I saw an interview with Mark Driscoll a while back in which he predicted that over the next decade denominations will be replaced by informal networks, such as his Acts 29. I remember thinking, "Wow, that is a rather extreme conclusion to come to." But now years later, here I am preparing to plant a church and wrestling with the question, Is there any good reason to align with a denomination?
Now I'll admit that I've sort of been around the block when it comes to denominations. My family roots are Methodist, most of my childhood was spent in a rural Baptist General Conference church, middle school, high school and college were spent in three different EFCA churches across two states, and today I find myself at a (albeit rather unorthodox) Southern Baptist Conference church on the west coast.
I like to think those 'cross-cultural' experiences have made me more balanced. But they have also left me without connection or obligation to any one denomination. So my question is: In a time when denominations are by-and-large decreasing in membership and increasingly viewed with skepticism by non-believers, are there any good reasons for aligning with a denomination rather than simply partnering with a network? (That is not a rhetorical question. I am really wondering.)
denominations never should’ve started. i just mean they’re divisional when it should be a unity in Christ.
Planting a church? Awesome!
What a great topic. In CS Lewis’s analogy in Mere Christianity, he says Christianity is like a house, and each denomination is a room. He makes the point that we ought to live in a room. Maybe a case could be made that non-denominational churches is one big living room.
Whether denominations shrink or not I don’t … Read Morethink that will stop the variations in doctrine throughout the body, which is the primary reason that denominations exist, right? I wonder if those pushing against denominations hope that, for example, Armenians and Calvinists can co-exist — or that Baptists and Presbyterians can agree to practice baptism the same way, etc. I think that would be wonderful, but I just don’t see that happening until the Church sees in full, as is written in 1 Cor 13.
And although I know that there are people who represent different doctrines and convictions that currently worship together in the same non-denominational church, I don’t think denominations will totally disappear.
So then maybe, despite the cons with denominations, the major pro is that it can keep the body from quarreling. Denominations don’t have the best track record, but what does? I know people in NYC, who after attending a non-denominational church for a year +, opted for a denomination b/c they didn’t like that everybody was on a different page.
As Christ said, a house divided against itself cannot stand. And if denominations can live in peace and co-exist together, as many churches do today, that’s not a divided house, it has many family members with different convictions. I thank the Lord for denominations and the non-denominations….
My two cents
Hey guys, great thoughts! Aaron B, thanks for sharing your ‘two cents’. Some really good insight. Like you, I thank God for churches of all different types, expressions and theological convictions. I understand that some people have a long history and connection with their denomination and I don’t know that I would ever encourage those people to turn a blind eye and walk away from those who have played such a central part in their story.
I think I am really wrestling for those who are seeking to start new movements and coming in ‘fresh’. Are there any good reasons to choose to partners with a denomination rather than a network – especially when (as you said Eric) denominations are most well known by a post-Christian world for their differences and division, rather than that which binds them together?
I realize that there will always be doctrinal differences, but the beauty that I see in some of the networks that exist (such as ARC, Ecclesia, etc) is that they include churches across denominations and doctrinal differences who have agreed to focus on that which binds them together (like the gospel, missionality, innovation, etc.), and to resource and encourage each other towards those ends, rather than unite around the very things that divide them from other sects of believers.
I have yet to find any reason for pursuing a denomination in place of or in addition to a network. I’m still searching.
Denominations are here to stay man, Mark Driscoll or not (he’s a big one for humor and/or shock value for the sake of making the rest of us think. Generally successfully.) But in reality, denominations are intrenched and well-funded, and have an organized power structure that is addictive and self-perpetuating, so they end up being pretty durable and long-lasting. Mark may be right if he is talking about who is effectively reaching people.
I think the strength of a denonmination is in their message/theology. Having a coherent body of work as a starting point has value. But structurally, they are less adaptable, less likely to take the necessary risks that church planting demands in N. America, and they are more likely to perpetuate the status quo. I think the critical thing is who you are, and how you would interface with a network vs denomination. Check out this blog:
http://missioncatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/07/this-changes-everything-ten-talent.html
Aaron, you’re a network guy.
Hey Jerry! Great thoughts on denominations! I agree with you that I don’t think we’ll be seeing denominations closing their doors anytime soon. I am guessing, as you mentioned, that Mark was primarily referring to their effectiveness and their continual fading into a less prominent role in the future of the church. It’ll be really interesting to see what happens as the next generation of leaders begin to step into various roles of leadership within the church and plant new ones of their own. Will denominations be able to successfully recruit younger generations to sustain them in the future, or will they increasingly suffer as the older generations retire?
Thanks for forwarding me that article – loved it! I do get the feeling that I’m a network guy (though not necessarily for the reasons the article mentions). But in light of the article, I take your words as a great complement. Thanks bro!