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.
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.
As far as worship goes, many people choose to belong to a group that is part of a larger denomination. The most familiar groups to Americans include Roman Catholic, Southern Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterians, and Pentecostal. Others are colloquially called Mormon, Adventist, Jehovah's Witness, and Christian Scientist. These churches have certain rules, special hymnals for their praise songs, and may even have their own translations of Holy Scripture.
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.
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.
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.
As far as worship goes, many people choose to belong to a group that is part of a larger denomination. The most familiar groups to Americans include Roman Catholic, Southern Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterians, and Pentecostal. Others are colloquially called Mormon, Adventist, Jehovah's Witness, and Christian Scientist. These churches have certain rules, special hymnals for their praise songs, and may even have their own translations of Holy Scripture.
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.
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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Check out www.plattparkchurch.org for a list of the benefits of attending a non denominational church, today. You can also get more information about a great church at http://www.plattparkchurch.org now.
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