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Are So-Called “Non-denominational Churches” Really “Non-denoms?”

By TylerR on Wed, 06/28/17
Church & Ministry
Denominations

Roger Olson: What is it about ‘denomination’ that people run away from? And why do churches that are really denominational—in some sense—so anxious to hide their affiliation with other churches or groups?

Discussion

Profile picture for user Bert Perry
Bert Perry

NewPaging Aaron Tippin...

Wed, 06/28/17

…because you’ve got to stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything. I can see the allure of reducing the number of critical points of faith—do we really need to separate on such and such basis—and it’s worth noting as well that this very motivation was central to formulating the five Fundamentals, no?

But that said, “non-denominational” really means one of the brands of evangelical, often Baptistic, sometimes somewhat Calvinistic or charismatic. So it’s something of an obfuscation in my view. More than other churches? Sometimes, but not always.

Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.

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Ron Bean

NewFirst Reactions

Wed, 06/28/17

My knee jerk reactions when I see a label:

Presbyterian: Polity, Calvinism, traditional

Baptist: Baptism by immersion, independent, traditional

Methodist: liberal

Bible: Baptist Lite

“Noun” Churches (Redemption, Grace, etc.) Praise Band, young

"Some things are of that nature as to make one's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache." John Bunyan

Related . . .

Topics: Religious Trends, Denominations, Leaving a Church
  • PRRI Study – Unveiling the Exodus: Americans’ Reasons for Leaving Religious Traditions
  • “...they’ve so emphatically focused on cooperation for mission that they’ve neglected other important and biblical aspects that define how independent churches relate to each other.”
  • Who controls church property? Lawsuit asks the Supreme Court not to privilege denominations over congregations
  • PC(USA) lost over 140 churches, nearly 5 percent of active members in 2018
  • An Ancient Tool for Distinguishing Churches

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Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

(NKJV, 1 Corinthians 14:20)

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