Nondenominational

[MadParrotWoman]

I think we all need to understand that Christ is the church, and as Christ is in your heart that is where the foundation of church starts for each of us, in our hearts.
we accept Christ and seed him in our hearts and read his word of the New Testament every single day, then there is no man made brick and mortar church that could or should ever shake our spiritual church we have developed directly with Christ Jesus himself.

Christ is the rock, and the rock is seeded in your heart to which he will build the foundation of his church on through his word in the New Testament. His foundation is indestructible, how well you build your church in Christ is up to you.

God bless

ps: let's not forget that those who have accepted Christ are going to heaven, whether they have a good understanding of the word or not. So maybe we should concentrate our descipleship in and for Christ towards the unbelievers. Just a thought and just my opinion.
as I too find myself spending a lot of time trying to show Christians like Catholics how they have been taught wrong. But they are going to heaven as I am so maybe that effort should be put towards saving the unsaved.

Have they accepted Christ though? With some it has just become a family tradition and were raised as RC (or other) as is the case with the guy at work. He doesn't live like he is saved nor does he attend church. He thinks he is saved but has he accepted Jesus? I don't know the answer to that. He did once say to me "I'm not a Christian, I'm a Catholic!" I don't know if he was joking or not.

On the issue of the church, when I was a new Christian my pastor who was mentoring me said to me "you will never find a perfect church because churches are run by imperfect people". I have found this to be true.

 

[Jeff_56]

Have they accepted Christ though? With some it has just become a family tradition and were raised as RC (or other) as is the case with the guy at work. He doesn't live like he is saved nor does he attend church. He thinks he is saved but has he accepted Jesus? I don't know the answer to that. He did once say to me "I'm not a Christian, I'm a Catholic!" I don't know if he was joking or not.

On the issue of the church, when I was a new Christian my pastor who was mentoring me said to me "you will never find a perfect church because churches are run by imperfect people". I have found this to be true.

'they' say that a lot. every day. they are not christian, and admit it with their own mouth, and don't have a clue what they're saying.

you wouldn't believe what they are taught! it is so unbelievable even to hear it once, but it is entirely from demons , and they are not saved.

there is a perfect assembly of ekklesia, even just wherever 2 or 3 are gathered in JESUS' NAME, you just haven't found it yet, and aren't there yet..... (see other poster's post...) i.e. they are real and true and perfect, (do not make more out of that than is there in the word perfect, but yes they put to shame all of the other churches by far)....

 

[Bowhunter2394]

I've attended and been apart of Non denominational sects, but as with the other groups, they took it upon themselves to 'try to convert' me to their 'belief system', as with the other sects and denominations , some not even letting me in the door because ' you born Again Christians'.... we're unsure of you.. with a high look and raised nose.. lolz... some groups say the Gifts of the Spirit arent for today, this group says they arent others dont know what your talking about, others ask, were you baptized as an infant? well then you were saved.. denouncing and shrugging off the True Witness of Christ, these.. oblivious to the Grace of God in my Life and His Miracle... as we near Daniels 70th week, you'll see more 'christ's ' pop up over there, over here, do not follow them He said.. all these cut up Christs are here for a purpose, to make up the Harlot of Revelation 17, they will be all jello molded together thru the man of sin's Charisma, as God allows him to take the stage on planet Earth, God will call out His Own, His elect, from this... be ye separate.... indeed

 

[MarcR]

Since I have never been a 'church hopper' my experience is admittedly limited; but from what I have observed; the following denominations, and associations of non denominational churches have nearly identical doctrine; and differ primarily in issues of church polity and missions:


Conservative Baptist, most Southern Baptist, Baptist General Conference, Mission Covenant Church, Menonite, Christian Church, Christian Missionary Alliance, Evangelical Free, Free Methodist, Calvary Chapel, In Faith.


My home church is associated with In Faith; and we have assisted both the Christian Church and the Free Methodist Church with projects like VBS, and youth activities.

 

[Bowhunter2394]

Grew up in the Lutheran schism, after He saved me in 1994, lets see, visited the Lutherans, Assembly of God, Evangelical Free, Baptist, RCC, even a Word of Faith 'church'.. where they tried to cast 'demons of poverty' out of me.. lolz.. so far from the Truth... I do know today.. Most of this will be molded into one big Corporate Apostate Body upon the Removal of He that Lets.. indeed... one may ask, well how will they do that? all the different ideas and stuff... the Man of sin will do that with his great charisma, 'all in the name of love and unity, yet not Standing in Truth. Apostate, Babylon like in nature (confusion) molded and kept together by counterfeit signs and wonders produced .. this power derivative.. satan, (dragon) as he is allowed to move forward , progress...

Understand that God is totally Sovereign over His Creation, he allows satan to move forward, His True Seed, will not adhere to it, or compromise with it... they will Separate from it.. you turn up the Heat, the best comes to the Surface, same with the Eternal, One way He refines is to let the enemy press in.. God's Best will Shine Forth, because they are Genuine and Grounded in Him.... those other who want to compromise and follow error, they will do just that.. They were Never Christ's to begin with.. indeed!

 

[Bowhunter2394]

I've attended and been apart of Non denominational sects, but as with the other groups, they took it upon themselves to 'try to convert' me to their 'belief system', as with the other sects and denominations , some not even letting me in the door because ' you born Again Christians'.... we're unsure of you.. with a high look and raised nose.. lolz... some groups say the Gifts of the Spirit arent for today, this group says they arent others dont know what your talking about, others ask, were you baptized as an infant? well then you were saved.. denouncing and shrugging off the True Witness of Christ, these.. oblivious to the Grace of God in my Life and His Miracle... as we near Daniels 70th week, you'll see more 'christ's ' pop up over there, over here, do not follow them He said.. all these cut up Christs are here for a purpose, to make up the Harlot of Revelation 17, they will be all jello molded together thru the man of sin's Charisma, as God allows him to take the stage on planet Earth, God will call out His Own, His elect, from this... be ye separate.... indeed

this is the SWORD that STILL occurs in my family, even after 20 years...lol.. flesh/bone and relatives, Jesus came to bring a Sword, not peace....for them I know Jesus thru a infant baptism, no, I came to Know Him in 1994, not infant baptism, they reject this and continue in that un belief. My Identity in Christ , is not grounded in the Lutheran Sect, being a child of God, yet never growing up, nor is my Identity found in the sect or denomination my grandmother was apart of, the AOG, being a child of God yet being MOLDED INTO HER PERSON... or somebody like her........ NOPE.. My Identity is Grounded In Christ, God manifest in the flesh , and His blood, decreed from the Foundation of the World, found in Him and Kept In Him... My Identity in Christ is Revealed to me from His Word, Elect, and chosen in Him, not my doing... Im a a simple Outdoors Man who enjoys bowhunting and fishing.. and this not FROM A GENES/CHROMOSOMES gospel that uses witchcraft-sorcery (pharmaceutical meds) to image a person accordingly... Im called to Walk with Him on a daily basis.. to know Him Deeper, the power of His Resurrection, being made conformable unto His Death... very very simple..

 

[MadParrotWoman]

this is the SWORD that STILL occurs in my family, even after 20 years...lol.. flesh/bone and relatives, Jesus came to bring a Sword, not peace....for them I know Jesus thru a infant baptism, no, I came to Know Him in 1994, not infant baptism, they reject this and continue in that un belief. My Identity in Christ , is not grounded in the Lutheran Sect, being a child of God, yet never growing up, nor is my Identity found in the sect or denomination my grandmother was apart of, the AOG, being a child of God yet being MOLDED INTO HER PERSON... or somebody like her........ NOPE.. My Identity is Grounded In Christ, God manifest in the flesh , and His blood, decreed from the Foundation of the World, found in Him and Kept In Him... My Identity in Christ is Revealed to me from His Word, Elect, and chosen in Him, not my doing... Im a a simple Outdoors Man who enjoys bowhunting and fishing.. and this not FROM A GENES/CHROMOSOMES gospel that uses witchcraft-sorcery (pharmaceutical meds) to image a person accordingly... Im called to Walk with Him on a daily basis.. to know Him Deeper, the power of His Resurrection, being made conformable unto His Death... very very simple..

Yep it is a sad fact that many of today's churches have very little to do with the Jesus we know. I think the situation is much worse in the US, you guys have so many churches that have branched off into different sects. As long as we are grounded in Him and do not stray from that into church doctrine we will keep the enemy at arm's length.

 

[Bowhunter2394]

Yep it is a sad fact that many of today's churches have very little to do with the Jesus we know. I think the situation is much worse in the US, you guys have so many churches that have branched off into different sects. As long as we are grounded in Him and do not stray from that into church doctrine we will keep the enemy at arm's length.

I agree 100%, and its the Church people that persecute myself and those around me... the children of the flesh that persecute the children of the Spirit.. As we near closer to Daniels 70th week.. you will see more 'christs' popping up here.. including their' churches', all confused about the Truth, but holding out the Truth or some parts of it in un righteousness.. and You'll SEE God Himself calling out His Own from those , I believe He has already started doing that.. He is preparing a Bride, the He will come to receive unto Himself, spotless, from the stain of man made religion, confusion and chaos . A bride Unto Himself... these Scattered thru-out the Planet.. these, His Own, His Elect, as we get really close to the time of Daniels 70th week, will be REPUGNANT, and hated by those who are falling away and going into apostasy... yet holding out another gospel.. the Weeds prior to His Return, will show much emnity towards the Children of Promise, that when the Children of Promise are 'caught up' Unto Him, the tares and weeds, will be happy.. because those trouble makers, they are gone.. they never got on board with our Jesus...or Jesus's... lolz.. You will characterize their 'rejoicing' when He that Lets is Removed , to the rejoicing of the Planet after the 2 witnesses are murdered in Jerusalem.... rejoicing and happy, God's Will be Done on Earth as it is in Heaven.... He is Sovereign and In Control... He calls is OWN to Stand and Trust and Watch His Mighty Hand!

 

[eyesonly]

Originally Posted by eyesonly

I think we all need to understand that Christ is the church, and as Christ is in your heart that is where the foundation of church starts for each of us, in our hearts.

Christ is the Head of the Church........the Groom.......we are the Church........those blood bought, born again believers who are His disciples........just saying......
Eph 5:31-32.... For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.....This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.........................
I see this as Christ and the church have become one, therefore i see Christ is the church in how i was spiritually speaking. It really matters not if you try to understand my post from a spiritual sense and not a literal sense of the flesh

Christ is the rock, and the rock is seeded in your heart to which he will build the foundation of his church on through his word in the New Testament. His foundation is indestructible, how well you build your church in Christ is up to you.

? This one a bit confusing.......He is certainly the Cornerstone, the First fruit, He is Lord......and His Church is indestructible for sure.......as to the last part........If I understand you are simply saying how our congregation preaches/teaches the Gospel of Christ is up to us, then yes........
The last part is exactly how i meant it in context with the whole post. The post is about Christ in your heart, and church begins in your heart, and if you build that up within your heart and spirit, when you attend different brick and mortar churches you will know immediately if they are teaching the true word as taught by Christ in the new testament.
So, you build up your church within your heart by your faith. Everyone is given the measure of faith, the same amount of faith, it all depends on how much you put into tapping into that faith. You do this by hearing the word, seeing the word, setting it into your heart and then speaking it.
We need to read the new testament every day, even a page a day, for man does not live on bread alone but by every word that comes from God. We need to feed our spiritual self the word every day just like we feed our flesh bodies.
Each time you read the new testament, the word is revealed to you on a higher and higher spiritual level. I am on my 5th time in year and half and can't wait till the 6th, 7th, 10th, 100th time through.


as I too find myself spending a lot of time trying to show Christians like Catholics how they have been taught wrong. But they are going to heaven as I am so maybe that effort should be put towards saving the unsaved.

There is room for concern with this statement....Jesus spoke of those who He will deny at the time of accounting......just saying.......we don't save the unsaved, but we surely should be witnessing to them. Jesus saves......we serve......
I can only imagine the judgement and criticism Christ endured speaking the word of his father. I would ask that you take a step back when reading things and pause for a second and take everything into context please.
Unsaved in the context of this thread is meant as those who have yet to be saved, and yes it is Christ who saves them through us.
This is a perfect example of why The Lord wants us to experience the spirit of the word now and not the letter of the word.

Thank you

God bless

 

[eyesonly]

Have they accepted Christ though? With some it has just become a family tradition and were raised as RC (or other) as is the case with the guy at work. He doesn't live like he is saved nor does he attend church. He thinks he is saved but has he accepted Jesus? I don't know the answer to that. He did once say to me "I'm not a Christian, I'm a Catholic!" I don't know if he was joking or not.

On the issue of the church, when I was a new Christian my pastor who was mentoring me said to me "you will never find a perfect church because churches are run by imperfect people". I have found this to be true.

Well put sister about if they have actually accepted Christ. Church has become such a ritual that I'm sure many haven't been told about accepting Christ.
thanks kindly for the reminder

God bless

 

[atwhatcost]

So is nondenominational the way to go? I think so. I was reading this today about how things are going in the US: http://endtimeheadlines.org/2015/04/8-reasons-christians-are-leaving-denominational-churches/

We need more nondenominational churches here in the UK, currently we don't have one in my city if we did and it was a good one I would probably attend. This link covers eight reasons why nondenominational churches are more popular in the US but I think the top reason is doctrine, denominations are usually infected with the doctrine of man which is often in conflict with God's word and the older the denomination the more of man has crept into it IMO - the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches being prime examples here in the UK.

Those of you from from the US and Canada might like to add what is going on in their most established denominations, this would be of interest to me and perhaps others not familiar with what is going on the other side of the Atlantic! From what I read here and on facebook it would seem that the biggest step away from God and His word is the acceptance of homosexuality with some even willing to perform same sex "marriages" in the US.

Here in Britain it's all about "bums on pews" with established churches adopting the mindset of liberalism "pulling 'em in", the idea that if the Bible is too unpalatable then "soften" it to apply to today's liberal-thinking culture. In fact the opposite being the truth, this idea is simply not working. Strong Bible-believing churches are the ones flourishing here.

I have covered just one topic of debate here on this thread but the link covers eight reasons why nondenominational is the way to go. All comments posted below whether in agreement or not would be appreciated. God bless.

No! And your link is one reason. Nondenoms tend to go off on tangents, like "End Times," rather than go for the meat of God's word. Why not? Not like they have to worry about doctrine, or administrative duties, or agreeing through study. They can do whatever they're in the mood to do that moment.

And then anyone who wants to call himself/herself a pastor... poof! A new pastor appears. No concept if the person knows the word or not, and not many knowledgeable enough to call the pastor on it, if he/she doesn't know.

And then they get to talk about the evil denoms, as if all denoms are inherently evil, or all folks in denoms are sitting in the pews.

It's a disaster not even waiting to happen. It happens over and over again every day all day long over here.

I know what our elders need to know and what they go through to get there. I've heard of what goes on in general sessions between presbyteries and between presbyteries and the larger presbytery. (Way too boring for me to sit through, but hubby has gone a few time and is amazed at the order and heated debate going on around him.) I've seen the brothers get together and come up with the best solution by Robert's Rules of Order and by God's word -- one to control the meeting, and the other to control the thought.

And, I remember going to a church where the pastor used to be an electrical engineer months before I joined before he was forced into the pastor seat. He couldn't even pronounce the word "concordance," once more know its purpose. He had no need to study to come up with a sermon, since he'd flop open his Bible, find a verse, and then wing it from there for 30 minutes. I know that church now is nothing but a place for upper middle-class folks to come together to feel good and agree, while God kind of got shoved out of the room.

So, no. Not really big on nondenoms, but, hey, God's people come from all nations, all peoples and even all beliefs, so God wins with or without denoms and/or nondenoms. It's simply easier for me to trust men who took decades to study the word and 40 hours to write one 45 minute sermon on the same verses in the same Bible that every other Teaching Elder is teaching on that day all across America. And that's all they do -- teach what the Bible says in those verses, instead of wasting way too much time on cause-of-the-moment, conspiracy theories, and aliens on earth.

(Twitter and Facebook really don't cover what's going on.)

 

[atwhatcost]

Since I have never been a 'church hopper' my experience is admittedly limited; but from what I have observed; the following denominations, and associations of non denominational churches have nearly identical doctrine; and differ primarily in issues of church polity and missions:


Conservative Baptist, most Southern Baptist, Baptist General Conference, Mission Covenant Church, Menonite, Christian Church, Christian Missionary Alliance, Evangelical Free, Free Methodist, Calvary Chapel, In Faith.


My home church is associated with In Faith; and we have assisted both the Christian Church and the Free Methodist Church with projects like VBS, and youth activities.

It's been a couple of decades since I last heard what two of those denominations believe, but the Southern Baptists used to be opposite of Methodists. One believed God choice. The other believed Man chooses.

 

[MadParrotWoman]

Whilst it's always good to have a conflicting viewpoint it does sound like you have had particularly bad experiences and I don't believe that all nondenominational churches operate this way. Many spring up because sound doctrine is not being taught in "traditional" churches.

 

[student]

I asked a couple of lifelong catholics at work on separate occasions what faith they were, each answered without hesitation, I'm Catholic.
I said oh, if you accepted Christ, wouldn't you be Christian, both answers were, NO, i'm catholic first, Christian second.
Wow, huh. totally like a cult i would say.

Denominations are man made, there is only one true following of the word and that is simply Christianity. The first time i read the new testament year and half ago, i realized that the word has absolutely nothing to do with man made religion. It is about LOVE, pure and simple.

With God everything is possible, God is love and through love we experience everything that is God.

God bless

Nice response.

 

[student]

Nondenominational churches do indeed have doctrine. Biblically based doctrine. Not man made, man decided. I was once a Lutheran. Cold as ice. I grew up there and was there until my children got confirmed. I got 2 hugs in 30 years. I associate true faith in action according to the kind words, gentle touch, caring attitude. Nada. I walked into this non denominational Christian church and was flooded with those things. I stayed and got angry and came back time and again, struggling between the two ideals. I found there is so much truth in this church. I've been there in the nd Christian church since. God is love, truth, sanctity... every church has a problem somewhere, but if you find a golden nugget, you hang onto that. My minister is golden in his faith, and shepherd abilities. Off my soapbox... KInda got off on a tangent..lol. My advice, get some books and do the research of your own volition. Billy Graham, Derek Prince, Joyce Meyer...help me out. Those are just a few. Not all are good. Not all are the same. And Televans are different than real face to face. But their ideals should make sense. Be blessed.

 

[Angela53510]

To me, the name non-denom is just an excuse to break away and start a church that is not accountable to anyone. We had a few non-denom pastors take courses at Seminary. It always seemed like they wanted control, and they had a lot of weird doctrines they could not back up with Scripture.

I attended non-denoms when I was first saved. They seemed to split with amazing regularity and someone set themselves up as the new prophet or authority from God.

I was very glad to get out of those kinds of churches. Being a Baptist is the best of both worlds. You are basically independent, but affiliated for purposes of mission, and training. But even the Southern Baptists go from one end to the other regarding eschatology, soteriology and church government. The SBC has become a little too hierarchical in the US, but in Canada they still run the churches independently. However, they do support each other, and make decisions regarding the future of the convention.

I have been in 3 Baptist conventions, working my way to one that is both near my home and that I agree with doctrinally since I moved.

I will say that in Canada, the mainline churches are mostly empty. It is the evangelical churches that are still growing because they are reaching out to the communities and preaching the gospel. That includes Pentecostal and Evangelical Lutheran, and Evangelical Free, most Baptist churches and C&MA and a few others.

Canada used to have a big mainline denomination called the United Church of Canada. It was the union of some Presbyterian Churches, Methodist and some Congregationalist Churches. It has lost millions of members as they have become totally humanist and "inclusive" meaning more worried about gay rights than sin and Jesus dying on the cross. As for the RCC, it is really archaic and has lost its support base in Quebec. Anglicans still exist, but if my aunt is any indication, it has definitely slid to the left. Not sure about the Missouri Synod, I know a few people in it, but I cannot vouch for the growth rate, either up or down.

 

[Bowhunter2394]

Nondenominational churches do indeed have doctrine. Biblically based doctrine. Not man made, man decided. I was once a Lutheran. Cold as ice. I grew up there and was there until my children got confirmed. I got 2 hugs in 30 years. I associate true faith in action according to the kind words, gentle touch, caring attitude. Nada. I walked into this non denominational Christian church and was flooded with those things. I stayed and got angry and came back time and again, struggling between the two ideals. I found there is so much truth in this church. I've been there in the nd Christian church since. God is love, truth, sanctity... every church has a problem somewhere, but if you find a golden nugget, you hang onto that. My minister is golden in his faith, and shepherd abilities. Off my soapbox... KInda got off on a tangent..lol. My advice, get some books and do the research of your own volition. Billy Graham, Derek Prince, Joyce Meyer...help me out. Those are just a few. Not all are good. Not all are the same. And Televans are different than real face to face. But their ideals should make sense. Be blessed.

He will guide you... I used to read all the books by every other 'christian' out there.. until He pulled me away from Man, and showed me what what the Real Stuff was from His Word. Some of the names you mentioned in your post , Just a word of warning. be very careful.... indeed!

 

[SarahM777]

Canada used to have a big mainline denomination called the United Church of Canada. It was the union of some Presbyterian Churches, Methodist and some Congregationalist Churches. It has lost millions of members as they have become totally humanist and "inclusive" meaning more worried about gay rights than sin and Jesus dying on the cross. As for the RCC, it is really archaic and has lost its support base in Quebec. Anglicans still exist, but if my aunt is any indication, it has definitely slid to the left. Not sure about the Missouri Synod, I know a few people in it, but I cannot vouch for the growth rate, either up or down.

Growth rate is down in the LCMS.

 

[maxwel]

I think non-denoms are just silly.

Every church has beliefs, and doctrine, no matter how much they claim they don't.
That doctrine will almost always line up with SOME denomination.
Why not just SAY WHAT YOU ARE?

Why try to hide behind some odd name and obscure your beliefs?
Why not just say what you are?

As Angela stated, there ARE some non-denoms that are just weird and cult-like.
But the vast majority have very standard doctrines that closely follow one denomination or another.
So why try to hide that?

I think non-denominational churches are just being silly...
they're trying to hide what they believe to be more appealing to "post modern" people who think denominations are evil, because post-moderns think ALL truth is relative and therefore ANY doctrine must be evil... and if they really believe all truth is relative, then what makes you think they're going to suddenly accept the TRUTH and get SAVED after you TRICK them into coming into your CHURCH WITH NO NAME!
: )
It's just circular madness.

However, the critical thing is that they teach the bible... regardless of the name over the door.
So although it seems silly to ME personally, it just doesn't matter what their name is, as long as they teach the bible.

 

[p_rehbein]

Hey............we are going to disagree on something...........

My church is far from "silly." Nor does it "hide" what it is or what it believes. Just the opposite. I'm not sure you have fully researched the definition of a Non-denominational church? Maybe.

Suggest you look into Church Denominations such as the Catholic church, Southern Baptist, Methodist and others, including certain Church of Christ organizations and see how they control their individual congregations/pastors, then you will better understand Non-denominational I believe.