PRISON WALLS OF DENOMINATIONALISM

Introduction

For there to be the desired peace in the body of Christ, Christians have to understand the underlying causes of division and disharmony in the body. Peace is the desired state of the church. Where there are fits of rage, spewing of accusations, devilizing of the saints and exchange of blows, it means that the church is sick and needs healing. Peace is to health as violence is to disease. 

Our physiological and cosmological makeup 

The root cause of conflict is differences. Our human body as well as our universe naturally display differences that we cannot change or undo without facing problems. The differences we see in our human body and in our universe are not problems in themselves but our interpretation of them. We may interpret differences to mean either good or bad. God engineered our human and cosmological differences. We only have to accept them and make the best out of them. 

Groups, organisations and conflict 

Groups and organisations are products of human interaction and relationship. Where human interaction takes place, conflict is bound to happen since human differences play out. Conflict does not happen in the absence of human interaction and relationship. Two persons, or actors, pursuing the same scarce goals is dispute. One person, or actor, pursuing two incompatible goals is dilemma. Conflict, therefore, is behaviour that obstructs some person's or organisation's goals and self interest.

Common social problems

Prejudice

Prejudice is a negative feeling or attitude towards a person or a group even if it lacks basis (Allport, 1958).

Stereotype

Stereotype refers to the negative opinion about a person or group based on incomplete knowledge (Navaro-Castro and Nario-Galace, 2008).

Discrimination

Discrimination refers to negative actions towards members of a specific social group that may be manifested in avoidance, aversion or even violence (Franzoi, 1986).

Religious intolerance

Religious intolerance is a prejudice against those who are followers of religions other than one's own.

Sectarianism 

A sect is a division of a religious organisation on the basis of differences in what they believe or profess to be true. Sectarianism is the belief that one's own sect is superior to all others. It is a prejudice against followers of sects other than your own.

Denominationalism 

A denomination is a group within the same religious organisation that distinguishes itself from other groups by such traits as doctrine, polity, organisational preference and name. Christian denominations result from division of the church into separate groups on the basis of disagreement in doctrine, polity, and organisational or hierarchical preference among others. 

There are good reasons for which denominations may be formed, for instance, denial of the truth about Jesus and perversion of the gospel (2Joh 1:10), and distortion of the truth of the gospel (Gal 1:6-9). There are equally good reasons for which denominations should not be encouraged. We are taught to strive to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:3). 

There is nothing inherently wrong with denominations, however, there is everything wrong with denominationalism. Denominationalism is a narrow-minded adherence to the doctrine, practice and tradition of a particular denomination to the exclusion of all others. Denominationalism is the belief that your own denomination is superior to all others. It is a prejudice against denominations other than your own.  Denominationalism distinguishes between "us" and "them'', and promotes discrimination against the "them" group (Mar 9:38). Denominationalism is a disease begging for healing. 

Symptoms of denominationalism

•Insofar as you think that for an individual to be a genuine Christian they must be part of your own denomination, you are a denominational thinker and are sick of denominationalism. 

•Inasmuch as you think that only your own interpretation of the Bible is accurate and all others are inaccurate, you are a denominational thinker and are sick of denominationalism. 

•When you attempt to, or actually lure, brainwash, indoctrinate, manipulate or compel a member of another denomination to become a member of your own denomination, you prove to be a denominational thinker and sick of denominationalism. If after sincerely inviting a Christian to your own local church he/she makes a decision to join your denomination, that may not account for denominationalism.

Woes or ill-effects of denominationalism

Denominationally minded churches tend to be cultic in nature, deep-seated in human worship instead of total devotion to God. Extremely denominationally minded churches eventually become Christian cults. The following are some of the ill-effects of being denominationally minded:

•Denominationally minded churches build thick and tall prison walls around their members such that it is almost impossible for a member to leave the denomination. The thick and tall walls are usually "terms and conditions" of church membership or guidelines for leadership that forbid members from leaving to join another denomination or to start their own. In some denominationally minded churches, a woman may not be married by a non-member and taken away from the denomination but a man may marry a non-member and bring her into the denomination. If a woman is married by a non-member, her membership is immediately repudiated and she is completely avoided for being disloyal. 

•Denominationally minded churches forbid members of their denomination from taking decisions on their own without consulting their leaders. It may be decision about work, travel, education, marriage or naming of a baby. This shows abuse of spiritual authority as refusal to heed the decision of the church leader is often interpreted as disloyalty. 

•Denominationally minded churches forbid their leaders from being married to a non-leader. In some cases, a female leader may be married to a non-member but her husband must become a member of the denomination, and a male leader may be married to a non-member but his wife must become a member of the denomination. A leader who refuses to abide by these "terms and conditions" is disowned, regarded as disloyal and completely avoided. 

•Denominationally minded churches forbid their members from listening to sermon tapes, watching sermon videos, or reading books of preachers other than their own. Meanwhile, they encourage members of their own denomination to share their own sermons, articles or books for members of other denominations to read. 

•Denominationally minded churches forbid members of their own denomination from accepting invitation to other denominational meetings. Meanwhile, they encourage their own members to "drag" members of other denominations to their own meetings. 

Conclusion

Do you know any Christian who is being held hostage within the prison walls of denominationalism? Now is the time to liberate them, not by violent means but by peaceful means such as writing and publishing the truth so that by reading, the Holy Spirit will open their minds and cause the light of the truth to seep through their minds and be liberated. It is for freedom that we have been called to be free!

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