There is a big row going on in an Episcopalian megachurch here in Colorado. The longtime pastor of 2,500 member Grace Episcopal Church in Colorado Springs was placed on 90- day suspension at the beginning of the year, by the Episcopal diocese. The elders of that church voted to leave the U.S. Episcopal Church and join with a branch of conservative Anglicans, following other high- profile U.S. Episcopal churches. The reason:
Parish leaders cited the handling of Armstrong’s suspension, along with the denomination’s rejection of the “historic faith,” as reasons for the vote.
Senior warden Jon Wroblewski said the parish had fought for a return to orthodoxy within the denomination but has lost hope in reform.
“It’s clear that The Episcopal Church no longer believes in the historic, orthodox Christian faith (Broken link, active March 28, 2007) common to all believers. It’s also clear that purported Episcopal values of ‘inclusion’ do not apply to orthodox believers,” Wroblewski said in the statement.
The Episcopal diocese responded by dismissing the local elders of that church. “The fact is people may leave the Episcopal Church but parishes cannot,” the diocese said. The 2,500 member congregation is solidly behind their suspended pastor and dismissed elders, in their desire to join the conservative Anglicans.
It is apparent that within the denominational label of “Episcopalians” there are people, pastors and leadership, even, who are not Christians, and there are people who are. Isn’t this the way it is within every denomination? There is the church building representation of the body of Christ in the world, and then there is the elect, the true body of Christ, made up of people from within those church buildings, as well as people from without. Just as not everyone whose name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life belongs to a church building, not necessarily everyone inside the church building has their name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
So why do we cling to denominations, anyway? Why not be called by the name of Jesus rather than the name of Rome, or England, or Luther, or Calvin, or Wesley? Even evangelicals, who supposedly are “non-denominational,” have made for themselves a denomination. But I don’t see the benefit of it, or the Scriptural injunction. It seems to me that Paul corrected the Corinthians on this very tendency, and Jesus called the local church by its locality rather than the name of a man. Can someone enlighten me, please?
The easy answer is that we are all sinners. Jesus taught and it was his prayer that all believers formed a single community united under his headship. Sinful humans are doing just about the complete opposite.
I have been reading the writings of the early church fathers with an orthodox friend for Lent. I have been posting my thoughts about what I read on my blogspot blog.
I have found far less variation in beliefs than I expected to find when this journey began. The biggest point of contention is what defines the church (human successor to the Apostles versus all believers) and the authority given church leaders.
Authority means far more than just type of church government (papal, bishopric/episcopal, connectional, congregational…). This idea incorporates the idea of fallibility of the leaders and whether the leaders authority comes from the Holy Spirit or through the apostles.
There are, of course, differences in styles of worship, but we don't get in heated discussion about those.
So why do we cling to denominations, anyway? exactly! good question. When we moved to a very small town a business owner asked me what type of church we were going to attend. I told her it didn't matter as long as they taught only the truth from the Word. She said "well I 'think' ours does…" long pause lol – we never went to hers and ended up driving 25 miles to one. Can you believe we were persecuted for driving out of town when there were 4 churches right in town? lol. I guess it was preparing me for the persecution I would get for pulling my kids out of their school later…. 🙂
I like your posts on Safeguarding your Investment too. I think it starts way before the teen years in church SSchool programs tho. Most people leave their kids off to "free church daycare" so they won't be bothered during the service. We are persecuted about that too, since all 6 of us are in the regular service. My kids are well trained and can sit and listen. Hmm could it be the fact that their parent is with them always? I am praying my husband will see his role soon…
blessings
Denise T