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Is Highland Park non-denominational? Yes! While HPCC is affiliated with the Church of God (with cooperative offices in Anderson, Indiana), it is non-denominational. The Church of God began as a movement in the 1880s that saw the divisiveness of denominations following the industrial revolution, the agricultural revolution and the Civil War. Many sects had developed since the beginning of the century when there were only four denominations. The message of the Church of God movement was that Christians who have salvation through Christ in common should never be divided by doctrine or worship styles. At first, Christians from differing denominations met in Bible studies only to discover Christ was truly the denominator. They affirmed their separation caused by their denominational differences was not God's design. They began traveling throughout the country and eventually the world with the message of salvation and unity. The early leaders never intended to start an organization. They simply wanted to share the truth they had discovered and bring the Church, all Christians saved through faith, together in unity. Over the years, thousands of churches in the United States and around the world have united for cooperative purposes around the themes of salvation and unity.

Unlike denominations, HPCC does not have a formal membership. We have people who associate with our church family but have not yet come into a personal relationship with Christ. The only membership we truly recognize is membership into God's Church where "the Lord added daily to the church those who were being saved." (Acts 2:47) We recognize that we have brothers and sisters in Christ in every denomination. We seek to welcome and work with Christians everywhere. Our Let's Get Acquainted class helps people become more familiar with HPCC, but it is not for the purpose of membership. If you are saved by faith in Christ you are a member of God's church. That's what matters.

Unlike denominations, our national offices exist for cooperative purposes. One church can't develop schools and seminaries but by uniting together, many churches can. Our affiliation with the Church of God is one in which the national offices exist to serve local churches. They have no authority over HPCC. We choose to affiliate to accomplish more for Christ while continuing to share the message of salvation and unity.

Though our affiliation does bear some resemblance to a denomination in practice, we are non-denominational.