It's rather confusing, and I don't pretend to know it all, but here's some thoughts that might help, things that I've been dealing with over the last year or so.
Any time this topic is brought up I usually hear 1 of two things. 1) People often point fingers saying, "We are right, they are wrong," especially when it comes to worship by music. or 2) "Denominations don't matter and only create separation in the Body of Christ"
My response:
1)"We are right, they are wrong."
For the most part, this is a terrible thought to have. Just because one church decides to do thing differently such as, worship or communion or baptism, does not mean their wrong. Lets get one thing straight here my friends. Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6), if a church believes this to their core, great! Then we are all apart of the same Body of Christ. So, lets stop pointing fingers and start to recognize each other as brother and sister.
2) "Denominations don't matter and only create separation in the Body of Christ"
Okay, so, there is a little more validity to this point, but if we can see past the first point I brought up, then denominations can be good and serve a purpose. Something that I've noticed in my personal walk is that the Lord speaks to all of us in different ways. That's the beauty of the Holy Spirit. He knows that we are all wired differently and need to meet Jesus in a different way. For example, during YWAM one of my teachers always had the lights off and made the room very dark, when someone asked him why, he said that God met him in the dark like the Israelites in the Tabernacle (this was a tent they carried around that would 'hold' the presence of God). Some people like loud music, to make a joyful noise (Psalms 98:4), while others prefer traditional styles of worship that date back to the early church reciting prayers together. One is not better than the other, just a different style.
Now there is, of course, a lot of differences in Theology, but that's a study for another day. :)
So do not be so afraid of the difference in denominations, just know, that we are all here for the Glory of the Lord and to further his Kingdom. To be honest, I have grown so much in my faith jumping into different styles of worship and being part of different churches. God is so much bigger then the box I continue to put him in. If you've never been to a different type of church, consider trying it out, you might just like it.
Chained to him,
Jeremy
1)"We are right, they are wrong."
For the most part, this is a terrible thought to have. Just because one church decides to do thing differently such as, worship or communion or baptism, does not mean their wrong. Lets get one thing straight here my friends. Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6), if a church believes this to their core, great! Then we are all apart of the same Body of Christ. So, lets stop pointing fingers and start to recognize each other as brother and sister.
2) "Denominations don't matter and only create separation in the Body of Christ"
Okay, so, there is a little more validity to this point, but if we can see past the first point I brought up, then denominations can be good and serve a purpose. Something that I've noticed in my personal walk is that the Lord speaks to all of us in different ways. That's the beauty of the Holy Spirit. He knows that we are all wired differently and need to meet Jesus in a different way. For example, during YWAM one of my teachers always had the lights off and made the room very dark, when someone asked him why, he said that God met him in the dark like the Israelites in the Tabernacle (this was a tent they carried around that would 'hold' the presence of God). Some people like loud music, to make a joyful noise (Psalms 98:4), while others prefer traditional styles of worship that date back to the early church reciting prayers together. One is not better than the other, just a different style.
Now there is, of course, a lot of differences in Theology, but that's a study for another day. :)
So do not be so afraid of the difference in denominations, just know, that we are all here for the Glory of the Lord and to further his Kingdom. To be honest, I have grown so much in my faith jumping into different styles of worship and being part of different churches. God is so much bigger then the box I continue to put him in. If you've never been to a different type of church, consider trying it out, you might just like it.
Chained to him,
Jeremy
