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 organizations that set the doctrine, or system of belief, for their member congregations. They issue by-laws, support training schools for ministers, approve the order of worship, and may own the physical property of their member congregations - buildings and land. They usually sponsor hymnals and even translations of Scripture, and may have periodicals and newsletters to keep members informed of events and decisions that affect them all.
In the news in recent years have been inter-denominational disputes about doctrine and property issues. Such things as the ordination of women or homosexuals have caused church groups to split from their parent organization. A divergent congregation may find itself without a home, if their property actually belongs to the parent group.
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.
The simplest division is Catholic or protestant. Protestant refers to those who left the Roman Catholic rule during the Reformation, based on the teachings of Martin Luther, and off-shoots of them that developed later. All Christian churches can be traced back to the first gathering of believers under the Apostles in Jerusalem after Jesus ascended to Heaven. Catholic monasteries devotedly preserved and copied sacred texts for centuries before the printing press made the Bible available to the masses.
Believers who want only the authority of the Bible will often seek out a non-denominational congregation. They expect the minister to teach Scriptural principles and the fellowship to give those precepts their obedience. People gather for 'house churches' in private homes or come together in huge auditoriums for praise, worship, prayer, and instruction.
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.
The body of Christ, which includes all redeemed believers, has no Biblical description. While many believers gather for the kind of service that sustains them, they should seek the unity of the Spirit that God looks for in His children. This can be found in both denominational and non denominational church groups.
Denominations are national or international organizations that set the doctrine, or system of belief, for their member congregations. They issue by-laws, support training schools for ministers, approve the order of worship, and may own the physical property of their member congregations - buildings and land. They usually sponsor hymnals and even translations of Scripture, and may have periodicals and newsletters to keep members informed of events and decisions that affect them all.
In the news in recent years have been inter-denominational disputes about doctrine and property issues. Such things as the ordination of women or homosexuals have caused church groups to split from their parent organization. A divergent congregation may find itself without a home, if their property actually belongs to the parent group.
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.
The simplest division is Catholic or protestant. Protestant refers to those who left the Roman Catholic rule during the Reformation, based on the teachings of Martin Luther, and off-shoots of them that developed later. All Christian churches can be traced back to the first gathering of believers under the Apostles in Jerusalem after Jesus ascended to Heaven. Catholic monasteries devotedly preserved and copied sacred texts for centuries before the printing press made the Bible available to the masses.
Believers who want only the authority of the Bible will often seek out a non-denominational congregation. They expect the minister to teach Scriptural principles and the fellowship to give those precepts their obedience. People gather for 'house churches' in private homes or come together in huge auditoriums for praise, worship, prayer, and instruction.
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.
The body of Christ, which includes all redeemed believers, has no Biblical description. While many believers gather for the kind of service that sustains them, they should seek the unity of the Spirit that God looks for in His children. This can be found in both denominational and non denominational church groups.
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