Students dropping titles for nondenominational

Sounds good to me. Does this indicate that we shall soon have to abandon the old joke about "which abomi-, sorry, denomination do you belong to?"

Nondenominational is already called a denomination these days. Personally I think many are moving away from denominationalism. Many people these days simply don't have any sense of loyalty or belonging to the denomination they are part of. It seems the only ones really caught up on denominations are those that are ordained ministers in them, and mostly it seems due to politics more than any other factor. Denominations will continue to exist though so long as they convince people that one has to be ordained/licensed with them in order to minister in its churches. What is sad though is that denominations will affirm individuals are believers, and even acknowledge that these believers are called into ministry and such. However, because that individuals creed doesn't exactly match the denomination, they will refuse to ordain/license them. Take me for example. Although I have no plans of seeking out ordination within the denomination my church is part of, even if I were to, I would be denied because I don't believe tongues is always and without exception the initial physical evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This isn't a problem at the local level. My church is very happy to have me as part of the church, and being very active in even appointed ministry positions within it. However, if I were to go before the local minsterial accrediation board, they would refuse to hear me from the getgo. What a shame this division in the body of Christ!

Denominations will continue to exist though so long as they convince people that one has to be ordained/licensed with them in order to minister in its churches.And this will always exist - the state approved church. It is a deadly compromise with the world. What troubles me is the new labels showing up all over on Church signs: "Community Church", "Family Center" etc. but really they still belong to their original denomination. Only the name was changed. They really are NOT indepentant. Why hide their true affiliation? - so as not to scare away the non-denominational types?? Diane

Sounds to me like "Church" as we know it is a thing of the past. As this trend continues, man will have completely changed the "Church" to conform to his needs.2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Thankfully Jesus had an encouraging word about His Church, which has not been left in the hands of men.Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I believe that the "church" is very soon going to completely conform to the world, and is quickly becoming the "whore" that will validate the antichrist when he reveals himself. I had thought that this "whore" was the ultra liberal and Catholic "church", but I see a trend of the whole church system slipping into worldliness, and compromise... In Christ.... Greg

I am finding that more and more youth are seeking genuine Christianity all together. They want folk to get saved and delivered from Sin and set free from the enemy. God raise up more of them!

I thought it said somewhere in the Word that in the end times the walls of denomination will be torn down.

It's sooo hard to get people to accept the fact that we are the church. Most believe that the church is a building or a denomination, and that's sad. Hard to break. I do believe that denominational organizations have thier role, but not in all circumstances. I, like many who have thier credentialas held by a denominational head, do from time to time experience a sense of frustration with the powers that be, but its the same even with the organized non-denominational churches. What has always amazed me is that somehow the Lord is able to move and work within the organized structures that are in the world of denominations today.I personally welcome the changes of the youth movement toward spiritual things in Christ Jesus today and pray for and trust that the Lord will continue to move on these precious brothers and sisters in the Lord. May we all seek to be and accurate expression of Jesus Christ in our worlds and daily life :-)

What troubles me is the new labels showing up all over on Church signs: "Community Church", "Family CenterA trend that is vaguely entertaining are the new "Un-Church names of Churches. Locally we have an chain of established churches who have renamed themselves "Quest" and another is called "The Landing Place." Other hep Churches have adopted names like "3 Nails", "Next Wave," House2House," "Phuture" and "Starbucks."Oh Wait, that last one's not a church. It's hard to tell from these names. :-? MC

Hi roadsign...!What troubles me is the new labels showing up all over on Church signs: "Community Church", "Family Center" etc. but really they still belong to their original denomination. Only the name was changed. They really are NOT indepentant. Why hide their true affiliation? - so as not to scare away the non-denominational types?? I have noticed this too. A large Baptist Church in Corpus Christi recently changed its name to sound very "nondenominational." Another church with a "nondenominational-sounding" name recently opened in my University town, and after viewing their website, I discovered that they are southern baptists. Even some pentecostal "fellowships" (like the Assemblies of God) are starting to lose the denominational tags. A large Assembly of God church nearby was considering changing their name to "Most Precious Blood of Jesus Church" in order to sound more "Roman Catholic" in this heavily Catholic town.Is there a problem with this? Well, for one, it is becoming very difficult to know what kind of beliefs a particular church follows. The "Church of Acts" in San Antonio is far different from the "Church of Acts" in Corpus Christi. Now it is also becoming difficult to understand the beliefs of a church. You may attend a particular meeting believing that the church is non-denominational pentecostals -- only to find out that they are baptists. When I visit a town, I usually look up the churches that are listed in the phone book. I like to attend certain types of Churches (namely, Assembly of God or Calvary Chapel fellowships). But this is now becoming difficult. Sometimes, these churches are not even listed under the respective denomination/fellowship in the yellow pages.But the most troubling thing about this is the fact that many Churches are doing this in a humanistic attempt of achieving revival. They believe that more people will attend their church if they don't know what kind of church it is -- or if their church name doesn't sound too "inclusive." In my opinion, it can be somewhat deceptive. If the Spirit of the Lord is not moving in hearts when the name is "First Assembly of God" -- what makes you think that the Spirit of the Lord will move in those same hearts if your name is called "The Church Without Walls?!?" It reminds me of the warning about taking a census. The act of taking the census was not the problem. It was the fact that the nation of Israel would believe that they were established due to their own strength, rather than because of the hand of the Lord. These "non-denominational" denominational churches seem to be doing the same thing. They feel that by their action (changing the church name) that they are going to win a greater spiritual victory in their town. Thus, if this gimmick works -- then it is done because of their own strength (or rather, idea) instead of by the drawing power of the Lord. Don't get me wrong -- I am a non-denominational person. I have attended more denominations than I can count. And I feel liberty to worship the Lord with other true believers, regardless of the Church name. But it seems deceptive to use the name in such a way as to confuse those that are wanting to attend.:-(

With churches dropping there names how will you be able to tell what church is what and if all churches are non denominational, what will happen to the non denominatinal churches that really are non denominational. I also dont want to go into a baptist church that says it non denominational and says that it is.Wouldnt this bring kids and even me just greater confusionDom

There is a church in my area that the sign says this:a Church of Christmeets here.An Undenominational Church

With churches dropping there names how will you be able to tell what church is what ...Could it be possible that God is behind this move? Do we really have a right to choose what denomination we want to attend - according to our comfort zones? Is it not up to God to lead us to the one of HIS choosing? If he would like to use us for his glory in one we are not "comfortable" with, or we don't "agree with", then who are we to argue with him? We who are true believers are the salt. Where does that salt come from: Christ, right? And we are to go and be salt of the earth - which includes people in churches all over. I think many have it wrong. They want to find the church that they think will keep them salty, but they don't think that the salt comes from Christ. Perhaps it is good there are no clear denominational names. It leaves room for mystery, and we may have some wonderful surprises. .... just another way to look at it.... Diane