The Decline of Denominations
April 4, 2009
I thought it was interesting that the decline of denominations is attributed to the loss of denominational distinctives. The idea that denominational decline is a direct result of the failure to maintain and teach the distinctives that were the impetus for their creation is an interesting observation.
If Driscoll is right, once a denomination stops maintaining its distinctives, its congregations will seek other types of trans-congregational alliances and networks to further their mission and provide unity. It might just be the lack of coffee talking, but that sounds very familiar. Any thoughts?
Very interesting. Many good points about denominational decline and the reasons behind it, both having too little theology and too much but of the wrong sort. I can’t decide if this new trend away from denomination is mostly good or bad, but it definitely has elements of both to it.
Are denominations good in the first place or just a necessary evil? Are networks just another necessary evil or an upward move towards a redemptive vision of the body? I can’t decide. I want to discuss and figure it out, but at this point in life (and west Michigan) denominations feel too cumbersome to really move with the Spirit, while the churches that have felt it necessary to split from them do unfortunately lose some depth and earthly accountability. Why can’t it be easy and we all just get along while praising God, with actual heretics being culled from the ranks by lightning at yearly golf outings?