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In Christianity, non-denominational institutions or churches are those not formally aligned with an established denomination, or that remain otherwise officially autonomous. This, however, does not preclude an identifiable standard among such congregations. Non-denominational congregations may establish a functional denomination by means of mutual recognition of or accountability to other congregations and leaders with commonly held doctrine, policy and worship without formalizing external direction or oversight in such matters. Some non-denominational churches explicitly reject the idea of a formalized denominational structure as a matter of principle, holding that each congregation is better off being autonomous.

Non-denominational is generally used to refer to one of two forms of independence: political or theological. That is, the independence may come about because of a religious disagreement or political disagreement. This causes some confusion in understanding. Some churches say they are non-denominational because they have no central headquarters (though they may have affiliations with other congregations). Other churches say they are non-denominational because their belief structures are one of a kind.

Members of non-denominational churches often consider themselves simply "Christians". Non-denominationalism should not be confused with interdenominationalism, or ecumenism.

History[link]

Wherever the Protestant Reformation took place, the founders claimed that the result was not a new denomination but a reformation of a supposedly pre-existing "national" church.

Denominationalism was accelerated in the aftermath of the Westminster Assembly convened by the English Parliament to formulate a form of religion for the national churches of England and Scotland. In the debate between the two main parties present at the Assembly, the Presbyterians and the Independents, the Presbyterians were in favor of a form of church government that maintained the visible organizational unity of the Catholic Church while Independents, weary of the ecclesiastical tyranny they experienced under the Episcopal system, wished to organize the churches in a congregational way envisioning no legitimate authority of the church above the local congregation meeting at one time in a single place. Obviously these two parties were not reconciled and following the Assembly the Independents formed their own independent church. Thus instead of a united expression of the Catholic Church in England there were now two churches.

Protestant denominations spread and multiplied, especially in the United States, as Denominational confessional statements began to be used more to exclude than to include Christians with different doctrinal convictions.^{[citation needed]} Each denomination maintains to differing degrees some form of organizational and visible unity with its member churches, albeit radically decentralized compared with the Catholic Church.

Today, non-denominational churches, like the Independents at the Westminster Assembly, refuse to recognize any ecclesiastical authority above the local congregation and deny the visible unity of the Church (though not the unity of the invisible Church) despite the fact that the original denominations were formed by substantially the same ideology.

Criticism[link]

Boston University religion scholar Stephen Prothero argues that non-denominationalism hides the fundamental theological and spiritual issues that drove the division of Christianity into denominations in the first place behind a veneer of "Christian unity." He argues that non-denominationalism encourages a descent of Christianity—and indeed, all religions—into comfortable "general moralism" rather than being a focus for facing the complexities of churchgoers' culture and spirituality. Prothero further argues that it also encourages ignorance of the Scriptures, which in turn reduces overall religious literacy, increasing the potential for inter-religious misunderstandings and conflict.^[2]

Examples[link]

Lakewood Church in Houston, TX; one of the biggest non-denominational churches in the world.

Bread of Life Ministries in Manila, Philippines; one of the non-denominational megachurches in the Philippines.

The following organisations and institutions label themselves as non-denominational:

• Bread of Life Ministries International - non-denominational megachurch in Manila, Philippines. Church's mission and vision is love for God and sharing the Gospel are strongly linked to patriotism; emphasises both the spiritual kingdom and nation-building.
• Brunstad Christian Church – claims to differ from other non-denominational groups in its belief that Jesus was tempted to sin like every human being.
• Calvary Chapel — mildly charismatic, originating in California
• Christ's Commission Fellowship - non-denominational megachurch in the Philippines, they focus on being "Christ-Committed Followers".
• Christian Congregation in the United States - self-declared non-denominational and non-sectarian.
• Churches of Christ in Christian Union — focuses on free-form worship and evangelism.
• Churches of Christ — associated with the Restoration Movement; known for sola scriptura, a cappella worship, and baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
• Crossroads Christian Church
• Cornerstone Fellowship — A non-denominational church in Livermore, California.
• Evangelical Christian Church in Canada (Christian Disciples)
• Family Stations, Inc. — reformed, conservative, Calvinistic, it identifies as a non-denominational, Christian radio ministry.
• Gordon College (Massachusetts) — started by a Baptist church. Formerly part of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
• International Churches of Christ — also associated with the Restoration Movement. Founded by Kip Mckean.
• International Christian Churches — Separated from the International Churches of Christ, 2006 in Portland, Oregon. Also founded by Mckean.
• Independent Fundamental Churches of America — association of conservative, independent churches
• Jesus Is Lord Church — charismatic, headquarters in Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines. Headed by founder Bro. Eddie Villanueva, JIL started with 15 members in 1978. As of 2010, members are about 6 million.
• Local churches (Chinese: 地方教會)— a Chinese Christian movement influenced by the teachings of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee, associated with the Living Stream Ministry publishing house. Sees itself as separate from other Christian groups, part of what they sometimes call "the Lord's recovery".
• New Creation Church - charismatic, located in Singapore. Founded and led by Joseph Prince.
• Newfrontiers — charismatic, originating in the United Kingdom.
• Open Bible Standard Churches — Pentecostal
• Open Brethren — non-charismatic, originating in the United Kingdom.
• Plymouth Brethren
• Sovereign Grace Ministries — identifies itself as "Reformed Charismatic".
• Victory Christian Fellowship - megachurch in the Philippines under the Every Nation Ministries.
• Vineyard Movement — evangelical/charismatic
• World Changers Church International - originating in College Park, Georgia.

While in general these groups will not have formal legal ties between individual congregations and consider themselves non-denominational, outsiders often describe them as denominations in and of themselves due to their close associations, equivalent doctrine, similar worship practices, and the ease of using one name to cover a larger group of churches.^{[citation needed]}

See also[link]

Christianity portal

• Jesuism

References[link]

External links[link]

• Nondenominational Congregations Study

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (March 2012)

Doreen Virtue Ph.D is an American author^[1] and a self-proclaimed Clairvoyant^[2]. She has a doctorate in Counseling psychology from an unaccredited program at Clarkson University in Southern California^[3] she is the founder and former director of WomanKind Psychiatric Hospital in Nashville.^[4][5]Virtue is not licensed by the Board of Psychology^[6]

Published works[link]

• The Angel Therapy Handbook Hay House 2011 ISBN 978-1-4019-1834-7
• Archangels 101: How to Connect Closely with Archangels Michael, Raphael, Uriel, Gabriel and Others for Healing, Protection, and Guidance Hay House 2010. Hay House ISBN 978-1-4019-2638-0
• Angel Therapy Hay House 1997. Hay House ISBN 1-56170-397-4
• Angel Visions Hay House 2000. Hay House ISBN 1-56170-712-0
• Angel Visions II Hay House 2001. Hay House ISBN 1-56170-850-X
• Healing with the Angels Hay House 1999. Hay House ISBN 1-56170-640-X
• Healing with the Faeries Hay House 2001. Hay House ISBN 1-56170-807-0
• Messages from your Angels Hay House 2002. Hay House ISBN 1-4019-0049-6
• Archangels & Ascended Masters Hay House 2003. Hay House ISBN 1-4019-0063-1
• The Care and Feeding of Indigo Children Hay House 2001. Hay House ISBN 1-56170-846-1
• The Lightworker's Way Hay House 1997. Hay House ISBN 1-56170-390-7

References[link]