Postdenominationalism
Encyclopedia
Post-denominational churches, (or postdenominational), can be interpreted in many ways, but as applied to Christianity
, it is the attitude that the Body of Christ
extends to born again Christian
s in other denominations, and is not limited just to one's own religious
group. Its focus on doctrine distinguishes it from Ecumenism
.
Many of the fastest growing Evangelical
churches
in world do not belong to any "established" denomination, though the tendency is that over time the larger ones form their own organization (though they will not call it a "denomination").
According to David Barrett
,, in addition to this, there are 60 million Americans
who are born again believers, and do not attend any church. Though this is often due to faults in the church (some cite visionless leadership, unresolved sin issues amongst church bodies, lax morals in the pew
s, money mishandling, etc. in their reasons for not attending), postdenominationalists nevertheless consider that the Church is at the center of God
's plan for the world.
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, it is the attitude that the Body of Christ
Body of Christ
In Christian theology, the term Body of Christ has two separate connotations: it may refer to Jesus's statement about the Eucharist at the Last Supper that "This is my body" in , or the explicit usage of the term by the Apostle Paul in to refer to the Christian Church.Although in general usage the...
extends to born again Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
s in other denominations, and is not limited just to one's own religious
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
group. Its focus on doctrine distinguishes it from Ecumenism
Ecumenism
Ecumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...
.
Many of the fastest growing Evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
churches
Church Body
A local church is a Christian religious organization that meets in a particular location. Many are formally organized, with constitutions and by-laws, maintain offices, are served by pastors or lay leaders, and, in nations where this is permissible, often seek seek non-profit corporate status...
in world do not belong to any "established" denomination, though the tendency is that over time the larger ones form their own organization (though they will not call it a "denomination").
According to David Barrett
David Barrett
David M. Barrett has been practicing law in Washington, D.C. since 1975, specializing in litigation and administrative, agency, and legislative law. His diverse career has involved military service in the U.S...
,, in addition to this, there are 60 million Americans
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
who are born again believers, and do not attend any church. Though this is often due to faults in the church (some cite visionless leadership, unresolved sin issues amongst church bodies, lax morals in the pew
Pew
A pew is a long bench seat or enclosed box used for seating members of a congregation or choir in a church, or sometimes in a courtroom.-Overview:Churches were not commonly furnished with permanent pews before the Protestant Reformation...
s, money mishandling, etc. in their reasons for not attending), postdenominationalists nevertheless consider that the Church is at the center of God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
's plan for the world.
Common doctrinal points
The following doctrinal points are shared by many who consider themselves postdenominational (Bible references in parentheses):- "Church" is the convocationConvocationA Convocation is a group of people formally assembled for a special purpose.- University use :....
, assembly, or congregation of persons, disciples of ChristChristChrist is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
, saved by faith (not by works nor by membership in a religion), regenerated by the working of the Holy SpiritHoly SpiritHoly Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
, who obey the commandments of Jesus Christ and are His Body on EarthEarthEarth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. (Ephesians 5:23)
- The true Church, which is One, is composed of many congregations or local churches throughout the world. (I Corinthians 1:2; Acts 9:31, 15:41; 16:5; Romans 16:16)
- The message of the true Church is always Christ-centered.
-
- The true Church does not preach itself.
- The true Church does not preach a man. (Acts 19:13-16)
- The true Church does not preach a denomination. (Acts 5:42)
- The true Church does not teach doctrines and traditions of men. (Matthew 15:3-9; Mark 7:8; Colossians 2:8)
- The true Church preaches only the Word of God, the BibleBibleThe Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
and preaches it in its totality. (Mark 2:2; 16:15; Romans 15:20; II Corinthians 4:5; I Thessalonians 2:9; II Timothy 4:2)
- One should distrust anyone who adds to or takes away from the Word of God. (Revelation 22:18-19)
- The true Church is the Body of Christ on Earth (I Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 5:23, 29-30)
-
- The members of a body do not choose their position in that body.
- If a member becomes separated from the body that it is attached to, it will die, as it has no life in and of itself. The body can continue to function, but with some limitation.
- Where one part of the body is, the rest of the body is also. (Acts 10:24, 25)
- The true Church is a group of people who know how to praise and worship God in Spirit and in truth. (John 4:23, 24; Acts 2:46, 47)
- The true Church is a group of people who know how to pray. (Acts 2:42)
- The true Church is a group of persons who love God and others. (I Corinthians 12:26; 13:2)