Just what IS a "denomination"?

[Guest]

Some groups of churches consider themselves as denominations. Others don’t.

Those who do, often have a distinctive name which distinguishes them in some way from other Christians, for example: Baptists, Pentecostals, Seventh Day Adventists, Mennonites.

I don’t think Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican (Episcopalian) consider themselves as denominations, but as they believe they can trace their origin back to the apostles, they consider themselves in some sense to be the True Church itself.

There are also other groups who do not consider themselves as denominations. They accept in full fellowship all whom they deem to be part of the body of Christ. They do not hold a distinctive name, but use some New Testament term to describe themselves. For example: Brethren, The Church of God, The Church of Christ, The Church of God in Christ.

Some say it is impossible for a church group to avoid being a denomination. What do you think?

[Guest]

I think any group that purposefully shares a common name (at least in most cases) and has a headquarters (or base church).

[Guest]

I always thought the word referred to money ($1, $5, $20, etc).

Hmmmm.

[Guest]

Interestingly enough, Christopher, that is exactly how denominationally- minded people view "Christian denominations." They understand that the One Church of Christ is divided into multifarious denominations (as our currency is divided into various bill and coin amounts).

Whatever the denomination of bill or coin, it's all money. Likewise, according to this way of thinking, whatever denomination a person is with, it is an expression of the One Church of Christ.

[Guest]

Some say it is impossible for a church group to avoid being a denomination. What do you think?

Paidion,

I've often wondered about this ... what makes a denomination a denomination? My wife belongs to and attends a First Christian Church - which she adamantly claims is non-denominational. Everyone there claims the same thing yet from my vantage point they have many traits that would make them "denominational" (they associate with churches that are like-named and have membership lists). I pastor three small Methodist churches, so that makes me convincingly denominational.

peace,

dane

[Guest]

I pastor three small Methodist churches, so that makes me convincingly denominational.

I am not sure what you mean by "makes me convincingly denominational".

I think a pastor of a denominational church need not be denominationally-minded.

[Guest]

I think a pastor of a denominational church need not be denominationally-minded.

I reckon you're right, Paidon. But try as hard as I may, there is constant pressure from "the system" to remind me that I am still in "the system."

peace,

dane

[Guest]

This may be irreverent ...

Is it possible that denominations are created and sustained by professional clergymen to provide employment and retirement pensions for themselves?

That may be a bit harsh.

[Guest]

I chose "Some combination" meaning:
"All of the above with the exception of":
"Any group of churches which require formal membership for full fellowship" -- as not all denominations require (or even have) church membership.

[Guest]

Rick, would you list a few of those denominations which do not have church membership, or which do not require membership for full fellowship?

Having done so, would you also state exactly what characteristics these groups do have which qualifies them as "denominations"?

While you're at it, would you also state what characteristics a group would have to have in order to correctly label it as "non-denominational"?