In my professional capacity I visited a Church that presented itself as ‘independent and non-denominational.’ As I recall, the people I met were genuine men and women of faith, their Church was impacting their community; and needing to expand and develop their facilities as a result.
But I am concerned. This approach to Church life is, I believe, unhealthy.
The town of Laish ‘had no dealings with anyone.’ It was far from potential help and support. Therefore it as vulnerable to external forces. See Judges 18.27-29.
God said that Adam should not be alone. God puts the lonely in families (Psalm 68.6). Community is God’s idea and God’s stated preference for mankind. We are not designed to go it alone. Loneliness is frequently stated as people’s number one problem. No wonder there is a mental health epidemic.
Churches are not meant to be alone. New Testament Churches all have some relationship with an apostle and his team, plus other Churches. None were to be independent. The apostle John grieved that he could not visit the Church led by Diotrephes (3 John).
There are several references to Churches supporting one another financially and materially. Partnership in the gospel (Phil 1.5) was Church supporting Church as well as Christian supporting Christian. Acts and the NT letters refer to lots of engagement between Churches. Inter-dependency was preferred above dependence.