Where Have All the Presbyterians Gone?
February 5 | Posted by mrossol | Religion, Religious PersecutionRussell D. Moore: Where Have All the Presbyterians Gone? – WSJ.com.
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But there are some signs of a growing church-focused evangelicalism. Many young evangelicals may be poised to reconsider denominational doctrine, if for no other reason than they are showing signs of fatigue with typical evangelical consumerism.
For example, artists such as Keith and Kristen Getty and Sojourn Music are reaching a new generation with music written for and performed by local congregations. Yes, prosperity preacher Joyce Meyer sells her book “Eat the Cookie, Buy the Shoes,” which encourages Christians to “lighten up” by eating cookies and buying shoes (seriously). But, at the same time, Alabama preacher David Platt is igniting thousands of young people with his book “Radical,” which calls Christians to rescue their faith by lowering their standard of living and giving their time and money to Church-based charities.
And though nondenominational churches are growing, the Southern Baptist Convention—the nation’s largest Protestant group—has over 10,000 students studying for ministry in six seminaries right now.
If denominationalism simply denotes a “brand” vying for market share, then let denominationalism fall. But many of us believe denominations can represent fidelity to living traditions of local congregations that care about what Jesus cared about—personal conversion, discipleship, mission and community. Perhaps the denominational era has just begun.
Mr. Moore is dean of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.
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