Thread: Let's Discuss Denominations

Originally Posted by papabrett

If denominations were simply a tool to help people they would be fine.But for the most part instead of the organization serving the people, it uses people to serve the organization.

I can't think of any Denomination who truly bases fellowship solely on the basis of Jesus, His work, and a persons relationship with Him. There is always an added set of rules that defines to whom they will offer full fellowship (love, time, caring, resources etc...). Those rules usually take precedence over scripture, trying to use scripture to prop up their own desires.

So Denominations compete with one another, instead of completing each other. They compete for people, they compete for 'truth", they compete for money. They even compete with showy programming. And the showy programming isn't limited to "seeker sensitive" churches. The pentacostals and charismatics have their ways of doing it as well.

The only criteria for full fellowship within a church is Jesus. But in a denomination it will always become; Jesus, and this, and that, and the other thing.

Yes, thank you.

Where more than two are gathered there will be politics, rivalries, etc, etc. I don't think independent non-denominational are immune and in some case not having been exposed to group dynamics fail miserably with the "man of God" bit along with a host of other things ($, greed, "growth") that maybe, just maybe the denominations have learned to deal with.

But, it should be about Jesus, where two or more are gathered, it really is that simple.

Denominations come from the Holy Spirit placing the idea in a Spirit filled believer/s. They come together and form ways to work together. They do these things in prayer and are directed by the Holy Spirit. There is need for there to be guidelines for several churches to work together in order to make progress. This is all directed by Holy Spirit prayer. Sometimes days of prayer. If there is no unity in goals then they will be workng against each other. So the guidelines keep them in line. But they are put together by seeking the mind of Christ. Because it is not men doing this but God. He is simply using man to accomplish His work.

I have in mind the pentecostal denoms. I know nothing about the others. Now I am through with this subject. I am through debating about subjects here. When I post you people suddenly get upset and rowdy. So go ahead and have fun among yourselves. I will go to the non-debate threads and that will be it at least for awhile.

Bye Bye!

Denominations are bittersweet. There is some good and some bad about it. They often run their course and live out their usefulness, and then God raises something else up.

Sometimes after 5 or 6 generations, the younger ones forget the true mission. Sometimes they get carnal and fall away. Ministry starts getting political, men start jockeying for power.

Most Denominations start out with great intentions, from humble beginnings, but when they prosper, they stop praying and seeking God like the founders did.

I'm not against denominations per say, especially when the focus is on organizing for the purpose of world missions and such, but many times, they end up boxing God in a corner or going into apostacy.

Think about it, all of the churches that the Apostle Paul wrote letters to, all had a life span. They ran their course

Most groups no matter what they care to call themselves are denominations. I always hear "oh, look at the freedom we have" or some variation thereof but you you don't have to scratch the surface too much to find men at work. My personal favorite.."we don't have a dress code"..lol..and everyone dresses the same way. Casual is the new dress code, etc. It's a code but don't dare call it that.

Originally Posted by John

Most groups no matter what they care to call themselves are denominations. I always hear "oh, look at the freedom we have" or some variation thereof but you you don't have to scratch the surface too much to find men at work. My personal favorite.."we don't have a dress code"..lol..and everyone dresses the same way. Casual is the new dress code, etc. It's a code but don't dare call it that.

Kinda like the sentiment ,"we don't use hymns/hymnals, we're too progressive and modern and relevant for that", but are bound to the video screen with the latest trendy worship music...

Originally Posted by John

Most groups no matter what they care to call themselves are denominations. I always hear "oh, look at the freedom we have" or some variation thereof but you you don't have to scratch the surface too much to find men at work. My personal favorite.."we don't have a dress code"..lol..and everyone dresses the same way. Casual is the new dress code, etc. It's a code but don't dare call it that.

Originally Posted by FaithfulOne

Kinda like the sentiment ,"we don't use hymns/hymnals, we're too progressive and modern and relevant for that", but are bound to the video screen with the latest trendy worship music...

But this is actually a good thing, right? People are so diverse in their worship that you have to have whole denominations or movements that "cater" to people who like traditional or people who like to shout and dance or people who like to go casual or all spiffed up. You need the different preaching styles, from liturgical to a casual presentation (always well laced with scripture, of course). There's nothing wrong with all of that as long as the goal is lifting up the name of Jesus and bringing people into the kingdom.

Originally Posted by A.J.

There's nothing wrong with all of that as long as the goal is lifting up the name of Jesus and bringing people into the kingdom.

Yes, no one has a monopoly on that.

Denominations are of God!

Case closed!