Denominations

image from here

The below captures the essence of a 5-minute talk on denominations given at our recent annual men's retreat.  The speaker was Pastor PD Mayfield; he used some graphics that I include below.  These are reproduced here with permission from Kyle Dillon, a Teaching Elder in Covenant Presbytery (PCA) and theology teacher at Westminster Academy in Memphis. Kyle also writes at Allkirk Network.

A 'denomination' is "a recognized autonomous branch of the Christian Church" (definition from google).  Christianity has many such denominations; here's an overview.

The Church never had pristine unity- she experienced schism throughout her entire history.  Examples:
- the New Testament Church had divisions between Jews & Gentiles, circumcised & not
- 1054: the Great Schism separates the Eastern & Western Churches
- 16th Century: The Reformation results in Roman Catholics & Protestants
- Among Protestants, four main branches developed (Reformed, Lutheran, Anglican, Anabaptists & other non-conformists)

Why this division?  What separates us?  Generally, three things:
1- Authority (priority and relationship between scripture, creeds/councils/confessions, tradition, etc.)
2- Structure (hierarchy- be it Congregational, Presbyterian, etc.)
3- Identity (doctrine, practices, who is part of the Church, etc.)

What causes splits?  A myriad of reasons, some warranted and others less so but all lamentable for the Body of Christ. Here are some categories, definitions, and spectrum for understanding existing splits or discerning present conflicts within the Church.  Again, these are used with permission from Kyle Dillon.

Here and here are interesting websites on denominations.