Podcast Episode #130
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There are a host of positive benefits to denominations. But their reputations can often be less than positive with those outside of the denomination. We often unfairly ascribe issues in local churches to a denomination as a whole as well as larger denominational issues to local churches within that denomination. So today on the podcast, we discuss the place denominations have in our church culture and their future.
- Some denominations have negative doctrinal reputations. Others have negative personal reputations.
- When it comes to denominations, the media often covers the nutty, the negative, and the naysayers.
- Millennials are less denominationally tied than any other generation.
- Many denominations see the redundancies and inefficiencies present in their structures and are changing.
- Denominations anchor churches in a clear, common doctrinal position.
The eight reasons people are leaving denominational churches for non-denominational churches are:
- Denominational churches have a negative reputation.
- Denominations are known more for what they are against than what they are for.
- There is too much infighting and politics in denominations.
- The denominational churches are too liberal.
- There is a general waning of institutional loyalty in institutions such as denominations.
- Denominations have inefficient systems and organizations. They are too bureaucratic.
- Some of the respondents could see no perceived benefit to belonging to denominations.
- Denominations are not good stewards of their financial resources.
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Brother, I fully agree with this article but I also believe these same eight truths can be applied to non-denominational churches as well. For example ….. 1- Many non-denominational churches have a negative reputation because they have become so worldly and their theology isn’t clear. 2- Many non-denominational churches are none for the secularism they are for instead of the sin they should be against. 3- Wherever you have people, there is going to be fighting and disagreements. 4- I have seen MANY liberal non-denominational churches. I have seen more sound doctrine in denominational churches. 5- How can you be loyal to a non-denominational church in the first place since it has no affiliation??? 6- Non-denominational churches have mixed up systems of organization as well. Many of them are lead by Pastors who are dictators and many of them aren’t in tune with the Lord. 7- I see no benefit being a part of a non-denominational church since I have no clue what their doctrine is. 8- I would argue that a lot of non-denominational churches aren’t good stewards as well because a lot of them aren’t big in giving to missions and the mega-churches pay their Pastors outlandish salaries. Basically the same problems exist for both groups.
Bro Rainer
Well said, but I’m also partly in agreement with bro Mike. Most of the issues in Denominational churches you’ll also find in non-denominational churches. Problems follow until dealt with. They pop up like mushrooms these days. Where people are, troubles and issues will surface. ‘Perception is Reality’.
How could a church choose to be free of the rest. That’s why Jesus said- no kingdom can be against itself and in my opinion when would Jesus return for His Bride if she’s divided? The head in this house and the feet in another?
1 Cor 1: 10-17 Paul addresses the same issues of division we face today and asked: ‘Is Christ divided’. Further on 2Tim 4:3 talks about itching ears and that people run after teachers who will suit their own passions.
There’s dangers in Denominational and non-denominational churches. Most non-denominational churches are found on the root of bitterness, because they couldn’t make peace with their leadership etc. Many denominations are ruled like the ‘church mafia’. We need to be servants and coworkers in God’s service. We are His field and building.
The grass is always greener somewhere else….
There’s only one church and one body of Christ. Not more than one. When the church unite, Jesus will come for us!
Take care and thanks so much!
Good article. There are pros and cons either way. Our church has discussed this many times. One risk is loosing families who are “denominationally” proud. Proud in a good sense, because of the great global impact our denomination has for Christ. Another potential risk is that our denomination label protects us from the growing “progressive” or liberal influences. The community knows that we are a Biblically based, loving church. If we shed our denominational name, we potentially invite liberal influences into the Church. In one sense there’s a great witnessing opportunity, but we also exposure ourselves to “wolves” coming in to test us. Look forward to more articles on this topic.
Just a note about the apparent negative bent of the discussion. It may have had more to do with the poll (which I did not see, so I could be just mistaken). When we ask a group of people why they have left a group of any kind, or why they think others have left the group (such as a denomination), the responses will be decidedly negative. Yes, we need to know these things and to address perceived problems. However, is there a counter poll that we could toss into the social media arena to discover why there are some who have either joined or stayed in denominations?
As always thought-provoking discussion.
All the things that you mention are not new to any church. Whether you call it a denomination or not, eventually they will have the same organizational problems as a denomination. Also, most non-denominational Protestant/Protestant Pentecostal have kept the core beliefs of the denomination they left. The difference is that they have removed the label and do not talk about theology which is why the younger generation is attracted. It has already been shown that the younger generation is biblically less educated. They are even much more theologically. One thing about denominationalism in the first place was to ward of heresy; something that the non-denomination will have to eventually address.
Denominations have always been a complex issue for me from my youth til now. When one doesn’t agree on a certain point, or can’t get their way about something, or won’t “compromise” – then the easy thing to do seems to be leave an “organization” or start your own “church” and go from there, further splintering the body! Who is the Head anyway? Why does everyone think they are right and everybody else is wrong! Church “leaders” would do well to come together and listen to what the Spirit is really saying to the Body of Christ and not their little interpretation of things! I do realize that this side of heaven there are numerous things that would keep us separated, but that is mostly a self-inflicted wound that many welcome. We don’t need a “new” word from the Lord, there are many who claim to have heard a “new” world, and have an enlightened view of what we’ve been missing, We need to obey what is already written….hidden in plain sight…..if we would heed the call…………..
Denominations are worldwide and therefore have a world view. The Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion and therefore has missionary churches throughout the globe to constantly remind us of hunger, child and infant mortality and lack of clean water to drink plus provide solutions. The Roman Catholic Church is worldwide and has priests and nuns in war torn nations everywhere. Therefore they preach about peace and the dignity of every human being throughout Catholic social teachings. Imagine a world with peace? The Methodist ,Lutheran, and Presbyterian Churches are stationed throughout the planet and help bring sustainable energy, nutritional foods, health care and awareness of disease prevention in third world nations to relieve so much suffering. So how can anyone not see the good news that denominations bring to the nations as a light of Christ. It would be difficult to attend these denominational churches years on end and not have our egocentric viewpoints challenged to encompass a worldwide view point that would incorporate the multiple problems of the world and the suffering in which we could come together and banish if we thought of others more than ourselves.