Is CrossWay a Non-denominational Church in Milwaukee?
“Non-denominational church in Milwaukee” is a highly searched term when it comes to Christians looking for a church. Some people might recommend Crossway Milwaukee as a good fit for a non-denominational church. Others might cite that Crossway is part of the EFCA. Is Crossway Milwaukee Church non-denominational? It really depends on what you mean by “non-denominational”.
Is It About Who’s In Charge?
If by denomination you mean a top-down corporate hierarchy where a distant headquarters makes the decisions, assigns pastors and owns the building then no, we are not that. We don’t have a central office miles away deciding how we care for people right in our local church community. While other churches (like Lutheran churches) have synods or districts that make decisions, Crossway Community Church in Milwaukee is self-governing. At Crossway we have a team of elders who makes decisions, alongside congregational voting.
Is It About Tradition and Liturgy?
When you think about a non-denominational church in Milwaukee, you might be thinking of a place absent of strong tradition — things like liturgy, robes and formal ceremonies. It is true that churches in certain denominations have tradition. In the EFCA, it works a little differently. Each church is autonomous and individual.
As far as tradition and liturgy at Crossway goes, we do share some roots with these churches. We practice liturgy in our services — reciting the Apostle’s Creed together, practice corporate confession, and incorporate other historic elements of Christian worship. We hold to the same faith that Christians have always held. Our style is casual but our beliefs are not new and trendy - they are rooted in scripture and the beliefs that Christians have held since the beginning.
Where we stand: the EFCA
CrossWay began in 2008 as a non-denominational church plant on Milwaukee’s South Side. As a non-denominational church, CrossWay enjoyed the flexibility to forge its own path without the pressures and constraints of oversight from a larger denomination.
While this served CrossWay well in the past, we began pursuing a denominational affiliation in 2020 to strengthen our cooperation with local congregations throughout Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin. Although the list of denominations with which CrossWay could align was narrow, we ultimately chose to join the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA).
When people ask if we belong to a group, we tell them we belong to the EFCA (Evangelical Free Church of America). The key word in that name is “free”— it simply means that our local church is autonomous. Our local leaders, with input from our congregation, make the decisions and sheperd our community directly. However, we aren’t out here on our own island. Being part of the EFCA gives us strong partnership, rich resources, and a wider network of like-minded churches to serve God’s kingdom and the community around us.
The EFCA refrains from prescribing a particular position on certain theological issues about which faithful Christians may disagree. One example is the timing and mode of baptism. The EFCA explains its position this way:
Regarding the ordinance of baptism, we affirm this is a biblical/theological essential. The Lord Jesus mandated that the church celebrate the ordinances. It is not that this is a matter of indifference (adiaphora), since it is a clear command given by the Lord Jesus for the church to celebrate (Matt. 28:19–20). But the timing (paedo and credo) and the mode (sprinkling and immersion) we have placed in a category of silence, i.e. we will not divide over this issue. The EFCA is primarily believer baptism by immersion in both belief and practice. But there are also some churches who practice infant baptism, though not considered for salvation. We are baptist with a small “b” in that what is critical for membership in a local church is true salvation. The fact that both credo and paedo baptism are allowed is a “significance of silence” issue, i.e. we will debate it but not divide over it.
Uniquely, the EFCA emphasizes shared unity around essential convictions, including biblical inerrancy and sufficiency, rather than requiring a settled theological position on every major issue. As a result, membership in the EFCA reflects a spirit of cooperation grounded in our common unity in Christ.
It also provides healthy protection and accountability:
Outside Accountability: We deliberately choose to have pastors and leaders credentialed with the EFCA. This creates an objective standard of character and doctrine held by people outside our local walls.
Protection for the Congregation: If a leader ever becomes disqualified, abusive, or unqualified, we don’t have to handle it in a silo. We have a trusted, external network with the authority and experience to step in, provide discipline, and protect the church family.
Practical Partnership: It allows us to pool resources for global outreach, church planting, and practical care without losing our local identity.
What are people really asking when they are looking for a non-denominational church in Milwaukee?
When most people ask if CrossWay is a nondenominational church in Milwaukee they aren't looking for a lesson in church governance. They usually just want to know:
Will I be welcome if I don't have a church background?
Yes. You don't need to dress up, know the Bible inside and out, or pretend to have life completely together.
Are you focused on religious red tape or the Bible?
Our focus is simply on following Jesus, understanding the Scriptures, and helping each other live out the gospel in our everyday life.
Is this a safe, trustworthy place?
Yes. We combine the personal feel and freedom of an independent church with the safety and accountability of a healthy association.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, we care about being an authentic community anchored in the unapologetically ancient beliefs Christians have held for millennia — a place where you can ask hard questions, find real support, and explore faith at your own pace.
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Blog Written by both Sam Park and Peter Merritt