Saturday, July 15, 2006
Do We Still Need Denominations? Do We Still Want Denominations? An Answer to the questions of Dr. M
Denominations? In the 21st Century? Are you kidding?
As a member of the PCUSA, the events of late June 2006 greatly upset me. They should have upset members of the Church regardless of their theological leaning, because they quite possibly are going to lead to the destruction of a denomination with a proud heritage and the possibility of good in a world that needs it perhaps more than ever.
Dr. Roberts (http://www.markdroberts.com) asks the question on his website, “What’s good about Denominations?” Of course, when that question arises the first passage that pops into mind is John 17, and Jesus’ prayer for unity. While I have never been to a national convention of any of the denominations I have belonged to, I have seen video that shows, at their best, the members of denominations, across theological spectrums, worshipping God and/or celebrating the Lord’s Supper together. Dr. Roberts includes on his site the dictionary definition of the question, what is a denomination: “Religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to its beliefs and practices.”
