Denominations

I have had a more pentecostal/charismatic background..but am breaking away from that and heading to a more Arminian/holiness kind of church..checked out the Wesleyan church and i must say, i really enjoyed it.

Think ill revisit for sure..

The main problem with most of non-denominationalism (exceptions there be, but they are rare) is that is has no obligations to anyone for what it teaches and believes. Often being creedless they would not stress doctrinal unity among its members. Being normally congregationalist to that it means an open door for one or a few "strong leaders" to teach whatever they feel for (and change their teachings accordingly).

Without a good creed and church polity the church easily becomes target of cultic and divisive teachings/practices.

In a few other threads on several of the boards, questions about different denominations have come up. I thought it might be interesting to talk about that here. Starting with a poll to see what's represented here, and then maybe some discussion (again, let's keep it respectful, I'll try on my end not to be insulting to others).

As I've said elsewhere, I think it's wonderful that there are a lot of different denominations. A thousand years ago, there was only "one game in town" (for Christians), and if anyone tried to challenge the doctrines of that One Church, they would get killed. I'm glad we don't have that any more!

I think God appreciates that there are different ways to worship Him. I like to think of it like a radio station. He doesn't listen to country-n-western all day. Sometimes he likes to hear the pop station, or hip-hop, or classical, or whatever. As long as we're all praising God, I think that's what's important.

That is not to say that I think we're all right, and "right doctrine" doesn't really matter. Of course I think it does matter, or I wouldn't be so ... erm, how should I say ... vocal about what I believe is right doctrine. It matters, but I think we can take it too far, if we let those differences divide us too much. Sometimes we have to put down the gloves and say, "Yes, I think you're wrong, but I love you, and you and I are both worshiping the same God. Let us do so in unity."

Does that make sense?

I attend a non denominational church. Our doctrine is Biblicaly sound. We are accountable to God and not to any organization. The problem with denominations is thst there are often denominatinal traditions that are not Biblical.

I didn't see Anabaptist up here, as I believe they have the understanding of the Law of Liberty (James 1:25; 2:12: Galatians 5:1;13-!4). But I would have to go with them.

Our doctrine is Biblicaly sound.

The problem with denominations is thst there are often denominatinal traditions that are not Biblical.

I am decidedly Methodist....

I have great love for the UMC. Aside from the fact that American hymnody just about owes everything to Charles Wesley, I also appreciate the four steps of Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience.

I, too, have studied pretty much all the mainline traditions, and a handful of others. I have yet to find one that's "perfect." They all have pluses and minuses. Sometimes I think God is calling me to start a new denomination (actually, I think God wants me to try to unite a bunch of the current ones -- CCDOC, EC, ELCA, PCUSA, UCC, and UMC, maybe also ABC -- and anyone else who would want to join) Alphabet soup Christianity.

Here's how I see it. There's a beautiful and large bouquet of flowers sitting on a table. A group of people are sitting around that table and describing the flowers. One person says, "Those are the most beautiful roses I have ever seen." Another one says, "Well, yes, they are beautiful, but they're not roses. Clearly, they are carnations." A third person says, "You're both nuts. Clearly, they are lilies, and far more perfect than any thorned rose or common carnation could ever be." The people continue to argue around the table. Each is correct as far as they can see -- but because no one person can see the entire bouquet, none of them are able to recognize that the others are also correct.

Not that there are no false doctrines out there. I think there are some churches say things that are just plain wrong, and using the above analogy, someone might be looking at the same carnations as someone else but insist that they are plastic instead of freshly cut, live flowers. (Okay, I admit, the analogy isn't perfect.) There are false doctrines being taught, against which we must guard; but I think a lot of the things we argue about are what I referred to before as "cosmetic," aren't necessarily mutually exclusive, and are merely different because God is just so huge no one person can possibly fathom the fullness that is the divine; the best we can do is see shards, shadows, glimpses of God, and one person's glimpse may not exactly match another person's. That doesn't mean either one of those people are wrong -- it just mean they're getting different glimpses of the same Almighty God.

And which doctrines are the right ones and which are the wrong ones? Well, I know which I believe, according to Scripture and the Holy Spirit, are right and wrong. But I don't think it's my job to tell you you're wrong. If you are a sister or brother in Christ, and you come to me in sincerity, seeking correct teaching, I will share with you what the Spirit has shared with me through the Bible, the Word of God. If that is different from what you have been told before, we can continue to discuss, pray, and read the Bible about it. Maybe I am wrong, and you will be able to show me where I am in error. Maybe you are wrong, and I will be able to show you from Scripture. But I try not to get preachy with that unless a person specifically asks. (LOL ... I try ... didn't say I always succeed!)

In a few other threads on several of the boards, questions about different denominations have come up. I thought it might be interesting to talk about that here. Starting with a poll to see what's represented here, and then maybe some discussion (again, let's keep it respectful, I'll try on my end not to be insulting to others).

As I've said elsewhere, I think it's wonderful that there are a lot of different denominations. A thousand years ago, there was only "one game in town" (for Christians), and if anyone tried to challenge the doctrines of that One Church, they would get killed. I'm glad we don't have that any more!

I think God appreciates that there are different ways to worship Him. I like to think of it like a radio station. He doesn't listen to country-n-western all day. Sometimes he likes to hear the pop station, or hip-hop, or classical, or whatever. As long as we're all praising God, I think that's what's important.

That is not to say that I think we're all right, and "right doctrine" doesn't really matter. Of course I think it does matter, or I wouldn't be so ... erm, how should I say ... vocal about what I believe is right doctrine. It matters, but I think we can take it too far, if we let those differences divide us too much. Sometimes we have to put down the gloves and say, "Yes, I think you're wrong, but I love you, and you and I are both worshiping the same God. Let us do so in unity."

Does that make sense?

I have great love for the UMC. Aside from the fact that American hymnody just about owes everything to Charles Wesley, I also appreciate the four steps of Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience.

I, too, have studied pretty much all the mainline traditions, and a handful of others. I have yet to find one that's "perfect." They all have pluses and minuses. Sometimes I think God is calling me to start a new denomination (actually, I think God wants me to try to unite a bunch of the current ones -- CCDOC, EC, ELCA, PCUSA, UCC, and UMC, maybe also ABC -- and anyone else who would want to join) Alphabet soup Christianity.

Here's how I see it. There's a beautiful and large bouquet of flowers sitting on a table. A group of people are sitting around that table and describing the flowers. One person says, "Those are the most beautiful roses I have ever seen." Another one says, "Well, yes, they are beautiful, but they're not roses. Clearly, they are carnations." A third person says, "You're both nuts. Clearly, they are lilies, and far more perfect than any thorned rose or common carnation could ever be." The people continue to argue around the table. Each is correct as far as they can see -- but because no one person can see the entire bouquet, none of them are able to recognize that the others are also correct.

Not that there are no false doctrines out there. I think there are some churches say things that are just plain wrong, and using the above analogy, someone might be looking at the same carnations as someone else but insist that they are plastic instead of freshly cut, live flowers. (Okay, I admit, the analogy isn't perfect.) There are false doctrines being taught, against which we must guard; but I think a lot of the things we argue about are what I referred to before as "cosmetic," aren't necessarily mutually exclusive, and are merely different because God is just so huge no one person can possibly fathom the fullness that is the divine; the best we can do is see shards, shadows, glimpses of God, and one person's glimpse may not exactly match another person's. That doesn't mean either one of those people are wrong -- it just mean they're getting different glimpses of the same Almighty God.

And which doctrines are the right ones and which are the wrong ones? Well, I know which I believe, according to Scripture and the Holy Spirit, are right and wrong. But I don't think it's my job to tell you you're wrong. If you are a sister or brother in Christ, and you come to me in sincerity, seeking correct teaching, I will share with you what the Spirit has shared with me through the Bible, the Word of God. If that is different from what you have been told before, we can continue to discuss, pray, and read the Bible about it. Maybe I am wrong, and you will be able to show me where I am in error. Maybe you are wrong, and I will be able to show you from Scripture. But I try not to get preachy with that unless a person specifically asks. (LOL ... I try ... didn't say I always succeed!)

I am a United Methodist myself, though I don’t think most of us pay much attention to the United Methodist Book of Discipline (tradition, reason, Scripture, and experience). (I, for one, think it's sufficient to read the Bible.) Even if we did, they change it every four years, don’t they?

I think any Methodist would agree with you that it's "sufficient" to read the Bible. My understanding is that the quadrilateral (thanks ... yes, that's the term) says when we read the Bible, we do so with the filters of tradition, reason, and experience. It's not a "should" so much as an "is."

As for the Book of Discipline, it's not completely rewritten every 4 years, but at each GA, there may be additional stuff added. Think of it like the US Constitution -- There may be amendments, but we don't toss out what's been handed down to us without some MIGHTY good reasons.

I think my only argument with Methodists is their preference for grape juice over wine.

i have found many to use the grapejuice..some baptists..pentecostal/charismatics..
non denoms..pretty much all except the catholics i have seen use grapejuice..and only grapejuice.

All i know is i avoid charismatic and more ritual/traditional beliefs.