If you are a denominational Christian, what is it unique that sets yours apart from others?

Answer 1

I don't see how you can be any other in this world today. I have been a member of several different 'denominations' during my born-again life and due to living in different cities and states, it is inevitable. I have never and would never trust my salvation or spiritual growth to any particular "group", i.e. like following a particular denomination throughout my lifetime. When you don't know where you want to attend church services, you visit and ask God for guidance where HE wants you to work and serve and be pastored in any new situation. Also, there are human reasons that a person might leave one church and go to another. There are certain rules and persuasions that may not set well with your understanding. We grow at different rates and we see from different perspectives. We must check out faith statements and ask questions. No particular congregation or denomination or pastor is "perfect".. and neither is any church member and God sets each of us where He chooses.
Denominations are like body parts; each has it's specific needs, it's purpose, it's responsibilities and assets to the whole body of Christ in the Earth. I do think there are a few denominations that I could never fellowship with, but only a few. It is because of their attitude of "we are better and more "right" and "you have to do it our way or you aren't part of the "body of Christ". Some have their "own sacred writings" that I don't accept as legitimate, so they are out for me. I have been to a couple of church congregations that were known as 'non-denominational' churches. Those are scarey because they usually mean they don't answer to any higher church-group authority and have nowhere to be accountable for their moral conduct or usage of their money and they don't tithe as a church group. That spells trouble with a capital "T". It's the nature of the "lone ranger" complex.
The one I attend now is a denomination that is part of the "spirit-filled" church world. Now that I am a spirit-filled believer, I couldn't set myself under a pastor that wasn't filled with the 'spirit of truth' and I don't believe God would have me do that either..., but I don't lean to my own understanding and you never know.
My particular local church 'group' (part of a large worldwide denomination) now has a wonderful pastor who is very educated and an excellent teacher and loves Israel, supports missions at home and abroad, uses the Holy Bible as the final authority for life and his preaching/teaching, and lives an exemplery life with his family and seems to love the church members. My husband and I prayed about where the Lord would have us commit, after we moved, and this was the place for now.

Answer 2

The main difference between my church and a nondenominational church is the way that it is governed. The theology of my particular congregation is comparable to that of a nondenominational church (except we allow women in ministry).

The reason I like being part of a denomination (I'm Presbyterian) is that there is a system of checks and balances in place to ensure the integrity of the churches and their leadership...in fact, the government of the United States is based on the government of the Presbyterian church.

If a pastor is not working out, or there is some impropriety occurring, there are procedures in place to address that. I went to a nondenominational church for a while and the main reason I left was because the pastor basically had ultimate, unquestioned authority and abused that to a point that the gospel being preached was really HIS version, not God's.

Of course the only way this really works is if the people in our churches are prayerfully seeking God's will and guidance and have the health and spiritual integrity of our faith in mind. If it becomes clear someone doesn't, they can and should be removed as an elder/pastor in favor of someone who is after God's own heart.

Answer 3

I attend a non-denominational church that believes only as is taught in the Bible. So the only thing that sets us apart -assuming your in a denomination that follows the Bible - is that you have an national organization that help with funding to support your church and others within the denomination.

Most also have specific or unique ways of worship. Some do not believe musical instruments should be used; for example.

Answer 4

I don't believe there should be anything unique to set Christian denominations apart from others, but unfortunately there are, or so they say. None are tolerant, thinking themselves as the only one of truth. I finally could not tolerant any denomination or nondenomination, and walked away from the Christian Church. But I didn't walk away from God my Savior(Jesus). I now see God as not only a deity to worship, but as my best friend too. Wherever I go He is with me. I no longer seek Him in a building on a hill, a valley, or a corner. He is everywhere.....Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.

Answer 5

I don't have a problem with that I don't hate anyone. The question is who is to say who is a Christian? If a Christian condones any sin and tries to justify it, then they don't have the Holy Spirit in them. They are not true Christian's. Anyone can claim it, but that does not make it true. Bashing and insulting others shows they condone sin so the ones doing the bashing show that they do not have the Holy Spirit. Unless they repent and realize they have made a mistake. Jesus said all commandments are hung on these 2 commandments Love thy God and love thy neighbor. Bashing is not loving. Pointing out falacies in doctrine of other denominations respectfully is not bashing so there is a fine line to look for.

Answer 6

Dear online church,

i come from a non-denominational background, but currently serve the Lord at a Baptist church.

First of all i hope that when it comes to the majors, such as Who is Jesus, is the Bible the word of God, the Trinity, etc., that regardless of denomination that people are in agreement. One day when we see the Lord face-to-face he isn't going to ask us about our theology or our denomination but about what we did with Jesus.

The main difference i see is that Baptists like to vote on a lot of things. So in that sense it's used as a check-and-balance, but we still do have a leadership board, and we also have Pastors who lead us. In the non-denominational church- the Pastor lead more, but i see benefits of both ways- it depends on how strong the Pastor is- how much the people trust Him, and the important thing is what kind of heart do the people have to follow God.

Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 7

I was confirmed in the Lutheran Church May 29, 1959 at the age of 14..

so I am a lifetime member of the Lutheran Church...
Faith makes life worth living

Answer 8

We use rock & roll music for worship.

We also work hard on being real and accepting people where thay are, including being screwed up, addicted (and even sinning!) as they work on personal healing (spiritual and emotional).

We like to reach out and help local people w/o tellin them which church we are from.

We love the word and study it to become more Christ-like, not to become scholars.

These are a few things I like about it. But many of these are in other churches as well.

Answer 9

I am an Episcopalian with zen leanings. We believe in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, but do not identify special words or moments as in transubstantiation. Our local bishop is the highest authority. Many of us are pretty enlightened. We are liturgical. We base our practice on the "three legged stool" of scripture, tradition and reason.

Answer 10

Jesus is really present in the Holy Eucharist.