How do non-denominational Christians pick a church?

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Xavierlives

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Since my family has again recently moved, we have once again started the search for a church home. The search normally starts with denominations which are closest to our particular beliefs. Then we branch out. We have visited a couple of “bible churches” which really made me wonder, how do non-denominational Christians pick their churches?

I guess included in this question are sub-questions like does it take a while to find the right fit? Do you find yourself easily eliminating churches? What criteria is used?
 
From my experience, they usually base their choice on what the pastor is like. Some prefer pastors who are considered more traditional while others want pastors who will yell out in “tongues.” Some people want a pastor that aligns with their views.

Another deciding factor would be the community. Some churches, the people are not very welcoming. Others will shake your hand on the way in and the pastor will greet you as a possible congregant. Some people like the warm community of a certain church.
 
Xavierlives said:
Since my family has again recently moved, we have once again started the search for a church home. The search normally starts with denominations which are closest to our particular beliefs. Then we branch out. We have visited a couple of “bible churches” which really made me wonder, how do non-denominational Christians pick their churches?

I guess included in this question are sub-questions like does it take a while to find the right fit? Do you find yourself easily eliminating churches? What criteria is used?
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In my experience, they have a notion of what a “Bible-believing” church looks like/feels like, in their minds, and they look for a Church that has that appearance and style.

It could be anything from a clapboard shack where everyone whoops and jumps and shouts in tongues, to a quiet, clean carpeted environment with an old man up front taking 45 minutes or so to exegete the Greek, while the kids go colour and hear Bible stories with the nice ladies in Sunday School.

Your mileage will definitely vary. 🙂
 
I have always thought “non-denominational” is a poor term. It seems to me like, while they call themselves “non-demonimational,” most seem to follow the same basic Baptist/Evangelical track, when it comes to theology and/or worship - no infant baptism, sola scriptura, no real set “liturgy” to speak of, etc. I think “independent” or “independent evangelical” would be a better term.

To me, a truly “non-denominational” church would be sort of like the Anglicans, before they were hijacked by the Left: (1) a few basic mandatory doctrines, with the rest desigated “matters indifferent;” (2) offering worship styles ranging from “High Church” liturgical to “Low Church” evangelical, and everywhere in between, and things along those lines.
 
Xavierlives said:
I guess included in this question are sub-questions like does it take a while to find the right fit? Do you find yourself easily eliminating churches? What criteria is used?
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If you find out, let me know, k? :o

Many years ago, I went out looking for a church. After many unexpected surprises, I started merely asking “if they had seen my friend as it was reported that he had been here”. I answered their next question with, “He has gone by the name ‘Jesus’, but I’m having trouble finding any sign of him in this town. It appears as though he has moved on.”

Since then I have learned more accurate means to detect His presence, but as to finding that “church”, well… that is still an issue. 😃
 
Xavierlives said:
Since my family has again recently moved, we have once again started the search for a church home. The search normally starts with denominations which are closest to our particular beliefs. Then we branch out. We have visited a couple of “bible churches” which really made me wonder, how do non-denominational Christians pick their churches?

I guess included in this question are sub-questions like does it take a while to find the right fit? Do you find yourself easily eliminating churches? What criteria is used?
Click to expand...
NonDenom here.
Take it in prayer.
God will lead you. He has me, In each case it was to a church I was not real happy with but in each case it was what I needed.
 
Xavierlives said:
Since my family has again recently moved, we have once again started the search for a church home. The search normally starts with denominations which are closest to our particular beliefs. Then we branch out. We have visited a couple of “bible churches” which really made me wonder, how do non-denominational Christians pick their churches?

I guess included in this question are sub-questions like does it take a while to find the right fit? Do you find yourself easily eliminating churches? What criteria is used?
Click to expand...
The one with the best marketing strategy usually gets the most members.

Reasons I have picked churches:
  1. where my friends went
  2. funniest pastor
  3. best music
  4. place where they needed me
  5. husband’s church
  6. best preaching, (doctrinally sound, in my opinion)
  7. Catholic
  8. Catholic
  9. Catholic
 
JaMc said:
I have always thought “non-denominational” is a poor term. It seems to me like, while they call themselves “non-demonimational,” most seem to follow the same basic Baptist/Evangelical track, when it comes to theology and/or worship - no infant baptism, sola scriptura, no real set “liturgy” to speak of, etc. I think “independent” or “independent evangelical” would be a better term.

To me, a truly “non-denominational” church would be sort of like the Anglicans, before they were hijacked by the Left: (1) a few basic mandatory doctrines, with the rest desigated “matters indifferent;” (2) offering worship styles ranging from “High Church” liturgical to “Low Church” evangelical, and everywhere in between, and things along those lines.
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I think independent is also better, but really, it just means they have no larger political structure, at the practical level.

I think in some cases, such groups want to insist that they are “authentic” Christians, and so are not part of some man-made denomination, and that is why those groups use that term.

As an Anglican, I can’t imagine designating us as non-denominational, especially before things began to go south in the 40s. For one thing, there is a political structure, but despite the availability of high and low worship styles, the liturgy was actually quite unified.
 
Bluegoat said:
I think in some cases, such groups want to insist that they are “authentic” Christians, and so are not part of some man-made denomination, and that is why those groups use that term.
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It’s ironic that the ones who are most against the “man-made” denominations, are the ones who “make it up as they go,” in other words, the “independent” or “non-denominational” ones.
 
You don’t need a “church” just two or three gathering together, the Bible and the Holy Spirit to worship, abandon the Demon-inations and their lust for power and money to come to the true way of Christ. A family only home church or a small group of friends together is all you need.
 
graceandglory said:
It’s ironic that the ones who are most against the “man-made” denominations, are the ones who “make it up as they go,” in other words, the “independent” or “non-denominational” ones.
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Is that a protestant joke?
 
Xavierlives,

Believe it or not, my Church isn’t a “denomination” either! Some things you might want to consider when making your decision:
  1. Do you want to be in the Church that God founded upon the Apostles of Jesus Christ, with Peter as its head? (read Matt. 16:18)
  2. Do you want a Church that thinks it’s perfectly okay to have many “denominations”, or do you want to be in a Church that recognizes Jesus’ prayer that we all be ONE in faith? (read John 17:11)
  3. Do you want a Church that has continued to teach the same social morality for almost 2000 years, or one that changes its mind on key topics every few years? (read John 15:10)
  4. Do you want a Church that recognizes the SAME Holy Scriptures that were in use when Jesus walked the earth? Or is it okay to use a Bible with some books missing (protestant)? Or perhaps with many books ADDED (Mormon)?
  5. Do you want a Church that helps you change your life to conform to God’s model, or one that allows you to change your god to conform to your model?
Answer ALL these questions carefully and prayerfully, and I’m SURE you’ll find the Church you’re looking for VERY NEAR YOUR NEW HOME! 😉
 
kage_ar said:
Using that strategy, everyone would end up Catholic 👍
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Yep. I did. 👍

Of course, it’s essential to do this without having a preconceived notion of what kind of Church God is going to send you to. 🙂
 
Xavierlives said:
Since my family has again recently moved, we have once again started the search for a church home. The search normally starts with denominations which are closest to our particular beliefs. Then we branch out. We have visited a couple of “bible churches” which really made me wonder, how do non-denominational Christians pick their churches?

I guess included in this question are sub-questions like does it take a while to find the right fit? Do you find yourself easily eliminating churches? What criteria is used?
Click to expand...
its probably pretty hard, since being nondenominational means they probably have no creed or doctrine other than the bible to base their choice on. could be wrong on this. but if all the non denominational folks got together… they would be their own denomination…i think. im sorry, dont think i was much help. God bless you and yours.🙂
 
AngloCatholic1 said:
Xavierlives,

Believe it or not, my Church isn’t a “denomination” either! Some things you might want to consider when making your decision:
  1. Do you want to be in the Church that God founded upon the Apostles of Jesus Christ, with Peter as its head? (read Matt. 16:18)
  2. Do you want a Church that thinks it’s perfectly okay to have many “denominations”, or do you want to be in a Church that recognizes Jesus’ prayer that we all be ONE in faith? (read John 17:11)
  3. Do you want a Church that has continued to teach the same social morality for almost 2000 years, or one that changes its mind on key topics every few years? (read John 15:10)
  4. Do you want a Church that recognizes the SAME Holy Scriptures that were in use when Jesus walked the earth? Or is it okay to use a Bible with some books missing (protestant)? Or perhaps with many books ADDED (Mormon)?
  5. Do you want a Church that helps you change your life to conform to God’s model, or one that allows you to change your god to conform to your model?
Answer ALL these questions carefully and prayerfully, and I’m SURE you’ll find the Church you’re looking for VERY NEAR YOUR NEW HOME! 😉
Click to expand...
I appreciate your wanting me to try the Catholic Church, but really I am a “protestant” (although I do enjoy some things, like Lent). Personally, I find some of the arguments lacking.
#1 - Same Church at Peter? I prefer a church founded up Jesus Christ.
#2 - I think we are all one faith. I use denominations very loosely as a demarcation between theology.
#3 - Same morals? Yes. We agree.
#4 - Same Scriptures? Yes. I’m pretty sure we are using the same scriptures (but I use only the scripture).
#5 - Conformity? I don’t think I have ever found a church conforming to a worldly model (besides cowboy church).
 
to me being non denominational is not to have a church as that would be having a denomination. i have what i consider to be good morals and i have my belief in christianity and as long as i stick to them i believe i am doing right.
im pretty sure this would sound totally unacceptable by some people especially staunch catholics and they may have a good case for that but with the experiences in life i have had i find too many things many believe in most denominations (very much including catholics) that are just unacceptable to me to see as truth.
i grew up as a child in the catholic church and since have tried a couple of others but i came to a point where i had to do it on my own if i was to continue life as a christian. a priest even said to me once to find your own way when i had asked him for some advice and guidance and that basically turned me away from having trust in the catholic faith after trying to go back to my roots.
so basically non denominational christians , in my view , dont have churches because that would make them denominational.
 
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