Why I have no denomination

[Joidevivre]

Having been in just about every denominational church there is, whenever we moved the yellow pages helped me find the church that would probably most represent what I wanted in worship, teaching and fellowship.

There, of course, are variations depending on the pastor, but at least it gave me a place to start.

But when we found a church, no more was said or thought about denominations. It narrowed down to people.

 

[Angela53510]

I went to non-denoms when I was first saved, and it left a very bad taste in my mouth.

Besides the splits, and those following a charismatic leader, instead of God, the doctrine was fuzzy, and mostly they were all about "feel good" instead of following Jesus.

Even the Pentacostal Assemblies (AoG in the US) was a better place to be - there was some accountability, whereas non-denoms can do whatever they want, and no one ever got called into question.

I like that Baptists believe in "the authority of the believer." That means that rather than being a denomination, the churches are loosely united in a convention. But no one is telling another church how to run their church. The advantage of a convention, is support and also education for pastors. It is very expensive running a seminary, and having the support of a convention makes the difference between a seminary making it or failing.

And yes, I do think education is important for pastors. Studying the word on an in depth basis, theology, the original languages, plus learning how to teach, preach, counsel, evangelize are all important to have a well rounded pastor, who can lead the congregation in a way they grow in Christ, and in reaching out to the world around them with the love of Christ.

I'll stick with being a Baptist, as non-denoms simply don't work for me.

 

[skylove7]

Sigh....

I dream being as awesome of a girl as my friend Angela someday.



Love u Ang

 

[Angela53510]

Sigh....

I dream being as awesome of a girl as my friend Angela someday.



Love u Ang

Hey, Sky! I didn't start Seminary till I was 52. There is lots of time left for you to grow in the wisdom and truth of God!

 

[Willie-T]

But. Sky, just stay smart enough not to go to Seminary. It takes years to unlearn the 85% of such time spent that does little more than indoctrinate you into a certain prescribed way to believe.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

I went to non-denoms when I was first saved, and it left a very bad taste in my mouth.

Besides the splits, and those following a charismatic leader, instead of God, the doctrine was fuzzy, and mostly they were all about "feel good" instead of following Jesus.

Even the Pentacostal Assemblies (AoG in the US) was a better place to be - there was some accountability, whereas non-denoms can do whatever they want, and no one ever got called into question.

I like that Baptists believe in "the authority of the believer." That means that rather than being a denomination, the churches are loosely united in a convention. But no one is telling another church how to run their church. The advantage of a convention, is support and also education for pastors. It is very expensive running a seminary, and having the support of a convention makes the difference between a seminary making it or failing.

And yes, I do think education is important for pastors. Studying the word on an in depth basis, theology, the original languages, plus learning how to teach, preach, counsel, evangelize are all important to have a well rounded pastor, who can lead the congregation in a way they grow in Christ, and in reaching out to the world around them with the love of Christ.

I'll stick with being a Baptist, as non-denoms simply don't work for me.

non denoms have the same issues denoms due, there are pentecostle non denomns, baptist non denoms, and others..

The only difference i think is they are not held to a standard help by the denominations national association.

I grew up baptist. and am currently attending a non denomination church in my city,, Only because I am blessed and see Gods work in it. I have also seen some non denoms here I would not want to be a part of.

 

[dcontroversal]

Denominations are never mentioned in the Bible, yet many "Christians" separate themselves through it. Denominations aren't meant for Christianity because there's only one Gospel. One Gospel that makes us Christians. And that's it.

While your premise is good and right...the truth is rather simple....at the end of the day every flavor of (gospel) is found under the sun....even on this site you have numerous gospels of a DIFFERENT kind with no power to save......Paul speks to this in the Galatian letter...those who teach saved by faith, but kept by works which seems to permeate rank and file so-called Christianity!

 

[KennethC]

I went to non-denoms when I was first saved, and it left a very bad taste in my mouth.

Besides the splits, and those following a charismatic leader, instead of God, the doctrine was fuzzy, and mostly they were all about "feel good" instead of following Jesus.

Even the Pentacostal Assemblies (AoG in the US) was a better place to be - there was some accountability, whereas non-denoms can do whatever they want, and no one ever got called into question.

I like that Baptists believe in "the authority of the believer." That means that rather than being a denomination, the churches are loosely united in a convention. But no one is telling another church how to run their church. The advantage of a convention, is support and also education for pastors. It is very expensive running a seminary, and having the support of a convention makes the difference between a seminary making it or failing.

And yes, I do think education is important for pastors. Studying the word on an in depth basis, theology, the original languages, plus learning how to teach, preach, counsel, evangelize are all important to have a well rounded pastor, who can lead the congregation in a way they grow in Christ, and in reaching out to the world around them with the love of Christ.

I'll stick with being a Baptist, as non-denoms simply don't work for me.

Well I don't know what Non-denominational churches you went to, but the way you describe it sounds more like the one's that claim to be Non-denomination but underneath actually follow doctrines of men from other denominations.

For all the Non-Denominationals in my area do not but teach on following Christ and God's word.
We place the word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit before all things besides God Himself.

There are a number of denominations out there or churches that falsely claim Non-denominational when they are actually still abiding by most of the doctrine they originally broke away from.

I was in a couple of baptist churches in my life, and the Non-denomination I affiliate with now teaches the truth, as nothing is taught unless it is in the bible. I can not say that about the two baptist churches I was in as they twisted and bend some of the scriptures.

 

[convallaria]

Detail would require me to post the Baptist Faith & Message, or some similar tome to explain it adequately. This will give an overview, and show the things we must help the unbeliever realize for his/her own salvation.

• God loves us and desires relationship with us, His creation.
• Man is sinful and separated from God, unable to know God's love, or the basis of the relationship God desires.
• Jesus Christ is God's only provision for man's sinfulness, and through Him man can know the love of God and experience the loving relationship He desires.
• In order to receive Christ's provision, man must understand and admit he is a sinner, and believe Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord -- Savior, having paid the penalty for sin, and Lord, that He guides and direct our lives.
• Confessing that truthfully and sincerely, God sends the Holy Spirit to us, a Comforter, Healer, and Helper, becoming in us the conduit for God's love.

That's it in its simplest terms. For detail, it will require a longer post.

Thank you yes! that is how we make a start. I am concerned that in many denominations however, that receiving the Holy Spirit is reduced to a matter of acknowledging a "force" for good at work in us, almost as though He might give a stamp of approval on all we do and are already doing...whereas in the Bible receiving the Holy Spirit was accompanied by signs and wonders, and marked the beginning of that new life in Christ that is a demonstration of God's power come among us. Everything changes, and we cannot be the same as we were.

 

[convallaria]

You mean like this;

2 Timothy 4:3-4


For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Bang on Kenneth!

 

[MikkoAinasoja]

And here you all just talk about denominations even though we may all see that the this woman has lost the way of the truth, by using clothing's which easily makes man commit adultery, with she.

But you do not have nothing to say about it?

Is that the love and loyalty, which you have in your neighbor, and for God?

Does not the Lord has say, that woe for the world, for the temptation's, but woe for that whom bring them in the world?

We must not be a stumbling blocks for eachother, because we should be as light of this world, if we are a children's of God. The children's of this world seduce others to do sin, because they do not God.

Only righteous will be saved, so let us live always in a way of righteous.

 

[Jason0047]

Denominations are never mentioned in the Bible, yet many "Christians" separate themselves through it. Denominations aren't meant for Christianity because there's only one Gospel. One Gospel that makes us Christians. And that's it.

The problem I see with most churches in general is that they hold to some kind of wrong doctrine; Especially the evil doctrine known as "Once Saved Always Saved" or a "sin and still be saved" type doctrine. For many today believe that you cannot stop sinning. That you will always be a slave to sin (Thereby making the excuse to make room for sin in one's life). For 2 Timothy 3:1-9 says in the last days there are going to be those who have a form of Godliness but they deny the power thereof. So I see true fellowship (not as a denomination or as in meeting with a bunch of strangers in a church building once a week) but I see "fellowship" as in what that word actually means. Fellowship. To get together with other like minded individuals who believe God's Word and who want to put it into practice within their lives for real. This is why I have been thinking of leaving this forum for a while.

 

[Dude653]

I believe denominations tend to cause division, also there are certain denominational traditions that are not necessarily biblical

 

[Yet]

Maybe he was just kidding when he said 'let there be no divisions among you'. Divisions exist because flesh is in control, not the Holy Spirit and definitely not the word of God.

 

[convallaria]

And here you all just talk about denominations even though we may all see that the this woman has lost the way of the truth, by using clothing's which easily makes man commit adultery, with she.

But you do not have nothing to say about it?

Is that the love and loyalty, which you have in your neighbor, and for God?

Does not the Lord has say, that woe for the world, for the temptation's, but woe for that whom bring them in the world?

We must not be a stumbling blocks for eachother, because we should be as light of this world, if we are a children's of God. The children's of this world seduce others to do sin, because they do not God.

Only righteous will be saved, so let us live always in a way of righteous.

The conversation is about denominations so we are talking about that. Besides, none of us has the right to look down on another and say that they have "lost the way of truth" because of how things look to them through their narrow judgmental vision. Why not read about the woman with the alabaster box (Luke 7,Mark 14, Matt 26)...she was a known sinner, and dared to anoint with perfume and wipe the Lord's feet with her hair. Jesus rebuked them when they judged her, because they thought they were more righteous, too righteous in fact to show Him even common courtesies...while the woman, a known sinner, lavished her most expensive possession on Him. loving and worshipping Him, kissing His feet, and knowing Who He is. She was forgiven, and told "your faith has saved you".

The righteous are not righteous because of their works, but because Christ is our righteousness, and if we are born again, He is in us.

 

[tribesman]

Denominations are never mentioned in the Bible, yet many "Christians" separate themselves through it. Denominations aren't meant for Christianity because there's only one Gospel. One Gospel that makes us Christians. And that's it.

We have to have the brethren agree on what sound doctrine is (Psalm 133:1, Eph.4:3, Phil.2:2) and each and everyone must submit to the ruling authorities in the church, holding fast what is taught, including the traditions taught (Heb.13:17, 1Peter 5:5, 2Thess.2:15). All in a certain order (1Cor.12:28).

 

[Blain]

The conversation is about denominations so we are talking about that. Besides, none of us has the right to look down on another and say that they have "lost the way of truth" because of how things look to them through their narrow judgmental vision. Why not read about the woman with the alabaster box (Luke 7,Mark 14, Matt 26)...she was a known sinner, and dared to anoint with perfume and wipe the Lord's feet with her hair. Jesus rebuked them when they judged her, because they thought they were more righteous, too righteous in fact to show Him even common courtesies...while the woman, a known sinner, lavished her most expensive possession on Him. loving and worshipping Him, kissing His feet, and knowing Who He is. She was forgiven, and told "your faith has saved you".

The righteous are not righteous because of their works, but because Christ is our righteousness, and if we are born again, He is in us.

you must spread reputation before giving it to convallaria again....

 

[convallaria]

you must spread reputation before giving it to convallaria again....

LOL Blain I am sorry, I don't understand what you mean! I felt someone should stand up for the girl who made the first post since MikkoAinasoja somewhat attacked her in text

 

[bondservant]

If you have no denomination where is your fellowship or did I miss that? There are churches that are nondenominational which are just in the word. But then their labeled as the nondenominational people lol.

 

[secularhermit]

I cannot saya word for individuals here but. THEY have found international fellowship here,without "belonging" to a particular group or divisive creed so, they can say if the partook and enjoyed that Christian fellowship.