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The benefits and pitfalls of denominations
Bob Cornwall defends denominations against those who consider them old baggage in a new ’postdenominational’ world. He agrees with Michael Kinnamon and Jan Linn that to be vital churches must affirm their heritage embodied in a particular tradition. He used to discount denominations, but now Cornwall embraces the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
He gives no other reasons, though, for embracing a particular tradition, nor does he discuss the pitfalls they present. The relevance of denominations is more ambiguous than this.
The earliest form of Christian community is the congregation, the ecclesia. Anything beyond this came later. In the Presbyterian Church, where my ordination lies, congregations in America first joined together to form presbyteries, and presbyteries joined together to form larger synods and a national church. But the matter began with local congregations. As for other traditions, no matter what structure or polity exists now, the movement began in Palestine with a loose collection of house churches. The roots of things are in the local congregation.... READ MORE.
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