Baptists face challenge as denominations lose ground

By Carla Wynn

CBF Communications

GRAPEVINE, Texas - Earlier this week, Bill Leonard was driving through rural Wise County, Texas, and was surprised by how many churches had no denominational affiliation on their street signs.

"I was astounded at the number of churches who don't have a denomination attached to them. In that relatively rural county, you're seeing nondenominational churches rise up," he told participants June 30 in a workshop called "Baptists and Generic Christianity: The Non-denominationalizing of American Churches" during the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's General Assembly.

Leonard, dean and professor of church history at Wake Forest Divinity School in Winston-Salem, said the rise of postmodern thought has led to more and more churches retracting their denominational affiliation, relying more on networks of like-minded groups.

Denominations, an early ecumenical device of the Puritans, became a way to organize religious life, providing collective resources, education and identity. However, cultural shifts toward institutional suspicion have also created a reaction against denominations. "That's not going to stop, it's only going to increase," Leonard said.

People are straying from denominations because of frustration with different religious voices, denominational warfare and the lack of localism, Leonard said. Younger generations are less interested in or aware of denominational identity. "People think of themselves belonging to a local congregation rather than a denomination," Leonard said.

In lieu of denominations, many churches have unified over ethical issues or worship style. Some churches are also networking for resources and opportunities beyond denominational lines. "We still have denominational churches, but if you look below the surface, you find them shopping around for new networks," said Leonard, who cited Southern Baptist churches who bypass denominational missions opportunities for service with ecumenical groups like Habitat for Humanity.

Megachurches have become mini-denominations because they have resources to provide ministries that churches once had to bond together to offer.

The recent emerging church movement is providing yet another option. Purposely smaller in size, these churches blend ancient and modern theology and worship, welcoming diversity in practice and thought.

"These are churches saying we are unashamedly postmodern ... in order to reach a society that is postmodern," Leonard said.

The emerging church models some of what Baptists need to do in response to the movement toward generic Christianity. Baptists should return to rituals like communion and immersion baptism, Leonard said.

Baptist churches must learn to accept and affirm pluralism without losing some foundational elements. There should be a reemphasis on the individual and the community, as well as having strong ties to the non-church community. "We have to be proactive," he said.