My Church Denomination Is The Right One – huh?
The word denomination comes from the latin word denominacioun meaning to designate or give a name to. This word plays such a large part in Christianity today because it serves to identify the more than 30,000 different groups all of whom claim to place their faith and trust in Christ. But if you examine many of these unique groupings you will find that by and large each claims to “do” Christianity not just differently but better than the others. This “doing” is not just a matter of presenting the message of Grace in a unique format but it is most often presented as a “better” way of “doing” – this then is denominationalism. Can you imagine how confusing and frustrating this must be to a person in search of truth? “Come here and do it our way if you want truth.” As Christians, we have nearly lost the entire reason for gathering which is to uniquely celebrate, teach and express the One Lord of All.
I realize that denominations are in no way exclusive to Christianity but in the context of ministering the wonderful message of Christ’s free gift of Life I’m finding today’s idea of denominations highly distracting and largely harmful in the expression of Christ in us. People and methods have become the focus instead of Christ. The whole attitude that I can “do” Christianity better than other Christians shifts the focus off of The Accomplisher, Christ (Rom.15:18, Act 17:24,25), to the responder, us, who were designed to abide in Christ only and not take credit for anything (John 15:5). The attitude that a specific denomination is more accurate or qualified to do Christianity is humanistically arrogant and has diseased many if not most of today’s Christian gatherings.
Long ago Paul warned the church gatherings in Corinth about this attitude. These Christians were divided and fighting about how to minister the Gospel and Paul simply instructed them that although they were different and unique in their gifts and administration they were all of the same Lord and Father (1 Cor.12:4-6). In other words, enjoy your uniqueness by putting your eyes on The Accomplisher and not yourselves.
I encourage all of you who have found yourself stuffed into a Christian mold of “doing” Christianity to step out. If you are struggling then don’t hesitate in reaching out to me or someone else God will provide. There is a growing community of believers like me who simply desire to live a full, responsive life dependent on Christ. God knows what He wants to accomplish in your life better than anyone else so start by letting Him.


