Question for those who call themselves non-denominational?

Question

I am curious...I see so many of you say that you don't follow any church - you just follow the Bible and Jesus. However, if you DO fellowship at a church, and listen to a preacher, pastor, elder, etc...then how can you say that you don't follow a 'denomination'? Because if you're listening to another, you ARE following something. And, if you do not attend a fellowship such as a church, and you read the Bible on your own and say that the Holy Spirit is guiding you...tell me this - is our God a God of confusion, since you all come up with different interpretations? Thank you for your answers.

No, friendshipband, I did not muddle the question. I meant exactly what I said.

Robert K - I have to disagree. I went to a non-denominational church for quite some time...they are NOT non-denominational.

Chris P - I would like to hear more..

Tebone what church would that be?

Daisymae - what you say is true, but my question still remains...how is it that the Holy Spirit tell you one thing and the next person another thing? And, most important, who is your authority? Thanks for answering. :)

Answer 1

I attend the Church that Jesus Christ Himself established and placed in Peter's hands. They teach sacred oral tradition (which means everything that Jesus taught and preached and passed on to the Apostles to preach and teach to the world) and from the Bible.

Answer 2

I attend a Non-Denominational Church that attempts to follow ONLY the BIBLE. We follow the New Testament Scriptures and read, study, and obey GOD's HOLY WORD as it is written. We do not believe that man should add anything to the Church that Christ built by adding denominational ideas to it and saying it is for the betterment of the Body. There is no such thing. We are given everything that we need in the BIBLE to follow as it was written. Why should I listen to the "Methodist Ideology" or the "Baptist Ideology" when I do not agree that we should be adding those things to the Bible? By the way, I have attended services at both of those churches many years ago as well as a number of others. I am just using them as an example and NOT singling them out. Please do not be irritated at my choices. I would be glad to expand on this if you want more information please write and I will do so. Have a great evening.

Answer 3

I attend a non-denominational church. Actually we call ourselves interdenonminational. What that means is that we do not belong to an official denomination. Within Christianity, there are different established denominations that have different beliefs, traditions, values, and sometimes rituals. Sometimes belonging to a denomination is also like a network. Although we do not belong to a denomination, we are part of the evangelical "movement" and we are a Willow Creek church. Willow Creek churches may belong to a denomination or not.

Some denominations have a lot of rules that may be difficult to conform to, and some lose the big picture in the little details, i.e., worrying about man-made rules rather than the church's bigger mission. We try to concentrate on the Bible and the good news of salvation instead of these man-made rules and rituals.

Answer 4

The singular definition that I see that separates so many churches is the doctrines they teach. All denominations are locked into one type of doctrine along the whole spectrum based on the Bible. Just as light has many frequencies so too do the faith of many believers. So I believe it is God that knows the heart of each believer, whether they are his or not. I do not judge a man by the doctrine he adheres to. I will let God do that. Instead If I know he has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and is baptized and does the work of a Christian through faith; then I am fine with that.

Answer 5

For me, I have one thing I need to reconcile before I join the Church I now attend. Once that is done, then I will become a member.

Meanwhile, I am spiritually fed there and I would say that this church teaches the Bible correctly 99%. It is the other 1% part that I am wrestling with and praying to God about.

All church doctrines have to be scrutinized so that you can be sure that you are attending one that is filled with the Holy Spirit and speaks the biblical truth.

Believe it or not, there are many false churches out there saying all kinds of things. We must prove every spirit to see whether they be of God. The Bible is our guidebook used to determine these things.

Answer 6

I call myself non denominational. I was ask in a dream to resign from my denomination. I don't know why. I just obeyed. I belong to Gods church. There is nothing wrong with listening to others comment on their Interpretation of the Bible. many may be incorrect in some cases but if this is their understanding, God will only hold them accountable for what they know. As I have progressed in my Bible studies I learn something new every time I read it. One must remember everybody is not on the same level of Christian education.
Some are Babes Some are growing one day we will be full grown if we hang on. My best answer would be to study your bible every day and use references and God will bring you to a conclusion if you believe Jesus is the Son of God and confess that he is. Try to live for him and he will give you most of the answers. Some are mysteries that will be revealed in time. They can take the Bible out of school etc. But not out of our hart. Your motivation for what you do is what counts.
I sure hope this helps.

Answer 7

Non denominational means that we are not Catholic, Church of Latter Day Saints, Jehovah Witness etc.. We do not attach ourselves to any of the structured churches. We attend a church and gain knowledge from the "word".The Holy Spirit will indeed guide you in the interpretation of the Bible. Sometimes many of us add our own spin to things..therefor resulting in the many interpretations.

Answer 8

The word "denomination" mean to divide. When we who attend non-denominational churches say that we do not have a denomination it means that we choose not to alienate or further divide an already fractured body of Christ by declaring our denomination has cornered the market on revelation, holiness, knowledge, etc. The body of Christ has been fighting within itself for so many years. And we wonder why atheists and agnostics think we're nuts?!!! The body of Christ is made up of many different parts, working, hopefully, towards one goal. The eye cannot say to the hand, I do not need you.... Therefore, the Catholic cannot say to the Pentecostal, I don't need you. Nor can the the non-denominational say to the Methodist, I don't need you. We al have something beautiful to add to one another's lives. We may not agree on everything. But we sure don't need to argue about man made laws and rituals.

Answer 9

non-denominational does not mean that you don't go to Church! I go to an independent Church. We are self governed and do not have a district office of manager to guide us or keep us on the right track. The Church was always intended to be independent, one from the other. But in doctrine, united.

The reason you have different beliefs is because there are denominations that seem to dictate, but not to me, not to my Church.

Jesus Christ is the head of the Church and there are no other mediators between God and man.

I love my Church and my Church family.

Answer 10

We all have the choice of following our concept of a Higher Power. By doing so, we are no longer tied to a denomination.

Being Spiritual has made me a much better man than I could ever imagine being.

Churches are just tax write-offs to me. Religion is a creation of humankind. Spiritualism is so centered in peace and caring that no religion could ever accommodate.

I never could understand why we need to worship a vengeful, punishing God who claims to love his children. Sounds like an abusive parent to me. Its all about a human concept of how a God should be. No wonder we are all sinners and God is vengeful.

Which came first, human sin or a punishing God? See my drift? Spirituality is also a concept of humans but in my understanding, no one else has to see it my way, do it my way, or tell me how to do it their way. I just do the right things for the right reasons and to be vigilant for any shortcomings that I detect or am made aware of and endeavor to correct them to the best of my ability.

This way, my money doesn't help a preacher become rich or sermonize from a gaudy palace, and no one has to suffer or die. Empathy has a chance to flourish and I can be happy with what I need - not what I want.