The Baby and the Bathwater

A trend that has become full blown in the church today is to make a presentation to the community that is totally devoid of any denominational connection. Church signs that once prominently proclaimed a denominational heritage now intentionally hide it on the back of the sign where no one can find it.  Of course, while such is an exaggeration, it is true that denominational affiliation, if it even exists, is hard to find.  I remember reading early in my years of ministry the church researchers who were predicting the rise of autonomous church groups and the demise of denominational churches.  Those predictions have certainly been proven true.    

Perhaps, there is hidden in some alcove of these churches with names that could just as well serve a coffee shop a notebook filled with a strong theological core of beliefs, but I would venture it likely borders on being more culture based than one based on the rich theological positions which have served the church for centuries.  It seems that churches want to be identified as independent and capable of creating their own core theological values.  Where as, I grew up in a culture where people expressed with pride a heritage as old as the Reformation and maybe even older, the church on the corner today wants no part of it.  

Perhaps, it speaks in part to a generation of people who are choosing to live unattached to traditions, institutions, and one another.  The Internet propagates a lie that people are more connected and they may be more connected to information, but not to people.  I grew up with a saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater."  I wonder sometimes if we are not doing this very thing in the church today.