# Exposing the Denominations of Nondenominational Churches ![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OtZ07UhBg7M/maxresdefault.jpg) ## Non-Denominational Churches and Their Affiliations - Summit Church and Journey Church, both self-identified as non-denominational, are revealed to be [[Pentecostalism | Pentecostal]] churches based on their statements of faith found on their websites. [(00:01:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtZ07UhBg7M&t=67s) - City Gates Church in [[Fairfax, Virginia]], identifies as non-denominational but belongs to the [[Calvary Chapel Association]], which comprises around 1,800 churches that share specific doctrines, including male pastoral leadership, full immersion baptism, and pre-tribulation rapture premillennial eschatology. [(00:05:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtZ07UhBg7M&t=310s) - The First [[Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) | Church of God]] in [[Greenville, Pennsylvania]], identifies as non-denominational but is listed under the Church of God Anderson Indiana, which, despite considering itself a movement, has 2,100 congregations in the US and [[Canada]] and 7,800 globally. [(00:06:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtZ07UhBg7M&t=411s) - Cardiff Church in Wales, while presenting itself as non-denominational, acknowledges its membership in the [[International Churches of Christ]], a network of 700 churches across 150 countries, originating from the Churches of Christ, which is associated with the [[Restoration Movement]] in the United States. [(00:07:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtZ07UhBg7M&t=443s) - Many churches that identify as non-denominational are part of larger groups with shared theology and history. [(00:10:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtZ07UhBg7M&t=653s) - While some churches are removing denominations from their names and websites, they are often still associated with larger organizations. [(00:12:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtZ07UhBg7M&t=757s) ## Understanding "Denomination" - There are two interpretations of the term "denomination": the first refers to a group of churches with shared characteristics and history, while the second refers to the governing body overseeing a church. [(00:02:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtZ07UhBg7M&t=168s) - Many non-denominational churches answer the second interpretation of the term, focusing on their independent governance structure rather than their theological and historical similarities to established denominations. [(00:03:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtZ07UhBg7M&t=189s) ## Transparency and Shared Beliefs - People who attend non-denominational churches should be transparent about their church's affiliations and shared beliefs when asked about its denomination. [(00:12:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtZ07UhBg7M&t=775s)