If you're interested in what denomination is Stonebridge Bible Church , the short answer is that they will are an independent, non-denominational body of believers. This means they will aren't part associated with an enormous global structure such as the United Methodist Church or the Southern Baptist Convention. They stand on their own 2 feet, making their own decisions about everything from what the pastor would wear on Sunday to how the church budget is invested.
Now, for a lot associated with people, the term "non-denominational" can feel a bit hazy. It's a wide umbrella that covers many methods from tiny house churches to substantial stadium-sized congregations. But when you view the words "Bible Church" in the title, it usually gives you a pretty solid hint about their particular vibe and their own theological DNA.
Understanding the "Bible Church" identity
While they don't have a denominational tag, Stonebridge Bible Church fits in to a specific custom often referred to as the Bible Church movement. This particular movement really acquired steam in the mid-20th century. During the time, a lot of people felt that the large, traditional denominations had been becoming a little bit too "liberal" or were moving apart from the literal teaching from the Bible.
Because of this, a bunch of self-employed churches started taking up. Their goal was simple: get back to the particular basics. They needed to focus almost exclusively on the "Word of God" (the Bible) since the final authority for everything. So, when you request what denomination is Stonebridge Bible Church , you're really looking at a group that identifies as totally biblical rather than traditional or liturgical.
In a practical sense, this indicates you won't see a lot of the formal rituals you may find in an Episcopal or Catholic service. There's simply no Book of Normal Prayer, and you probably won't see the pastor in ornate robes. Instead, the focus is usually on the long, in-depth sermon where the pastor walks the members through a specific passage of the Bible, verse simply by verse.
What do they really believe?
Actually though they aren't part of the denomination, they nevertheless have clear "must-haves" when it arrives to their theology. If you would be to look at their particular statement of faith, it will look quite similar to what you'd find at a conservative Baptist church or an Elegance Brethren church.
First of all, they are Evangelical . This implies these people believe the Bible is the inspired, "breathed-out" word associated with God which this doesn't have errors. They also believe that the only method to "get to heaven"—or to have a romantic relationship with God—is by means of faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Secondly, these are usually Baptistic within their practice. Despite the fact that they don't have got "Baptist" in the name, they usually practice "believer's baptism. " This means these people don't baptize newborns; instead, they wait until an individual is older enough to create their own choice to follow Christ, after which they carry out baptism by immersion (dunking, not sprinkling).
How is the church ruled?
This is one of the biggest differences among a denominational church and an impartial one like Stonebridge. In a Methodist church, for instance, a bishop may decide who the particular next pastor is going to end up being. At Stonebridge, the particular church is Elder-led .
This usually means there's a group of men through within the members who serve because the "Elders. " They are the ones who else make the big decisions. They oversee the particular spiritual health of the church, these people handle the funds, and they are usually responsible for hiring (or firing) the guide pastor.
It's a really localized kind of govt. The people sitting in the pews—or the comfy seats, depending on the building—have the much closer link to the command than they might within a massive denomination. If something wants to change, it happens immediately within the building, not really at a regional headquarters three areas away.
The particular worship style and atmosphere
If you're thinking regarding visiting and thinking about the "flavor" of the service, Stonebridge Bible Church typically leans toward a "contemporary yet traditional" balance. I know that seems like a contradiction, but here's what it usually looks like.
The music is often modern—think guitars, drums, plus a keyboard—but the lyrics are almost always deeply biblical. They might perform modern worship music you hear on the radio, but they'll also throw in old hymns that have been rearranged to appear a bit more current.
The atmosphere is usually "casual-respectful. " You'll see people in jeans and flannels, and maybe a several people in fits, but nobody is really judging you for what a person wear. The main event, though, is always the teaching. In several denominational church buildings, the sermon might be 15 or 20 minutes. In a Bible church like Stonebridge, you need to probably settle within, because the pastor is likely going to talk regarding 40 to fifty minutes. They take their own study seriously!
Why stay 3rd party?
You may question why a church wouldn't want the particular support of a large denomination. You can find definitely pros to getting part of the group—shared resources, the retirement fund intended for pastors, and a recognizable "brand. "
However, churches like Stonebridge value their autonomy above nearly everything else. They want to assure that if a denomination starts to alter its stance on the social issue or perhaps a theological point, the neighborhood church isn't required to go along with it. They want to be able to revolves and respond in order to the needs of their specific community without needing to ask permission from the central office.
That being said, being independent doesn't mean being lonely. Stonebridge likely companions with other agencies. Many Bible church buildings are affiliated with networks like The Gospel Coalition or 9Marks . These types of aren't denominations, but they are "friendship groups" of sorts where like-minded church buildings share resources, go to conferences together, plus support global tasks.
Is it a good match for you?
Men and women ask what denomination is Stonebridge Bible Church , they're usually trying to figure out in the event that they'll feel in home there. When you're from a Catholic or Lutheran background, the lack of liturgy might sense just a little "loose" or informal to you at first. You might miss the call-and-response readings or the structured nature of the service.
On the reverse side, if you're looking for the place where the Bible is the center of attention and where there's lots of transparency within leadership, an 3rd party Bible church can be a breathing of fresh air flow. It's a "what you see is what you get" kind of atmosphere.
The particular best way in order to really know what they're about isn't just reading their particular "About Us" page, though that helps. It's usually about showing up for the service, grabbing a cup of coffee in the lobby, and seeing when the people there actually live out the things they say these people believe.
Wrapping it up
So, all in all, Stonebridge Bible Church is an independent, non-denominational, evangelical church . These people don't answer to a Pope, a Bishop, or a General Assembly. They response to their own Plank of Elders plus, ultimately, to their particular interpretation of the Bible.
These are component of a long-standing American tradition of "Bible Churches" that will prioritize verse-by-verse training, believer's baptism, and local church autonomy. Whether you contact that a denomination or just a "theological camp, " it's a distinct identity that will lots of people find to be exactly what they're searching for in a spiritual house. It's about keeping things simple, keeping focused on the text, and developing a community that will feels more like children than a franchise.