Ed Stetzer: Denominationalism – Is There a Future?
By Trevin Wax on Oct 6, 2009 in SBC & Future of Evangelicalism | 
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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
- Denominations are a necessary or even integral part of the mission of God.
- 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
- Denominations are inevitable. (Whether positively – for missional cooperation, or negatively – for tribal self-preservation)
- Younger evangelicals are looking for a sense of rootedness in a fragmented society. (Young, Restless, Reformed / Emerging Church / Deep Church / Ancient-Future / Worship)
- Churches that belong to denominations have confessional systems and accountability that ground them in orthodoxy.
What Kind of Denominationalism is Desirable?
- We want to see denominations that are missional as opposed to tribal.
- We want to see denominations based on confessional consensus.
- We want to see denominations that value methodological diversity.
- 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.
© Copyright by Trevin Wax | Print This Post | Share (Twitter, Email, Facebook)
Those are some insightful comments on denominationalism. Thanks for posting these notes!
Dave Hess | Oct 6, 2009 | Reply
I agree Ed Stetzer has many good points in his outline. He is right that denominations form for many reasons, and that some are better than others. He didn’t cover them all, but he didn’t try to or need to.
The important thing is that all Christians try to be Christ-like, and that they continue that whenever they view other denominations. Along that line, I think it’s good to reflect on Mark 9:35-40 (see also Luke 9:46-50) when thinking about denominations.
35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
40 For he that is not against us is on our part.
(-KJV)
George Desnoyers
George Desnoyers | Oct 6, 2009 | Reply
Brother Trevin,
Did Dr. Stetzer ever express a difference in a denomination and a convention? Or did he proceed with the presumption that the Southern Baptist Convention is a denomination?
Blessings,
Tim
Tim Rogers | Oct 7, 2009 | Reply
Bro. Tim,
He did not address that distinction. The audio is up now if you’d like to see the fuller context of the brief quotes.
Trevin Wax | Oct 7, 2009 | Reply
I have read this but there are some denominations that are not right structure, dictatorial and controllable, like Foursquare Denomination, it’s very good in word’s and structure but completly diffrent in practice, I have seen my pastor, when we decided to pull out of it, reason was the supervisor from USA wanted to control the church and was treating pastor as employer and He was behaving as boss. He was very hurt although He did not express it, and also we have had, a electronic newsletter that went around the pastor’s and people in denominaton who suppose to be our friends that did not even respond anymore to us or write at all. That was more hurt because the all that reliationship broke up.
Dardan | Oct 10, 2009 | Reply