Christians: Why Your Denomination?

This is for Christians only!

How and why did you come to be a part of your current denomination?

Basically: Why your denomination? As opposed to others?

For me: I was involved in a community project that rented the church hall from what is now my church. This brought me into contact with some of the church people. I got talking to them and they were all very nice. I went to one of the Sunday services and later joined the congregation and became both a Christian and a regular attendee. I was most warmly welcome when I first showed up for my first ever service there.

I did however drift a bit and went down some insane rabbit holes, but with Christ's help I'm now back on the straight and narrow!

Had the community project used the rooms at another church it is entirely likely I'd have come to join that church's denomination!

Eddi said:

This is for Christians only!

How and why did you come to be a part of your current denomination?

Basically: Why your denomination? As opposed to others?

For me: I was involved in a community project that rented the church hall from what is now my church. This brought me into contact with some of the church people. I got talking to them and they were all very nice. I went to one of the Sunday services and later joined the congregation and became both a Christian and a regular attendee. I was most warmly welcome when I first showed up for my first ever service there.

I did however drift a bit and went down some insane rabbit holes, but with Christ's help I'm now back on the straight and narrow!

Had the community project used the rooms at another church it is entirely likely I'd have come to join that church's denomination!

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Generally speaking, denominations is just an outgrowth of a movement. There is a greater capacity when people work together and pool their resources. It also comes with a variety of requirements.

I happen to be called "non-denominational" which simply means that our church isn't affiliated with a larger group. Yet we still have a "non-denominational" group where we hold conferences to learn.

But all are joined together in the belief of Jesus being the Lamb of God that takes away sin and is resurrected and coming back again. (The last part is the Messiah that even the Jewish people await).

As an independent, it is easier to steer the ship (so to speak) as the decision are locally made. There are even a variety of methods of operation with the non-denominational churches. But the love of God is the same throughout (or at least trying to show the love of God)

Kenny said:

Generally speaking, denominations is just an outgrowth of a movement. There is a greater capacity when people work together and pool their resources. It also comes with a variety of requirements.

I happen to be called "non-denominational" which simply means that our church isn't affiliated with a larger group. Yet we still have a "non-denominational" group where we hold conferences to learn.

But all are joined together in the belief of Jesus being the Lamb of God that takes away sin and is resurrected and coming back again. (The last part is the Messiah that even the Jewish people await).

As an independent, it is easier to steer the ship (so to speak) as the decision are locally made. There are even a variety of methods of operation with the non-denominational churches. But the love of God is the same throughout (or at least trying to show the love of God)

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I got baptised in a non-denominational church

Because it was at that church where I did the Alpha Course

Nice people

I got baptised there in 2020 because of the Alpha Course

Eddi said:

I got baptised in a non-denominational church

Because it was at that church where I did the Alpha Course

Nice people

I got baptised there in 2020 because of the Alpha Course

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I understand that the Alpha Course is an AMAZING course. Great that you went through it. Second time around might even be more impacting IMV.

Eddi said:

How and why did you come to be a part of your current denomination?

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I converted to my wife's Catholic faith around 45 years ago, left it for Judaism around 30 years ago, but then had a long stretch of what some may call "premonitions" that went on for 2 & 1/2 years that all pointed me to come back to Catholicism, which I did about 5 years ago. And just a reminder that I'm a scientist, now retired, thus I am not superstitious.

What a crazy experience, let me tell ya.

Kenny said:

I understand that the Alpha Course is an AMAZING course. Great that you went through it. Second time around might even be more impacting IMV.

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It's awesome!

It changed my life

It really brought Christianity alive for me - although I had an understanding of it already from Christianity For Dummies!

I recommend it to everyone

Next time they do it I will try and go a second time

It's a long way away from where I live though, that's the trouble

Someone may be doing Neil T Anderson's "Freedom in Christ" course locally that I'd definitely be up for

From what I understand "Freedom in Christ" is for more mature Christians

I did it but dropped out quarter of the way through because I didn't want to renounce the demon who Satan assigned to me!

I thought that demon was my friend but I've renounced him now, so everything's OK

I identify myself as Christian, even if I was raised Catholic, but I have my own unique religious convictions.

Even if Christian Communities are all different, they all love Jesus equally. To the same extent.

Eddi said:

Why your denomination?

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My denomination is the original thing. The first and only 325 nicene creed.

I have been in several denominations. Currently a branch of pentecostal. We left another church due to various issues that I won't go into, but it wasn't because it was a bad church.
Tried several churches and this one just clicked..I think it's the lack of judgement and the sincere adoration for Jesus, plus they don't hesitate to help anyone out, which is actually a rare thing.

I am going through steps to possibly become Catholic, albeit a progressive one. I never considered it, because when I was a Protestant, I was told all of the negatives about it. In looking at different religions, I kept overlooking it, but I realized that when I was interested in the LDS church, I liked the "theatrics" and the rituals. When I became a Christian so long ago, I bought into Sola Scriptura, but as time went on, I realized that tradition, history, etc makes a more physically and emotionally real experience. In having certain words and actions during service/mass, (I still accidentally call it "service.) I am a part of it, not just sitting and listening as in my previous experiences.

Sand Dancer said:

I am going through steps to possibly become Catholic, albeit a progressive one.

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I'm so far into "left field" that I have a hard time even seeing the "ballpark".

My point is that we have the right of personal discernment per the Catechism. If there's anything I can help you with, please let me know. OTOH, I won't try to convert anyone to the faith as that's a 100% a personal decision, imo.

I think it is incorrect to refer to the Universal Catholic Church as a denomination among others.
In writings contemporaries with the Gospel

"Wherever the bishop appears, let the congregation be there also. Just as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is manifest, therefore, that we should look upon the bishop even as we would look upon the Lord Himself, standing, as he does, before the Lord. As therefore the Lord did nothing without the Father, being united to Him, neither by Himself nor by the apostles, so neither do ye anything without the bishop and presbyters. Be ye subject to the bishop as to the Lord, for 'he watches for your souls, as one that shall give account to God.' In like manner, let all reverence the deacons as an appointment of Jesus Christ, and the bishop as Jesus Christ, who is the Son of the Father, and the presbyters as the Sanhedrin of God, and assembly of the apostles. Apart from these, there is no Church. See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Jesus Christ does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as being the institution of God. He who honors the bishop has been honored by God; he who does anything without the knowledge of the bishop, does [in reality] serve the devil. Give ye heed to the bishop, that God also may give heed to you. Be ye subject to the bishop, to the presbyters, and to the deacons.” St. Ignatius of Antioch, "Epistle to the Smyrnaeans," c. 105 A.D.

metis said:

I'm so far into "left field" that I have a hard time even seeing the "ballpark".

My point is that we have the right of personal discernment per the Catechism. If there's anything I can help you with, please let me know. OTOH, I won't try to convert anyone to the faith as that's a 100% a personal decision, imo.

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Thank you so much!!! Yes, it seems much more flexible than some denominations.