1 post tagged “denominations”
Reading here about a conversation that's started up about renewing denominations, I'm struck with my initial sense of apathy: is there any hope for real denominational life?
We're taught by professional theologians that denominations are a "must" in a fallen world. Best as I can figure, this is basically like international boundaries or fences between neighbors.
(Ever wonder what the wildlife on the border between Mexico and the US think about the border fence? I can see it now: the endangered Sonoran desert Jaguar is stopped at the border and asked for his identification papers as he migrates north to find a mate. "Shoot!" the Jaguar says, "...woah, buddy. I didn't mean that literally. But darn-it, I left 'em on the kitchen counter!)
Anyway, denominations. My sense is that our structures constrain us, and when we toss them, newly unconstrained, we create another whole set of problems.
So denominations are intended to keep us connected. But, I've heard about connectional churches that are practically independent. So independent churches are supposed to keep us from becoming wrongly ruled by someone else. But I've heard of independent churches that are, for all intents and purposes, connected to other churches.
Whatever the answer, it seems like a good reason to pray. Pray that the Church would as St. Paul urged her to do, "walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which she has been called."
