There are many non denominational church groups in the United States and other countries of the world. Anywhere that two or more believers gather together fits the biblical definition of a place of worship, and the actual 'church' is the body of believers, the body of Christ in the world. Non-denominational fellowships owe no deference to a central governing body. They set their time for gathering, the way they worship, and the rules the group will follow.
A denomination is a national or international entity that sets forth certain doctrines - belief systems - and procedural rules for the churches under its leadership. They are generally in an advisory capacity but many do have to power to appoint and remove ministers, decide on matters concerning physical property - land and buildings - and change the by-laws if they choose. They also might provide funds, literature, and other support for local groups.
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 believers like belonging to a structured belief system, whether because they grew up in it or because it fills their spiritual needs. Americans are familiar with Roman Catholic, Southern Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Pentecostal groups. Other organizations are known as Mormon, Adventist, Jehovah's Witness, Amish, Mennonite, and Christian Scientist. This partial list shows how diverse belief systems have become.
There are other classifications, also. Catholic or protestant are the most comprehensive umbrella terms. All Christian faith groups derive from the first gathering of believers in Jerusalem after Christ ascended into heaven. Catholic monasteries are credited with preserving ancient texts with great care and accuracy.
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.
The charismatic form of vigorous praise and worship, with musical instruments and songs based on Psalms from the Bible, has become popular with many unstructured congregations. Some have Pentecostal overtones, with speaking in tongues and corporate prayer. Most of them claim to be Bible based and Spirit led and claim divine inspiration for their order of service, rather than man-made rules or traditions.
At the end of the day, both denominations and groups that comprise a non denominational church are part of the Body of Christ, which is the true church. All that is required is a sincere faith in Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation. All other distinctions come from man and are subordinate to this great truth.
A denomination is a national or international entity that sets forth certain doctrines - belief systems - and procedural rules for the churches under its leadership. They are generally in an advisory capacity but many do have to power to appoint and remove ministers, decide on matters concerning physical property - land and buildings - and change the by-laws if they choose. They also might provide funds, literature, and other support for local groups.
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 believers like belonging to a structured belief system, whether because they grew up in it or because it fills their spiritual needs. Americans are familiar with Roman Catholic, Southern Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Pentecostal groups. Other organizations are known as Mormon, Adventist, Jehovah's Witness, Amish, Mennonite, and Christian Scientist. This partial list shows how diverse belief systems have become.
There are other classifications, also. Catholic or protestant are the most comprehensive umbrella terms. All Christian faith groups derive from the first gathering of believers in Jerusalem after Christ ascended into heaven. Catholic monasteries are credited with preserving ancient texts with great care and accuracy.
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.
The charismatic form of vigorous praise and worship, with musical instruments and songs based on Psalms from the Bible, has become popular with many unstructured congregations. Some have Pentecostal overtones, with speaking in tongues and corporate prayer. Most of them claim to be Bible based and Spirit led and claim divine inspiration for their order of service, rather than man-made rules or traditions.
At the end of the day, both denominations and groups that comprise a non denominational church are part of the Body of Christ, which is the true church. All that is required is a sincere faith in Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation. All other distinctions come from man and are subordinate to this great truth.
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