Are We a Denomination?

W. Carl Ketcherside

[Page 11]

     Is "The Church of Christ"a denomination? Many of its members vigorously deny that it is. Its preachers publicly affirm that it is not. Its advertisements appearing in the newspapers among those of other religious organizations boldly assert that it is non-sectarian and undenominational. Those who are unbiased in facing the facts know that these claims cannot be sustained. "The Church of Christ" as it exists today is a denomination in the same sense as The Baptist Church, The Methodist Church, or The Presbyterian Church, and for the same reason. Although this statement may appear treasonable we simply request our brethren to think honestly and sincerely about the matter. The answer is inevitable.

     We need to distinguish between the words "sectarian" and "denomination." They are too often used interchangeably or as synonyms. But there is a difference. "Sectism" is a demonstration of the party spirit. It is "heresy" as the Holy Spirit uses that term. It is manifested in an attitude toward other believers that is factional and divisive. But the word "denomination" is from the Latin nominare, to call by a name, coupled with the prefix de. It refers to a specific designation, to the act of naming. In the religious sense a denomination is a group or society having a specific name or title. The word has nothing to do with the nature of the doctrine adopted and advocated by such a society. A group might teach nothing but the

[Page 12]

truth and still be a denomination. If they had a specific title by which they called themselves as a means of distinction from others they would be a denomination. The primitive ekklesia of saints had no official title for a very good reason. No proper name was ever assigned to the disciples in a corporate sense. They were the "called out ones" by faith in the Nazarene. They were the believers while those who rejected the testimony of his Sonship were "unbelievers." With the possible exception of the schismatics at Corinth it had not yet occurred to them to splinter, separate and segregate the believers from one another.

     From the standpoint of ownership the believers constituted the church of God (l Cor.1:2; 10:32; 11:22; 15:9; Gal.1:13, etc.); from that of constituency the churches of the saints (1 Cor. 14:33); from that of heirship the church of the first-born ones whose names are enrolled in heaven (Heb. 12:23). As to divine relationship they were the church of God in Christ Jesus (1 Thess.2:14); as to headship or rule the churches of Christ (Rom.16:16). In the matter of government they were the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God, the kingdom of the Son of man, or the kingdom of God's beloved Son. In unity and organization they composed the body of Christ.

     These designations bestowed upon God's people were never intended to be official and exclusive titles. They were merely common nouns used as descriptive of some phase or feature of the relationship sustained to God and each other. To fasten upon one of these and make it the specific name of the church and declare it is "the scriptural name" when the scriptures uses them all, is to sectarianize that designation and denominate the church.

     It is a common practice for partisan speakers to use as a topic, "What Name Shall The Church Wear?" These brethren blithely ignore all the terms used by the Spirit and seize upon an expression not found in the scriptures. They arbitrarily and dogmatically seek to bind this upon disciples of the Lord as an exclusive title which must be worn to be "faithful." Such speakers prove themselves to be sectarian. The expression "The Church of Christ" is not in the oracles of God in that form at all. Any group which so denominates itself, employing this as its title or specific name, is a denomination in the fair sense of that word, nothwithstanding all the anguished protests to the contrary.

     It is impossible to avoid the charge that the party with which we are allied is a denomination so long as it is denominated. All the childish denials cannot offset the fact that so long as men deliver talks intended to denominate the church they are contending for denominational status. To denominate is to name and if the body of believers who call themselves "The Church of Christ" insist on that as a title they are a denomination by their own admission. They use that expression exactly as other sects use "Church of God" or "Churches of God in Christ." Both of these are found in the scriptures; both have been lifted and appropriated as party titles.

     The primitive ekklesia of God was neither a denomination nor a sect. It had no official title. Jesus planted no religious party on earth called "The Church of Christ." The saints in a corporate sense were described by the apostles according to the relationship under consideration at the time. There was only one church then, there is only one now. There never has been more than one church, there never can be another. A distinctive title is superfluous and sectarian in tendency. There is nothing in the category of the ekklesia from which it needs to be distinguished It is simply the church and is composed of all the saved on earth without a single exception!

     So long as members of "The Church of Christ" claim they are not a denomination they will continue to be one. It is only when they are willing to admit that as they now exist they constitute a denomination that they will take the necessary steps to correct their status. It is gratifying to the spirit to note that some

[Page 13]

are beginning to do so although often hindered by those who cling for security to a party name. In order to be truly non-denominational the believers must renounce all official titles and specific designations used in an exclusive sense. They must become once again just the church the ekklesia--the called out!

     This will not be easy to achieve in an age filled with sects and parties. But we will accomplish no real good in our generation toward restoring the primitive order by merely maintaining another sect or party. We will only augment the problem and add to the confusion. However, we must not conclude that all of the members of "The Church of Christ" want to be non-denominational. A majority of them do not. Like any other persons reared in a factional environment they will place their trust and hope in a "church name." It will be a long dreary struggle before our brethren are won back from the sectarian spirit which grips their hearts.

     It is amazing to what lengths men will go in order to maintain a divisive exclusiveness. Near where I reside there is a meetinghouse owned by certain brethren. On their sign in front are the words "Church of Christ" and underneath in parentheses the additional term "Christian." They thus reveal that they are doubly denominational, and sectarian as well. Not only have they adopted a title to distinguish themselves from other disciples of the Master, but they have added a subtitle to distinguish themselves from other members bearing the same denomination. This would be amusing if it were not a grave symptom of that party spirit which is a work of the flesh. That makes it serious indeed!

     By what practical means can we conquer the denominational trend? First, we must purge our hearts from the attitude which has given rise to it. To be undenominational in practice we must first become so in thought. We must cease to regard any faction, segment or party as the church. We must think of ourselves as being Christians only and not regard ourselves as the only Christians. We must cultivate a love for all of God's children which will leave no desire to be distinguished from them. Then we must set about creating an atmosphere of spirituality in which all of them will feel welcome.

     This means we will set the Lord's table as a feast in which every Christian, every immersed believer, may freely participate with us. We will regard all such who come among us as a part of the church of God even though in the past they have, by virtue of birth, training and environment, grown up in another segment of the believers. This does not imply nor necessitate any compromise of convictions. It only requires a recognition of brotherhood based upon common parenthood. When we have occasion to speak of ourselves as a group we should employ such scriptural language as describes the particular relationship at the time. We should practice using a variety of terms as did the apostles in their writings.

     Let us not feel that our task will be easy. The spirit of sectarianism is deeply entrenched in the hearts of our brethren. Satan will not quickly release his hold upon our minds. So long as he can make of us just another denomination among others, he will effectively reduce the impact of our plea. We need to pray very earnestly for each other, and to strengthen each other in our resolution to be children worthy of the Father who sent His Son to die for us all. And we need to have that courage born of faith which will not allow our consciences to be at ease until we have won the victory for truth and righteousness. Please pray for us!