The Rise of the Non-Denominational Church

Rick

Holy crap... a post about something that actually has to do with this site!?!? A miracle has happened today and we should all give thanks...

Sue Nicholai

denominations came about because of man's wanting to be more than another then honestly asking what did Jesus want to with this, Jesus (God's) vision for relationship if far different than what churches teach. More people are wanting a true relationship with the creator not just a system for keeping out of hell

Rev. Hoagie

Sue, the only thing that can stop you from having a true relationship with the Creator is yourself. Jesus has already established the "system" or rather direction for keeping out of hell. Churches can help establish and maintain Fellowship among persons who have similar beliefs. Churches have traditionally in the U.S. been fundamental in providing help for the poor, the sick, the elderly and establishing homes for abused women and orphaned children. Churches are the very heart of American charity, not the government which wastes more than it administers. Christian churches are under attack today for their fundamental beliefs and the result will be to undermine and ultimately end the charitable efforts of these Christians because they refuse to accept secular political indoctrination which goes against their traditional Christian teaching. That would be a shame, a big mistake and it would leave the poor, needy, sick and alone at the mercy of the state. Would you like to be at the mercy of the state? Neither would I.

Dark Gray

Hmm. I didn't think ULC was a Christian organization, which I think is what "non-denominational" implies. ULC is more of a free-for-all. Not that there's anything wrong with that. That's kind of why I became a ULC minister in the first place. :-)

So let me advocate for the devil for a moment to keep the conversation interesting:

Most of the large (Christian) non-denominational congregations I've seen don't seem to have a consistent message that they stand for. They're mostly driven by a reasonably charismatic preacher, and when s/he leaves, it's questionable as to whether the congregation will even survive. (Is the Crystal Cathedral even around any more? What about the PTL Club?) Sure, a lot of them preach "the Bible", but anyone who's had any experience with Christianity will tell you that "the Bible" is wide open to interpretation.

Denominations, by contrast, are able to set a consistent tone and doctrine across their organizations. They are able to set up seminaries where would-be clergy can learn their jobs -- preaching, teaching, counseling, caring for their congregants and others. (And training is generally A Good Thing; feeling "called by the Spirit" doesn't necessarily enable you to put together a coherent sermon, comfort grieving relatives, or help a husband and wife put a marriage back together.)

Denominations are able to support organizations to feed the poor and clothe the hungry outside their own communities (e.g., Catholic Charities). And if your congregation's pastor leaves, you can find a replacement through the denomination and be fairly sure that the church will go on more-or-less the same.

If you want to see an example of the good things a denominational organization can do, google "elca national youth gathering 2015" to see the amazing things that tens of thousands of Lutheran high-schoolers were able to do for the city of Detroit this past summer.

Anyway, that's my two cents. Feel free to agree or disagree. :-)

Rt Rev Dr N

Denomination, this is just a word, a label. Like your name is xxxx and mine is xxxx but at the end of the day, there is only one God, we all worship one God. I am so fed up of hearing when I go overseas, this is MY church not your church and MY church is better than your church. I have heard this sadly, in India. The church is the house of God, we are all the same so really, does it matter what this denomination is, what the name is. Yes, some might do things a little different to another but that is all. I respect everyone's belief, I might not agree with other's opinions but I keep that to myself. I listen and just say, well, I have different belief's to yours but thanks for sharing. I personally like the non denomination for it means, we can get down to what Christianity is all about, worshipping God. He did not have a brick built church, He does not need one. The only rules we should be following are the Ten Commandments, what else do you need?

Tom

We are all children of the same Universe.

Richard Willis

Rev. R L. Jesus gave us the greatest commandment " love one another as we love ourselves ".

Rev Ray Slaven

Rev Ray Slaven FOUNDER OF CHRISTIAN BIKERS RIDERS OF FAITH M M GREETINGS

The word of God Is one as he . Its great to take the Lord to THOUSE that most dont see . Sterio typeing is not my style . To show that anybody can an does preach the word of God . Like us on face book Share your views . Thank you

Minister Rob

Whether you're Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Taoist, Buddhist, Wiccan, Hindu, Antitheist, Scientologist, etc.... God exists. If only in one being's imagination...God exists.

For many, God is even more.

For many, that is all that God is.

Whether you follow Tao rather than Bible, Talmud rather than Koran, Veda rather than intuition...God exists as long as one being still conceptualizes/imagines.

Jason Oswalt

All I am going to say is in my humble opinion, religion is what ruins Christianity. I personally believe in Jesus Christ, but not in any set denominations.

The Rev

Anyone who has loved, has experienced God. Love should be the foundation of all teaching. My belief is that organized religion divides and separates. The true nature of reality is that we are all One, which gives validity to the "do unto others as you would have done to you," teaching, among others. I literally do to myself, what I do to others, because we are all connected.

We need to remind people that at the core of who we really are, is Love.

The Rev

Anyone who has loved, has experienced God. Love should be the foundation of all teaching. My belief is that organized religion divides and separates. The true nature of reality is that we are all One, which gives validity to the “do unto others as you would have done to you,” teaching, among others. I literally do to myself, what I do to others, because we are all connected.

We need to remind people that at the core of who we really are, is Love.

Robert Taylor

REV DR ROB. We have the same problem in The UK . The Church of England is for the so called upper class, The chapels are for the working class. And most of the others i call Bible nuts and they think they are the only ones that are right. I tell these people to try and live there lives like Jesus and and have a good look at there actions. If we can live our lives with God in our hearts and follow the way our lord lived is life love all fellow man the world would be a better place.

Jeff dawson

We need to stop warring about religion and do what bible says putting God first

Dragon Priest

In my few years on this earth, I've come to realize that religion is BAD for humans. I am a spiritual Sovereign Being, multi-dimentional who exhibits Source's attributes. I create much as it does. No religious nincompoop can change that. It shows as religion is slowly going away from humanity and all the control and lies are being exposed. God is not outside in a Jesus person but already inside and part of me. That takes all their control away and gives it to me as it should. BTW, I am a minister here.

Robert Taylor

yes you are certainly right,and i am in full agreement with you.

Kyaza

It makes me sad to think there are churches out there who will turn out 92 and 103 year old women because they don't strictly adhere to the bureaucratic rules of the organization.

If we could all just respect that everyone has the right to believe and worship as they wish, the world would be a much more peaceful place.

Kathryn

Is it necessary to have any religion set down a list of rules that must be maintained in order for a member to be in good standing? Isn't this really just a club? Being a gracious person and trying to live life nobly is a philosophy, unencumbered by threats and fear (religion). We are not children that need to be punished for errors(sins), be they real or manufactured by those in power. Logically speaking, as we reached the age of reason and relegated Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy to myth, why has something as irrational as 'God' flourished? Perhaps we are still frightened children wanting someone 'to make it all better', tell us 'it will be okay as long as we....(fill in the blank)', that no matter how bad you or circumstances are, there is something that will hand you a Get Out Of Jail Free card. There's no denying this offers great comfort, but is it worth creating the organizations that have been responsible for most of the wars and and bloodshed throughout history? No, it isn't. Putting so much time and energy into arguing, debating and fighting about something that doesn't exist except in imagination, is beyond wasteful. It is tragic.

marionpatterson

On my way to church, I pass dozens of men and women, children, couples, singles, young families, middle aged folks, and elders smiling and chatting as they flock to The Doubletree Hotel downtown for a non-denominational service. At 9:00 a.m.no less! And for the later service. Across the river devout and mostly older Roman Catholics solemnly exiting a classic, historic, renovated church and others equally stern faced entering for the next service. At the church I attend, a few younger families have joined the older congregants in a traditional setting.

On the way home, I drive through the newly renovated Social District which is teeming with life of young folks at the Market and coffee shops socializing, connecting, laughing, exploring ideas.

Perhaps the "new church" is located more in these places. Yet the "divide" continues: "traditional" and "non-traditional" ways of expressing "faith."

Maria Krantz

My husband and I have not gone to church for thirty years except if a family member visits we do go with them. We believe God is everywhere not just in a building. We honor Him wherever we are and live in gratitude for what we have. Both of us were raised Catholic and I saw too much over my life to ever believe it is a necessary thing to go to church. Some people need to go, and I certainly do not judge them. If it's what they need, that's fine. Having attended parochial schools for twelve years I saw first hand what the nuns and priests were like on a daily basis. We attended Mass every day before school. So I went six days a week to church. Now that I am in my 60's I feel very content to honor God in our home and in our surroundings. I finally found that I do not need a priest as a go-between for God and I. I found my own power and realized over time how much I had been controlled and taught to be so fearful so much of my life. God doesn't want us to be fearful. It's the opposite. He wants us to love ourselves and come to live in love. That fear we learn is the exact opposite of love.

Big Jim

Denomination hierarchy strive for consistency throughout all "its" churches. To do that, traditions are followed. Those traditions are born through readily accepted rules, techniques, styles, and methods. Many rules come in response to an outcry by the congregations about a subject or crisis that is real or percieved. Many rules fade away without fanfare through time due to difficulty or disinterest by the churches. Those rules are irrelevant. They get headlines, but do not define the denomination. The "traditions" do that. Those traditions are what draw people together as one. It in these churches that you have dedicated, devoted, long time members. Those members, sometimes referred to as elders, deacons, lay leaders, etc. Are the backbone of each church and the denomination as a whole. The danger of a nondenominational church is they seem to be less intimate, usually larger or a mega church, making it quite difficult to develop the intimacy one gets in the denominational church. Additionally, although I strongly believe each person's relationship with God is personal, we come together as church members to support and join in on each others worship. When you worship with others, something Jesus Christmas urged us to do, we enhance each other's worship. The rules and traditions are a way to get like minded Christians to enjoy worship together. When the rules become more important than the faith, churches fail to meet the need of its parishoners. Political differences have a place, but not really in worship. Remembering that Jesus taught us that the only real sin is being selfish, many of the rediculous rules and spats that go on in churches or in denominations, many of these disagreements would dissolve. I don't want to have to sit with my lawyer in church, so I remember not to be selfish and let the little things go.

Anyway, that's how I do it....

C.J. Conley

I believe that the bible tells us the people are the church, not a building, or a man made denomination. I believe these things have done nothing except seperate the Christian people, and create misunderstandings between us. The bottom line is that the nondenominational churches are bringing Christians back together because they are preaching what the Bible tells us God has said, instead of preaching to us about what a man made doctrine says. I believe this will bring Christians closer to each other, and closer to God.

Nanette nazario Ordained Minister

God/Jesus is the Way and the Truth and the Life! God Will supply All your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:19 Trust in the Lord in the Lord with All your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, and HE will make your PAths straight! Proverbs 3:5-6

Valerie Ward

As a Metaphysician, and in my humble opinion, the reason people are leaving their family/main stream religions is very simple. They are over the dogma that is constantly preached. They are over the 'my God (religion) is better than your God (religion). All beings are evolving and are realizing there is something else out in the world. The religions (churches) rule by fear. They have been scaring people for eons about the fires of hell is they break the rules; the man made rules. God does NOT have a religion. The only rules anyone needs to observe is, love others as you love yourself and do what you wish harming NO-ONE, including yourself. Our world is in such a mess because of the fundamental mentality that your particular group is right and everyone else is wrong. Thank you.

Robert Taylor

You are so right.

Luis

as a civilization predominantly ruled by man/males we see the divide between religion as we see the divide between conquering cultures and other conflicting cultures. the difference between opinion and ideology between races cultures and ethnic divide also pour over into a spiritual and faith-based realm. while we all seek for some form of higher power or inter piece we tend to put a label on what we decide is right for us, selfishly thinking without focusing on the true purpose of the general collective as we are all children of the universe.

DAN LEWIS

I'm a former Protestant, now free of the mind-forged chains of religion. As you might imagine, I'm hypersensitive to people quoting or going by the bible. I do verbal battle on this matter periodically online. I point out to god believers how childish their view is. I ask them how they can possibly worship a murderous attention-whore of a god. I ask them how they could love a 'father' that would subject them to eternal hell for simply not believing or loving said god. Love a god that would murder ALL the first born of an entire nation?? What a sick sick monster!!

Religion comforts...and cripples. History is clear on this.

Karen Rouse-deane

I am a church of england christian in UK. My church had a change of vicar and at his interview with the PCC he promised to work with the congregation to raise funds to repair the Grade 2 listed building. A huge grant had been secured for £460, 000 to repair the full spire. Others to follow once English Heritage saw the need to preserve the building as it is the last church with a full spire in the north of england. Within 3 months of him being licenced the new vicar cancelled the grant and then told the congregation that our church was to close. The closure happened very quickly. I have not set foot inside a church since. I drive by the church every other day and i wish i could win a lottery to save my church from disappearing off the cityscape. I am determined to be a better minister than this so called ordained vicar who could stand in a church and lie.

Howard Stone

It isn't about religions. Christ himself exposed the falsehood of the religious rulers of his time. He showed the importance of having the true knowledge of his word. He exposed the ignorance of the religious rulers of his time, through the use of his word in answering their accusations. I believe it is important that the truths of God's word be taught to the people. The love of God. The will of God. The plan of God and where you as a believer fit into that plan and will of God. It shouldn't be about the numbers or the money like many of the churches of today seem to be governed by. If they truly believe in God and His word, they would know that God promised to meet their needs, if they are teaching the truth. God doesn't want churches to beg for money, He wants them to exercise their faith in believing and trusting in His words. Knowing that He keeps his promises and delivers on those promises.

CRAIG

I believe the shift away from traditional religious institutions and denominations is because they have not changed with the times. The ancient writings were meant as a guideline to behavior and morality. The known world was a much smaller place then and did not have the same framework we have to day with the same issues in our daily lives.

And no, I do not buy the argument that the original teachings transcend time. The world is vastly different from Jesus' and Muhammad's and Buddha's worlds. We have different technology, different living circumstances--heck we're not even surviving day to day in the same way. I do believe there are certain basic moralities such as "thou shalt not kill" and so on that we should live by, but you have to bring it into the 21st century or people can't relate it to their lives.

Religious institutions exist to provide guidance and support. When the denominations don't do that, people look for other institutions that do.

Craig

Rev Deborah Dunkle (Rayvyn Wolfsong.

I am more Earth Centered with a strong Christian background as well. I feel that our Mother is this holy Earth and the God be he the Christian God of creation or any name you wish to ascribe is a part of all creation. My beleifs are feed by my expereinces in life and through my profoud passionate love of all things.

Yes many organised religions have lost thier way. They have forgotten the teachings of their elders and saviors, siats etc. All religions have at their basis Love of one another and all things. How many can hold onto that basic tennant without straying aside to some archaic custom taking away from this activity or that person or thing? How many remember that the earth planets and everything was created equally? Yet we exploit everything and go forth to make our lives aboout proft, what we can get for ourselves and in the end who profits?What is gained? So much is lost every day though our goal of going forward isn't it? I don't have answers. None of us does. But, isn't it time to start asknig some questions???

Sharon

Keep it simple with love, forgiveness and do good!!!

Rev W Phillips

As people seek enlightenment and believe in the principle of God they seek a pathway toward that goal. For a long while, the church, any denomination, provided the guidance and established a direction through guidance, instruction and training to reach that goal. Somewhere along the way organized churches began making the journey more about the process and rules of the church and often forgot about the message and their role to be a spiritual guide to the members.

Now people still believe, still seek enlightenment but along the way the particulars of the church’s rules to reach understanding and union with God has become less important – the individual is seeking enlightenment by helping each other along the pathway and are discovering a more personal, up lifting and richer experience. Also, as each person studies and is exposed to more religious diversity we are coming to the realization of a single origin of all religious beliefs by finding more commonality than differences.

It is a personal journey and to have that pathway highlighted by the flair of each one's personal experiences makes the enlightenment all that much more full of meaning - there could be millions of churches as within each of us is a temple of divinity.

The pathway was always personal, the church was just a method to show us the way and point us in the right direction – now, we find that direction is available to us directly.

There are more believers that you think.

Read more at http://www.themonastery.org/blog/2015/10/the-rise-of-the-non-denominational-church/#4iU1ktgPkArvHUu1.99

Shayne

Simple. Religion was created by man and for their own personal agenda. Non denominational churches, the ones I am familiar with, pursue the relationship with Jesus and leave all the other stuff alone. If you don't think there is the desire for money and power in religion think again. Most Christian religions do not follow the teachings of Jesus and pick and choose verses to preach their agenda on.

Alvin Jones

Study to show thyself approved! Then find and walk a path of righteousness according to the God of your understanding!

Bruce Smith

All of this denominationalism began in the second century with the efforts of various church leaders struggling to define the Christian message. Paul obviously saw Jesus as a Devine Person, but he never suggested that Christ the Lord was equal to God the Father. Trinitarianism was not in his world view, and he would have found it repugnant, I believe. Then of course there were the Gnostics. They had an entire cornucopia of mystical believes. But most of the discussion aside from Gnostic denunciations, involved christology. Arius was not the first person to deny the equality of Christ with the Father, as I have already examined with Paul, but ten creeds later and who knows how many heretics executed, the issue was still not settled, as many of those heresies are still taught today. I suggest that the things that are attracting people to the non-denominational churches are the openness of their theology, and the modern music and fluid form of worship. I think this is great as long as there is some sort of education performed in the path to membership that reviews ecumenical history and places that church body in that historical stream. Though ordained in the ULC, I practice as a Methodist. Since I am a Lay Preacher, and my ULC status alows me the ability to marry and bury, I am unemcumbered by the things I found so distasteful about the pastorate. Thanks, Bruce Smith

Elder L. Martin Jr.

We all know that when Jesus visited his disciples for the final time, they all went in different directions. As they preach and teach the Holy Word of God and the Teachings of Jesus Christ, their ancestors continued the discipleship after the original disciples past. And they were the ones who decided where and how it should be done, and as time goes on, the ancestors decided what the religious church would be called or named after. And you know, " IT DOES NOT MATTER!", we are all the children of GOD, and we are all one family under Jesus Christ. SO WE ARE ALL ONE, NO ONE BETTER AND NO ONE WORSE. And if you don't change you will face Jesus Christ when the Day of Judgement comes. I would like to see what explanation or excuse you going to give.

Rev. Jo-An Josephine

Do you know what I'm sick and tired of? I'm sick and tired of the antics on this site, this ministry is supposed to be "NON-DENOMINATIONAL" Yet, for the most part, all I ever read in the comments section is how Christianity is supreme being, God and church this and that. Well I am sorry, but the reason I don't log on here too often is because I am sick of the self righteousness that most display here. What I read about those that are "holy-er than thou" goes against everything that I believe that ULC is about.

I am NOT Christian, I am NOT Anglican, Or Protestant, or Muslim, or this or that....I am me...so please for the love of all that is humanity, STOP forcing YOUR religion down everybody's throat. We don't all believe the same thing, that is why ULC was created. Because we are all born to the same Universe. Again, we are ALL conceived the same, born the same, bleed the same and die the same....it is ONLY our beliefs that make us different, so stop sh*tting on each other!

This is supposed to be a SAFE place for us to come to....but I feel prosecuted and persecuted when I read most of the comments. For those of you that scream Christianity the loudest, you sure don't practice what you preach. FOR SHAME!!!

Good Grief! Have a GREAT and BLESSED Day!!!

JW

Well, have not reviewed any of the other comments, but here goes... Non-denominational churches have problems, as well. I am now an elder and pastor (asst., very asst.) in a non-denominational church. It is built around the ministry and personality of the senior, founding pastor. Blessedly, he is someone who is not out to get anyone, who has forgiven actions which I have never seen anyone forgive, who seeks counsel, and is one of the most grace-filled people I know. However, if he were to die (which could happen due to serious health problems), his work would simply not outlast him, leaving the sheep wandering...again. One of my uncles pastors a non-denominational church, and is trying to bring his daughter on board as "lead" pastor. Not going well. I also pastored denominational churches for over 20 years (UMC and PCUSA) as an evangelical among mostly liberal other pastors. The was a struggle as well. Basically, denominational and non-denominational need to work a lot harder to overcome the negatives both groups have. One of the things that both groups can do is to fight an exclusivity that views other local groups of Christians as outside the fold, and to strive to create opps for common tasks and celebrations without creating modern shibboleths for anyone.

Rev.Dr. Richard Davis

We are all members of the family of Man created in the image of the One Living God. Since the beginning of time there has always been a disagreement on who the Creator is and in the eyes of some there is no room with the exception of what these people believe in. At the End Of Days everyone will come to pray to the One True God and then and only then will the Creator decide if the Human Race is worth saving. It is time for people to accept God into their Heart and Soul and pray that we all become Truly one voice .

Rev. James Airey

More and more people are leaving the church behind. And by that I mean the Old Ways of Church Going: bowing and scraping and kneeling and weeping. Those leaving are in search of something a lot less painful and a lot more joyful and fulfilling.

But your article of those who are splitting off from their traditional church to something more "Christian Lite" makes me think of a comparison: A large pool of water sitting in sunlight, reflecting the scenery and being a thing of beauty to behold. Separate it into smaller bits, and then maybe even smaller bits, and the large pool will no longer keep it's size and beauty. It starts to evaporate and section by section it disappears. Hmmmmm. What one has left is nothing at all.

Is that where church and religion are headed? It seems so, to me at least.

Dan O'Farrell

It's no wonder people are heading for non denominational churches, some people can't stand not to have drama in their lives, then they want to bring it into church? It just amazes me why someone can't just leave well enough alone! Stick with King James Version, go to church on Sunday and try and live your life as best you can according to what you study!, it seems simple right? Nope there's always that person or little group that wants to go rogue and become radical with their own agendas. Why complicate what works huh?

eyesopen117

It is sad and upsetting that every few people realize the history of why the "PROTEST ANTS" left the Catholic church. It is not what we are lead to believe, it was not a King wanting a divorce, it was the actions, interference, greed and lawlessness of the Catholic church. We "Protested", and rightfully so. Those that are in the know, know of the current Popes involvement of the coup d etat of Argentina in 1976, which was under investigation when, what do you know, Building 7 was were the documents where kept that just happened to fall to the ground with out a plane crashing into it, and no bombs, oh wait, the commission didn't look for that. The Catholics church has not changed, on the contrary it is moving forward with it's plan to rule the world and I do not mean just the religious side of things. Jesuits, Knights Templar, and more are not societies or religious affiliations, they are an army. See what past presidents of the US has had to say about them. I believe, in the near future, these petty difference will need to be set aside as there will be an overwhelming need for us to stand together against tyranny. God be with us all.

Steven McGhee

Many of the "traditional" churches are bleeding membership because they depart from God's word. Now I am all for worshiping anything or anybody you desire, that is your business. If you are going to classify yourself as a (whatever), then you should follow their rules. If you do not agree with them find someone who fits your belief system. Unfortunately that is not what is happening. People have been trying, successfully, to force churches to stray from scripture. You may not agree with the anti homosexual position of Christians, and that's ok, it just means that you are not Christian. So leave the Christians to their beliefs and start your own religion. There have been several mainstream churches that have left Christianity and yet still call themselves Christians, the Lutherans and Presbyterians come to mind.

Stalky Lehman

We all start with assumption; belief without proof. Our most basic assumption is that our senses correspond to something that is out side of us. Belief writ large we call “faith’. This is true for “believers” and “non-believers” alike. When we make an assumption, when we hold to a belief we are saying, most often unconsciously, “I will act as if…..is true”. Recognizing this doesn’t demolish our beliefs value but should be remembered when another follows a different “as if” assumption.

Michael Donovan

I personally believe that being a christian has very little to do with religion, the religions through the ages have much to answer for. This is why people are leaving the conventional religions, they believe in being a good person in their own eyes rather than being told that they will burn in hell or whatever and that this is the only way to enter the kingdom of God and please remember these stories are man made.

James Pace

I think the time is here for people to decide for themselves what they believe instead of being given a prepackaged doctrine....nondenominational congregations give people that freedom.

John Owens

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;" (2Tim 4:3) This day is this prophecy fulfilled.

Ember Jones

I like what was said about focusing more on what you believe rather than what you are against. I personally feel like focusing on positive things really helps the quality of my life. I'll definitely have to see if there are any non-denominational churches in my area.

Kathy

Roman Catholic was my foundation. I draw from the goodness as I think of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I, too, left the church, didn't go anywhere for several years. I have been a member of an Interfaith Community for about five years now. Am grateful to be with like-minded people and feel like I'm at an ice cream parlor trying a different flavor each week. Hinduism, Buddhism, Shamanism, Quaker, Taoism, Bahai, Islam, Judaism, Jainism, native Spirituality, Christianity, etc. I try to draw the best out of each. It seems so much easier to treat others as one would like to be treated. Love - is the most powerful weapon. There is only one truth and it will come to the surface. There will be many surprised people when Christ comes again.

Minister Dennis Gordon

In my opinion organized religion is not Gods plan nor has any effect on our personal salvation. You would have to be blind not to see the implications and atrocities that organized religion has had on the human race[ that"s right folks one race, the human race] in the name of God in which ever version of God that religion believes in. Look around close your eyes when you open them wherever you look whatever you smell or feel is in the presence of God, he made everything for us. Talk to Him wherever and however you please, that is your personal relationship that you alone are going to account for when the time comes to have His final judgement on you, you don't need a middleman to negotiate for you, you are responsible for your own soul! When we look for comfort with like minded people to help us with our salvation we will surely be disappointed, we are all sinners who have no right to guide anyone but ourselves, but if we are doing well with our relationship and respect for God people around us will notice and lets face it today everyone wants to be respected. Think of how you would like to be treated and treat others in that way. I do not agree that respect needs to be earned but learned by example. If we start to look at the ways we are alike instead of our difference and realize we are all the same which is human and stop separating ourselves from others that look or speak differently than us imagine what can be accomplished!

Dr. Curdy Dortch

Dr. Curdy to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. The end is near for the worst is yet to come. God is my safety in the world and beyond l trust in god not in man. God bless you all.it the time to get a stronger beleaf and have faith in god.

Brother John

Many people, myself included, consider Carl Sagan to be one of the most profound free thinkers of all times. I've linked a video of Dr. Sagan explaining the Fourth Dimension. If it's not viewable for any reason, just search "Sagan Fourth Dimension" and you should find it.

We humans live within the constraints of a 3 dimensional reality. Dr. Sagan's explanation using the "flatlanders" of the two dimensional world makes an understanding of the third dimension as clear as it can be. It also makes it clear why we are unable to imagine dimensions beyond our three. He is speaking of space in this case…. width, depth and height and is convinced that there are dimensions beyond those we can perceive, possibly an endless number of them, just there are sounds, smells and light waves that exist but are beyond our perception. When I first watched this explanation, it crossed my mind that perhaps there are 12 dimensions, as this number comes up often in esoteric writings… 12 disciples, 12 brotherhoods, 12 signs of the Zodiac and more.

But there's also the matter of the three dimensions of Time…. Past, Present and Future. Everything in our human reality is contained within these three. Everything that's ever happened is in the Past. Everything that is going to happen is in the Future. But the only actual reality is the tiny nano-slice of Now. The words you just read are already in "the Past". Just as the Flatlanders in Sagan's explanation can only perceive the razor thin presence of the three dimensional apple, with no understanding of a third dimension, so are we unable to perceive the reality of the fourth dimension or beyond trapped in our three dimensional reality of Time. It's been said that Time is Nature's Way of keeping everything from happening all at once.

Could this not be the source of the many esoteric representations that humans have created in a futile attempt to explain the unexplainable? God, YHWH, Zeus, Allah, the Annunaki, etc. etc?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAAeLNAfSYc

Hank

"Seventh-Day Adventists, for example, have specific rules on things that seem unimportant to many non-denominational Christians." The chief reason for rejecting Seventh-day Adventism is their denominational teaching that Jesus, the Christ is not the coeternal God but is a created being, the archangel Michael. Any system that teaches a different Christ from the One presented in the Bible is not part of Christianity, being beyond the pale. SdAs seem like just an odd variety of Baptists in many ways except for conducting the central worship assembly on Saturday (Spanish speakers call it Sabado, that is, Sabbath) instead of on the first day of the week. The denomination is trying to be accepted as just another Protestant denomination but has had little success.

Brother John

With so many people searching for meaning in life and so many groups offering their version of it, wouldn't it be interesting to set up Faith Fairs, just like vendors regularly use trade shows to market their products?

Every group would have a booth, a banner, some promotional literature and a few of their believers manning the booth…. maybe some SWAG to give away. Seekers of truth could browse the various vendors who would have around 30 seconds to convince them that theirs was the best religion or set of beliefs.

The Christians could choose to hold their own Faith Fair as there are thousands of different denominations to choose from, or it could be all inclusive and include Muslims, Druids, Mormons, Buddhists, Scientologists, and many more.

Robert Munyui Kamunyu

Tithing was under and is under the law with a curse for Christians seeking salvation under the law, Galatians 3:3-13, Malachi 3:1-18.When bishops, pastors and priests lie by quoting tithes in Malachi 3:1-18,under the law IN OLD COVENANT which was a prime contribution for the Levite tribe and Leviticus Priesthood, how many Christians line up to be served with food when tithes and offering under the law are given? Is the storehouse pastors' and priests' house or the Church being the bride and body of Jesus Christ? Saved Christians by grace IN NEW COVENANT who are lead and taught by the Holy Spirit are not under law or in generation curse in the law. Tithes in Malachi 3:1-18 were primarily for the tribe of Levi which was not allocated land for sharing among themselves , Numbers 18:20-28 . Those who simply imply Christians are under curse for not tithing put into question about unfinished work of redemption (SALVATION) by Christ Jesus on cross of Calvary which is bought and maintained continuously in tithes paid to them. Yet Christ is not ashamed to call us brethren whom He has sanctified. Hebrew 2:9-13.We have been redeemed from the curse of the law, Jesus Christ being made a curse for us : for it is written, cursed is everyone that hangs on a tree. Galatians 3:8-13. Christians saved by grace are able ministers of the new testament born of love with exceeding glory which surpassed the glory that was in law with Moses. Offerings made in Christian Churches are for ministering the Body of Jesus Christ. We have been redeemed from the curse of the law to adoptions of sons in Royal Priesthood from the time the curtain partitioning the Holy of Holies was torn apart in into two when Jesus Christ was crucified and gave us free access to God our Father, Mathews 27:50-52. Pastors ,Priest and Bishops who are servants of God cannot subject sons of God in Royal Priesthood to tithe taxes which is absolutely illegal for we are not under the curse of the law, Galatians 5:1, Galatians4:4-5,2 Corinthians 3:1-18. Sins sacrifices ,offerings under the law, curses, and generation curses under law in the old covenant remained up to death of Jesus Christ on Calvary when He fulfilled the prophecy and requirements of the law. Salvation under the law one attains it at last breath on earth having done all that pertains to the law which is hard for one to accomplish. Even the tithe which was given by Abraham was under the law of sin and death from the fallen state of Adam and Eve at the garden of Aden. Those who lie would like to deceive Christians that tithe was before the law but before which law. When Christ our High Priest was born He was given gifts and not tithes Mathew 2:11-12. Jesus Christ our High Priest and Apostles of Jesus Christ did not ask for tithes. To whom do they pay allegiance to for them to justify asking for tithes today? Salvation under spiritual law of love by grace is freely given and attained with free miracles from God our Father, Ephesians 2:4 -9, Ephesians 2:13 -20. Under Leviticus priesthood which belonged to the tribe of Levi, tithes were given to Levites priests for use by the whole tribe of Levi and tithe of tithe to the high Priest for they shared no land apart from the walled towns they were allocated to stay in for their continuous sacrifice to God, Numbers 18:20 -29. Widows, strangers ,fatherless and orphans benefited from tithes and offerings given to Levites, Deuteronomy 14:22-29.In Christianity widows were asked to be catered by close brethren to ease burden to the Church. There were also tithes of different kinds in Israel. There was also a tithe where a family had to eat all before the Lord, Deutreronomy12:6-7. In Christ Jesus we are saved by grace to adoptions of sons in Royal Priesthood of Christ (for Christians saved by grace )and not by works of law under curse ,Galatians 3:8-13,Acts13: 38-39, Galatians 4: 4-5, Galatians2:16-21, Galatians 5:18. Sons have direct access to the Father and free common inheritance not bought or worked for from the Father. For servants ( Pastors and Priests) are servants of God worthy all respects and due help. Much preaching is done in grace and love to Christians at early stages who are later sleeking entangled and enslaved in fear under the bondage of law in tithes emphatically taught by many in seeking dwindling fortune entrenched in tithes falsehood. The Church of Christ is founded in love by grace and a worker is worthy his labor. The Apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ understood from onset of Christ's Ministry that they were not under Leviticus Priesthood and had no share in Leviticus Priesthood allotments. Thus questions were raised of their take and benefits in the Royal Priesthood of Jesus Christ Ministry in the New Covenant, Mathew 19:23-30 . Leviticus Priesthood which was upheld under the glory and the righteousness of law without partiality had allotments which existed before well-known and were already defined in obliged tithing. God had also to deal with wayward priesthood and a rebellious nation under the law. Malachi 2:1-17, Malachi 3:1-18. Christians were never left under leadership of Leviticus Priesthood and we should not live under canopy of lies based on non-doctrinal Christian promises.

Robert Munyui Kamunyu

THE BUTCHERS OF WOMANHOOD- FGM ( THE COVENANT OF THE FLESH). When God told Abraham to sign the covenant of the flesh, he circumcised all the men, male children up of eight days old and he was circumcised. The message was direct and in a plain language. GENESIS 17: 1-27. The agreement was strategically initiated and the male child grew beholding daily his agreement with God at every call of nature throughout his married life. The covenant of the flesh for a man is with ease to behold with no ill feelings or regrets without medication required afterwards in life. When God warned in a spiritual language and told Moses that the Children of Israel shall not mutilate girls in honor of the dead ( satanic sacrifice since there is no circumcision of girls in God), the message was well understood and was given in a spiritual language which bears two warnings, Leviticus19:28-29. The Israelis parents shall not sexually mutilate daughters and fathers we commanded not have carnal knowledge (incest) of daughters making them prostitutes. Fgm prostitution is a prime satanic sacrifice for a woman prohibited by God, of secrecy with miseries and constrains of disgrace to behold accompanied by many cases of traumatic child delivery requiring medication. Fgm sin of crime of honor humiliation for womanhood persists for many girls globally. There is no open fold of a foreskin in a sexual organ of a woman to cut round that hides dirty stuffs that stinks. There are no undue growths that warrant scrapping. Esther4: 1-17. The King of Persia and Media had a law also on women and only the king's favor on a wife's uninvited paid visit to inner court would save her from eminent death punishment by his held out golden scepter an act of favour and approval. This law had sexual control on womanhood. From the fall of man from the garden of Aden man's further fall from grace was subjected to demonic competitive lust to womanhood in polygamous marriages ( which later turned to enmity against womanhood also in form of fgm) which was not in favor with God and He reduced his old age to 120yrs Genesis 6:1-7. Satan has convinced men and parents to demand and shift girls' natural Divine onset to maturity from monthly period to fgm prostitution castration in honor of the dead and breast branding as part of cultural hate crime of honor against lustrous beauty of womanhood in Divine sexuality. Fgm remains a satanic sexual sacrifice honorary prescribed by parents and endorsed by men in tearing down the helm of womanhood from the apex. Sadly fgm is the only offered satanic sacrifice cerebrated beneficial for men in crippling womanhood. As far as parents in honor remain the relentless heinous bedrock of fgm in co-host of old women in pursuing ensured satanic cultural sacrifice honor offered, there is no equal reprieve for girls from onslaught on womanhood by men in honor of the dead who are hell bent on executing falsely claimed benefits in fgm to men in a deviated demonically controlled sexual life style in marriage life. It is the most sadly unfortunate tragedy for Christians parents being involved in fgm satanic cultural sacrificial goals honored which sin will follow them beyond the grave unless they repent and get saved. I have heard men say women like children and in Christians marriages women encourage the brides to take their husbands as their first born. Initially the two statements were too contradictory to each other and crushing in my mind but I found women forthright and forthcoming. The bridegroom is first satisfied with her blessed fountain of love and her breasts before any child birth. Proverbs 5:18-19. Fgm dehumanized and deforms womanhood being the worst honored satanic cultural religious sacrifice in honor of the dead taxed on womanhood globally. Fgm heinous atrocities destroy the divine sexual entity and dignity of man that establishes him more honorary culturally religiously in demonic world. All men must be saved from satanically tailored cultural honor in fgm slavery endorsed by cultural elites. Fgm status has remained the worst disguised honored and cerebrated cultural sexual castration performed on womanhood worldwide.

Rudolph M Garza

I support the ULC’s message!