Religious Division and Denimimationalism

 In the neighborhood where I live there are just about more churches per square kilometer than there are shops.  When one takes the time to think about why there are so many denominations or individual churches with essentially the same vision of preaching the gospel of Jesus as part of promoting the return of our gracious lord it is a rather puzzling thing to realize that there is such a variety of churches available in so close proximity to one another.

In my mind there are only a few reasons why denominational churches have become a real thing in society over the last few hundred years.  On top of the list, at least in my mind, will be a failure to see eye to eye on topics that are considered non-negotiable.    Any member of a church that has adequate social support in a large portion of a particular church may be tempted to part ways with their leaders and in many cases, this results in the division of that particular church. 

There are, of course, instances where churches have expanded their vision to include a franchised structure around a central core idea or doctrine.  In many ways similar to denominationalism but distinct enough to fall in its own category.  Franchised church groups are exposed to their own risk factors that make managing them riddled with logistical challenges and therefore also relational difficulties in the hierarchy of these kinds of churches.

At the inception of most churches there is a desire to serve God and to do it in a way that works for the person at the head of that new work.  Sadly, too often the passion and purity of a vision are lost when that particular vision becomes more burdensome.  When one looks at the diversity of the global church and the tensions that it brings, we must also learn to embrace the good that comes from it.

 God is so multifaceted that he had created billions and billions of people with out ever making one person identical to any other.  This same thing is true about communities.  in time a community develops its own social identity and it becomes some thing they are known for in their region.  Spiritual communities are not different.  The desire to belong to a community of like-minded individuals is ingrained in the human nature. 

We are created as unique individuals and find ourselves under the burden of Babel where God scattered mankind by changing their language abilities.  How then do I as an individual consolidate my place in a flawed system of churches, maintaining peace with everyone and still serve my God-given purpose and remain true to the vision that God gave me as an individual?

I believe that it is possible to do just that by keeping one’s eye firmly set on the very basics of the gospel and teachings of our Lord Jesus.  To begin with we need to come back to that ONE COMMANDMENT.  Love the Lord above all else and your neighbor as yourself.  Growing individually will cause us to mature in our understanding of Gods word and allow us to identify and live out our personal responsibilities in the Kingdom of God but also in the context of our local church. 

It’s when we lose sight of the fact that God has called everyone to grow in him and that some are given places to be and roles to fulfill that we become frustrated with other people that live their lives by their standards.   Every person is after all in his own place of development and as such our level of maturity needs to learn to embrace the diversity of God’s people while we learn to understand our place and God’s expectations of us.

God will never undermine himself and will therefore never oppose himself.  This principle is true about the vision He will give to an individual.   I may find that I don’t understand or even agree with the way that anyone individual or pastor is living his life or running his church.   One of the largest stumbling blocks in the lives of people worldwide is that we take it personally when someone else does not live their lives by our personal standards.  No two people have been destined to fulfill an identical purpose for God.  We will save ourselves heaps of frustration by focusing on what God has given us to do as individuals. 

New believers are tasked to grow themselves, and this is done by renewing our minds and rejoicing in the Lord.  Once we reach maturity our duty before God will bring us to bear spiritual fruit.  Our fruit will lift fellow believers toward the Father and when the time comes God will give us people to mentor just like parents mentor their children. 

 WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE TASKS THAT GOD GAVE US TO COMPLETE IN OUR LIFETIME.  EACH PERSON WILL GIVE AN ACCOUNT FOR THEIR OWN LIVES.  WE SHOULD HELP AND SHARE WITH THOSE PEOPLE GOD SENDS OUR WAY.  IN THE CASE WHERE WE COME ACROSS THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS TO our WISDOM SUGGESTS THAT WE STEP ASIDE AND LET THEM LIVE OUT THEIR OWN ACCOUNTABILITY BEFORE THE FATHER.