Sanctioned or Revolked. Of course they can easily find another "Organization" to join.

Typically, Letters in Good Standing are required to be Notarized and Dated to expire and be renewed Annually.

Beyond this The Non-Denomination Minister is an Independent Agent of God.

Pastors that are accountable to the Membership, are Hirelings by Definition.
Their Jobs are dependent upon keeping the congregation's "Itching Ears" scratched. If the Elders send them on their way, they are no less "Ministers" they just don't have a current following.

[desi]

This is just my view as I am a non-denominational fellow who attends a Catholic Church. I follow what the Bible says according to general interpretation. This means lots of things which tend to irk many people around here and even more people who aren't of the faith.

I feel 'interpretation of the Bible by wise people' is a recipe for disaster as there are smart people on both sides of all debates I know of which, include abortion. The line between wise and smart is drawn by God and recognized by those he blesses with common sense, and "common sense is not so common" to quote someone I don't remember but respect alot.

I urge you to read the Bible and pray for God to show you what is right without trusting others to spoonfeed you the truth. It is the only way to be an informed Christian.

[alwayselearning]

This is just my view as I am a non-denominational fellow who attends a Catholic Church. I follow what the Bible says according to general interpretation. This means lots of things which tend to irk many people around here and even more people who aren't of the faith.

I feel 'interpretation of the Bible by wise people' is a recipe for disaster as there are smart people on both sides of all debates I know of which, include abortion. The line between wise and smart is drawn by God and recognized by those he blesses with common sense, and "common sense is not so common" to quote someone I don't remember but respect alot.

I urge you to read the Bible and pray for God to show you what is right without trusting others to spoonfeed you the truth. It is the only way to be an informed Christian.

Desi,I liked your post very much. Even though I see Judas iscariot different from you, ( I don't think he saw himself as a patsy ) .

from the reading of your postings, you do come across as a knowledgable man.


God Bless

Jason