THE POSITIVE SIDE OF DENOMINATIONS
In modern discussions about the Christian church, one of the most criticized aspects of Christianity has been the existence of denominations. Much of this criticism is well deserved. Denominations are often formed over silly, useless disagreements that have very little to do with Jesus or His message. In addition, denominational boundaries have often caused division, hostility, and discord in the church. Finally, denominations have often led people to focus on a legalistic set of man-made rules rather than the message of Jesus Christ.
So, there is much reason to be cautious about the subject of denominations. However, I think we must be equally cautious of abandoning them altogether. In fact, there are some positive and necessary aspects of denominations that are often overlooked:
1) Denominations provide structure: No matter how great or influential a church body is, it requires some form of organization. While many independent, nondenominational churches exist (like the one I, myself, work for) they still require a form of church governance and a form of accountability. Even if a church is independent, their church government is generally influenced by some denominational system of organization and most partner with other organizations or ministries in order to obtain more accountability & organization.
Furthermore, the church body needs to be networked with other churches. The New Testament churches did not operate in isolation, they were networked with each other through an elaborate system of pastors, elders, and missionaries. I find this to be something that is lacking in most independent churches--a network of similar communities of faith who are able to share, fellowship, and encourage one another beyond the church walls.
2) Denominations provide shared resources: Ministry is hard work and requires a team effort. The demands on pastors and members of church leadership are often overwhelming and time consuming. In addition, the cost of running a church is becoming more and more expensive as the government becomes less and less cooperative with nonprofits. For this reason, a denominational set up allows churches to share resources, opportunities, and finances.
I experience this first hand as a youth pastor in an independent church. It has been much more difficult for me to connect with new materials, resources, and training opportunities than it was when I was working in a denominational church. My list of fellow leaders with whom I can bounce ideas off of have become much more limited and my ability to plug into regular training sessions and opportunities requires more research and time than they ever did before--because in the past, the denomination I was with provided most of the training and conference sessions that I needed. Even something as simple as choosing a camp for my students to attend during the summer is more difficult because I now have to decide which of the surrounding camps are most similar to the beliefs of our congregational teachings. When I was a part of a denomination, that denomination had its own set of camps in the area that I knew I could connect my students to that I also knew shared the values of our church.
I don't say any of this as a form of complaining because I LOVE the job and the CHURCH that God has called me to at the moment. I am simply demonstrating that such tasks are more difficult without a denomination.
I don't say any of this as a form of complaining because I LOVE the job and the CHURCH that God has called me to at the moment. I am simply demonstrating that such tasks are more difficult without a denomination.
3) Denominations provide theological identity: Theology is a term no one likes to talk about anymore. The new idea is theology doesn't matter as long as you believe in Jesus and desire to serve Him. While I agree that Salvation is not based on one's theology--we cannot pretend that it's irrelevant. Whether we like it or not--ALL of us are theologians. Every part of our Christian is life is based on some form of theology. Theology is nothing more than our view and interpretation of scripture. So, the way you pray, the way you worship, the way you give to the needy, the way you understand the Bible, the way you live out your faith--all of it is based on a specific view of the Bible and thus becomes your theology.
SO, all of us have a theology...and we cannot be so blind that we can't admit that not all theology is the same. There are some major differences between how some groups understand the Bible and how others understand it. This doesn't mean that we should allow those differences to overwhelm us, but it does mean that it is difficult to find unity in worship, prayer, Bible study, etc. if people are coming from completely different perspectives.
Therefore, denominations provide a theological identity. For example, in my life and studies of the Bible, so far I have found that the Wesleyan Church provides the best identity to my own theological perspective. This doesn't mean that I find them to be any better than any other church or denomination, it simply means that their perspective of living the Christian life and interpreting scripture most resembles what I find revealed in scripture.
Often, independent and nondenominational churches are afraid or hesitant to identify themselves with a certain theological perspective. While in many ways this is a positive thing--it allows multiple views to exist side by side and allows each person to grow stronger from discussions of difference--it can also be very negative. If someone is a new believer or young in the faith, for example, and they hear one teacher say that they have to be baptized to remain saved and another teacher saying they don't have to be--that creates confusion and makes it very difficult for the believer to develop his or her theological understanding.
CONCLUSION
Therefore, denominations provide a theological identity. For example, in my life and studies of the Bible, so far I have found that the Wesleyan Church provides the best identity to my own theological perspective. This doesn't mean that I find them to be any better than any other church or denomination, it simply means that their perspective of living the Christian life and interpreting scripture most resembles what I find revealed in scripture.
Often, independent and nondenominational churches are afraid or hesitant to identify themselves with a certain theological perspective. While in many ways this is a positive thing--it allows multiple views to exist side by side and allows each person to grow stronger from discussions of difference--it can also be very negative. If someone is a new believer or young in the faith, for example, and they hear one teacher say that they have to be baptized to remain saved and another teacher saying they don't have to be--that creates confusion and makes it very difficult for the believer to develop his or her theological understanding.
CONCLUSION
In the end, denominations can be abused, misunderstood, and can lead to unnecessary splits in the church. However, I think it would be a detriment to remove them altogether. I agree that there will be no denominational lines in Heaven and I agree that in God's kingdom such things are of little importance, but we are indeed humans. As such, we need a level of structure, we need a way to share resources and opportunities among fellow churches, and we need a way to form a theological identity. I cannot see a better model for this than through the various denominations we have.
I will agree that we have many more denominations than we need and many of them would be better off if they merged together; I will also agree that many denominations have been overwhelmed by corruption and false traditions that have led them to embrace legalism or humanism over God. However, in the end, I believe most denominations have pure intentions are doing the best work they can to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ the world.
