This is something I’ve wrestled with (and will probably continue to wrestle with) for a while, but I think I’ve come to an answer that at least satisfies the dilemma in my own heart.

First of all, IMHO, denominationalism is a complete perversion of what Christ intended for His Church. I think it is an ugly, ugly thing.

Now then, the basic question seems to be, “How can denominations come together and work together (worship together?) despite their deep theological and practical differencesm.” There is also the question of, “How should I feel about switching churches because I don’t like the one I’m in?”

I’d like to address the latter question first. Americans are consumerists. Big time. Everything we approach we do so with that lens firmly set in place. I used to have a hard time with this when it came to “marketing” church. However, I’ve come to the conclusion that we are simply meeting the culture where its at. If you want to attract a consumerist society…you have to feed them what they are used to eating…you have to appeal to their senses (I realize that many people would disagree with that statement…but, frankly, I don’t care.) The question here though has to do with how a mature believer should feel about and act on such things. Because of the nature of the church in America I’d have to say it was perfectly normal to go for the switch, but you ultimately end up contributing to the problem. In my own case, I feel very blessed to be in a local church (non-denominational charismatic—I’m actually on staff there) that is very accepting on “non-essential issues.” I have a theological viewpoint very similar to that of Greg Boyd (i.e. open theism, christus victor, and an anti-dispensationalist eschatology). Most people in our body (including staff) don’t necessarily have those leanings, but that is a-okay. We can still worship together knowing that on the essentials…we are on the same page. Now I would argue that those things (open theism, christus victor, etc.) are extremely essential to the faith that has developed within my own heart, and I would love for everyone in that body to come to those same conclusions. For those beliefs reflect what I believe about God and in turn determine the way I go about certain things, but as a body…those things are not essential.

This takes me to the first question. I define the essentials as thus: 1. Jesus is God; 2. Jesus died for my (the world’s) sins; 3. Jesus is alive. Simple. To me, these beliefs are necessary for one to consider themselves Christians. This obviously eliminates Jehovah’s Witnesses from the list. I recognize that JW’s consider themselves to be Christians, but IMHO they are another religion that makes a claim that simply isn’t true.

When it comes to denominations laying down their differences and coming together, I honestly do not believe there is much hope for that on a grand scale. Afterall, they are separated because of those differences to begin with. It seems almost self-defeating to assume that they could do otherwise. However, I do believe that it can be done on an individual basis. It is easy for individuals to lay aside such differences, but an entire denomination is a different story.

One thing I long for (and that I believe I see happening before my eyes today) is the de-centralization of the Church. IMHO, such questions as the ones above did not really exist in the 1st century church. Sure, they had their differences of opinion about theological issues, but this did not stop them from associating with one another (at least most of the time) and it certainly didn’t cause them to switch churches (again…most of the time). The local church in those days was just that…a local community of believers. People gathered based on geography…not theology. When Paul wrote a letter he wrote it to the church at __________. I think (I pray) that a day is coming when this will be true once again. In fact, people in new-monastic intentional communities are already doing this.

In America we’ve got this idea that we need to build community within our churches. I think we need to be building church within our communities (wow…not to toot my own horn, but I need to write that one down). I believe this is the way Christ intended it to be.

in Him,
 >>zack