Free Spirit Worhip Center is a Post-Denominational Church.  What does this mean?  Although we are not "officially" yoked with any denomination, our goal is to serve Christ along side all who love God and strive to serve our Lord.

St. Paul's Collegiate* Church* at Storrs (SPCC).  Ben Dubow, Lead Pastor and Director of Outreach & Service, thoroughly and succinctly defines the term "post-denominational."  While I believe that denominations do have a place in this post-modern society, Pastor Ben gives a most thoughtful overview.

Posted by bdubow on June 24, 2005 12:57 PM

Have Denominations Outlived their usefulness?

In the beginning, when St. Paul's Collegiate Church was still just a concept, we (those of us who were there from conception...oten dreaming and talking over latte at Starbucks or a beer at Bidwells) were pretty committed to the idea that we would affiliate with a denomination.

But somehow we became a "post-denominational" church.. what happened?

I will say that we made an honest effort. We researched 100's of denominations (no exaggerations) and only discovered a few that made the first cut. For us, any group that we were going to associate with missionally had to share our convictions and mission.

That meant, strongly evangelical (in both theology and practice) but decidedly not fundamentalist; strongly egalitarian when it comes to women in ministry (and again, in both theology and practice.. we didn't want a group that merely tolerated ordained women in ministry but celebrated it); affirmed believer baptism; honored and the autonomy and authority of the local church; and a strong commitment to church planting.

What we found after much searching was that most denominations seemed more interested in organizational and institutional survival than in authentic Kingdom-building.

Now, this is certainly at some level a generalization--and there are some wonderful people working for denominations today--but this experience did raise the question for me as to whether denominations have really outlived their usefulness.

My conclusion is that yes, they have.

Maybe there was a time--either when serious instutional reformation was needed, when the amount of interference from government was so much, the need to reclaim orthodoxy so critical, etc--when denominations were needed. But it seems to me that almost every denomination--for good or for bad--was born polemically.

And this is the problem. Their very nature is to be defined by what or who they are not (negative), as opposed to what or who they are (positive). Lutherans aren't Catholics and Baptists aren't Lutherans and Pentecostals aren't Baptists, and on down the line---but always defined in the negative.

In today's increasingly post-Christian world, I am not sure that we can afford to be so polemical.

Yes, we cannot compromise when it comes to our core theological convictions, but the battle can no longer be understood as about the "minors" which define much denominational difference--the battle is really for an authentic Christianity that speaks with authority and relevance to today's world--and that form of Christianity I believe will be found not in one denomination or group, but in the collective Body of Christ as experienced across the street, across the globe, and across time.

Mission is really the key. Jesus established us (all believers) as a mission al church ("Therefore go.." he says). So our link as a church is with those who share our mission--and as the internal denominational battles of the last few years (see most recently the American Episcopal Church or the United Church of Christ, though these are only the most obvious examples) demonstrate, all too often, common name on the letterhead does not equal common mission. But our allegiance can never be to letterhead --- but always to Christ and His universal church.

Even non-denominational and inter-denominational and independent churches (a lot whom we work closely with and find great kinship) have become almost denominational.

That is why we have chosen as a church to be "post-denominational"--to make a statement of sorts. A statement that we think such things as letterhead are a lot less important the conviction and mission, a statement that denominations no longer are accurate pictures of what any individual local body of believers believe and practice, and a statement that in today's post-modern world, in order to remain mission al, the Church (big "C") must get past the denominational barriers that have divided us over relatively minor issues for so long.

That is why we are proud to be a post-denominational church, drawing from the best practices and traditions of all our brothers and sisters in Christ whether they be from the East or the West, the North or the South, from the Roman Catholic Church or the local independent Baptists church.. if we share mission, we are together!

Please feel free to send suggestions, Emails or Comments to Contact Us.

Tuesday, January 26, 2007 

To: Newsweek, My Turn 

Because I am a Black woman in an interracial marriage who leads a church, a local newspaper reporter contacted me to ask how the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has affected my life and ministry.  Interestingly, the reporter chose to identify our household of faith, Free Spirit Worship Center as “Gay-friendly.”  The same evening the article appeared I received an email inquiring how and why Gay persons are included in the church without prejudice. He writes:

             “Just took a look at your website and am quite interested in how you incorporate     the homosexual community without thought of the individual becoming "whole",     but instead accepting their "sexual identity".  Everything I was taught by Christians goes contrary to this and Jesus himself when with such a person would say "go and sin no more."  I just wonder how you are able to defend such an issue.”

Even though all are welcome and affirmed at Free Spirit, this is a question on the minds of many. However not many engage in open and honest dialogue on this particular subject. So, I send this open letter in order to invite healthy communication.  Below is my response to the dear newspaper reporter, the email inquirer and to you:

  “Blessings to you and your house. Thank you for your honest and thoughtful inquiry.  Inclusion of everyone is a basic theme to the ministry to which I am called. While it is not possible in this space to give a thorough explanation, below is a brief overview.  Your comments are most welcome. Just as many of God's ancients had placed walls to keep out certain people, many Christians of modern day justify prejudices by enveloping only those most like themselves: i.e. income, education, mental and physical health, age, gender, etc.  Yes, many good Christians give money, clothes, food and "stuff" to the under privileged, with no intention of forming personal relationships with those considered "less." This is not the model of the Christ I follow. Jesus never said anything about homosexuals.  He was berated by the religious leaders of his day for eating and drinking with the unclean, healing on the Sabbath, was not considered one of them and always pointed to God.  Our Creator has always had a problem with mortals who place themselves and laws above love.  The Pharisee were problematic as Jesus attempted to show they were not elite. But, they conspired with others to have him killed. I find the scriptures most interesting, challenging and life changing and have given my life to the study how the Creator has moved through the lives of people and their problems.

 According to the interpretation of scripture, it is OK that Lot offered his daughters to be ravaged by a lust-filled mob, as women and girls were considered property. Based on interpretation of scripture slavery was OK and that God changed the color of people's skin as divine punishment. The mentally ill were once seen as demon possessed. Based on the interpretation of scripture, there was racial hatred, discrimination against foreigners and practices which hurt the souls of others.  Because these were themes in scripture, are we to duplicate these acts? 

It is easier to deny acceptance by interpreting scripture than to embrace with the love of Christ, which is extravagant.  "For God so loved the world... Consider just one example of the reality to which many face? How would you relate to the 19 year-old female with such an inferiority complex, she gained 150 pounds?  In high school, she would go out with a group of teens from her church youth group, but would not date. Also, her grades slipped and she lost interest in sports. No one understood why this once vibrant, smart and beautiful young lady was suicidal.  An endocrinologist was the one to inform her mother that that her daughter had the hormone level of a seventeen-year old boy. She loves the Lord as much as you or I. This child of God was taught that she and anyone like her chose their sexual identity and would go to hell if they acted on it.  (This despondent teen hid the fact that she was shaving for several years.) What if you, precious one were told by many of the loved and respected that you can never look at your spouse, nor be close to her, remain celibate for the rest of your life or be condemned to death and eternal fire?   Could you do it and remain a healthy and loving individual?  How would it feel to have doors to the house of God closed in your face?  There are many stories and pitiful experiences.

Some heterosexual persons lust after and/or engage in sex with the same sex. The apostle Paul called this behavior “unnatural”.  There are many homosexual persons who feel trapped to marry heterosexuals in order to survive in society.  Their lives are marked by severe depression and other maladies. Could you live this way?  Some homosexual persons act out in outrageous behavior in their attempt to scream, "I AM WHO I AM!"  Who would choose this?  Isn’t it healthier to have people in committed relationships than to doom them to fight strong sexual urges and live in a closet (prison) for their entire life?

There is a great benefit to society when love flourishes. Consider the health costs saved from STDs alone? Society looses when one is forced into a lifestyle which isn’t their own. Many homosexual, heterosexual, bi-sexual and transsexual persons have been delivered from lusts of the flesh. When an act is “bad”, forgiveness prayer is offered with a call for help from a loving Creator to over come it.  If that doesn't work, then we cast out the devil and demons; if that doesn't work, then we must look for more information before we condemn. In recent history in my country, (The writer is Canadian), innocent people were humiliated, brutalized and hanged because of the color of their skin and country of origin.  So-called "scientific studies," which have now been debunked, added credence to the notion that a whole race of people had the mentality of animals, were to be feared and used as laborers.  Atrocities were perpetrated by Bible-believing Christians.  In addition, groups like the Christian Identity Movement in the U.S. teach racial hatred at this very time. Many clergy preach the separation of the races.

Dear One, you have such a tender soul with a gift of articulation and a heart and mind open to question and struggle for answers.  Our desire is to lead others to the knowledge of who they are in Christ so they may honestly and effectively utilize their gifts and talents in a personal relationship with the Lord.  This we agree. A final point: Thankfully, God’s grace accepts us where we are. Do we demand that the obese stop over eating and begin an exercise program before they can come into the church life?  Sometimes the Church is guilty of "reverse evangelism," that is, people are sent away from Christ's Body. 

The church is for the "sick" and not those who need no physician. Sometimes it is we, who believe we are "well" who have sin-sick souls. In closing, there was a time, not too long ago when it was believed the earth was flat. Those with another view were put to death. Why do we treat each others so badly? The message is very simple: Love God and treat others the way you wish to be treated. Peace…”

Oh yes, Dr. King taught me: Equality + Unity = Peace

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