What is non Denominational

[John337]

What is non Denominational and why are so many people drawn to it its like everyone is part of that religion?

 

[Torolf]

Non Denominational churches are simply churches that are not part of an organized denomination. Their pastors do not have a set seminary to attend and instead can go to whichever they prefer or in some cases skip seminary and simply learn from an established pastor or take theology classes at any college or university. They also don’t have to pay dues to a denomination or agree with a set doctrine.

Non denominational churches can still be part of a network of churches or form branch churches with seperate pastors but it is on a local level without the oversight of a main line denomination.

I think many people are drawn to them because they have issues with the docrines of the main line denominations and prefer the looser feel. Also they typically are more open to personal interpretation.

 

[Kei]

It’s something that starred in the 1900s or so. In this world where so many are drawn to the “spiritual but not religious” side of things, it shouldn’t be surprising.

 

[Phemie]

The way I interpret non-denominational is that it’s not affiliated with any particular church or ecclesial community.

For example, we used to have denominational education in my province. There were Catholic schools, “Integrated” schools which were primarily Anglican & United Church of Canada, Pentecostal schools, and Salvation Army schools. All these were public schools as they were all funded by the government and, depending on the community, you might see Catholics, Anglicans, etc. in a Pentecostal school.

Now we have a non-denominational system. Religion is still a topic of teaching in primary and elementary levels but the schools themselves are not affiliated with any specific religion.

 

[TK421]

Non-Denominational are churches that are not strongly a part of a wider league with a leadership that votes or decides on beliefs. Note that any protestant Christian church has no hierarchy, so one non-denominational church could be significantly different from another non-denominational church. It will depend on the pastor, staff, and culture within any given congregation. Non-denominationalism can attract people for a variety of reasons.

• Having a list of defined dogma is often unattractive to a postmodern mind, particularly because of all the infighting among protestants in the 20th century and for many generations prior to it.
• It feels refreshing to be part of a loose group that is not part of contemporary “identity politics”.
• People who may just want to go to church and praise Jesus like the idea of non-denominational. It isn’t confrontational. It feels almost like it is going back to a simpler time.

 

[John337]

I have another question but I won’t create a new topic. Was I right for not wanting to leave the catholic faith and become baptist?

 

[yankeesouth]

Just another denomination.

 

[TK421]

I have another question but I won’t create a new topic. Was I right for not wanting to leave the catholic faith and become baptist?

Of course The Catholic Church was established by Jesus Christ while he was still alive and the power of the Holy Spirit was manifested in the apostles at Pentecost. You must never leave it no matter what happens.

If there are reasons why you are questioning or struggling with your faith, you should talk to your pastor and hook up with some groups in your parish community. Also read up on the sources here. It is 100% normal to experience doubts, struggles, and questions in life, and more often than not it is a sign of growth; don’t be discouraged by this.

 

[Torolf]

You’re right. I guess I should have mentioned that option. Thankfully it doesn’t seem to be all that common.

 

[John337]

My mom wanted me to convert to Baptist and I didn’t want because I said there is nothing better than being catholic and she would always say that their church was Non-Denominal (her words) then when things were going bad oh he is Baptist.

 

[OldCAFMember]

And yet those who claim to be non-denominational generally adhere to certain doctrines, anyway. These may be dependent on their pastor, but you can be sure that their doctrines will picked and chosen from other denominatons.

 

[Augustinian]

What is non Denominational and why are so many people drawn to it its like everyone is part of that religion?

A lot of our Protestant friends don’t see their particular protestant hierarchy as that important, or the particular terminology that the Lutherans or Presbyterians put out to have any personal value to them, and so sometimes they’ll organize “non-denominational” churches, unaffiliated with any ruling convention where they can attract protestants of all stripes to participate.

There are advantages and disadvantages to be sure with both arrangements. No dues or assessments would need to be paid to the governing body, but also no help with organizing, insurance premiums, financing church construction, etc.

 

[Spyridon]

“Non denominational” is code for “a Protestant denomination.”

 

[Vonsalza]

What is non Denominational and why are so many people drawn to it its like everyone is part of that religion?

“Non-denominational” is how you can call yourself vaguely Christian without being a member of a Church that has any authority over you.

Since you can never be wrong in non-denominational Christianity except in the most egregious of cases, it is essentially self-worship with a Christian veneer.

 

[TC3033]

John337:

What is non Denominational and why are so many people drawn to it its like everyone is part of that religion?

“Non-denominational” is how you can call yourself vaguely Christian without being a member of a Church that has any authority over you.

Since you can never be wrong in non-denominational Christianity except in the most egregious of cases, it is essentially self-worship with a Christian veneer.

I would say calling non-denominational as “vaguely Christian” is a giant swing and a miss.

 

[Peebo]

John33714h
I have another question but I won’t create a new topic. Was I right for not wanting to leave the catholic faith and become baptist?

You were 100% right…among many reasons the most important…as a Catholic you are receiving the Body…Blood…Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ each time you take the Eucharist…Baptists believe it is merely symbolic…do you really think you could turn your back on your Saviors “real presence” in your life and relegate him to just a symbol…no…you were right

 

[Vonsalza]

Vonsalza:

John337:

What is non Denominational and why are so many people drawn to it its like everyone is part of that religion?

“Non-denominational” is how you can call yourself vaguely Christian without being a member of a Church that has any authority over you.

Since you can never be wrong in non-denominational Christianity except in the most egregious of cases, it is essentially self-worship with a Christian veneer.

I would say calling non-denominational as “vaguely Christian” is a giant swing and a miss.

Let’s dialogue!

It’s a “swing and a miss” because they’re really not Christians at all or it’s a “swing and a miss” because you feel nondenoms are more than “vaguely Christian”?

 

[TC3033]

I feel they’re far more than vaguely Christians. I wouldn’t consider myself a “vague Christian”. Some of the strongest, most “God Fearing” Christians I’ve ever met were non-denominational.

 

[Augustinian]

“Non-denominational” is how you can call yourself vaguely Christian without being a member of a Church that has any authority over you.

I don’t think so, its more of just a way for Baptists and Presbyterians and pentecostals to be able to get together on a collective basis.

 

[Vonsalza]

I feel they’re far more than vaguely Christians. I wouldn’t consider myself a “vague Christian”. Some of the strongest, most “God Fearing” Christians I’ve ever met were non-denominational.

Hey! I’m not going to fight you there!

Most of the nondenoms I know personally are pretty pumped about it.

It just gets a little tricky when “Getting JACKED for Jesus!” stops an actual question comes up. Like:
“Can I be an actively gay Christian?”
“I’m divorced. Can I remarry?”
“How, exactly, does one get saved?”
“Am I saved for good or can I lose my salvation”.

The trouble is that nondenoms can’t answer any of these with any real authority. The best nondenom pastors have is “This is what I think the Bible says”, even though they typically drop the “I think” from the presentation.
No surprise, it’s a different explanation from what the other nondenom three blocks down would have given.

But you’re totally right about their zeal and “being ‘on fire’ for the Lord”. But, in truth, I’ve seen identical, self-sure group mania in religious services of all stripes - not just Christian. Which is exactly why it is completely and utterly worthless as a measure of truth. …as much as that pains to say…

Since nondenom Christians are there purely because they choose to be and they find the message appeals to them, I really do think that fact makes much nondenom Christianity a form of emotionally fueled, projected self worship in a group setting. YVVM, obviously