denominational & non-denominational: ditching denominations

On Twitter (where I get most of my religious news), Lawrence Wilson @LawrenceWilson posted a link to the following.

"At the same time mainstream denominations lose thousands of members per year, churches such as Crosspoint are growing rapidly — 15 percent of all U.S. churches identified themselves as nondenominational this year, up from 5 percent a decade ago. A third dropped out of major denominations at some point."

More churchgoers ditch their denominations
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110101/NEWS01/101010318/More-churchgoers-ditch-their-denominations

Considering that denominations are labels for common secondaries beliefs, most of us have left the churches that we grew up in (Catholic in my case) and found a more comfortable environment (truer to oneself) to worship God. Definitely from my own experience, I found in FAPC (http://www.fapc.org/) that truer spiritual home for me to be able to worship God.

"Denominations share theological, organizational and legal ties. They send out missionaries; build colleges, seminaries and hospitals; and fund pension plans for pastors."

More churchgoers ditch their denominations
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110101/NEWS01/101010318/More-churchgoers-ditch-their-denominations

At the same time, some Christians opt to lose its ties completely from denominations. These Christians don't identify themselves with secondary doctrines of a specific denomination or simply refuse to be labeled.

On a personal level, I prefer a denominational environment where I know what to expect in a service -- a fixed pattern. I just opted to go to another church.

denominational & non-denominational: mea culpa

As I've pointed out in my previous post (as a form of disclaimer),

the following's merely the result of my observation on human behavior and religious belief systems -- most importantly my behavior and religious belief system (my faith in God).

http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/11/denominational-non-denominational.html

Considering the structure of churches and their service, I prefer to be in a controlled, organized and fixed environment where I fully understand what's going on during the service. Hence I prefer a denominational church -- a Presbyterian church, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, which I had never thought I'd consider going beyond the mere curiosity.

As a child, I went to one of two Catholic churches in my neighborhood as these services were supposed to be identical. When I moved back to NYC, I started going to St Patrick's Cathedral, but I quit shortly after. As much as mass was strictly organized, it was a boring experience and unfulfilling -- to me at least.

Some thirteen years later, I shopped for a new church and found the current church I go to every Sunday -- FAPC. This same church sometimes mid-week alternative services with music, Scripture readings and several quick sermons. I even understand and enjoy since these service maintain a specific certain order even when at times running longer than planned.

I've heard of and gone to services on other churches that don't seem to have a clear organization. I couldn't survive in such scenario.

denominational & non-denominational

As all comments in this blog, the following's merely the result of my observation on human behavior and religious belief systems -- most importantly my behavior and religious belief system (my faith in God).

Catholic churches follow the same script (more or less) as indicated by the dioceses that controls them geographically (if any differences at all). The difference between one Catholic church and another relies mainly on its geographical location, the personality and/or charisma from the priest -- likable or not, trustworthy or not, good looking or not, in other words his plain human nature.

Protestant churches either are part of (affiliated with) a larger denominational body (synod and/or other group) or totally independent -- not necessarily meaning non-denominational. Some churches from a specific denomination and/or affiliated to a synod or other supervising body don't necessarily follow the same script as others from the same denomination or affiliated to the same synod.

At the same time, non-denominational churches aren't subject to a given script, guidance and/or supervision on what their pastors teach, how to deliver a service and/or doctrines (secondary/denominational). At least, in some level, the extended congregation (members of similar churches) might influence (not organize and manage) how a given group of churches behave.

Hence Protestant churches come in lots of different flavors for different groups of Christians to choose from -- whatever flavor you had been raised in, identify yourself with and/or like best. This all means that a person most likely will be inclined to denominational doctrine and/or the message that a particular church offers -- not merely how close the person lives to the church.

So how do you organize what various preachers ought to preach about? It's practically impossible from a human perspective and limitation, but hopefully the Holy Spirit does it for them to deliver the real Word of God and not some made-up, made-believe and self-centered corruption of the Word to accomplish some twisted agenda. Unfortunately many false "prophets" and ungodly preachers have come and gone hurting lots of people for their selfish motives.

many faces, flavors & recipes for Christianity

Christianity is one religion. Nonetheless there are numerous practices for each of the several denominations based on geographical region, language, culture or other social factors. Just in the US, there are at least nine (9) ideological practices and behaviors -- to my understanding and sole opinion -- if not more.

1. Some Christians feel that humans are born evil and need to purge sin through religious rites and penitence to be in God's Grace with or without continuous references to the devil (Satan), demons and/or hell that seem to exploit the fear of a loving yet vengeful god (not God). This ideology makes people believe that they're dirty and gives them shame of themselves. It also makes people afraid of God instead of themselves as God's children.


2. Considering the devil as part of Christianity, many believe that we do wrong (sin) because of temptation.


3. Somewhat derived from the previous two ideas, there are those who practice magic using the name of God mixed with santería (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santería), voodoo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_African_Vodun) or other similar practices to cast spells (good, bad, evil eye, cleansing, curses, etc) with rites and/or chants on others. When did witchcraft and/or superstitions become a subset of Christianity? Of course, faith can expel demons, but that's a whole different story all together.


4. At the same time, others feel that humans are good by nature and that sin tarnishes our connection to God and/or the Light of God coming from within us. Hence we're saved by faith in God alone.


5. The previous is related to the belief that God loves us regardless of how bad we are as a father who loves his children regardless of their constant misbehavior.


6. As part of these previous beliefs, the concept of Satan (the fallen angel who dared to question and defy God) is clearly present while worshiping. Of course, there are also those who don't believe in the devil, hell and/or the purgatory.


7. There is also the practice or belief that priests are sent by God, hence being an extension of God on earth or simply being God's representative on earth. This is one of the most criticized aspects of the Catholic church where the pope is seen as the head of the Church and practically a holy man or saint. Well also the idea of saints who are prayed to makes little sense (if any at all). Since I was raised Catholic, I know this concept well, but I never really cared for it.


8. At the same time, there are groups that are either inclusive allowing anyone in or exclusive "testing" people before becoming part of the congregation or member of that specific church.


9. Some of these groups -- within any of the previously described -- force its members to surrender 10% of their earnings (tithe) regardless of their financial needs (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/05/to-tithe-or-not-to-tithe-yet-never.html) -- to the point that members must surrender copies of their income tax returns. Of course, some others just request it, but accept any offering may be able t give at any given time.

Nonetheless there are several beliefs and practices that are broadly common and/or accepted. One belief is that we all need to repent from our sins and offenses to God and others. Another is that faith can achieve anything since God is omnipotent without using God (#3).

In general, most subdivisions of Christianity are a mix of these and perhaps other practices and ideologies. Christianity has become a sort different flavors and recipes -- each demanding to be called the true Christian practice.

Which of all these practices is right? Which is wrong? Well this is for God alone to decide -- not for us the broken and the flawed.

What do I believe? Number three is my choice although many people surely seem to have been born evil or at least twisted beyond repair. I also believe in hell and a devil from personal experiences. In the other hand, I also believe that my maternal grandparents are in Heaven and that maternal grandfather is or was my guardian angel.

Do I believe in salvation (Heaven & life after death)? Of course, I do, but I'm not too particularly worried about this -- right now at least -- although it'd be a god thing. I prefer to have my children safe, healthy, taken care of and with God.

Am I without sin? Not at all, I'm fairly twisted (sex, political ideologies, sick sense of humor, etc) hopefully within repair.

visited a Methodist church

So I visited a Methodist church in NYC (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/05/getting-ready-for-round-two.html). It was the second time that I entered this church (building). The first time I walked in and out in less than 10 minutes. This time around, I sat through out the service. As curious as I am, I took notes. Since I was confused at times, I can use this notes to understand the service. Well it was an experience and maybe I won't go back to that church.

denominations, not be a proper Christian thing?

This is something to think about. Denominations (labels) may not be a proper Christian thing.

"By the way - We Are Not Denominational

We take this very seriously. We are not only non-denominational; we are opposed to denominationalism. Our rejection of denominational involvement results from our effort to do only what Jesus authorized. He did not establish denominations. Early Christians were not members of denominations; if they could be Christians without denominational connections, so can we and so should we.

Denominations wear names other than that of Christ. They have structure and activities that have no authority in scripture. And by definition they are divisions, whereas Christ desired unity. 'There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all' (Ephesians 1:4-6).

We are known as a church of Christ because we desire to give all honor to Him and because churches under His direction were known as 'churches of Christ' (Romans 16:16). We consider any other scriptural designation equally acceptable. We recognize no other head but Christ and have ties with no earthly organization or association of churches that would separate us from others who are Christians. All decisions are made locally in harmony with what we believe to be the instructions that Christ has given through His apostles."

taken from http://www.uwmchurchofchrist.org/About%20Us.htm

getting ready for round two

I have no intention of quitting FAPC (http://www.fapc.org/), but I'm ready for round two of visiting other churches in NYC of other denominations to see what their ideas of a Sunday service are like (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2008/12/confused-no-news-there.html). Let's see what part two of this experiment brings.

lots of information on Christianity

lots of information on Christianity in Wikipedia...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Christianity

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations