What is a non-denominational service like?

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I realize that, being “non-denominational”, teachings and even the services themselves will differ among different churches, but I want to get a basic idea of what the average non-denominational service is like. I need to attend one of these services for a class I’m taking, and I want to know what to expect.
 
Usually you can count on lack of images such as crosses or stained glass windows.

And there is very likely 15 minutes of singing and worship from the hymnal.

Possibly prayer lines for healing/restoration during that time.

Then a collection, just like any other Church.

Then a 30 minute or so sermon which is the meat of the service.

Then the blessing

Really does depend though. Some have different order of worship…some have communion every service, others maybe quarterly. Some close it out with a altar call. Some have baptisms at the very beginning of the service.
 
Thom18 said:
I realize that, being “non-denominational”, teachings and even the services themselves will differ among different churches, but I want to get a basic idea of what the average non-denominational service is like. I need to attend one of these services for a class I’m taking, and I want to know what to expect.
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You can probably expect friendly, outgoing people. There may be a coffee bar, large social space, plenty of music, probably contemporary, a long sermon on a faith based theme. Like Lenten_Ashes said, maybe or maybe not communion.

I think the particular pastor offering the sermon will give you the biggest impression.
 
Varies, but every one I have been to has hymns, a long sermon, and maybe some kind of fellowship afterwards.
 
The service would probably begin with praise and worship singing. Possibly asking for prayers afterwards or stories of answered prayers and then a sermon and possibly a communion service, announcements, more singing and possibly an altar call and then
dismissal.
 
If you came to our church (Baptist, of the southern persuasion), this is how it would go:

Sunday School at 9:15. You’d be in a class of either marrieds your age, singles your age, ect. The classes are mixed, men and women. Our particular class is an age range from mid/late 30’s to upper 40’s, I’d say. Sunday School is an hour. You are welcome to coffee from the hallway carafes, or bring your own drinks on the way (non alcoholic, of course, lol).

Now, church.
10:30-12:00

Folks would find their seats, socialize, or pray before we start.
Announcements would be made.
Choir would come in (not all have a choir, just a praise team).
Worship leader would start us off in song.
Prayer.
Kids would head to children’s church, to study a lesson, and do Christ themed crafts.
We would then sing a couple of songs.
Pray.
Collection/Offering
Songs by choir/special music
We all sing another song
Prayer
Sermon
Song and invitation

Then everyone heads out to eat (at restaurants), or home, or shopping/groceries. Some linger and talk a while. We do not drink coffee while in church. Water is allowed.

We have a fellowship meal every so often, for special occasions, ect. Not every Sunday.
Communion at our church is every 3 months, and it switches between morning and evening services. Our pastor offers it on Christmas Eve. We also have a sunrise service at Easter, followed by a breakfast, then another service inside. No evening Easter service.

You’ll likely be welcomed, told that they are glad you’re there, invite you to come again.
I hope this helps. We’re not non-denom, but you might find videos of services online to get a feel of some. Turning Point Worship Center is a local one that does this.
 
Bible study… at least that’s what I remember of them when I went about 15 years ago or so.
 
rcwitness said:
You can probably expect friendly, outgoing people. There may be a coffee bar, large social space, plenty of music, probably contemporary, a long sermon on a faith based theme. Like Lenten_Ashes said, maybe or maybe not communion.

I think the particular pastor offering the sermon will give you the biggest impression.
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How many minutes do you consider a long sermon to be?
 
on_the_hill said:
But…um…you’re not non-denom, right?

😉
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While Baptists are a denomination, the order of service he described is similar to many seen in non-denominational churches.

To the OP, non-denominational churches in theory could be and do anything.

However, if we are talking about the most common types of non-denominational churches, then we could probably categorize them in the following ways:
  1. Baptist in all but name
  2. Wesleyan-holiness in all but name
  3. Pentecostal/charismatic in all but name
I’ve heard of an Anglican non-denom church, but I think that’s pretty rare given that by definition Anglicans are supposed to be overseen by a diocesan bishop. 🤷
 
First of all, I converted to the catholic faith six years ago this Easter. I grew up in a non-denominational protestant Church, and visited many other denominations/churches in my faith journey.

I find it striking that EVERY protestant church i have visited pretty much follow the same pattern when it comes to worship as prescribed by the apostles in the New Testament. The early Church… the Church… One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.
…Just saying.
 
I grew up in a non-denominational church which my parents and two other couples started when they left the Lutheran Church, (take that, Martin Luther!).
Code: 
 At first we held services in a building we rented on Main Street where the insurance company used to be located.   

 I remember sometimes there were guest speakers who were missionaries, traveling preachers, healers, (my knee was still swollen when they left town in their Cadillac with a wad of cash).

 Sometimes the worship time would take more than a half hour. Some people might feel the need to raise their arms while singing which I always thought was a sign of surrendering fear and pride to G-d and giving Him the glory. The songs were usually upbeat, which I enjoyed. Usually around the end of worship someone would begin speaking in tongues and then translate it themselves.

 Oh, be prepared to see people falling backwards after the preacher places his hand on their forehead, (hope the catchers are alert).

 It all seemed a bit contrived or forced to me. 

 That church is still going after 35 years and has a nice, new building. 
 Anywho, expect the unexpected.
 
Thom18 said:
I realize that, being “non-denominational”, teachings and even the services themselves will differ among different churches, but I want to get a basic idea of what the average non-denominational service is like. I need to attend one of these services for a class I’m taking, and I want to know what to expect.
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Hi T,

probably won’t be hymn books, that is more mainline churches. May have some old hymns or maybe contemporary songs, with a "band’’ on stage (piano,keyboard guitars, drums ? ). Could last a half hour. Then some announcements , a welcome for new guests (you !) . An offering is taken(with music) .Maybe communion, sometimes a baby dedication, or some testimony. Finally the “sermon”, half hour to hour. Maybe an altar call for any number of things (salvation, healing,counseling prayer). May have video screens if large building. No crucifixes, or statues, or stations of cross, holy water, pews. May have a fellowship hall afterwards for “coffee/snacks”.

Blessings
 
Well, my daughter had to attend a non-denominational service as a class assignment, so we sent her with some friends of ours to their church.

She said it was like attending a class. In fact, people were encouraged to take notes. There was some singing.

Afterward, she told me it was weird: “They didn’t pray at all,” she said.

She was also thrilled she was Catholic and would be going to Mass later that day. 🙂
 
Kay_Cee said:
Well, my daughter had to attend a non-denominational service as a class assignment, so we sent her with some friends of ours to their church.

She said it was like attending a class. In fact, people were encouraged to take notes. There was some singing.

Afterward, she told me it was weird: “They didn’t pray at all,” she said.

She was also thrilled she was Catholic and would be going to Mass later that day. 🙂
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The no prayer part is weird–even for a non-denominational church. Was this on a Sunday?

Many Protestant churches encourage congregants to bring Bibles and take sermon notes while listening.
 
ltwin said:
The no prayer part is weird–even for a non-denominational church. Was this on a Sunday?

Many Protestant churches encourage congregants to bring Bibles and take sermon notes while listening.
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I was non denom for years at a mega Church. And we brought bibles as instructed. And the preacher would read from it at the start of his sermon and ask us to read along. The problem is everybody seemed to have different versions of it so you couldn’t actually understand what was said if you weren’t reading your own bible and tuning everybody else out.

Anyway, they also had the words on the big screen so i just stopped bringing the bible. Seemed rather pointless as there were thousands of us not in unison.

There was always a prayer and blessing at the end. And i would think any Church would include that. Does seem odd that any service did not have this
 
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