What Denominational Family Are You?

***matthew94*** · Dec 22nd 2005, 08:03 PM

Groupings taken from Ron Rhodes new book 'Complete Guide to Christian Denominations.

After reading the book, I liked the following:

1. Church of God Anderson
Doctrinal match made in heaven
2. Wesleyan
My happy home
3. Nazarene
Full of great people
4. Mennonite
Gotta love the liberal Ammish
5. Calvary Chapel
Verse by verse Bible churches
6. Salvation Army
Unique, awesome reputation
7. Free Methodist
Their use of 'free' was full of meaning
8. Free Will Baptist
Share my views on 'elect in the Son'
9. Christian Missionary Alliance
Only disagreemnt is with ideas on healing
10. Vineyard Church
Emphasize God's present kingdom

**Slug1** · Dec 22nd 2005, 08:46 PM

Nazarene, plan on joining in near future.

***Whispering Grace*** · Dec 22nd 2005, 08:46 PM

I go to a non-denominational Bible church, so I'm technically no denomination, but I did mark where you had the choice of Bible church (although it's technically not a denomination.

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**doppelganger** · Dec 22nd 2005, 09:18 PM

Well, I grew up in a Baptist church (GARBC-flavored, if anyone cares), but now I go to a Missionary church, which isn't on the list and doesn't fit neatly into any one particular category shown. The Missionary Church denomination is kind of a blend of Mennonite, Methodist, and Pietist/Holiness backgrounds.

Wikipedia has a pretty good list of denominations, and attempts to group them by family.

Amadeus · Dec 22nd 2005, 09:21 PM

Episcopalian here.

I was sort of confused with the Wesleyans and Salvation Army being characterized as "holiness" (I'm not exactly sure what that means). I was under the impression that the Wesleyans had pulled out from the Methodists over controversies concerning the Episcopal office, but that their theology was identical.

Also, is the Salvation Army a church?

***always*** · Dec 22nd 2005, 09:23 PM

I belong to the Grand Ole Church of God In Christ.

***Ninna*** · Dec 22nd 2005, 09:35 PM

I am Christian first.....denomination really doesn't mean much to me. We are all brothers & sisters!

***matthew94*** · Dec 22nd 2005, 09:45 PM

I go to a non-denominational Bible church, so I'm technically no denomination, but I did mark where you had the choice of Bible church (although it's technically not a denomination. )

That is correct. And Rhodes treats them as independant, but wanted to include them as a group. In practice, most non-denominational Bible churches ARE linked by some 'alliance' and, in that way, are similar to a denomination.

The Missionary Church denomination is kind of a blend of Mennonite, Methodist, and Pietist/Holiness backgrounds.

Rhodes lists the Missionary Church with the Mennonites.

I was sort of confused with the Wesleyans and Salvation Army being characterized as "holiness" (I'm not exactly sure what that means). I was under the impression that the Wesleyans had pulled out from the Methodists over controversies concerning the Episcopal office, but that their theology was identical.

Also, is the Salvation Army a church?

Rhodes felt that the Holiness movement was a large enough group to be dealt with on its own. The Nararenes & Wesleyans came out of the holiness movement (even though the wesleyans were originally methodists, of course). the salvation army was started by a methodist and is currently very similar to wesleyan's and other holiness denominations.

The salvation army has a membership of close to 500,000 people. I am not sure if they call themselves a denomination, but they are certainly organized.

I am Christian first.....denomination really doesn't mean much to me. We are all brothers & sisters!

I agree. But just like when we meet new friends and ask 'where are you from'...there is value in knowing/understanding what types of churches we come from.

God bless. Thanks everyone for your responses so far.
~matthew

***roadrunner570*** · Dec 22nd 2005, 09:51 PM

The Missionary Church has cleanly broken from the Mennonites, while they have some basic core doctrines in common, the Mennonites as a whole have become quite liberal in their theology over the years.

Also, the Missionary Alliance is completely different from the Missionary Church:

http://www.mcusa.org/

***matthew94*** · Dec 22nd 2005, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by roadrunner570

The Missionary Church has cleanly broken from the Mennonites, while they have some basic core doctrines in common, the Mennonites as a whole have become quite liberal in their theology over the years.

Also, the Missionary Alliance is completely different from the Missionary Church:

http://www.mcusa.org/

Yes, the missionary church was started in 1969 with the merger of 'missionary church association' and 'united missionary church' but both have their roots in mennonite history (not specifically the current mennonite church).

When you say the 'mennonites' as a whole, you're referring to the whole movement? in what way are they 'quite liberal' in their theology? I know the group called 'the mennonite church' is not liberal in their theology.

**todd77** · Dec 22nd 2005, 10:27 PM

Ok so the church my wife and I attend is part of the Christian Missionary Alliance. Not really sure where it fits on the poll though.

DarkMajin · Dec 22nd 2005, 10:34 PM

Well, can't particularly answer this as I do not belong to a denomination or even a specific church.
I'd even go as far to say that I have yet to have even found a church that lines up with what I believe.

***matthew94*** · Dec 22nd 2005, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by todd77

Ok so the church my wife and I attend is part of the Christian Missionary Alliance. Not really sure where it fits on the poll though.

Hey todd77

Ron Rhodes put you with the Fundamentalist/Bible-Churches.

I really like the Christian Missionary Alliance Churches. God bless.

Albert Simpson, the founder, had been a Presbyterian minister

***roadrunner570*** · Dec 22nd 2005, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by matthew94

Yes, the missionary church was started in 1969 with the merger of 'missionary church association' and 'united missionary church' but both have their roots in mennonite history (not specifically the current mennonite church).

When you say the 'mennonites' as a whole, you're referring to the whole movement? in what way are they 'quite liberal' in their theology? I know the group called 'the mennonite church' is not liberal in their theology.

I did a paper on the Missionary CHurch a few months ago, I suppose I can post it if anyone would like to read it.

As far as liberal, I know Mennonites areound here tend to be all over the map. But at Goshen College, the "official" college for Mennonites, sort of, they teach that Genesis and much of the OT is myth and symbolism and didn't really happen. They teach that pretty much any lifestyle is acceptable...I think they even have some gay professors and student groups. Just that sort of thing. Not the kind of stuff you'd want to see at a Christian college.

***LindaJ*** · Dec 22nd 2005, 10:58 PM

non denom...if I did they would have to be pre-trib,accept females are NOT 3rd(or below)class citizens,be child friendly and believe in the gifts of God and be more concerned about spreading the message of God than if men are not in sunday best or if females were not wearing skirts.

yes...I say this in ALL seriousnes(i know, your all saying...for a change

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