Do I need a Denomination
I tell you that you are Peter, and it is on this rock that I will build my congregation, and the powers of hell will not conquer it. Matthew 16:18
Do I need a denomination? A question that I would never have expected to ask growing up, and one that, as I ask now, I expect will garner some visceral responses.
In the past, differences in denominations, like believer’s baptism, were so fierce that they often led to persecution and execution. The Covenanters are another example. They refuted claims that the king of England was the head of the Church, instead claiming Christ was the true head of the Church. Their fate was also execution. Other arguments between denominations include things such as women in leadership, predestination, governance, the importance of sacraments, justification, tongues, cessationism… the list can go on and on. Yet even through this short list, I would wager some items seem foundational in belief. My goal here is not to rehash arguments that have gone on for centuries (by much more learned men than myself) but to ask the question. What value is there in having a denomination and the governing body over it, and do I need to be a part of a denomination myself?
I ask this question because I see a danger in modern Christianity.
Let me be clear, I grew up protestant and hold to the belief of Sola Scriptura. I believe Luthers 95 theses were a good thing, that pointed out some unbiblical practices, and called us to be good Bereans. However, there was fallout from Luthers 95 theses. The Reformation gave way to individual interpretations of the Bible and God, and while that was good in some senses, it also posed danger.
That danger is manifest in the simple question. Who is the ultimate authority to interpret scripture? If we say ourselves, then we are, in a way, subject to our own teachings. If I want to believe the Bible teaches a prosperity gospel, I believe it teaches a prosperity gospel. I don’t like how this difficult story portrays God, so I come up with some solution that fits my understanding of how I want God to look. People can and do say love is love, and the Bible's views on sex and marriage are outdated, instead deciding for themselves that it was only for that specific time and culture. If we are the ultimate authority in interpreting scripture, we can easily take a pick and mix approach to the Bible.
People have used the Bible to justify and defend all sorts of behaviour that is not Biblical. If we do not know the Bible as it is meant to be known, then we can easily succumb to unbiblical teaching. In fact, one of the warnings in Revelations is that the Antichrist will deceive and lead many astray. How are we deceived? By not knowing the truth.
Knowing the truth comes from knowing God, and this is where I see the danger of not having a denomination. I say this because one of the most common things I hear from people who claim to know Christ, but whose lives do not necessarily testify to knowing him, is the sentiment "this is my relationship with God“ Almost like it is some special deal, where others are called to carry their cross but they are called to do what they want instead. To bring us back to the pick and mix analogy, I like the part of the Bible that says God blesses, so I fill my bag with that, but I don’t like the difficulty and persecution bits, so I leave that out. Not knowing God for who He is, but who we want to view Him as, leads us to not truly knowing Him. God becomes an object to justify what they see as right and wrong, instead of God being the judge who draws the line and sets the definition. God is closer to being seen as a genie for their life instead of being God!
Again, I want to be clear that I am glad the reformation took place. I think we should all examine the scripture for ourselves. After all, Jesus came to save the world, but He calls us by name. There is a personal invitation and response that comes with following Jesus. This is where the Holy Spirit is so pivotal to our walk as Christians, because He corrects and guides us, making us more like Christ, and a part of the body. Part of joining this body means it’s not a walk we take in isolation.
Hebrews 10:25 says
25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
There is value in meeting together, because together we can hold each other to account. We can point and direct one another to Jesus, and call out thoughts that border or cross the line into heresy. In the same way, a good teacher unveils the truth of the Bible and shapes our understanding and viewpoints. Finding a teacher that we can trust and who knows how to read the Bible becomes a task of the highest importance. It is so important that Christians are warned that false teachers are out there, and are like ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing.
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
This is where I see the weight and authority of a denomination carrying strength, because it ensures a level of training and vetting for their leaders. Obviously, there will still be false teachers and moral failings from pastors in a denomination, but these are more quickly identified. There is also the added value in having someone to hold you accountable who knows the Bible and how to read it. A teacher who can hold up the Bible to tell you not what you want to hear but what you need to hear is a teacher who will push you to look more like Jesus.
A denomination will also have a confession of faith. A statement that holds its members to a clear belief. This further provides a foundation for how we are held to account, rather than allowing us to be the supreme authority for interpreting scripture. This leads us from a Sola Scriptura approach to a Solo Scriptura approach.
While Sola Scriptura is the stance that scripture alone is the infallible rule of faith and practice. Creeds, theology, and church traditions are valuable only insofar as they align with and are derived from scripture. Solo Scriptura, on the other hand, is the more radical interpretation that dismisses creeds, historical theology, and traditions almost entirely. Without accountability, we are subject to subjective interpretations.
Thankfully, the Bible provides guidance on finding a good pastor and what to look for in a church, pointing us to examine the fruits. There will be evidence of God in a life dedicated to serving Him. There has to be. God at work in us cannot leave us unchanged. In many ways, this is why I have felt confident calling myself non-denominational for so long. The Holy has been given as a guide, and will guide us through the process of sanctification. Correcting and pruning as we remain in Christ.
It seems a denomination might be just another set of garden shears.
I guess the question now is, what denomination is the right one?
If you have any thoughts, please let me know.
Very true! But before, I didn’t really want to be part of a denomination; I simply desired to be a servant of God who could serve in any part of the body of Christ without any affiliation. This is because, nowadays, many believers prioritize their denomination over the name of Jesus, often placing their church identity above their identity in Christ. It’s essential to remember that a denomination, no matter how established or influential, is just a human structure meant to serve the greater purpose of the Church. While it plays a role in fostering community and doctrinal unity, it is not the means of salvation. The mission of the Church should always be to point people to Jesus, not to a particular denomination or organization. The Kingdom of God is bigger than any one denomination.
I have many friends from different denominations, and in our conversations, they sometimes compare their churches with each other, and at times, these discussions even turn into debates. I usually just listen. But when they ask for my opinion, I always make it clear that I do not exalt the name of my denomination but rather the name of Jesus. It’s not about which denomination we belong to it’s about who we belong to: Jesus Christ. Yes, I respect and submit to church leadership as long as they teach and lead in accordance with Scripture, but my full allegiance is in Christ alone. Many times, this perspective challenges them, causing them to reflect on whether they, too, are truly exalting Jesus above all else. It’s important to ask ourselves: Is our faith centered on the gospel, or are we putting too much focus on man made structures and titles?
You're right that it is also essential to recognize that being part of a church community is important because it is a command from God (Hebrews 10:25). Fellowship with other believers strengthens our faith, helps us grow spiritually, and provides accountability. The Church is meant to be a family where we support one another in our walk with Christ. It’s a place where we encourage each other, bear one another’s burdens, and grow together in the knowledge of God’s Word. Being part of a healthy, biblically grounded community helps protect us from spiritual isolation and equips us to be more effective in fulfilling the Great Commission.
However, believers must always remember that our focus should not be on elevating a denomination but on exalting Jesus. A denomination, no matter how established or influential, cannot save people only Jesus can. We must never forget that our faith is not about loyalty to a church label but about loyalty to the person and work of Jesus Christ. In the end, salvation is not found in church membership but in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. The name of Jesus is the only name by which we are saved, and it is through Him alone that we have access to eternal life.
That is why, while I respect my church and its leadership, I will never allow my faith to be dependent on a denomination. My faith rests solely on Christ, who is the only way, the truth, and the life. Denominations, while helpful for doctrinal clarity and fellowship, should never be the foundation of our faith. The Church exists to glorify God and spread the gospel, and every believer, regardless of their denomination, is part of the body of Christ. What truly matters is our personal relationship with Jesus and our obedience to His Word. We are called to make disciples, not denominational followers.
At the end of the day, our goal should not be to promote a denomination but to preach the gospel, make disciples, and lead people to a genuine relationship with Christ. That is what truly matters in the Kingdom of God. Denominations will come and go, but the Word of God and the name of Jesus remain forever. Our allegiance must always be to Him.
And to your final question, "What denomination is the right one?" is a valid and necessary one to wrestle with. Choosing a denomination is not about finding perfection, but about finding a community that aligns with your understanding of the gospel, Scripture, and God’s call on your life. It’s about finding a place where you can grow, serve, and remain accountable.
The key is to find a denomination that honors Scripture, remains faithful to the core doctrines of the Christian faith, and provides opportunities for spiritual growth. While there may be disagreements within denominations on secondary matters (such as the role of women in leadership or certain theological views), secondary matters are important to the life and practice of the church, but they do not directly affect our salvation. Salvation, according to Scripture, is centered on core doctrines, particularly the core aspects of the faith like the divinity of Christ, salvation by grace alone through faith in Christ alone, the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, and the authority of Scripture which must remain central.
This is really on point, I can see the rising tide in people (not just churches) interpreting the Bible wrong and using the Bible as a way to reflect todays culture rather than reflect God. I grew up in a non denominational evangelical church and have experienced this tide. I've also been to many churches belonging to different denominations and I've seen this rising tide in those churches. Although I don't believe it's an isolated issue on denomination, it goes to show how denominations should'nt be your main priority when looking for a church. I also personally believe the main challenge with many churches today is that they are focusing on preaching that strictly aligns with their denomination.
There needs to be more encouragement on having a relationship with Jesus by todays churches and I feel that's where denominations may lack. I think that's why there was such a big ressurgence on social media through out covid and even lasting till now, it's because people we're sharing the gospel with out a denomination being attached to it, just simply the love of Jesus and their own personal testimonies. Not that I think all of it is good, or that's what you should solely rely on but it's definitely encouraged people to seek a relationship with Jesus and place their faith in him.