The Preacher's Pen

Do you really understand what it means to be in a denominational church? Giving the textbook answer that a denomination is an alliance or network of congregations tied together under central oversight usually causes people to kind of nod like they sort of understand, but keep a blank look firmly fixed on their face. What we need is a picture, an illustration, that would quickly and easily clarify what denominationalism is all about. Look no further than the Muskegon Classis of the Reformed Church in America (RCA). After several months of rather acrimonious debate between Christ Community Church (in Spring Lake, Michigan) and the denomination's leadership Christ Community Church voted to leave the RCA denomination. That action was met two weeks later by a vote of the leadership that declared that what Spring Lake did was "in violation of the RCA Book of Church Order and therefore an illegal church action."

Are you tracking this? This church voted to leave the denomination but was told it could not. Such is "illegal!" Now we are getting down to the heart of denominationalism. Denominationalism occurs when a local congregation surrenders control of its work to a governing body. Period. That is all it takes. The RCA church in Spring Lake gave up their independence long ago and apparently cannot have it back. They are controlled by the Muskegon Classis. They are, like it or not, in the denomination.

Do we need to comment that denominationalism is a sin against God? Local churches are to be pastored by local shepherds, not by a board, classis or convention (1 Peter 5:2). Every church of Christ in New Testament times was independent and autonomous of all other congregations. So it was then and so it should be now.

Let me conclude that while we may not be threatened by the Muskegon Classis church autonomy comes under attack when we allow another congregation, brotherhood paper, big work/sponsoring church arrangement, college or even a "big name preacher" to meddle in or control all or part of our affairs. Like the Muskegon Classis various folks may scream that we have violated their "Book of Church Order" because we don't do to suit them. They will then try to intimidate or coerce us into letting them take over. Forget it. We do not care if we violate the RCA's Book of Church Order or any other human opinion of the church, written or not. It is to God that independent autonomous churches answer, and to no one else.