New life for denominationalism

Christian Century, March 15, 2000 by Nancy T. Ammerman

For a congregation full of switchers to choose its own denomination's Christian education curriculum is a conscious statement about the importance of the views reflected therein. Where distinctive denominational beliefs were highlighted in our interviews, those congregations were much more likely to have opted for denominational curricula. And where switcher congregations are using denominational materials, they are much more likely to report a strong sense of connection to the tradition. As we have already heard, pastors in these congregations are intentional about teaching their newcomers what it means to be a part of the denomination. One Presbyterian pastor was especially eloquent in this regard:

   For me it's very important to talk about what it means to be Presbyterian
   from a theological perspective.... The reality is that there are some
   things about us that are unique theologically, and the first one is John
   Calvin's doctrine of special providence and--horror of horrors--his
   doctrine of predestination. When we stop talking about what it means, about
   what predestination means, we've stopped understanding what it means to be
   Presbyterian.... [We need to talk about] the kind of theological energy,
   the kind of theological positivism that is part of the Presbyterian
   heritage.... All year long I intersperse sermons that are theologically
   based. I talk about theology.... When I do new-members stuff I talk about
   the things that are essential to all Christians and then to Reformed
   Christians and then to Presbyterians. These are the doctrines that are
   important to Presbyterians, why we're Presbyterians. Something has got to
   hold us together more than the offering plate.

This church, where more than half the congregation grew up outside the Presbyterian tradition, uses denominational curriculum in its Sunday school. These are not people for whom curricular choices are being made out of longstanding habit, out of never having experienced any other materials. It is hard to tell which comes first, but it is very clear that a decision not to use denominational curricula is strongly linked to lower levels of denominational identity and loyalty.

Denominational strength is not just about belief and curriculum, however. It is also about nurturing a distinctive pattern of worship. We already heard that in what the Albuquerque Episcopal rector said about his tradition. More than any other group, Episcopalians pointed to their worship traditions--not to beliefs--as the force binding them together. A Hartford rector said.

   Let me just say that usually Episcopalians do not have theological or
   doctrinal disputes. That's because we're not a doctrinal church. [However],
   there's the Book of Common Prayer which is our worship book.... It is what
   we are bound to... everyone is praying the same thing. The idea of
   community is heightened by that, and individuality is dropped, which I
   think is a pretty good thing. People come to church--being connected to God
   and to each other is a good thing.... Good or bad, that's how we do it. If
   you go around and interview every other Episcopal church in the area,
   you'll find that book in the pew. There's a level of comfort in that. We
   like that.