Do you think denominational churches are on the way out?

Question

I have noticed the increase of non-denominational churches and the decrease of attendance at some old line churches like Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist etc. I have attended some of these new churches (like Vineyard, or Friendship Church etc) and to tell you the truth I really don't see the attraction. Instead of a sanctuary they have an auditorium. Instead of a choir they have staged entertainment. No communion, no benediction. And they are really big with no way to really get to know the pastor, and speaking of pastors, they have like 5 or 6 of them.
I don't get it. Is this the wave of the future of Christianity in America? But don't get me wrong, these places are full of people because they have something to offer. But for me, it's just not like church.

I think some of you think I am judging non denominational churches and I'm not. I am all for anything that brings people to Christ. I just am wondering if this will be the trend of the future of Christianity in America. Just looking for opinions. But I will throw in that I came to know the Love of Christ, was filled with the Holy Spirit and learned more Bible filled teaching in an Episcopal Church in Fullerton California. And maybe that's why I have a hard time fitting in when I visit non denominational churches...the Episcopal Church has a way of making things seem so sacred and holy. But once again I do not mean that this is the only way to love Christ and to learn of His love. There are many ways.

Answer 1

Try not to be so caught up in playing church. What you are talking about is religion, and sometimes it can really hinder a person's relationship with God. Yes, some of those churches do go overboard, but many are genuinely reaching out to people in a way churches never have before. When people start coming, you have to make room for them. They have to have a large auditorium, they have to have 5 or 6 pastors to minister to people. Most of these churches I've seen do hold communion though

I understand this makes some people uncomfortable, they are used to one way of doing things. And there is nothing wrong with either way. I personally think the nondenominational churches have many more positives than negatives. And I don't think denominational churches are on the way out. Denominational churches adhere to a certain doctrine and some people are not just gonna change their beliefs. And smaller churches will always be around, some cities just don't have the population for a large church like that. As long as nondenominatinal churches are not compromising God's word, there is nothing wrong with them. Honestly, they draw a lot of younger people and people who might not attend church otherwise. Some people think they are bribing people with entertainment to get there, but if you are using something to get God's word across, it can't be that bad. People are shallow and like certain things, it's an unchangable fact. If you have to use rock music to get someone in to hear a life saving message music, so be it.

Answer 2

So you are saying that a choir is NOT staged entertainment?

Why is there no way to get to know the Pastor?

The non denominational church down the street from me has an 800 number which rings right thru to the Pastor's cell phone. You can't beat that for ease to reach a Pastor.

I saw the church directory of another non denominational church which contains the office and home phone and cell phone of their three pastors.

I only publish one office phone number for me but I rack up in a usual month 3,000 minutes in phone calls because I'm easy to reach via telephone.

One of those two churches has communion once a month, just like the Lutherans do and one has it every week.

Obviously I can't speak for all non denominational churches.

The larger a church is the harder it will be to reach the senior Pastor.

That's true in any church. I've been the senior pastor of a large church, so I know how that goes.

It sounds like you are more in love with the ceremonies of the older church groups than you with Jesus. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I was raised in those old ceremonies and found that those old ceremonies kept people from getting to know Who is really is.

For the cost of one stain glass window you can send a missionary and his family over seas for between one and four years.

For the cost of one pipe organ, you can run a Bible College in India or the Philippines for 100 students for a year. Including the cost for the entire faculty.

Most of the non denominational churches clearly present the gospel whereas most of the older denominations don't.

So personally, I'll take the non denominational churches any day over the dead denominations where most of the time most of the people think they are attending a funeral.

I was raised in a church like that. No thank you.

Pastor Art

Answer 3

I agree! It's like they're trying to make the worship of God into an entertainment event. I quit my old church (a non-denominational "seeker's church") when the pastor started giving feel-good pep talks in lieu of sermons. I've found a very nice Bible-centered Baptist church now, and I'm much happier.

Answer 4

It depends on how you define what "church" should be.

In the early church, which was the original church started by the followers of Jesus, there were no denominations, rituals, or specific types of buildings. It was just groups of people following Christ, witnessing about Him, praying, and worshiping Him on a daily basis. It took hundreds and even thousands of years for those rituals and benedictions that you mention to evolve, and I'm sorry to say but many of these things evolved from the minds of men, not from the Mind of God.

So, while I understand your disenchantment with the watered-down, non sacred feeling of non-denominational auditorium worship band churches, I think if you read the book of Acts you may find that these types of churches are closer to the original nature of the Church of Jesus Christ -- which just means, "the body of believers." So, the original, true Greek definition of Church actually has nothing to do with buildings or rituals, but with the body of Christ -- His believers.

Answer 5

The real question is the Word of God on the way out? The answer is yes, then Christianity is falling. Sadly, the Word is OUT and the opinions and doctrines of men is IN and prevailing in these "new" churches.

This is the age of the church of Laodicea. Look it up in your Bible in Revelation 3. See what Jesus thinks about it.

There is still a faithful few who believe the true Word however they are drowned out by the masses. That why Jesus said "strait is the gate and narrow is the way"

Be not deceived God is not mocked.....
Woe to the churches who do not manifest the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness! Woe to the "seeker sensitive" churches who don't call sin by name! Woe to them who do not worship God in spirit AND (this is important..watch this!!)
TRUTH!!! In spirit and truth..not just spirit! The church has compromised with the world long enough!

Arise, true saints! Arise!

Answer 6

Organized religion as a whole is on it's way out. And that includes these huge churches.
People will begin to realize that the body of Christ is what Jesus said it was. His Body, His Blood. It's all about Him alone. There is no religion. We are His church, the bride of Christ.


blessings :)

Answer 7

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit will determine the direction that a church will go--and sometimes people like it and sometimes they don't--that's why you should visit lots of different Bible-teaching churches to find out which ones you feel at home in. It all depends on the walk of the individual.

Answer 8

I used to go to a denominational church but now non-denominational. I switched because of the teaching, right from the Bible.

Answer 9

I think religion in general is past its usefulness.