How did "denomination" become a bad word?
 

Okay, I'm fairly new to the pentecostal church, and as many folks may have realized by my previous posts, I dont always agree with all the things that go on, although I love the move of the spirit and the worship.

I Come from a more traditional church background and (unlike many pentecostals) did not have a bad experience there, and found God there. I get so annoyed at the constant referneces to "denominational" (or "denominal", which I don't think is a real word) as the ultimate putdown to other churches.

By Webster's Dictionary (and all preachers love to quote Websters), the word is defined as follows:

Denomination - a religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherance to its beliefs and practices.

I hate to break this to people, but by Websters definition the UPC IS A DENOMINATION!! (as is the ALJC, etc.). I keep getting yelled at, or looked askance at for calling our church a denomination ("No, it's an ORGANIZATION!!")

Why do we have to take stupid stances on the English language to make sure everyone knows how special we think we are?

Where did this come from?

Thanks!

Re: How did "denomination" become a bad word?
 

Well it's the typical.... point go to the extreme side or what I call POLE argument. They take the worst OR best and argue completely from those ends. Thus Denoms get a bad name when in the end nothing is wrong with a denom in itself. The issues as usual is always "PEOPLE" abusing whatever not the denom itself.

Re: How did "denomination" become a bad word?
 

I agree. We're a denomination just as the others are.

Re: How did "denomination" become a bad word?
 

I love denominations... all of them, but especially 50's and 100's

Re: How did "denomination" become a bad word?
 

:ursofunny:smack

Re: How did "denomination" become a bad word?
 

You are right snicky, the Oneness Pentecostal groups are denominations as much as any other. In fact there are dozens of OP denominations.

Re: How did "denomination" become a bad word?
 

Unfortunately, to many it doesn't mean unity with your own group of like believers, it just means disunity with everyone else. I don't think they are bad in and of themselves, but they tend to fracture larger groups of likeminded believers based on minor differences.

Re: How did "denomination" become a bad word?
 

I think our put down of "denominational" goes back to the late 1800's and early 1900's when the Holy Spirit was poured out on groups of praying people. These people had received what they considered a special experience with God but the experience did not fit in the structured belief systems of the denominations of their day. Hence, a tendency to put down "denominational" churches by those who had received the Pentecostal experience. Many who received the Holy Ghost Baptism had to leave their denominations and form new fellowship groups with a common Pentecostal Experience.

In time those who received the Pentecostal experience formulated it into a doctrine and organized themselves into competing "denominations." We have Church of God, Assemblies of God, United Pentecostal Church, Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Four Square Gospel, Church of God in Christ, Pentecostal Holiness and others. We have certain things we believe and we do not want anyone bringing anything to us which does not fit into our neat little religious package.

Perhaps you've heard the phrase, "Pentecost is an experience, not a denomination." Well, the "Pentecostal experience" or "Holy Ghost Baptism" or the "Release of the Spirit" transcended denominations back in the days of the Jesus Movement and the Charismatic Movement and many people now remain in their denominational churches but get together in small groups and fellowship around the Holy Spirit and His blessings.

Re: How did "denomination" become a bad word?
 

Thank you for that explanation. That makes sense. I just get tired of all the ways that are used to try and say that we are better than other Christians (ie. non pentecostals) - or pseudo-christians as my Pastor would say....he calls non-oneness Pentecostal pastors his "half brothers" :nah

Re: How did "denomination" become a bad word?
 

If "denomination" is a bad word, how come it isn't replaced with "........" on AFF?

:heeheehee