What is non-denominational?

[St_Violet]

Non demonational is just another result from sola scriptura, One man is convinced his interpretation of Scripture is truth, so he breaks off and forms a non-denominational church as a way to protray themselves as true bible readers and have the true charactiztics of christ. Some people believe that being bible reader and calling yourself a christian is enough rather then seeking Truth.

 

[GregoryPalamas]

1. We are talking about non-denomitional denomination. Right?
2. There are two kind of them.
3. One - small church >>“just Christian” and free from any particular sectarian tradition<<.
4. I think CCC is a denomination because this organisation has doctrine. Doctrine >>free from any particular sectarian tradition<<. Pure christianity. CCC has typical faetures of denomination.
5. CCC has such a way for life that it is pretending that it isn’t denomination. So CCC can win members from protestant’s denomination, and indoctrinate them. So they don’t represent church in CCC, but represent CCC in church, to change church’s doctrine in CCC way.

So it is non-denomitional denomination too.

1. Where are 3 protestants there are 5 denominations

Since the Catholic Church is the Church and not a faction of the Church it cannot by defination be a denomnation.

CDL

 

[Brian_C]

I think he was referring to Campus Crusade for Christ…

 

[Delraek]

Campus Crusade International, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Focus on the Family, etc. are not churches, therefore they are not denominations.

In Campus Crusade for Christ, one of the requirements for all staff people is that they are active members of a church (other than Catholic). So Campus Crusade consists of a staff of people who belong to many different churches (denominations).

I think this is a common requirement for staff members of parachurch organizations.

Please pardon my ignorance, but this Campus Crusade for Christ organization actually prohibits Catholics?

 

[Miserissima]

I have always wondered at the question myself. So I wiki’d it:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-denominational

“Common Traits and tenets” cleared things up for me a bit; “Criticism” echoes what has been said here already.

 

[GOP]

I hear all the time about people that are nondenominational or go to a nondenominational church? It seems to me that nondenominational is itself a denomination. Also, what in the world could the services possibly be that would make them nondenominational? I’m sure there are plenty of people from many different denominations that would feel that the teachings at the nondenominational church are not in line in what they believe. The only way these things would really be non-denominational is to preach about something that ALL Christians have in common, which is not much.

Churches that have Jesus in charge without any denominal affiliation.

 

[Little_Mary]

Churches that have Jesus in charge without any denominal affiliation.

Wrong. If they want Jesus in charge, they’d be Catholic. If they are non-denominational, THEY want to be in charge. Nuff said.

 

[Miserissima]

I thought I cut-and-pasted some of the Wiki highlights above, but I mist not have been paying attention. Here are some main points:

On the other hand, some non-denominational churches consciously reject the idea of a denominational structure as a matter of doctrine, insisting that each congregation must be autonomous, sometimes pointing out that in early Christianity, there were no denominations. In support of this stance, 1 Corinthians 1:12-13 is often cited…

Denominationalism got its start in the aftermath of the Westminster Assembly…independents, weary of the ecclesiastical tyranny they experienced under the Episcopal system, wished to organize the churches in a congregational way envisioning no legitimate authority of the church above the local congregation meeting at one time in a single place.

…Individual churches differ in terms of how literally they interpret various texts of the bible.

Many non-denominational churches can also be considered evangelical, especially when it comes to how one may be saved. Often (though certainly not always), non-denominational churches are loosely Baptist in doctrine and often borrow from charismatic, Pentecostal, Calvinist or fundamentalist ideas and practices as well.

Since most Christian non-denominational churches stemmed from the Protestant movement, almost all of them hold to the five solas, which are solus Christus, sola scriptura, sola fide, sola gratia, and Soli deo gloria (to God alone be the glory).

Often (though certainly not always), non-denominational churches are loosely Baptist in doctrine and often borrow from charismatic, Pentecostal, Calvinist or fundamentalist ideas and practices as well.

…may be used as a marketing ploy. This may be as simple as “tricking” some Christians into attending a church or college that does not share their beliefs, or it may be as subtle as a church or college calling itself “nondenominational” simply to increase attendance or enrollment, focusing on that quantitative response rather than the quality of community or education.

…the pastor or teacher at such a church often has no theological degree, and can become a leader of the church without any of the theological training…[by the] claim that it is possible to be as knowledgeable (or more) as a seminary student via private study alone because of the grace of Jesus Christ.

 

[Cat]

Please pardon my ignorance, but this Campus Crusade for Christ organization actually prohibits Catholics?

Here is the link to the Statement of Faith of the Campus Crusade for Christ:

ccci.org/statement_of_faith.html

As you can see, the organization believes that the Bible is the “supreme and final authority in all matters in which it speaks.”

A Catholic will disagree with this, therefore a Catholic will not be allowed to be a Staff member of Campus Crusade.

The organization itself does not seem to be anti-Catholic. A few years ago, there was a wonderful article in Christianity Today, a magazine geared toward evangelical Protestants, about how Campus Crusade worked with Bishop Karol Wolyja (hope I’m spelling that right) in Poland back in the 1980s.

Historically, Campus Crusade has been willing and eager to work with Catholic Churches if they are invited. Back in the 1970s, Campus Crusade created an evangelistic campaign called “I Found It,” in which participants (laymen and clergy) called people on the phone and asked them if they knew Jesus Christ. In our city, three large Catholic Churches joined in this campaign!

You can google Campus Crusade for Christ, Dr. Bill Bright, Catholic, and find several good stories about cooperation.

Obviously Campus Crusade for Christ cannot in any way be considered “Catholic,” because of the incomplete Gospel that they teach (e.g., no Sacraments), but at least the organization is not anti-Catholic.

Since Campus Crusade is a parachurch organization, they are able to work with whatever Christian church approaches them. A lot of Campus Crusade material is very basic material that Catholics wouldn’t find objectionable. It’s just very incomplete and therefore not something that most Catholics would find useful.

Keep in mind that Campus Crusade for Christ produced the wonderful Jesus movie. This movie has been seen by more people than any other movie in the world, and has been responsible for entire villages turning to Christ. It is an EXCELLENT movie (not nearly as graphic as Passion of the Christ), and you can receive a free copy of it by contacting Campus Crusade. It’s often found in Christian bookstores and catalogues, including Catholic ones.

If you get a chance, watch a Coming Home episode with Jay and Gail Caress. They were career Campus Crusade for Christ staff members who worked in Hollywood with the movie stars and entertainment industry. Then they became Catholic. I know Jay and Gail; they were members of my Conference Baptist Church.

 

[Petergee]

“Non-denominational” is a meaningless weasel word which some denominations use to try to make their denomination more attractive to potential recruits. Implying that they somehow include (the best of) all the other denominations which the potential recruits have rejected. “Our church is non-denominational” really means “we don’t care what denomination you are now, come in here and we’ll convert you to our denomination, but we’re too sneaky to tell you what our specific beliefs are or even to admit that we have any”. It certainly doesn’t mean that thay’ll let you be any type of Christian you want to be. If someone got up at a so-called “non-denominational;” church and started leading the rosary or a litany of the saints, or talking about the Real Presence, he would be booted out. “Non-denominational” is also often a euphemism for “anti-Catholic”.

 

[Contarini]

1. We are talking about non-denomitional denomination. Right?
2. There are two kind of them.
3. One - small church >>“just Christian” and free from any particular sectarian tradition<<.
4. I think CCC is a denomination because this organisation has doctrine. Doctrine >>free from any particular sectarian tradition<<. Pure christianity. CCC has typical faetures of denomination.
5. CCC has such a way for life that it is pretending that it isn’t denomination. So CCC can win members from protestant’s denomination, and indoctrinate them. So they don’t represent church in CCC, but represent CCC in church, to change church’s doctrine in CCC way.

So it is non-denomitional denomination too.

You’re certainly right that the “Churches of Christ” are different from regular old “non-denominational Christians.” However, their claim not to be a denomination is meaningful–they do not recognize the authority of any centralized body. There is nothing that can force a congregation to do anything it doesn’t want to do. They reject any kind of denominational bureaucracy.

I would say that even if they are not a denomination they are a “tradition,” which many of them would probably also deny! The word my CCCC friends use most often is “movement” (I went to a “four C’s” college–Milligan).

Edwin

 

[dragoneustace]

You’re certainly right that the “Churches of Christ” are different from regular old “non-denominational Christians.” However, their claim not to be a denomination is meaningful–they do not recognize the authority of any centralized body. There is nothing that can force a congregation to do anything it doesn’t want to do. They reject any kind of denominational bureaucracy.

I would say that even if they are not a denomination they are a “tradition,” which many of them would probably also deny! The word my CCCC friends use most often is “movement” (I went to a “four C’s” college–Milligan).

Edwin

Hi!
You wrote about four “C” but I about 3 C - Campus Crusade for Christ. CCC.

Campus CCC say, that they are only organisation, but I’m sure, that CCC is denomination in fact.

 

[Cat]

“Non-denominational” is a meaningless weasel word which some denominations use to try to make their denomination more attractive to potential recruits. Implying that they somehow include (the best of) all the other denominations which the potential recruits have rejected. “Our church is non-denominational” really means “we don’t care what denomination you are now, come in here and we’ll convert you to our denomination, but we’re too sneaky to tell you what our specific beliefs are or even to admit that we have any”. It certainly doesn’t mean that thay’ll let you be any type of Christian you want to be. If someone got up at a so-called “non-denominational;” church and started leading the rosary or a litany of the saints, or talking about the Real Presence, he would be booted out. “Non-denominational” is also often a euphemism for “anti-Catholic”.

This is a bit mean-spirited and quite untrue, although I know that there certainly are some nasty non-denominational fellowships around.

But I know personally many non-denominational pastors, and it is as I said in one of my posts above–they left a denomination simply because they wanted the freedom to shepherd their flock by themselves without interference from a denominational headquarters.

I’m not saying I agree with them. I think that when there is no accountability, it is easy to fall into error. I think that the denominational headquarters can help keep orthodoxy in the denomination. But that’s just my personal preference. There are many denominations that are not well-governed, and bad teachings have crept in (e.g., the United Methodists, the Southern Baptists, etc.)

However, it is going to far to imply that these pastors and their churches are “sneaky” and trying to hide what they believe. That’s just not true. If you ask for a Statement of Faith, they will gladly hand you a copy. Or if for some reason they don’t have it in written form, just make an appointment with the pastor and ask him/her to explain the beliefs of his/her church.

I’ve never heard a non-denominational pastor claim that they contain the best of all the denominations. I’m sure that some do, but the statement is too broad to be applied to all non-denoms.

As for reciting a Rosary or the Litany of the Saints–be fair! If you stood up in the middle of Catholic Mass and started reciting either of these worthy prayers, you would be escorted out! There’s such a thing as propriety.

From what I’ve seen, non-denominational churches are often much more open to “different” teachings than the denoms are. My sponsor’s husband is still Protestant and attends a non-denominational fellowship. After my sponsor became Catholic, the pastor invited her to give a speech in the pulpit about her experience and her testimony as a Catholic.

Because the non-denom has no governing body, they are free to accept or reject whatever teaching they wish. So if a member should make a good case for the True Presence, there’s a possibility that it might just become part of the Statement of Faith! No one from a denominational headquarters will stop the pastor from including something “different” into the Statement of Faith.

Again, the main reason for splitting away is freedom to do your own thing in the pulpit and with various ministries, and to be able to keep all the offerings in the church and use them for what seems to be the best ministries.

I think that if we are going to be evangelistic toward members of non-denominational churches, we need to be charitable in our attitudes. If we assume that their church is sneaky, or some other uncomplimentary term, we shouldn’t be surprised when they aren’t interested in hearing about Catholicism. We need to keep the doors open for dialogue.

 

[inthecloud]

Is safe to define non-denominational as a “independent protestant church with her own theology”?

 

[Contarini]

Hi!
You wrote about four “C” but I about 3 C - Campus Crusade for Christ. CCC.

Campus CCC say, that they are only organisation, but I’m sure, that CCC is denomination in fact.

I’m sorry!

I’m not sure in what sense the CCC can be said to be a denomination. They are a parachurch organization and do not consider their local meetings to be substitutes for participation in the local church, as far as I know.

However, Protestant denominations have developed out of such organizations before now, so I wouldn’t say you’re completely wrong!

Edwin

 

[averheyen]

What is non-denominational?

Confusing.

 

[Brian_C]

While I agree that sneaky was not the best term to use, I’d say you haven’t been around enough non-denoms if you insist non of them are profit-driven and just out for numbers. Perfect example is my kids’ daycare. They were quite happy having one of the top football teams in the country (their high school, of course, not the daycare ) and being an AOG church and school. Yet when the Baptist Church down the road started its own high school and lured away the head coach of my kids’ school, along with a sizeable hunk of students, the pastor (also an ex-college QB) saw the denominational light and instead of AOG, it’s now the “Community Church.” It’s an open secret that it was done to increase membership, school attendance, and recruiting prospects by catering to a wider demographic.

Now, of course their are a boatload of Catholic schools in my state that are football-driven. I’m only pointing out that there most certainly can be less-than-pious reasons for going non-denom.

…However, it is going to far to imply that these pastors and their churches are “sneaky” and trying to hide what they believe. That’s just not true. If you ask for a Statement of Faith, they will gladly hand you a copy. Or if for some reason they don’t have it in written form, just make an appointment with the pastor and ask him/her to explain the beliefs of his/her church…

 

[averheyen]

Is safe to define non-denominational as a “independent protestant church with her own theology”?

I think it’s a way of getting around the 20,000 protestant denominations delima.

I mean, somebody tells me they’re Christian, I ask “what denomination?” They say “I don’t get caught up in all that different denomination nonesense. I think as long as you believe christ is your lord and savior, you go to heaven.”

If it were only that easy.

In my opinion, non-denominational is a justification for the unfortunate reality that there’s more than a couple Protestant denominations out there, more than a few different interpretations of scripture, and more than a few moral codes to follow.

 

[Singinbeauty]

Hello! Your local non-denom here!

I really can’t understand the anymosity towards non-denominational churches. If you have a question, try asking a non-denom… instead of spouting half/un-truths. I am here… hit me up!

 

[Brian_C]

Hello! Your local non-denom here!

I really can’t understand the anymosity towards non-denominational churches. If you have a question, try asking a non-denom… instead of spouting half/un-truths. I am here… hit me up!

Forgive me if you think I am spouting half or un-truths. I am merely recounting what I have seen countless times.