When you read this text, it is obvious that there are divisions popping up in the church, and that various leaders are being followed and it seems like they are almost being idolized.  We know the point isn’t that these leaders are set up on a pedestal, but that God would be honored and glorified and worshipped, so we know there is an imbalance.

Thinking about denominations - let’s first identify the positives.  Christians, and all people, like to belong to groups.  We like being a part of something bigger than ourselves.  We like connection to others.  We like when our beliefs are aligned.  And, we know that there are areas of our worship where we don’t have definitive answers as to ‘how’ to do things based on scripture alone.  A classic example is baptism.  If we just look at this one element of Christian religious practice, we can find a myriad of methods and practices that have been adopted by different groups.  And that’s just ONE element.  If you Google “Christian Denominations” and go to images, you will see some great charts and graphs that show how things have progressed over time.  And, the thing is, that looks (to me) kind of negative, because it looks like there is so much division.  But, in another sense, it means that wherever you land in your faith journey, and whatever I believe and however I want to practice my faith, there is likely to be a group that I can be a part of and feel that sense of unity.  Think of it this way...since it is March Madness season...people are fans of college basketball while holding to different ideas about how certain rules should be changed, whether college athletes should or shouldn’t get paid, and whether having various leagues and divisions are better than others...but we love college basketball, and those arguments we have about those nuances are because we want to make it better.  Perhaps denominational Christianity is somewhat akin to that.

Obviously though, there is a negative side to all of this as well.  I think the MOST negative result to all of that division is that it doesn’t look great to those outside the faith.  It looks like division.  It looks like chaos.  It definitely looks confusing...heck, it is confusing for most of us as well.  It doesn’t look ‘inviting’.  We may be able to agree to disagree and still love each other inside of the Christian community, but that doesn’t change the fact that those outside of the community just see division.