The benefits of Denomination

[Jerry Daniels]

I have been raised up in what many termed "Holiness" or the "Sanctified" church all of my life. I admire the Pentecostal reformations and hold to the doctrine that is foundational to organizations such as the Church of God In Christ, Church of God and the Assemblies of God. Being one who has been called to plant churches and build people up in the body i have found something to be very disturbing in my Spirit, not so much of my doctrinal beliefs, but more so because of certain organizational structures that I and our church have had to adhere to in the process of becoming establish.

My question: Is it more beneficial for new churches to belong to organizations that take more than they give or to remain under the umbrella of the Pastors "Mentor" while the church is being established?

What is a true portrait of a church "Covering"?

I look forward to reading your responses

[lorenzo neal]

If I understand you correctly, you are a church planter correct? All major denominations began as individual church plants or splits from church plants. The origins of many of the organization structure was once about accountabliity and simiarities of belief. The common trend of most church planters today is affiliation with major denominations without full ascription to all the practices of the organization. To be honest, the Pastor/Mentor relationship oftentimes eventually end up being the same thing as more persons become associated with a particular pastor.

All ministers must be accountable to someone, but not necessarily a denomination. I also believe that the word covering is used way out of context. Its another way of getting money from someone with high aspirations but limited resources.

[Jerry Daniels]

Thanks Lorenzo for the insight.....can you explain to me what you mean when you say that the word covering is often used out of context?