Have Denominations outlived Their Usefulness?

Never really thought much about this, but off hand I'd tend to take the opposite approach. May change my mind after reading more arguments.

However, I see the modern trend to allegorizing/spiritualizing, and taking the non-literal redering of scripture to make people like me look for a church that is rooted in the old timey interpretations of His word.

I do see your point though, cause sometimes "denominations" tend to stifle any challenge to the "accepted" rules THEY have determined; not the biblical principles mind you, but the man-made DOCTRINES. IE KJVO, no pants on females, no make-up for women, no instruments in church etc, etc, ad infinitum!

Interesting thoughts though.

Incidentally, my son-in-law is a pastor for a small non-den. church, & that church is VERY Christ centered and holds to all the critical doctrines of scripture. They are also very demanding of their members. Unlike most churches, you must commit to some type of service as a condition of membership, after salvation, of course.

 

Not too long ago SWBTS surveyed its theology students and found only 1/3 wanted to be pastors. The other 2/3 wanted to go into ministry with parachurch organizations or start a parachruch organizations.

When I was in seminary an older professor told us when he was a kid that the attitude was if someone wanted Jesus they would come to the church much like a person who wanted a drink would go to a bar. Obviously today people know different. I think today's Christians will have to be tougher and know their Bible because the world will not come to church. The people cannot leave it up to the pastor to do evnagelism. There are denominational churches today that still think it is the pastor's job to do all the evangelism. However those churches are not growing.

 

In my opinion, denominationalism is being minimalized by many in the next generation (which is probably a good thing).

 

When any denominational doctrine overides Bible Doctrine the denomination has to take a back seat and make the adjustment.
All denominations think they are Biblical but people who read and know God's Word know better, which is why Bible Churches are flourishing.

 

Dr. Bob;

I would disagree. There have been some sound and some rather poor confessions of faith over the centuries. Maybe I am wrong but I am not aware of any confessions of faith outside of the scriptures that the NT church used. The scripture is inspired by God and no other document is. Our endeavor should always be to know what scripture teaches. If we follow a confession then we have alllowe others to dictate to us what they think the Bible teaches. The RCC has done that. I have found in the SBC churches I pastored that they knew what Baptists believed and what the BF&M was but did not know their Bible near as well.

 

Dr. Bob:

I think that is all over and it doesn't seem to be just by denomination. I know of some Presbyterian churches that immerse. I know of a GARBC church where I lived that was much like the ABC churches you mentioned. However the ABC church had a pastor from DTS. It seems like you can't go so much by the denomination any more but by the particular church.

 

Labels are'nt bad, especially for identification puposes like Dr. Bob says.
I'm not the political type.My Brother-in-law was a big deal up here on the coast.Anyhow I helped plant a couple of churches (not as pastor except at one).I was helping one young man plant a church at my brother-in-laws request until he started having his wife teaching the men in the church.I left quietly.He sicked my brother-in-law on me who came over to the house and talked to me about it.I explained my actions and my brother-in-law sided with the young man.When politics overtake biblical principles I step out.I've never made a big deal out of it with my brother-in-law but he lost my respect right then and there.Even worse now I find out he is a KJVO guy too.
Anyhow a label does'nt hurt if your biblical.People know what you stand for and that is good.I'm not against fellowships or denominations I just say let God be true and every man a liar.

 

Hardsheller, it all depends on what one expects from a denomination. The local church should what is central. All Baptist churches, traditionally and historically have been solely independent but CHOOSE to associate with other churches of like faith and order. There used to be a time when many churches trusted each other to give financial support together which formed the Cooperative Program among Southern Baptists, but now since trust has been severed, Baptists have become more selective in whom they support. I would not solely rely on the Assn or the state convention for leadership or direction. That should always come from the local church and if the Assn or Convention doesn't meet your expectations, then don't support them.
I believe that ALL denominations are having identity problems and much of that they brought on themselves.