Non-denominational
A non-denominational church (usually Christian) is a religious organization which does not necessarily align its mission and teachings to an established denomination. It is also often done to allow the church to govern themselves without interference from the policies of a regional, national or multinational organization, in regards to budgets, memberships, policies, formal standards, and public image.
Non-denominational churches are often more accepting of people from various religious backgrounds and more tolerant of differing religious, political or moral viewpoints. Critics feel however, that there cannot be a true non-denominational church as they all adhere to a core set of beliefs, though that set of beleifs may not be formalized as specific denomination. In the strict sense of the definition, a non-denominational organization itself is a denomination. While many non-denominational churches may be indistinguishable from an established denomination in teachings, they are usually free to change those teachings to better suit the church members, free of strict policies set down by a parent organization.
In the United States, the number of evangelical non-denominational churches (often includes in the category of American Protestantism) has increased exponentially since the late 1950s. Many historians of American religion cite after affects of the Scopes Trial and Baby Boomers, as well as the higher standard of living available in the United States, and the movement away from authority in American culture due to Watergate and other scandals.
According to research by Barna Research and others there is an increase in the number of Christians who do not align themselves with any denomination. Many of these attend city or regional "super" or "mega" churches of congregations of 1500+ attendees.
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