What Denomination is That Non-Denominational Church?

Defining a religious denomination may not be as simple as it seems. When speaking of mainline denominations most people are referring to the historic, established Protestant groups.[1] The Barna Group publishes a listing of those most commonly considered. These are American Baptist Churches-USA, the Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the United Methodist Church.[2] Other groups also include the United Church of Christ, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Friends (Quakers), and a few others.

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is not considered a mainline Protestant denomination. In fact, by the most literal definition of a denomination, the SBC does not qualify. This is due to the autonomy of the churches, the independence of each church, lack of outside hierarchy, and other such things. Nonetheless, most people describe the Southern Baptist Convention as a denomination. Therefore, when people ask the denomination of our church, we answer “SBC.”

In recent decades there has been a shift among Protestants and evangelicals regarding denominationalism. More non-denominational churches exist now than in the past. Many of these churches are wonderful and doing great, Gospel work in their respective communities and throughout the world. Many are churches we would gladly partner with for community and Kingdom service.

Dropping Denominational Tags

I am old enough to remember when new Baptist churches would begin, and they chose not to put the word “Baptist” in their name. In many cases, these were wise decisions primarily based on the focus of reaching their respective communities. To put it bluntly, in some areas the name “Baptist” became a hindrance rather than a help. These weren’t “bait and switch” churches. They declared clearly their Baptistic beliefs and understanding of doctrine but simply did not put the name on the signs. I remember many opinionated discussions regarding this trend while in seminary in the 1990s. Nowadays it seems that hardly anyone cares about the name. Perhaps this is the result of decades of action verb names, numerical names, and other such trends?

Regardless, as people in our church move to other areas, seeking new church homes, they will reach out for advice, information, and some clarity. I wrote about being discerning in this area earlier and reaffirm that just because you moved away from our Baptist church and found a new Baptist church in your new hometown, it does not mean all is the same.

Someone asked me once if I thought only Baptists went to heaven. I answered, “Absolutely not. I don’t even think all Baptists go to heaven.” I still believe this because Scripture affirms it. Salvation is found in Christ alone, not in membership of a church. However, the church is Christ’s bride and our membership in a local family of believers is essential. Thus, it is wise to understand what denominations believe and even what denomination the local non-denominational church is.

Denominational Wordplay

Joshua Lindsey has dug deeply into this on his Ready to Harvest channel on YouTube. His video here is a great resource on this topic and I have gleaned from it and other sources for this article.[3]

When someone asks, “What denomination is that church?” they are asking what set, family, history, or similar churches is that one part? A church may not have a denominational name on its sign but may be a Presbyterian church based on this question.

The person may be seeking to know what organized entity has governing authority over a particular church. This could mean that the church is part of the United Methodists and though the name Methodist may not appear on the sign or in the name, the governing authority is the UMC.

However, often, they are asking the first question. “Is this church Baptist?” is the question. The follow up question is “What type of Baptist? Southern, American, Independent, Missionary, Primitive, etc.?”

Lindsey’s denominational definition thereby becomes “any set of congregations identifiable by similar traits, history, or name.”[4] This ends up putting many church groups who have pushed to not be called a denomination (Church of Christ, Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches, etc.) to function as a denomination, at least most people see it.

Digging into the “About” or “What We Believe” portion of a church’s website will reveal that many non-denominational churches have the same structure and belief system as others in their lane. In fact, many simply copy and paste the same information, just changing the church name.

Some non-denominational churches that show that connectivity fall under the Calvary Chapel Association. This is connected to Chuck Smith, renowned for the Jesus Movement in the 1960s and 1970s and the church growth initially in California and then throughout the nation and world. Calvary Chapel claims not to be a denomination for the same reason Southern Baptist churches are not. They do not have an organized entity governing all the churches. Yet, many churches have a connection with Calvary Chapel. They have the same doctrinal beliefs, structure, teaching philosophy, missionary connections, training, and often the same dove logo. Thus, many non-denominational churches connected with Calvary will show their association with the Calvary Chapel Association on their site. They are not hiding anything. These connections are clear. Yet, they’re non-denominational. There are almost 2,000 in this network.

The same is true for churches connected with the Church of God (Anderson, IN), the Church of God (Evening Light), Charis Fellowship, Open Brethren (most commonly using “Bible Chapel” in their names), Local Churches (connected to the teachings of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee), and the International Churches of Christ (ICOC), and many more.

This is not sinful nor deceptive. These churches are by the true definition, non-denominational. However, to the person seeking a new church home, it is clear that non-denominational may mean something in their mind initially that will perhaps seem wrongly used since so many of these churches are networked, associated, and connected with others with the exact same doctrine and terminology.

Often these varied groups are built on splits or breaks. Southern Baptists are no stranger to this as our own “denomination” began in 1845 over the wrongly held affirmation of slavery. Thankfully, God has graciously forgiven us for such and as a group, SBC churches have denounced the beginning of our group over such sin and publicly repented of our ancestral beliefs.

The Restoration Movement is an umbrella term that has numerous groups under it. This movement, began during the Second Great Awakening of the 19th century. Numerous Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians and others abandoned their denominational networks and groups to establish a church based on the New Testament.[5] The Campbells, most notably Alexander Campbell were leaders in this group.[6]

Among the Restorationists the following churches developed and even then, splits and new churches were birthed. Campbell was instrumental in the development of the Churches of Christ. From this group, the International Churches of Christ split off. From the ICOC, the International Christian Churches split. There are also the Independent Christian Churches and churches part of the Disciples of Christ.

These churches are non-denominational, but while the Churches of Christ do not use instruments as the Christian Churches do, as a Restorationist (along with the ICOC, DoC and others in the movement, they hold to baptismal regeneration (the teaching that baptism by immersion is required for salvation, rather than simply symbolic. Baptists view that as a misinterpretation and leaning into salvation by works.)

Some non-denominational churches are totally disconnected from others. They may be large enough, with multiple campuses and video venues (thus becoming a mini denomination) but every evangelical Christian church has doctrine. Each church has pastors and leaders who likely were trained in a school or seminary (or home church) that held to certain doctrinal beliefs. Thus, even the clearly non-denominational churches have denominational leanings…or a theological lane that is like others.

Is a Denomination Required?

Does a church have to be denominational to be authentic? Absolutely not. The term did not even exist at the time of Christ, but each local church seeking to do right and hold to biblical truth will have distinctives. Some are minor—third or fourth level differences from others. However, some are first level and primary distinctives. Thus, it is wise to know what “denomination” your non-denominational church is. It is also wise to know where one’s church stands on biblical issues and doctrine regardless of the denominational name on the sign.

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[1] GotQuestions.org. “What Are the Mainline Denominations?” GotQuestions.Org, 31 Aug. 2014, www.gotquestions.org/mainline-denominations.html.

[2] “Report Examines the State of Mainline Protestant Churches.” Barna Group, 5 Dec. 2023, www.barna.com/research/report-examines-the-state-of-mainline-protestant-churches/.

[3] Lindsey, Jonathan. “Exposing the Denominations of Nondenominational Churches.” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtZ07UhBg7M&t=197s. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.

[4] Lindsey.

[5] GotQuestions.org. “What Is the Restoration Movement?” GotQuestions.Org, 4 July 2007, www.gotquestions.org/Restoration-movement.html.

[6] Jackson, Wayne. “Alexander Campbell and Christ’s Church.” Christian Courier, christiancourier.com/articles/alexander-campbell-and-christs-church. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.