Connectionalism

Romans 12:5 “so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

 

I hear a lot of talk amongst Presbyterians about our denomination being connectional, but what I'm seeing in reality is a growing movement towards individual congregationalism. I don't know if it’s a sign of the times and the fragmentation of our institutions, or if it’s a knee-jerk reaction to recent General Assembly decisions. Whatever the cause, there’s seems to be a movement away from regional and national assemblies towards being in favor of local gatherings and small groups.

 

Even at our local presbytery meetings, there doesn't seem to be a lot of deep-rooted connectionalism. The same old faces (mine included), with the same old views keep appearing, and the liveliness of debate is being squashed by parliamentary procedures and polity propriety that knocks the stuffing out of anyone who is truly passionate about the Gospel, Christ’s message, and winning souls for His Kingdom. Pastors and elders alike feel disconnected to the decision-making bodies, which reminds me of the ‘old-school tie’ network back in Britain. If you're not ‘in’ with the ‘in crowd’, you're left out of the loop. If you don't play the great game according to the inner circle’s rules, then you're just made to feel like a bystander and spectator. In the end, you just wonder why you bother about Presbyterian connectionalism – is it just a myth, or just something for the predestined few?

 

I might sound quite jaundiced this morning, but I'm not wanting to be. I love being a Presbyterian and, because I grew up in Scotland, I probably know more about it than others around me. If we want to remain strong as one body, then we've got to start purposefully linking together, instead of being territorial. When I hear of things like Knoxville churches, Chattanooga churches and Middle Kingdom churches in presbytery, I get dismayed because we're already fragmenting who we are geographically. When I see policies and conferences being planned for small churches, medium churches, and large churches, I keep thinking about Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Aren't we one church, one part of Christ’s Kingdom, or are we just a bunch of parochial whiners complaining about who’s eating my parish’s porridge?

 

In the end, Christ is not going to ask us where we are from or what denomination we belonged to. He’s not going to give us more spiritual brownie points for being immensely proud of being a Presbyterian, or whatever denomination we do or don't belong to. Instead, He’s going to ask us if we were part of His Church, promoting His way and spreading His Gospel. Anything else is eternally superficial; anything other is infinitely of no importance.

 

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, help us to be at one with Your Church, which is not tied to lands or denominations, to man-made creeds or institutions. Grant us the freedom to live our faith by casting our allegiance to You alone. In Your Sacred Name, we pray. Amen.