Bobby Ross Jr. wrote an article for the January edition of Christianity Today in which he offers evidence that the era of denominational universities has past or soon will. He begins with these words:
Faith-based universities with historically strong denominational ties – Nazarene, Mennonite, and Southern Baptist schools among them – are enrolling fewer students from within their own ranks.
He provides several examples including:
- A decline from 70 to 53% of students enrolling in the 18 schools affiliated with the Churches of Christ (non-instrumental) over the last decade who are affiliated with the movement (the Churches of Christ do not view themselves as a denomination)
- A decline from roughly 30 to 20% in the number of students with an affiliation to the Nazarene tradition at Loma Nazarene University over the last decade
So What?
The evidence provided in the article is anecdotal, but is consistent with the more general trend in America that adherents have become less loyal to denominations (in church membership, financial support, theological viewpoints, etc,). For those who believe in a given denominational university and want it to thrive for generations to come, does this trend need to be a cause for concern? I don’t have all the answers but personally find the fluidity of the faithful insofar as denominational affiliation (whether for higher education or church membership) to be among the most encouraging trends in the new millennium.
My Twitter profile contains these words: “progressive postmodern postdenominational follower of Jesus.” Don’t get me wrong. I do value denominations and have invested a significant portion of my life in seven so far. I don’t however believe that denominations are well positioned for the postmodern world, but am encouraged that there are many reformers working to rethink and reformulate them in ways that would restore value (for more on this you can read my thoughts here, here , here or here) and create meaning in ways that would look and function quite differently from the modern institutions denominations have become.
My hope and ongoing prayer is that this fluidity in denominational affiliation fuels not only more interdenominational cooperation but also reverses the trend of fragmentation (into tens of thousands of denominations) as we move toward genuine Christian unity. Christian universities that understand the shift and respond with programs focusing on Christianity rather than denominational distinctives should not only see increases in enrollment from a more theologically and experientially diverse student body, but also can model for the church what it looks like to put first things first (see yesterday’s post on what it means to live as a follower of Jesus for more on that).
What evidence of this trend have you seen in your local congregation? in your denomination? in any denominational universities with which you have an affiliation? As you consider the change and presuming it continues, do you feel this shift will bring more blessings or burdens to the cause of Christ? What is your rationale for that response?