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According to the "World Christian Encyclopedia", there were 33,820 denominations within so-called Christianity in 2001. It is estimated that there are currently 40,000 denominations in 2008. Regardless of whether these figures are 100% accurate or not, they demonstrate the degree of schism within the body of Christ.
According to "Global Christianity"; in the year 1900, there were 1900 denominations, meeting in 400,000 worship centers. By the year 2000, there were 33,800 denominations meeting in 3,448,000 worship centers. What these figures demonstrate is how Christianity has splintered into pieces. People cannot get along with each other, their pastor and their denominational leaders. The level of disagreement on doctrinal and practical issues is so strong that instead of working out their differences, small groups simply split from larger groups and start their own "church".
Not too many years ago there were a handful of major denominations which were separated by distinct doctrinal differences of opinion. In the year 1800 there were only 500 denominations in the world. By 1900, that figure had only increased to 1900. Thus, it can be reasonably argued that as late as 1900, Christianity was still somewhat unified. But, considering the almost 20 fold increase in denominations between 1900 and 2000, one sees that division has literally ripped Christianity apart.
Jesus stated emphatically that a house divided against itself will never stand. This statement has been proven to be true countless times in every possible arena. Division within the ranks always is the precursor to defeat. No group; of any kind or nature can expect to succeed in their endeavors if they are divided. Unless some degree of unity can be forged, the group will splinter into factions and their ability to move forward stalls. In time, instead of moving forward, the group will fall back in retreat.
Unity of purpose is far different than unity of opinion. Whereas it is nigh unto impossible to ever see unity of opinion in any group, it is not that difficult to have unity of purpose. Unity of purpose demands enough humility to lay aside one's own opinions and demands for the common good.
The reason Christianity has lost its heart and soul is because of the division that has ripped it to shreds. How can one faith possibly be split into almost 40,000 denominations? This is a contradiction of terms. One equals one, not 40,000. The reason there are 40,000 factions is pride. People refuse to lay down their personal opinions for the common good. They become dogmatic in their private interpretation of scripture and Church by-laws. They have personality conflicts with other board members or the pastor and instead of working out their differences they opt to leave and start a new group.
Far and away, the biggest percentage of the new denominations are the multitudes of "non-denominational" groups that have sprung up in the past 35 years. Starting around 1970, people began leaving the older denominations in large numbers. For awhile, these people became categorized as "inactive Christians". Shortly thereafter small groups began springing up attracting those who had left the major denominations. These groups exploded in growth and many have since become mega-churches with well over 20,000 members. Many still stubbornly hold fast to their belief they are "non-denominational", even though their numbers say otherwise.
I am not anti-church or anti-denominational. I am highly in favor of each believer going to wherever he or she gets their spiritual needs met. I understand that Christianity will never be unified until Christ returns and we all become as He is and are one with Him. Although unity of opinion is not possible in the Body of Christ, I have to believe unity of purpose is still available.
The Apostle Paul dealt with division in churches he personally had planted and overseen for months and even years. Division is nothing new; it has been used by the enemy for two thousand years to keep what happened in the early chapters of Acts from ever happening again. If the enemy can turn believers against each other, where their energy is spent defending positions, accusing brothers of sin and plotting overthrows of churches; then he is free to do pretty much as he wills.
Families disagree, that is a part of life. Strong families will "air out" their differences and work out a solution to a problem that everyone can live with. It truly baffles me why Christians cannot seem to do this. Why can't one believer simply sit down and work out a dispute with his brother in Christ? I have sat in counseling situations where two so-called "brothers" in Christ will not as much as consent to be in the same room with each other. Christians many times have the uncanny ability to manifest more animosity toward each other (when offended), than they do toward unbelievers who steal from them and try to destroy them.
As believers in Christ, we need to fight FOR each other instead of AGAINST each other. Things like selfishness and ambition have no place in the body of Christ. But, we are human, and as such, we have to deal with our egos and our pride. Jesus had to deal with the bickering among his disciples about who would be greatest in the age to come. They were men and they were filled with the same desires for fame as men and women are today.
Pride, ego and selfishness are the enemies of unity. Humility, meekness and selflessness are the friends which allow unity of purpose to be hammered out. I pray that as we continue to look to God's Word for instructions on unity, we can lay aside the weapons that divide us. We have enough denominations already. It is time to start classifying ourselves as Christians who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and are devoted to do as He says and love as He loved, instead of members of some particular denomination or non-denominational group.
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