I cast my vote. I gave my church permission to leave its denomination.
Ninety-two percent of the members who voted agreed with me.
Relevance?
The historic vote and its lopsided results cause me to reflect on role of denominations in today’s society. In the western world, it seems we have become less tolerant and more skeptical of big business and big brother. My generation, Gen X, and Gen Y reject conformity and tradition to a large degree. So what role will denominations have in the future of the Church?
Founding
Philosophical differences have divided churches through the years, creating splinter groups that ultimately become new denominations. One of the Kings of England didn’t like Catholicism, so the Church of England was started. Martin Luther didn’t agree with the piety of Catholicism either, resulting in the Luther(an) denomination. John Wesley developed new approaches to religious study, which became Methodism.
Scriptural
Every congregation has its own culture and style of worship but to divide God’s Church by denominations seems counter-productive and not based in scripture. I’ve read through the Bible quite a few times and have never found a single reference to denominations. If I’ve missed it, please let me know. I see instead many instances when Paul tells the first century church to be united in the Holy Spirit and bound together with peace.
Romans 15:5-6 (NLT): May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christians
First and foremost we are Christians — followers of Jesus Christ. By focusing on our differences rather than our commonalities, we continue to divide God’s Church. And Satan loves when God’s people are divided because it hurts our credibility with non-believers. We are much more effective when working together and setting aside our differences.
Usefulness
I realize that denominations can serve useful purposes – mission and relief work, and fundraising, for starters. I expect they’ve helped establish many churches by providing guidance on process, evangelism and structure. All positive contributions.
Perhaps my church has just outgrown the need for denominational structure. Our congregation generously supports mission work and missionaries around the world. We send a dozen or so teams on short-term mission trips each year. After nearly 30 years, we have structure in place. Our Vision Board and team of pastors are prayerfully dependent on the Holy Spirit in governing the church.
What do you think? Do denominations have a place in the future of the church or will they become less relevant in the future?
