A non denominational church can actually be any kind of Christian place of worship, but many of them follow a pattern familiar to those who seek out this sort of congregation. Basically, these are gatherings of believers who have no allegiance to any worldly governance than their own elders and pastor. The size, order of worship, and even day set aside for fellowship will vary widely.
Denominations are national or international governing bodies that determine doctrine for their members, craft by-laws, and set procedural rules. For example, Catholics have communion at every service, while protestant churches often do this celebration once a month. The central group may function mostly in an advisory and dispute-settling capacity, or they may actually appoint ministers, regulate the size of fellowships, and even issue dietary guides. They often supply local groups with literature, provide funds, and host conferences for ministers and elders.
The power that a governing body holds has been demonstrated in the news in recent years. For example, the Episcopal church in America decided to allow the ordination of women and homosexuals. This caused not a few conservative American congregations to switch their allegiance to the African Episcopalian bishop, raising legal questions of who owned the actual houses of worship. Did title rest with each individual congregation which might have built and maintained their physical plant or to the denominational entity?
Many people like the structure of a denomination, either because they were raised in that system or because they find spiritual satisfaction there. America has many large groups of this nature; Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Southern Baptist, Assembly of God, Presbyterian, and more. Others are casually known as Mormon, Jehovah's Witness, Christian Scientist, Amish, Mennonite, and Adventist. Each has its own rules, order of service, hymnals, and perhaps its own translation of Holy Scripture.
Sometimes groups are sorted simply as either Catholic or protestant, referring to the original reformation started by Martin Luther. All Christian gatherings stem from 'two or more' believers gathering together, starting with the Jerusalem believers who met with Peter and the other Apostles after Jesus ascended into Heaven. Roman Catholic monks preserved and copied ancient scriptures and texts with devotion and accuracy for centuries.
Many believers choose to rely only on the Bible for rules and guidance. These people might find the freedom they want in a fellowship with no denominational structure and doctrine. Such believers must find a gathering that they feel is worshiping 'in Spirit and in truth'. Such congregations usually have a pastor and elders who decide matters for the group, often with input and prayers from all.
These more independent churches have their own structure, often in the charismatic mode. They have enthusiastic worship, with praise singers and musicians and the words of the songs shown on screens in front of the congregation. They often advertise Bible-based, spirit-filled worship and teaching, and the ministers rely on divine inspiration as well as scriptural teaching for their messages at every service.
Of course, the true church is the body of believers, who make up the corporal body of Christ according to Scripture. All doctrinal and procedural differences should defer to the essential truth of Jesus as the way to salvation from sin and eternal life with God in Heaven. A non denominational church should support these truths.
Denominations are national or international governing bodies that determine doctrine for their members, craft by-laws, and set procedural rules. For example, Catholics have communion at every service, while protestant churches often do this celebration once a month. The central group may function mostly in an advisory and dispute-settling capacity, or they may actually appoint ministers, regulate the size of fellowships, and even issue dietary guides. They often supply local groups with literature, provide funds, and host conferences for ministers and elders.
The power that a governing body holds has been demonstrated in the news in recent years. For example, the Episcopal church in America decided to allow the ordination of women and homosexuals. This caused not a few conservative American congregations to switch their allegiance to the African Episcopalian bishop, raising legal questions of who owned the actual houses of worship. Did title rest with each individual congregation which might have built and maintained their physical plant or to the denominational entity?
Many people like the structure of a denomination, either because they were raised in that system or because they find spiritual satisfaction there. America has many large groups of this nature; Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Southern Baptist, Assembly of God, Presbyterian, and more. Others are casually known as Mormon, Jehovah's Witness, Christian Scientist, Amish, Mennonite, and Adventist. Each has its own rules, order of service, hymnals, and perhaps its own translation of Holy Scripture.
Sometimes groups are sorted simply as either Catholic or protestant, referring to the original reformation started by Martin Luther. All Christian gatherings stem from 'two or more' believers gathering together, starting with the Jerusalem believers who met with Peter and the other Apostles after Jesus ascended into Heaven. Roman Catholic monks preserved and copied ancient scriptures and texts with devotion and accuracy for centuries.
Many believers choose to rely only on the Bible for rules and guidance. These people might find the freedom they want in a fellowship with no denominational structure and doctrine. Such believers must find a gathering that they feel is worshiping 'in Spirit and in truth'. Such congregations usually have a pastor and elders who decide matters for the group, often with input and prayers from all.
These more independent churches have their own structure, often in the charismatic mode. They have enthusiastic worship, with praise singers and musicians and the words of the songs shown on screens in front of the congregation. They often advertise Bible-based, spirit-filled worship and teaching, and the ministers rely on divine inspiration as well as scriptural teaching for their messages at every service.
Of course, the true church is the body of believers, who make up the corporal body of Christ according to Scripture. All doctrinal and procedural differences should defer to the essential truth of Jesus as the way to salvation from sin and eternal life with God in Heaven. A non denominational church should support these truths.
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