Today, over 12 million people worship at one of the 35,000 American churches that identify as nondenominational. A comparatively recent branch of the Christian faith, in relation to denominational sects, the nondenominational Christian church is not required to operate within guidelines set down by a larger, overarching church organization.
A church may designate itself as nondenominational for many reasons, but among them is the freedom to direct its teachings and ministry without external input. Nondenominational Christian churches believe in adherence to the word of God as outlined in the Bible, but assert that it is important to be like the Bereans in Act 17:11, consulting the Bible to make sure that all lessons we choose to accept as truth fall in line with God’s word. Because these churches do not abide by a strict set of guidelines outside of those present in the Bible, people from many different religious backgrounds may find common ground at a nondenominational church.