Chips, Churches and So Many Choices

 

“Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.” I Corinthians 8:6 NIV

Let's see, is it the ranch or nacho cheese flavored chips that my son likes? And does my husband prefer barbecue or sour cream and onion kettle chips? Well, at this point I'm overwhelmed with the variety of choices now available when grocery shopping. Where are the original, authentic chips amongst this assortment?

In class last week I remember feeling similarly overwhelmed when learning about the variety of Christian denominations. I'm currently taking a theology class on the Reformation. As part of the class lesson the professor attempted to diagram a church denominational tree. She started in 1054 with the split of the east and west producing the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox. Along the way, individuals seeking change peaked their heads above the conventional establishment, but most lost them in the process.

The 16th century marked the rise of the Lutherans, Anabaptists, Calvinists, Anglicans, and more. Over the next several hundred years these faiths splintered. By the time we got to the modern era, hundreds of denominations existed. In America, almost all the mainline churches have splintered offering their own collection of choices.

Last week, my niece sent me a text to share her new walk with God. I invited her to go to church with me, but she politely refused saying that she was looking for a non-denominational church. My oldest son and his wife made the same decision a year ago. According to the Baylor Survey on Religion, non-denominational churches are the fastest growing in America. Maybe it's no surprise that when assessing the denomination assortments their ancestors have created, the youth shake their head and opt for no label.

Like the variety of chips and other items at the grocery store, there is obviously a place for this array of denominations and even non-denominations. After all, behind each of our differences is the authentic and original life of a humble carpenter who came some two thousand years ago to offer each of us an abundant life here on earth and an eternal one afterwards, for those who choose to believe and follow him! Does it really matter what denominational difference we prefer? Isn’t the common denominator of our Lord Jesus Christ enough?

Dear God please help me appreciate and respect all my brothers and sisters that worship in Your name.

Michele