I moved away from denominationalism decades ago. I have spent the years since, worshiping and fellow-shipping with Believers of all stripes and color and have come to believe denominations are more hindrance than help in the Body of Christ.
It is simply not true that we get more done and win more souls when we transform the living organism of The Ekklesia into a man-made organization, whether or not we choose to turn our fellowships into creations of the State via 501c3 status.
Creating tax-exempt organizations immediately alters the focus from growing in relationship with Christ [and with our Sisters and Brothers in Christ] to "growing the ministries." And like it or not, at that point, money becomes the top priority. Salaries, fee's, rents, mortgages, utilities, supplies, financing events...the list goes on and on.
Unbiblical hierarchies begin running the show. Activities are planned, positions assigned, members are kept busy, busy, BUSY. So busy, in fact, that for many, there is little time to let their lights shine anywhere else, aside from church.
For many Christian families, life becomes: work, church, children's school or sports activities, work, church, school or children's sports activities, work, church, children's school or sports activities. I have heard from Christians who do not have the school or sports activities to deal with, but even without that, they simply do not have time for personal activities they might enjoy, because they are so busy with church stuff.
I am not saying denominations and faith-based 501c3's are cults, but many of them--most all large "successful" churches--use the same tactics cults use to keep their members supporting the org. They do this by creating so many departments and activities, creating skewed loyalties to church leaders and the ministry itself, keeping members "accountable" and so busy attending and maintaining church stuff, they simply don't have time or energy for anything else.
I do not say pastors premeditate to accomplish this deliberately--though some do. But in order to maintain the organization, to keep the beast fed and thriving, a vicious cycle must be created that becomes almost impossible to break without self-destructing. The never-ending cycle is necessary to keep the organization alive.
Another feature of denominationalism, is separation. Some denominations are better at this than others. But denominational separation within the One Body that is the Church of the Living God...is wrong.
If you belong to Jesus, you belong with me. We belong with each other. And this can be accomplished without creating divisive denominations and organizations. The foundation of faith in Christ, connects every believer. And the rest is theology, which we should all be encouraged to study, discuss, and strive to understand.
There is so much more to this than room to explore in just one post.
But my position is, that Christian growth and discipleship can be accomplished, souls can be won, the work of the ministry can be done in a more fulfilling and effective manner without denominational behemoths and without the rigid hierarchical and theological structures found within both small and large denominations. Without these, so many issues that divide the Body of Christ and harm Christians, would become non-existent or vastly reduced.
And with times being what they are, shepherds should begin preparing their flocks for alternatives to the denominational status quo, which could be snatched from them at a moment's notice. Didn't we see this in the pandemonium of the 2020 lock-downs? So the question really isn't, "What if you weren't in your current denomination...?," but rather, "What if your denomination was suddenly outlawed and shut down? What would you do then? Where would you go?"
As the apostle declared, "I have purposed to know nothing among you but Christ!"
There is only one Name that is above every name, and that is the name of our precious Savior, the Lord Jesus.
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