President's Blog

Some say we’re in a post-denominational age!

Why this may be the case or when it started is a matter of great dispute. Some critics celebrate its demise while others work hard to breathe new life into an old wineskin. It is certainly true that most committed Christians today care little or nothing about denominational identity or allegiance. The significant growth of non-denominational or independent churches over the past 40 years attests to this trend. A trend that continues.

At the start of this blog I also want to make clear that I am not addressing this topic because I believe the FEBCC (Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada) should be considered a denomination. Historically we have referred to ourselves as an “association” or “fellowship” of churches without many of the denominational “accoutrements”. Whether we refer to the fathering of sister churches as denominations, associations, or networks, it is true that their primary purpose is to draw like-minded churches together to share a common affirmation, vision, and mission. Should we continue to defend these “tribal” communities? This is what I hope to address and I covet your consideration and feedback.

So why defend the future of denominations?

Most pastors in North America still believe a vital connection to a denomination is an important thing. In a recent Lifeway Research survey (2020), over 1,000 pastors were surveyed with 78% of believing it vital to be a part of a denomination. However, 63% of them believe the importance of this connection to a denomination will diminish in the next 10 years. Only 20% of pastors disagreed that denominational connection was vital. These same pastors also stated that 77% of their congregants believed the same.

The same survey was conducted by Lifeway in 2010 and virtually the same percentages were discovered. Seventy-seven percent of pastors agreed that connection was vital and 62% believed this would diminish in the next 10 years. It is interesting to note that the desire for a vital connection to a denomination has not diminished among pastors. And the 2020 survey indicated younger pastors (aged 18-44) were more likely to agree than those 65 and older (83% versus 74%) that denominational connection was vital. An encouraging sign and hopeful future trend.

So what good can denominations provide?

Here are several points to consider and not in any particular order:

• Denominations, associations, or networks of local churches can provide a form in which Christians and churches can live out their particular affirmations, diversities, and faithful possibilities for Christian living, worship, and doctrine. Christians, like all humans, tend to gravitate toward those of like-minded convictions and practices. Denominations provide this. For example, some believers like to primarily kneel in their worship services while others prefer to dance.
• Denominations provide a forum for Christians to affirm that the Church is more than just their local expression of it. We are part of a much greater whole and our formal connection to other churches celebrates this ecclesiological truth. Denominations are not to be sectarian, in the sense that they believe they are the only authentic church; instead denominations allow Christians to celebrate our unique eccentricities without breaking our unity as the Church. Our diversity doesn’t necessarily mean brokenness within the Body of Christ.
• Denominations provide accountability. I was preaching at a Fellowship church recently and met a Christian who was visiting the church for the first time. I asked why she chose this church. She had heard good reports, but the main reason was that it was a member of a denomination. She wanted to be part of a congregation that was accountable to other believers.
• Denominations allow local churches to accomplish more than they could alone. The combining of resources and the mutual sharing of vision allows a larger group to pool resources and advance mission in significant ways. As one scholar states, “Non-denominational (independent) churches are living off the theological capital of more established Christian traditions” (Dr. Plantinga Pauw).
• Denominations provide an opportunity for necessary doctrinal correctives, a kind of “peer review” where a needed challenge or correction ensures fidelity to God’s Word. In a spirit of humility and respect this occasionally means the forming of a new Christian community. Heretical sects and cults have departed from historic Christianity because no “peer review” was offered to provide theological correction.
• Without denominations—what is the alternative? Every congregation acting totally independent would seem to just be denominationalism universalized. No accountability with other bodies nor the wise pooling of resources. Or secondly, the enforced union of all congregations into a single denomination. An enforced ecumenical alternative. This was the situation in which Luther found himself in 1517 and his only choice was to be excommunicated from the only “legal” state church available, and establish a separate church. When the Lutheran Church became spiritually cold and formalistic, the Pietists tried reforming it but were excommunicated and formed a separate body. The alternatives to denominationalism are actually frightening to contemplate. It’s not that contemporary denominations cannot be improved, but that the obvious and realistic alternatives are worse.

The Future of Denominations?

In the future, whether you call it a denomination, an association, or a network—I’m convinced denominations are here to stay and that is a good thing for the flourishing of the Church. God will bless groups that remain on mission even though the “form” may not have been God’s preferred choice. Which begs the question…

Is denominationalism what God intended? The simple answer is “no”. It seems to deviate from what Jesus instructed His disciples in His high priestly prayer. Jesus said, “Father, make them one even as you and I are one.” In a sense, denominationalism is evidence that the body of Christ on earth is broken. Our division indicates our sinfulness. There are 45,000 denominations in the world. However, I believe we would agree that this unity doesn’t mean the Church of Jesus Christ needs one world headquarters to be spiritually united. As one scholar suggests, there can be such a thing as “reconciled diversity” (Roger E. Olson).

We all agree denominational life should no longer be taken for granted—it must be defended. And while I claim denominational life will survive and, in my opinion, should survive, that doesn’t mean no change nor improvement is needed. What needs to happen in the near future may actually feel like a death before we can ensure survival, and flourish into the future. No denomination is sacred and doesn’t deserve to exist if it doesn’t remain on a mission serving the local church.

But until Jesus returns and finally gives us unquestioned clarity on those secondary issues and tertiary “disputable matters”—denominations are likely here to stay. That’s my two cents on the issue.