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Exposing the Denominations of Nondenominational Churches

Ernie wrote: ↑Wed Jun 10, 2026 7:53 pm Exposing the Denominations of Nondenominational Churches

Who is this speaker?

Normally, I don't think "Pentecostal" or "Anabaptist" or even "Baptist" are denominations. He claims they are, and claims that most people think they are, and he says he is a "Christian Denominational Researcher", whatever that means, and he looks on websites to form an impression.

You can look this up in Webster's or Wikipedia, and certainly in texts on religious history. Here's Webster's:

a religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to its beliefs and practices

"Pentecostal" is not the name of a religious organization.

Here are some denominations that are Pentecostal:

- United Pentecostal Church International
- Pentecostal Assmeblies of the World
- Assemblies of God
- Church of God (Cleveland, Tennesee)
- Church of God in Christ (COGIC)
- International Church of the Foursquare Gospel

There are lots more denominations. And there are non-denominational Pentecostal churches. I'm not a "Christian Denominational Researcher", but I think this should be obvious.

He complains that the names of these particular churches do not contain Pentecostal, just like the names of many, many Anabaptist churches do not contain Anabaptist. And he makes it sound like they are trying to mislead people because the word Pentecostal does not appear in the title of the church, but elsewhere on the website, where it was easy enough for him to find it. Apparently, it is a deep dark secret if it is not in the title. If you need to look for it in their statement of faith, only a "Christian Denominational Researcher" can magically uncover it by ... reading the web page.

In what way is this meant to be enlightening and edifying? Isn't this what the Bible calls a "foolish controversy"?

Bootstrap wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 3:11 pm Who is this speaker?

https://youtube.fandom.com/wiki/Ready_to_Harvest
https://sattler.edu/blog/navigating-the ... isode-017/ (podcast with transcript)
https://readytoharvest.substack.com/

Enough of his content has been posted here that Ernie presumed familiarity.

ohio jones wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 3:54 pm Enough of his content has been posted here that Ernie presumed familiarity.

Thanks, this is the first time I have watched one of his videos. In general, I can't tell if I want to watch a video unless I watch the video first, so I mostly don't bother. If someone takes the time to outline what is said and what was meaningful to him/her, that makes it easier.

Is he widely known within conservative Anabaptism?

Within nondenominational Christianity lurk denominations. For example, Bethel is “nondenominational” yet is an association of several churches that function like one, complete with a Bible school, sharing pulpits, and so forth.

JohnH wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 6:39 pm Within nondenominational Christianity lurk denominations. For example, Bethel is “nondenominational” yet is an association of several churches that function like one, complete with a Bible school, sharing pulpits, and so forth.

Yes, and there are networks of churches like The Vineyard that effectively function as denominations but call themselves nondenominational. In both cases, I think these churches are open about their structure, it's not some dark hidden secret.

Bootstrap wrote: ↑Sat Jun 13, 2026 12:14 pm

JohnH wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 6:39 pm Within nondenominational Christianity lurk denominations. For example, Bethel is “nondenominational” yet is an association of several churches that function like one, complete with a Bible school, sharing pulpits, and so forth.

Yes, and there are networks of churches like The Vineyard that effectively function as denominations but call themselves nondenominational. In both cases, I think these churches are open about their structure, it's not some dark hidden secret.

Nondenominational seems to just mean, these days, that they don’t have an episcopal hierarchy and rather function more like a free association. (Plain people would call this conference vs fellowship.)

By that standard, southern Baptists are nondenominational and so is the UPCI Oneness Apostolic Pentecostals. The latter is actually just an association of pastors. Pastors and churches come and go depending on the pastor’s willingness to pay the membership dues.

Bootstrap wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 3:58 pm Is he widely known within conservative Anabaptism?

I don't know, but I don't think you will be disappointed with the quality of his content. If I have a question about a denomination, it's the first place I look.

barnhart wrote: ↑Sat Jun 13, 2026 1:27 pm

Bootstrap wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 3:58 pm Is he widely known within conservative Anabaptism?

I don't know, but I don't think you will be disappointed with the quality of his content. If I have a question about a denomination, it's the first place I look.

Is it also available in written form?

This video may not be the best introduction to his work, then. At least for me.

Bootstrap wrote: ↑Sat Jun 13, 2026 5:23 pm

barnhart wrote: ↑Sat Jun 13, 2026 1:27 pm

Bootstrap wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 3:58 pm Is he widely known within conservative Anabaptism?

I don't know, but I don't think you will be disappointed with the quality of his content. If I have a question about a denomination, it's the first place I look.

Is it also available in written form?

This video may not be the best introduction to his work, then. At least for me.

His information about denominations is good. This video obviously has some opinion.