Denominational Realities
I recently wrote a series, One Faith: Many Traditions, outlining how my Christian faith has grown as a result of my experiences in several traditions. By focusing on the positives from seven of these groups, I sought to share part of my journey of faith and to encourage my readers to treasure the contributions of the traditions they have experienced. I struggled to limit my list as there are many other movements that have influenced me. I was also very intentional in choosing the word traditions over denominations for two primary reasons: (1) some of the groups that I selected do not understand themselves to be denominations and (2) denominations are not as simple nor is their theology as uniform at the local church level as one might expect.
In my series on the Top 10 Changes needed in the American church, I highlighted an emphasis on the local church over denomination. Individual Christians no longer have brand loyalty to a denomination or movement, but instead freely associate with whatever local church is the best match for them at a given stage of life. This theme is one of several that suggest it is time to reform what it means to be a denomination.
One thoughtful approach to the topic is Future of Denominations, which is an occasional series of interviews done by Faith and Leadership. Rev. Cally Rogers-Witt is an ordained United Church of Christ tradition who has served as parish pastor, conference minister, and as past president two state councils of churches. She was the interviewee for the June 8, 2010 piece:
Q: From your work with the Wider Church Ministries, how do you see the future of denominations?
A: We are seeing dramatic changes because the people in the church pews now come from a variety of denominations. They’re not looking necessarily for the denomination. They’re looking for the local experience they want their family to have. That means there’s less loyalty than there used to be. I don’t know whether that’s permanent, or if, as people learn some of the reasons for being part of something bigger than themselves, they will also be interested in whether it’s a denomination as we know it today or some new configuration of churches coming together to do the things they can’t do as well alone.
Q: You make the point that, historically, denominations started as some kind of passionate movement; do you have any sense of what future movements might look like?
A: I’m very hesitant to say anything beyond this year, practically. Everything is changing so quickly. . . I think whatever we think we know — about the future of denominations, about religion, about what will feed people’s souls, what will cause them to come together to share God’s love with other people — it is going to be very different even 20 years from now. So I guess I still don’t feel like I’m old enough to say this, but the experience of years makes me less likely to predict what’s going to happen next.
So What?
The role of denomination has changed significantly over the last several decades and may require even more radical changes in the next few decades to remain as a meaningful construct in those traditions where it has been noted to be of value historically.
Mainline denominations have experienced significant decreases in funding that have led to cuts in staffing and programs. For these groups, change is required and can either be a reactive response to these new economic constraints or a proactive quest to be the church in the fullest sense possible.
I believe that all local churches benefit from voluntary association with other congregations. Going forward, I view what we have traditionally called denomination to be one of many helpful constructs.
- For those who value denomination and your congregation’s participation in a given tradition, what type of reform do you see as most helpful in the near future? Are there any aspects of the current understanding of what it means to be a denomination that you would not mind losing? That you believe must be retained?
- For those who are on the fence and see value in denomination but are not certain it is essential, what type of changes would enable denominations to become more meaningful and valuable to your congregation? What type of changes might encourage you to withdraw from current ties or lead you to not consider future participation?
- For those who are currently non-denominational, those in a tradition that does not understand its movement to be denomination, and those who are denominational but believe denominationalism must die, what models would you propose for bringing together local churches for ministry and mission? How might the death or considerable decline of denominations as they were understood in the twentieth century be leveraged as an opportunity for increasing levels of Christian unity?