Postdenominationalism

Thinking maturely about the Christian faith

Search

// you’re reading...

Leadership

Postdenominationalism

By Rowland Croucher and others ⋅ January 5, 2003 ⋅ Post a comment

By Chip Alford

GLORIETA, N.M. (BP)–The loyalty level to denominations may be on
the endangered species list, but a Southern Baptist professor isn’t
forecasting extinction, just change.

"I’m not so sure it’s as tragic as we think it is," Steve
Stookey, associate professor of church history at Southwestern Baptist
Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, told a group of student
workers attending his Aug. 12 seminar, "Postdenominationalism: The
Student and Religious Identity." The session was part of Student
Week ’98 at Glorieta (N.M.) Conference Center.

"Postdenominationalism doesn’t mean denominations are going to
die; they’re just changing," Stookey said. "We’re talking
about a transition. The question we should be asking is, ‘What are they
going to look like (in the 21st century)?’"

Stookey said he doesn’t even like the term
"postdenominationalism," preferring
"neodenominationalism" as a more accurate description of
today’s religious world.

"Denominations are under radical reconstruction right
now," he added, "and a lot of time we aren’t even aware of
it."

He cited several evidences of denominational erosion, such as:

— The increasing use of generic church names which leave out
denominational affiliation.

— Explosive growth of para-church groups, e.g Promise Keepers,
which are attracting time, energy and resources away from local
churches. Many of these groups are big on worship and service, but have
minimal theological or doctrinal stances so they can appeal to a wide
variety of denominations.

— A shift from a focus on long-term global missions investments to
short-term mission projects often initiated at the local church level.
Southern Baptists have done a good job of recognizing this trend and
partnering with local churches to provide short-term missions
opportunities without losing a global focus, Stookey said.

— The rise of the Internet and desktop publishing, which has
created an "entrepreneurial spirit" in some churches when it
comes to producing Christian resources. It has the potential, Stookey
said, to erode support or use of denominational publishing houses.

— Seminaries in flux. Denominational conflicts have resulted in
numerous "smaller niche" schools. Many seminaries are
seriously evaluating their curriculum and training methods needed for
the 21st century.

So, what’s causing all this?

In addition to waning denominational loyalty, Stookey cited
"postmodernism" and "generational challenges."

Discussing postmodernism, Stookey said: "We’re in a time frame
of change intellectually. Since the Enlightenment in the 1600s, reason
and rationality have ruled the day for 300 years. We were all influenced
by it. But now we’re seeing a transition in the way people think."

Whereas the Enlightenment affirmed the idea that man’s capacity for
knowledge was unlimited, the postmodern mind sees limits, Stookey
explained. As a result, postmodern thinking has trouble with concepts
like absolute truth and universal identities. Authority structures are
mistrusted, holding contradictory ideas is acceptable and tolerance is
lifted up as a virtue.

"The postmodern mind is very accepting of pluralism,"
Stookey said. "’Spirituality’ is the buzzword, not ‘religion.’ And
any religion is OK as long as it speaks to your spirit."

As a result, Stookey said America today is characterized by a
"consumer religion" where people "shop" for the
church that meets their practical and experiential, not theological,
needs.

"I think the church has fostered this by not providing people
with balanced discipleship," he said. "We’ve left some things
out and people are trying to fill those holes with something else."

For example, Stookey said he believes Southern Baptists are strong
in Bible study, but have steered clear of dealing with the Holy Spirit
and more contemplative aspects of discipleship.

"We’re seeing a recovery of this is recent years with resources
like ‘Experiencing God,’" Stookey said, adding CrossSeekers, a new
collegiate discipleship initiative sponsored by Southern Baptists’
National Student Ministry, is another good attempt at providing balanced
biblical instruction and accountability.

Another result of today’s postdenominational and postmodern world,
Stookey said, is a loss of denominational distinctives, particularly
among younger generations.

"It used to be very clear what separated a Baptist from a
Methodist or Presbyterian and so on, but those lines have been
blurred."

Many of today’s young people have no knowledge of such Baptist
beliefs as priesthood of the believer, autonomy of the local church or
believer’s baptism, Stookey said.

"We’ve dropped the ball when it comes to transmitting our
Baptist identity," he added. "We’re going to have to find new
and unique ways to share those ideas."

In the Southern Baptist Convention, specifically, many churches are
more committed to "sub-groups" than the national entity,
Stookey said. For example, some churches have more allegiance to their
state convention, mega-churches have their own network and conferences
and other congregations form groups around worship styles, such as
"seeker-sensitive" or "liturgical."

While none of these are negative in and of themselves, Stookey said
"they pull over time at the denominational fabric."

Despite all this, Stookey believes "denominations will remain
and they will remain relevant. For a denomination to be the most
relevant, it needs to be able to empower local churches. … And the
churches and denominations who are able to maintain allegiance to the
unchanging gospel, but who find unique ways to transmit it, are the ones
who are going to win out."

Student Week ’98 was sponsored by National Student Ministry, part of
LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.

The Baptist Press email service is a cooperative effort between
Baptist Press and GOSHEN.net. Visit Baptist Press on the web at href="http://www.BaptistPress.org/">http://www.BaptistPress.org/