Non-denominational.

[Id82]

I have a co worker who told me the other day that he goes to a non-denominational church. Being that I was never really exposed to non-denominational churches growing up I don't really understand what they are. Are non denominational churches a denomination in themselves? Or do they actually follow a denomination but are in denial that they do? I don't remember hearing about these kind of churches ten years ago, are they a relatively new thing?
Any former non denominational church goers here?

[Cerim Treascair]

Former non-denom here (that's fun to say, come to think of it).

The reason for the term is that many churches just don't ascribe to specific Catholic or Baptist or Jesuit doctrine, so they tend to be more of a 'generalized' sort of church within that particular faith.

[Random Gal]

In my experience, most "non-denominational" churches are really Evangelical Protestant churches that aren't affiliated with a particular branch of Protestantism within the evangelical movement. Their doctrines are largely inspired by Baptist beliefs, though, and "Evangelical Protestant" is effectively a sort of denomination itself, comprising most "fundie" types.

[Art Vandelay]

Denomination is simply the specifics of what they believe, so it's impossible to have an actually non-denominational church, much like you can't have food that's neither vegan nor non-vegan.

[Yla]

I've also seen 'non-denominational' used in an extrachristian context, where it meant something similar to 'Universalist'.

[Star Cluster]

When I was a teenager (early-mid 70's), non-denominational was a tag placed more on gatherings rather than groups.  It meant that a meeting or other such event was being held that was open to people of all denominations but would have a message or theme common to most of not all Christian beliefs.  While the sheer number of denominations, sects, and sub-sects would make this a very difficult thing to accomplish, they at least tried to accommodate everyone.

So I would imagine that a non-denominational church is one that at least attempts to be acceptable to people that don't really identify with or belief what any one specific church teaches.

[RavynousHunter]

So, its like a much more laid-back form of Christianity?  That's...actually pretty cool, or at least, it sounds that way.  I'm sure that, like every group of humans on the planet, non-denominational Christians got their set of whackos and arsebiscuits.

[Id82]

So when my co worker says he's non denominational it means hes part of an evangelical protestant movement that doesn't follow any particular church doctrine?

[Sleepy]

I wouldn't say evangelical. The non-denominational folks I've met are always much more relaxed in their beliefs, basically saying that they believe in the Christian god and try to be decent people. My mom is an example. She believes in God but doesn't follow any sect's particular teachings.

[Old Viking]

Minimal dogma, no secret handshake.

[Leafy]

In my experience, most "non-denominational" churches are really Evangelical Protestant churches that aren't affiliated with a particular branch of Protestantism within the evangelical movement. Their doctrines are largely inspired by Baptist beliefs, though, and "Evangelical Protestant" is effectively a sort of denomination itself, comprising most "fundie" types.

Same here. When I was still dragged to church, it didn't officially have a denomination, however went I got older I saw the truth: Evangelical. :/