The Gospel Coalition

SESSION 1

SPEAKER: Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research

TITLE: Denominationalism: Is There a Future? (Audio here)

THE GIST: Ed Stetzer made a strong case for denominations. He believes denominations are valuable tools for churches on mission. Denominations will persist into the future because churches on fire for the Great Commission find they have to cooperate. The kind of denominations we hope to see in the future are theologically orthodox, methodologically diverse, and in service to local churches.

OUTLINE:

Two Faulty Assumptions about Denominations

1. Denominations are a necessary or even integral part of the mission of God.
2. Attempting to interpret the role of denominations in the life of the local church apart from the Missio Dei (the mission of God)

Denominations might not be necessary, but they are valuable. They are good tools to be used in the mission of the church.

Why Denominations Do Have a Future

1. Denominations are inevitable. (Whether positively – for missional cooperation, or negatively – for tribal self-preservation)
2. Younger evangelicals are looking for a sense of rootedness in a fragmented society. (Young, Restless, Reformed / Emerging Church / Deep Church / Ancient-Future / Worship)
3. Churches that belong to denominations have confessional systems and accountability that ground them in orthodoxy.

What Kind of Denominationalism is Desirable?

1. We want to see denominations that are missional as opposed to tribal.
2. We want to see denominations based on confessional consensus.
3. We want to see denominations that value methodological diversity.
4. We want to see denominations that assist local churches, not vice versa.

Why I am staying in our denomination:

• I believe what we believe.
• Churches that belong to denominations are the primary agents of global evangelization.
• Diverse leadership environments stretch me.
• Because God led me to.
• Denominational affiliation is not just about me.

MEMORABLE QUOTES

There are some, too many I think, who are impressed with the denomination.  It is their focus and their passion.  But being consumed with the machine of the denominational machine can distract us from the mission for the church.

Denominationalism seems to be unavoidable, whether propelled by passion for the gospel and the Great Commission into missional cooperation or propelled by passion for maintaining tribal identity and stability in a fast-paced world of change.

The pursuit of relevance, as important as it may be, has dulled our sense of legacy and the value of heritage.

Where some see age, decay, and obsolescence in denominations, many others actually find longevity, maturity, and wisdom.

Whenever a church becomes institutionalized, there is a danger for that church to begin working hard at preserving its unique identity instead of being willing to sacrifice its identity for the sake of the lost.

Denominations that are effective for the kingdom of God unite in doctrine and diversify in methods.

Fifty years from now, what will historians write about us? That we were warrior children of the Conservative Resurgence, splintering into dozens of subgroups? Or that we were warriors for the Great Commission, spreading the gospel to the nations?

God’s mission never comes on a work-for-hire basis to a denomination.

A denomination is not just a place to get something; it is a place to give and serve.